Yei O Vitthala (Yei Ho Vitthale) Meaning — Line by Line

येई हो विठ्ठले

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Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Yei O Vitthala (Yei Ho Vitthale) with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

Verse 1#

येई हो विठ्ठले माझे माउली ये । निढळावरी कर ठेवुनी वाट मी पाहे ॥

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

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

Verse 2#

आलिया गेलिया हातीं धाडी निरोप । पंढरपुरीं आहे माझा मायबाप ॥

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

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

Verse 3#

पिवळा पीतांबर कैसा गगनीं झळकला । गरुडावरी बैसोनी माझा कैवारी आला ॥

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

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

Verse 4#

विटेवरी उभा दिसे दीनवदना । लागलीसे समाधि माझ्या नारायणा ॥

Vitevari Ubha Dise Deenavadana | Lagalise Samadhi Majhya Narayana ||

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

Word-by-Word Breakdown

येई

Yei

Come (an affectionate call)

हो विठ्ठले

Ho Vitthale

O Vitthal (Vithoba, the Lord of Pandharpur)

माझे माउली

Majhe Mauli

My Mother (the Lord addressed as the loving mother)

निढळावरी

Nidhalavari

Upon my forehead

कर ठेवुनी

Kar Thevuni

Placing your hand

वाट मी पाहे

Vaat Mi Paahe

I am awaiting (watching the path for you)

आलिया गेलिया

Aaliya Geliya

With those who come and go (travellers)

हातीं धाडी निरोप

Haati Dhadi Nirop

I send a message in their hands

पंढरपुरीं

Pandharpuri

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

माझा मायबाप

Majha Maaybaap

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

पिवळा पीतांबर

Pivala Pitambar

The yellow silk garment (pitambara)

गगनीं झळकला

Gagani Zhalakala

Shone forth in the sky

गरुडावरी बैसोनी

Garudavari Baisoni

Seated upon Garuda (the eagle mount of Vishnu)

माझा कैवारी आला

Majha Kaivari Aala

My champion/protector has come

विटेवरी उभा

Vitevari Ubha

Standing upon the brick (the vit at Pandharpur)

दीनवदना

Deenavadana

With a gentle, compassionate face turned to the humble

लागलीसे समाधि

Lagalise Samadhi

Absorbed in deep meditative stillness

माझ्या नारायणा

Majhya Narayana

My Narayana (the Supreme Lord)

Origin & History

Source: Varkari sant-sahitya (Marathi devotional abhang tradition)

Author: Sant Janabai (traditional attribution)

Period: 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Vitthal in 'Yei O Vitthala'?▼

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.

Who composed 'Yei O Vitthala'?▼

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.

Why is the Lord called 'Mauli' (Mother) here?▼

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.

When is this abhang usually sung?▼

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

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