Roop Pahata Lochani — Sant Dnyaneshwar Abhanga
Sant Dnyaneshwar's Roop Pahata Lochani: the joy of beholding Vitthal's form, the fruit of many past good deeds and the home of every happiness.
Verses
O dear companion! The moment my eyes beheld that enchanting divine form, an indescribable bliss flooded my entire being!
Verse 1
Behold, how exceedingly beautiful and gracious is this Vitthal; behold, how supremely charming and benevolent is this Madhava!
Verse 2
It is the accumulated harvest of virtue from countless previous lifetimes that has blossomed into this profound love and longing for Lord Vitthal!
Verse 3
Lord Vitthal, the divine consort of Mother Rakhumai (Rukmini), is the eternal treasure-house and fountainhead of all joy!
Verse 4
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham)
Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya)
Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering
- Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home
Background
Sant Dnyaneshwar (1275–1296) laid the philosophical and emotional foundation of the Warkari movement in Maharashtra. Taking Sanjeevan Samadhi at Alandi at the tender age of twenty-one, he composed the monumental Bhavartha Deepika (Dnyaneshwari) and the Amritanubhava. 'Roop Pahata Lochani' represents the pinnacle of his devotional poetry. In this hymn, he affectionately calls Vitthal 'Barava' (the finest, most beautiful), declaring that seeing the Lord standing on the brick satisfies all spiritual thirst and delivers the supreme peace of non-dual realization in loving devotion. In the Dnyaneshwar Gatha (Sakhare recension, Indira Press, Pune, 1908) it stands as abhanga no. 1, under the heading on the saguna and nirguna form of Hari.
About this Text
Composed by: Sant Dnyaneshwar · Medieval Warkari Poet-Saint · 13th century, Maharashtra
A Marathi philosopher-saint who, tradition holds, composed the Dnyaneshwari — a celebrated Marathi commentary on the Bhagavad Gita — in his teens. He is considered a foundational figure of the Warkari (Vitthal-devotee) tradition of Maharashtra, and his Pasaydan is recited to this day as a universal prayer for the wellbeing of all beings.
Did You Know?
The Term 'Barava'
Dnyaneshwar repeatedly uses the Old Marathi word Barava (meaning exceptionally sweet, gracious, and radiant), capturing a beauty beyond all worldly comparison.
Accumulation of Merits (Sukritanchi Jodi)
The hymn teaches that true attraction to the divine name is not an accidental whim, but the ripening fruit of noble actions performed across numerous previous lifetimes.
Signature Phrase 'Rakhumadevivara'
Sant Dnyaneshwar traditionally concludes his abhangas with the signature Baap Rakhumadevivara, invoking Vitthal as the beloved consort of Goddess Rakhumai (Rukmini).
Vitthal
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