Vitthal Aarti — Yuge Atthavis Vitevari Ubha

Yuge Atthavis Vitevari Ubha is one of Sant Namdev's most popular Vitthal aartis — it describes Vitthal standing on the brick at Pandharpur for twenty-eight ages, and the glory of his darshan.

Deity: Vitthal

Vitthal

Mantra & aarti

Composer: Sant Namdev — a leading poet-saint of the Varkari tradition (approximately 13th–14th century), traditionally regarded as a contemporary of Sant Dnyaneshwar.

When to sing it: Sung during Vitthal darshan and the daily evening aarti at Pandharpur after the naivedya is offered, and during Ashadhi-Kartiki Ekadashi and the wari.

Yuge atthavis vitevari ubha |Vamangi Rakhumai dise divya shobha |Pundalikache bheti parabrahma aale ga |Charani vahe Bhima uddhari jaga || 1 ||Rakhumaivallabha Rahichya vallabha pave jivalaga || dhru ||Jai dev jai dev jai Panduranga |Tulasimala gala kar thevuni kati |Kanse pitambar kasturi lallati |Dev suravar nitya yeti bheti |Garud Hanumant pudhe ubhe rahati || 2 ||Dhanya venunad anukshetrapala |Suvarnachi kamale vanamala gala |Rahi Rakhumabai raniya sakala |Ovaliti raja Vithoba savala || 3 ||Ovalu aartya kurvandya yeti |Chandrabhagemaji soduniya deti |Dindya pataka vaishnav nachati |Pandharicha mahima varnava kiti || 4 ||Aashadhi Kartiki bhaktajan yeti |Chandrabhagemadhye snane je kariti |Darshanhelamatre taya hoy mukti |Keshavasi Namdev bhave ovaliti || 5 ||

Meaning (brief): For twenty-eight ages Vitthal has stood upon the brick, Rakhumai at his left in divine splendour; the Supreme Being came here for Pundalik's sake, and the Bhima river flows at his feet. Wearing a tulsi garland, a yellow silk garment and a musk mark on the forehead, Vithoba is worshipped with the aarti lamp by Rakhumabai, Rahi and all the queens, while gods and Garuda-Hanuman stand in attendance. Kurvandya offerings are released into the Chandrabhaga, and Vaishnavas dance with dindis and flags; bathing in the Chandrabhaga and taking Vitthal's darshan during Ashadhi-Kartiki are said to grant liberation — so Namdev sings this aarti with devotion.

The words and tune can vary slightly by household or sect. This text follows a traditional household Aarti Sangrah booklet.