Double or triple click on video icon to listen this bhajan

"Bolava Vitthal, Pahava Vitthal" is a well-known phrase from the Varkari tradition, often found in abhangs and devotional songs dedicated to Lord Vitthala. It’s a heartfelt call to both "speak" (bolava) and "see" (pahava) Vitthala, reflecting the devotee’s longing to connect with the deity through chanting his name and visualizing his form. This line is closely associated with the saint-poet Tukaram and is a staple in kirtans and the Pandharpur pilgrimage.

Meaning

• Bolava Vitthal: "Speak Vitthala" or "Call out to Vitthala." It’s an invitation to chant his name aloud, emphasizing the power of nama japa (repetitive chanting) to invoke his presence.
• Pahava Vitthal: "See Vitthala." This suggests meditating on his image—standing on a brick, hands on hips, with a serene smile—or yearning for a darshan (vision) of him, either inwardly or at his Pandharpur temple.

Together, it’s a dual act of devotion: using the voice to summon Vitthala and the mind’s eye to behold him, creating an immersive spiritual experience.

Context in Tukaram’s Abhangs

While "Bolava Vitthal, Pahava Vitthal" isn’t the exact title of a single abhang, it echoes the spirit of Tukaram’s poetry. One of his famous abhangs closely aligned with this sentiment is:

"Bolava Vitthal, pahava Vitthal,
Majhya manache dukkha kaisa nasal,
Tuka mhane deva, tujhya charani thevito,
Majha jeeva tujhya paya"
(“Call out to Vitthala, see Vitthala,
How could my mind’s sorrow remain?
Tuka says, O God, I place myself at your feet,
My soul rests at your base.”)

This abhang (or variations of it) captures Tukaram’s belief that chanting and visualizing Vitthala dissolve emotional pain, bringing the devotee into his divine embrace.

Usage in Devotion

• Kirtan Performance: In Varkari kirtans, this line often serves as a refrain, sung with rhythmic claps and the beat of the taal. The leader might sing verses, and the group responds with "Bolava Vitthal, Pahava Vitthal," building a collective energy.
• Pandharpur Wari: Pilgrims chant this as they walk to Vitthala’s temple, expressing their eagerness to both call him and see him in his sanctum.
• Personal Practice: Devotees might repeat it quietly, pairing each phrase with a breath—e.g., "Bolava Vitthal" (inhale), "Pahava Vitthal" (exhale)—to focus the heart and mind.

Cultural Resonance

The phrase is iconic in Marathi devotional culture, symbolizing the Varkari path’s simplicity: no elaborate rituals, just a voice to call Vitthala and a heart to see him. It’s been popularized in modern times through Marathi films, bhakti music, and performances by artists like Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, who rendered Tukaram’s abhangs in classical styles.

Spiritual Significance

For Tukaram and his followers, "Bolava Vitthal, Pahava Vitthal" is more than words—it’s a practice of surrender. Chanting his name (bolava) is believed to purify the mind, while visualizing him (pahava) fills the heart with his presence. Together, they bridge the gap between the devotee and the divine, fulfilling the bhakti ideal of union through love.

Try It

If you’d like to experience it:

1. Sit comfortably.
2. Chant "Bolava Vitthal" softly, then "Pahava Vitthal," repeating for a few minutes.
3. Picture Vitthala—dark-skinned, adorned with a fish-shaped crown, standing patiently on his brick.
4. Notice any shift in your mood or focus.

Does the recitation of God’s name improve heart function?

Spirituality is the Centre point of Indians, it originates from an immense trust of families in gods/goddesses, and traditionally Indians have enormous faith and incredible belief in god. Pune based cardiac surgeon and a geo-pathologist have claimed through their study that, chanting God’s name with single-minded devotion and dedication keeps a person’s heart-healthy. Looks surprising for modern medicine which demands a piece of evidence. While the research aims to integrate science and spirituality, investigators found that recitation of god’s name can benefit the ‘Heart’.

The research was conducted by Dr. Avinash Inamdar, former head of cardiac surgery department at Pune’s Sassoon General Hospital and Geo-pathologist Pandit Pramod Joshi. The duo monitored heart functions of 30 individuals and energy levels of their heart ‘chakra’

HOW recitation of ‘Vitthal’ works:

There are two main parts of the Sanskrit languages. Swara (notes) and Vyanjana (Voices and expressions). Swara (Notes) are independent and not dependent on another varna (alphabets) for their utterance. They can be classified as homogeneous and heterogeneous and also according to their location in the mouth. Likewise, from the point of pronunciation in speech Vyanjana (Expressions) are dependent on Swara. Vyanjana (Expressions) are also categorized as Alpapran (thrown with little air)-Mahapran (thrown with more air) – When little air is thrown out of the mouth while speaking the vyanjana’s, these are known as Alpaprana. With respect to the above theory, va and la are soft vyanjana. Tha (ठ) is hard vyanjan (Kathor Vyanjan). Therefore, the word Vitthal ( व ठल) has two mahapran words among two alpaprana words. Interestingly such combination does not exist is the claim of researchers. However, the fact is ‘Vitthal’ is the only divine word which has such a combination.

‘Vitthal’ recitation is done for 8-10 mins in the morning and evening with single-minded devotion the divine energy flows to the heart and the heart function improves is the claim of researchers. The recitation with faith offers a soothing effect to the body, regulates blood circulation, reduces hypertension. These factors bring calmness, harmony between mind and body likely to improve heart function.

The team documented that heart parameters showed significant improvement when compared to results carried out before and after the chanting which continued for about ten minutes. The study was published in the Asiatic Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The researchers were influenced by the Warkaris (devotees) who walk kilometers chanting the ‘Vitthal’ mantra on their way to Pandharpur.

The Cardiologists are of the opinion that, any form of meditation can improve a person’s heart rate and bring in a positive outcome if done on a long-term basis. Dr. C N Makhale, Consultant Cardiologist of Ruby Hall Clinic is of the view that meditation helps to control the autonomic nervous system, which regulates the functions of internal organs such as the heart, stomach and intestines. He adds, concentrating on a single object associated with a positive feeling can improve heart functions.”

Dr. Rahul Patil, a Cardiologist expressed that, when a person concentrates on a single point, it results in a reduction of stress and benefits the heart. “I don’t believe that only God’s name will bring this effect. Any form of deep meditation helps one’s health,” he said.

Bolava Vitthal Pahava Vitthal

"Bolava Vitthal Pahava Vitthal" is a popular abhang from the Varkari tradition, often attributed to Saint Tukaram, though variations exist across singers and renditions.

Full Lyrics in Marathi

Here’s a common version of the abhang, as sung in many renditions

बोलावा विठ्ठल पहावा विठ्ठल करावा विठ्ठल जीवभाव येणे सोसे मन झाले हांवभरी परती मागारी घेत नाही बंधनांपासुनी उकलली गांठी देता आली मिठी सावकाश तुका म्हणे देह भरिला विठ्ठलें कामक्रोधे केलें घर रितें

English Translation

Bolava Vitthal, Pahava Vitthal: "Call out to Vitthala, behold Vitthala." Karava Vitthal jeevabhava: "Offer Vitthala the devotion of your soul." Yene sose man zale haavabhari: "With this, my mind has become full of longing." Parati maghari ghet naahi: "It no longer turns back (from devotion)." Bandhananpasuni ukalali gaanthi: "The knots of bondage have been undone." Deta ali mithi savakaash: "He came and embraced me gently." Tuka mhane deha bharila Vitthalen: "Tuka says, my body is filled with Vitthala." Kaamakrodhe kelen ghar riten: "Lust and anger have left my home empty." This translation captures the essence of surrender and the transformative power of chanting Vitthala’s name, a recurring theme in Tukaram’s poetry.

Song Details Composer: Traditionally attributed to Saint Tukaram (17th century), though musical arrangements vary by artist. Language: Marathi. Duration: Varies by rendition—e.g., Tukarambuva Gosavi’s version is 5:21 minutes, while Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki’s is around 5:07 minutes. Popular Renditions: Tukarambuva Gosavi: From the album Bolava Vitthal Pahava Vitthal (2002), with a folk-style delivery, accompanied by taal and simple percussion. Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki: A classical rendition from Dnyaneshwar Mauli (2019), with a more intricate melody. Kishori Amonkar: A soulful version from 2004, blending classical raag with bhakti fervor. Ganesh Patil: A lively take from Harinamacha Zhagada Doublebari (2008), at 5:00 minutes.