vitthalpandurangapandharpurabhang

Yei O Vitthala (Yei Ho Vitthale)

Yei O Vitthala (Yei Ho Vitthale) in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 1× repetitions·🕐 Morning or evening, especially on Ekadashi and Ashadhi/Kartiki Wari·📜 Varkari sant-sahitya (Marathi devotional abhang tradition)

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

Yei O Vitthala ("Come, O Vitthal") is one of the most beloved abhang-aartis of the Varkari tradition, attributed to the saint-poetess Sant Janabai. With the intimacy of a child calling its mother, the devotee begs Vithoba of Pandharpur to come, describing how the Lord stands on the brick with a tender face, absorbed in meditation. It is sung daily in Pandharpur and across Maharashtra as a heartfelt invitation for the Lord's darshan.

Origin & Story

Varkari sant-sahitya (Marathi devotional abhang tradition) · Sant Janabai (traditional attribution) · 13th century CE

Sant Janabai was a maidservant in the home of Sant Namdev in Pandharpur, and her abhangs are marked by an extraordinary intimacy with Vitthal, whom she treats as her mother, friend and household companion. In 'Yei O Vitthala' she calls out to the Lord as a child longs for its mother, watching the road and sending word with every passing traveller that her 'mother and father' dwell in Pandharpur. The abhang has become one of the signature songs of Varkari devotion, sung as an aarti and invitation for the Lord's presence.

✦ As told in scripture

Tradition holds that Vitthal so loved Janabai that He would come and help her with her chores — grinding grain and gathering dung-cakes with her — and that He answered such heartfelt calls as 'Yei O Vitthala' by appearing to His devotees. Singing it with a longing heart is believed to draw the Lord's loving presence near.

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Complete Text with Meaning

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Verse 1

Yei Ho Vitthale Majhe Mauli Ye | Nidhalavari Kar Thevuni Vaat Mi Paahe ||

Meaning:Come, O Vitthal, my dear Mother, come to me! Placing your hand upon my forehead, I keep watching the road, awaiting you.

Verse 2

Aaliya Geliya Haati Dhadi Nirop | Pandharpuri Aahe Majha Maaybaap ||

Meaning:With every traveller who comes and goes I send a message: my mother and father dwell in Pandharpur.

Verse 3

Pivala Pitambar Kaisa Gagani Zhalakala | Garudavari Baisoni Majha Kaivari Aala ||

Meaning:How the yellow silken garment shone forth in the sky! Seated upon Garuda, my champion and protector has come to me.

Verse 4

Vitevari Ubha Dise Deenavadana | Lagalise Samadhi Majhya Narayana ||

Meaning:He stands upon the brick, His face full of tenderness for the humble; my Narayana is absorbed in deep, serene meditation.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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Yei🔊Come (an affectionate call)

Ho Vitthale🔊O Vitthal (Vithoba, the Lord of Pandharpur)

Majhe Mauli🔊My Mother (the Lord addressed as the loving mother)

Nidhalavari🔊Upon my forehead

Kar Thevuni🔊Placing your hand

Vaat Mi Paahe🔊I am awaiting (watching the path for you)

Aaliya Geliya🔊With those who come and go (travellers)

Haati Dhadi Nirop🔊I send a message in their hands

Pandharpuri🔊In Pandharpur (the holy town on the Bhima/Chandrabhaga)

Majha Maaybaap🔊My mother-and-father (the Lord as both parents)

Pivala Pitambar🔊The yellow silk garment (pitambara)

Gagani Zhalakala🔊Shone forth in the sky

Garudavari Baisoni🔊Seated upon Garuda (the eagle mount of Vishnu)

Majha Kaivari Aala🔊My champion/protector has come

Vitevari Ubha🔊Standing upon the brick (the vit at Pandharpur)

Deenavadana🔊With a gentle, compassionate face turned to the humble

Lagalise Samadhi🔊Absorbed in deep meditative stillness

Majhya Narayana🔊My Narayana (the Supreme Lord)

Benefits of Chanting Yei O Vitthala (Yei Ho Vitthale)

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Awakens intense, child-like love (bhakti) for Vitthal of Pandharpur

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Calms a restless mind and fills the heart with longing for the Lord's darshan

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Cherished as a daily morning or evening invocation in the Varkari tradition

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Strengthens the devotee's sense of the Lord as both loving mother and father

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Beautiful and easy to sing, drawing the whole family into devotion

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Especially auspicious on Ekadashi and during the Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage

How to Chant Yei O Vitthala (Yei Ho Vitthale)

Repetitions1times

Best TimeMorning or evening, especially on Ekadashi and Ashadhi/Kartiki Wari

Sit before an image of Vitthal (Panduranga), light a lamp, and sing the abhang slowly with feeling, treating the Lord as your own mother. It is traditionally sung as part of the aarti or bhajan, often followed by other Varkari abhangs such as 'Sundar Te Dhyan' and the Pandurang aarti 'Yuge Atthavees'. Let the longing in the words carry the heart toward Pandharpur.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Yei O Vitthala (Yei Ho Vitthale) written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

Vitthal (also Vithoba or Panduranga) is a form of Vishnu/Krishna worshipped at Pandharpur in Maharashtra, who stands on a brick (vit) with His hands on His hips, eternally awaiting His devotees. He is the presiding deity of the Varkari saints.

This abhang is traditionally attributed to Sant Janabai, the 13th-century maidservant-saint and devotee in the household of Sant Namdev, who is famous for addressing Vitthal with the closeness of a mother and friend.

In the Varkari tradition the Lord (and the saints, especially Dnyaneshwar) are lovingly called 'Mauli', meaning Mother, because Vitthal's grace is felt to be as unconditional and nourishing as a mother's love.

It is sung in daily worship, during bhajan and kirtan, on Ekadashi, and especially during the great Ashadhi and Kartiki pilgrimages (Wari) to Pandharpur.