The Abhang – Abhir Gulal
Saint-poet Chokhamela (चोखामेळा), a 14th-century saint from Maharashtra, is known for his deep devotion to Lord Vitthal despite the social hardships he faced. He belonged to what was, in those days, considered as one of the lowest untouchable casts viz. Mahar (महार). This particular abhang captures the spirit of joyous, uninhibited worship despite facing tremendous hardships including prohibition from entering temples.
Verse 1
अबीर गुलाल उधळीत रंग ।
नाथा घरी नाचे माझा सखा पांडुरंग ॥१॥
Abīr gulāl udhaḷīt raṅga |
Nāthā gharī nāce mājhā sakhā Pāṇḍuraṅga ||1||
Meaning: Showering fragrant white and red powders (Abir and Gulal), my dear friend Panduranga (Lord Vitthal) dances in the home of His devotee.
Word to Word Meaning
- अबीर (Abir): A fragrant white powder used in rituals.
- गुलाल (Gulal): A bright red/pink powder used in festivals.
- उधळीत (Udhalit): Splashing, showering, or throwing into the air.
- रंग (Rang): Colors.
- नाथा (Natha): Of the Lord/Master (referring to the Sant Eknath in some interpretations, as Vittal is said to have stayed at Sant Eknath Maharaj’s home).
- घरी (Ghari): At home / In the house.
- नाचे (Nache): Dances.
- माझा (Mazha): My.
- सखा (Sakha): Dear friend / Companion.
- पांडुरंग (Panduranga): Another name for Lord Vitthal.
Verse 2
उंबरठ्यासी कैसे शिवू आम्ही जाति हीन ।
रूप तुझे कैसे पाहूं त्यात आम्ही दीन ।
पायरीशी होऊ दंग गाउनी अभंग ॥२॥
Umbarathyāsī kaise shivū āmhī jāti hīn |
Rūp tuje kaise pāhū tyāt āmhī dīn |
Pāyarīshī hoū daṅga gāunī abhaṅga ||2||
Meaning: How can we touch the threshold (of the temple) being of humble birth? How can we behold Your form, being so lowly? Instead, we will remain absorbed at the temple steps, singing your praises through abhangs.
Word to Word Meaning
- उंबरठ्यासी (Umbarathyasi): To the threshold (raised doorframe) / doorstep
- कैसे (Kaise): How.
- शिवू (Shivu): Touch.
- आम्ही (Aamhi): We.
- जाति (Jati): Caste.
- हीन (Heen): Low / Humble / Downcast.
- रूप (Roop): Form / Appearance.
- तुझे (Tuzhe): Your.
- पाहूं (Pahu): See / Look at.
- त्यात (Tyat): In that (situation).
- दीन (Deen): Poor / Needy / Humble.
- पायरीशी (Payarishi): At the steps (of the temple).
- होऊ (Hou): Become.
- दंग (Dang): Absorbed / Engrossed / Lost in.
- गाउनी (Gauni): By singing.
- अभंग (Abhang): Devotional verses
Verse 3
वाळवंटी गाऊ आम्ही वाळवंटी नाचू ।
चंद्रभागेच्या पाण्याने अंग अंग न्हाऊ ।
विठ्ठलाचे नाम घेऊ होउनी निःसंग ॥३॥
Vāḷavaṇṭī gāū āmhī vāḷavaṇṭī nācū |
Chaṃdrabhāgechyā pāṇyāne aṅga aṅga nhāū |
Viṭṭhalāce nāma gheū hoūnī niḥsaṅga ||3||
Meaning: We will sing and dance on the sandy banks (of the river). We will bathe every limb of our bodies in the waters of the Chandrabhaga. Becoming completely detached from the world, we will chant the name of Vitthal.
Word to Word Meaning
- वाळवंटी (Valvanti): In the sands / on the riverbank.
- गाऊ (Gau): Will sing.
- आम्ही (Aamhi): We.
- नाचू (Nachu): Will dance.
- चंद्रभागेच्या (Chandrabhagechya): Of the river Chandrabhaga.
- पाण्याने (Panyane): With the water.
- अंग अंग (Ang): Whole body / all limbs
- न्हाऊ (Nhau): Will bathe.
- विठ्ठलाचे (Vitthalache): Of Vitthal.
- नाम (Naam): Name.
- घेऊ (Gheu): Will take / chant.
- होउनी (Houni): Having become.
- निःसंग (Nisang): Detached / Free from worldly attachments.
Verse 4
आषाढी-कार्तिकी भक्तजन येती ।
पंढरीच्या वाळवंटी संत गोळा होती ।
चोखा म्हणे नाम घेता भक्त होती दंग ॥४॥
Āṣāḍhī-Kārtikī bhaktajana yetī |
Paṇḍharīchyā vāḷavaṇṭī santa goḷā hotī |
Chokhā mhaṇe nāma ghetā bhakta hotī daṅga ||4||
Meaning: During the holy months of Ashadh and Kartik, the devotees arrive. On the sands of Pandharpur, all the saints gather together. Chokha says, while chanting His name, the devotees become completely lost in divine ecstasy.
Word to Word Meaning
- भक्तजन (Bhaktajan): Devotees / Followers.
- येती (Yeti): Come.
- पंढरीच्या (Pandharichya): Of Pandharpur.
- वाळवंटी (Valvanti): In the sands / riverbank.
- संत (Sant): Saints.
- गोळा (Gola): Gathered / Collected.
- होती (Hoti): Become / Are.
- चोखा (Chokha): Saint Chokhamela
- म्हणे (Mhane): Says.
- नाम (Naam): Name.
- घेता (Gheta): While taking / chanting.
- भक्त (Bhakt): Devotees / followers
- होती (Hoti): Become / Are
- दंग (Dang): Absorbed / Engrossed.
Sant Chokhamela’s abhang beautifully expresses devotion that transcends social barriers and external limitations. Through joyful remembrance of Vitthal, the abhang reminds seekers that sincere Bhakti alone brings inner freedom and divine closeness.
– Translation by Vaishali Koparkar and Prasad Koparkar.
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