Yuge Atthavis Vitevari Ubha — Shri Vitthal Aarti
The evening aarti of Vitthal at Pandharpur, traditionally ascribed to Sant Namdev, sung across Maharashtra to the Lord on the brick beside Rakhumai.
Verses
For twenty-eight cosmic eons, He stands erect upon the brick; on His left side, Devi Rakhumai radiates celestial splendor! To meet His devotee Pundalik, the Supreme Parabrahman came in person; at His lotus feet flows the river Bhima, delivering the entire world.
Verse 1
Victory to Thee, O Divine Lord! Victory to Thee, O Panduranga! Beloved Lord of Rakhumai and Radha (Rahi), come swiftly to protect me, O Beloved Soul of my life!
Verse 2
Around His neck is the fragrant Tulsi garland, His hands resting gracefully on His hips; wearing yellow silk at His waist and musk tilak on His forehead! Celestial gods and sages arrive daily to behold Him, while Garuda and Hanuman stand proudly in attendance before Him.
Verse 3
Blessed is the celestial flute melody of the Lord of this holy realm; around His neck are golden lotuses and fragrant wild flower garlands! Radha (Rahi), Rakhumai, and Satyabhama all lovingly wave the sacred lamps before the dark, enchanting Lord.
Verse 4
Devotees wave the sacred flame lamps and cast protective circular blessings, floating them lovingly upon the waters of the Chandrabhaga! The pure-hearted see the incense, lamps, and offerings; Namdev's Lord is beheld face-to-face with one's own eyes!
Verse 5
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
Sung in evening worship across Maharashtra, usually after the Ganesha and Shiva aartis, 'Yuge Atthavis' holds pride of place in the devotional calendar. It is traditionally ascribed to Sant Namdev (c. 1270 to c. 1350), the Warkari saint-poet, and its closing line carries his name, as the poet's signature. The phrase 'Yuge Atthavis' (28 eons) echoes the Puranic count in which the present Vaivasvata manvantara is in its 28th chaturyuga; devotees read it as saying the Lord has stood on the brick of devotion for ages beyond counting, waiting for his devotees. The aarti depicts the dark-hued Lord with his hands on his waist, attended by Garuda and Hanuman, with the river Chandrabhaga flowing beside Pandharpur. The standing-on-a-brick image comes from the legend of Pundalik, who threw a brick for Krishna to stand on while he served his parents; this legend is told in the Skanda Purana (1.34 to 1.67) and in the Panduranga Mahatmya of the Padma Purana.
About this Text
Composed by: Sant Namdev
Did You Know?
Significance of 28 Yugas
In the Puranic count, the present Vaivasvata manvantara (the 7th) is in its 28th chaturyuga, so 'Yuge Atthavis' points to Vitthal as the eternal Lord of cosmic time, standing and waiting rather than a temporary presence.
The Divine Pair
Lord Vitthal is worshipped here alongside Devi Rakhumai (Rukmini) standing gracefully on His left side (Vamangi Rakhumai). Verse 4 adds that Rai (Radha) and Satyabhama also offer aarti to the dark-hued Lord with devotion.
Holy River Bhima
The sacred river Bhima wraps in a crescent around Pandharpur, earning the endearing spiritual name Chandrabhaga (crescent moon river). Verse 5 describes the waving lamps being floated on the Chandrabhaga after the aarti.
Nama's signature
The text of this aarti in the Marathi Arati collection of Sanskrit Documents closes by saying that Namdev offers the lamp to Keshava with devotion. Because the poet's own name appears in the last line, the aarti is traditionally attributed to Sant Namdev, the Warkari saint-poet. The wording of the closing line differs between printed and sung versions, and the version on this page ends with “Namayacha swami dekhila dola”, the Lord of Nama seen before the eyes.
Vitthal
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