Teertha Vitthala Kshetra Vitthala | Aruna Sairam | Abhang

Indian classical music at its best...

Aruna Sairam (carnatic vocal) 

Jyotsna Shrikanth (violin) 

Patri Satish Kumar (mridangam) 

RN Prakash (ghatam) 

Priya Parkash (tanpura) 

Concert except from Darbar Festival 2009, Southbank Centre, London

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Teertha Vitthala Kshetra Vitthala

Vitthala is a holy body of water, Vitthala is a holy land.

Vithtala is God and Vitthala is His worship.

Vitthala is my mother and Vitthala is my father.

Vitthala is my friend and Vitthala is my clan.

Vitthala is my teacher, Vitthala is the teacher of Gods.

Vitthala is tranquility, Vitthala is everlasting.

Namdev says ‘I have found sanctuary in Vitthala’.

‘Even in this Kali yuga, I can come to no harm!’

The word "Vitthala" is said to be derived from the Marathi word "Vit", meaning "brick". Vitthala is one of the manifestations of Krishna (Vishnu). The prescribed iconogaphy of the lord of Pandharapur stipulates that he be shown as standing upon a brick; this is connected to an important and the serious devotee Pundalik connected with the deity. 

Seeing this utmost devotion of Pundalik to his parents , Lord Vishnu was very pleased. God was so happy with him that He wanted to bless Pundalik immediately, so he left from Vaikuntha (Lord Vishnu’s abode) for bhoolok (Earth)and Pundalik’s ashram. 

Lord knocked Pundalik’s door. At that time Pundalik was serving his parents food and was busy. Pundalik heard the door knock and realized it was God who had come to see him. But such was his devotion to his parents, he wanted to complete his duties and only then attend to the visitor, irrespective of whether it was even God at his doorstep. Pundalik threw a brick outside for God to stand on and wait for him until he finishes attending to his parents. 

Seeing this devotion & commitment to his parents he was extremely impressed. And the ever-loving God waited for his devotee. When Pundalik came out and begged God's pardon, Lord Vishnu replied that far from being displeased, he was pleased with his love for his parents and granted a boon to him. Pundalik requested God to stay back on Earth and bless all his numerous devotees. Lord agreed to stay back as Vithoba(Vitthala), or God who stood upon a brick. Along with Vithoba, Rakhumai (Mother Rukmini) is also worshipped. 

Kali Yuga "age of [the demon] Kali", or "age of vice" is the last of the four stages the world goes through as part of the cycle of yugas described in the Sanskrit scriptures.

Kali Yuga is associated with the demon Kali. The "Kali" of Kali Yuga means "strife", "discord", "quarrel" or "contention".

According to Puranic sources, Krishna's departure marks the end of Dvapara Yuga and the start of Kali Yuga, which is dated to 17/18 February 3102 BCE.

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