The Panduranga Ashtakam

The Lord of Pandhari was worshiped since a long time back in different names. The earliest mention about the holy place situated at the banks of river Chandrabhaga is found in Skanda Purana. It says,

Poundarikimiti Kyatam Theertara Kshetra Ka
Pujitam Panduranga TatmasteMitritiman Deavatathama!!

It means that, on the banks of river Bhima, there situated is a holy place called Poundariki, and at that place dwells Lord Panduranga in the form of an idol.
The river is called Bhima, sometimes referred to as Bhivara. It flows in the shape of a crescent near the temple, and hence called Chandrabhaga.
Panduranga Ashtakam is one among the oldest hymns in praise of Lord Vittal, sung by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. It describes the beauty of the dark complexioned Parabrahma swarupa, of Pandharpur, who holds his both hands on his waist. The hymn is as follows:

Maha Yoga Peete thate Bheema Radhya,

Varam Pundarikay Dathum Muneendrai,

Samagathya thishtanthamanandakandam

Parabrahma lingam baje pandurangam. 1

I worship that Panduranga, who is the absolute Brahman,
Who is the source of immense happiness,
Who stays in the great seat of yoga, in the banks of Bheema,
Along with great seers to fulfill the boon to Pundarika.

Thatidhwsasam Neelameghavabhasam,

Rama mandiramm sundraram chith prakasam,

Varam thwishtakayam samanyasthapadam,

Parabrahma lingam baje pandurangam. 2

I worship that Panduranga, who is the absolute Brahman,
Who has firmly placed his blessed feet on the bricks,
Who is dressed like a streak of lightning,
Who is of the colour of the blue clouds,
Who is the abode of Goddess Lakshmi,
And who is pretty and is the splendour of the inner mind.

Pramanam bhavabhdhoridam maamakaanaam,

Nithambha karabhyam drutho yena thasmath,

Vidhaurvasathyai drutho nabhi kesa,

Parabrahma lingam baje pandurangam. 3

I worship that Panduranga, who is the absolute Brahman,
Who by keeping his two hands on his waist,
Tells us all that this worldly life is only waist deep,
And who created the holy lotus from his navel,
So that the creator himself can live there.

Sphurath kousthubhalankritham kanda dese,

Sriya jushta keyurakam Srinivasam,

Shivam Shantha meedyam, varam loka palam,

Parabrahma lingam baje pandurangam. 4

I worship that Panduranga, who is the absolute Brahman,
Who decorates his neck by wearing the Kaushthubha gem,
Who has armlets of rarest charm,
Who is the abode of Goddess of wealth,
Who is calm and peaceful,
And who is the protector of the world.

Sarad Chandra bimbananam Charuhasam,

Lasath kundala aakrantha Ganda sthalangam,

Japaraga bimbadharam kanja nethram,

Parabrahma lingam baje pandurangam. 5

I worship that Panduranga, who is the absolute Brahman,
Who is as bright as the moon of autumn,
Who has a very captivating smile,
Whose shining ear studs covers his holy cheeks,
Who has red lips like the hibiscus flower and the Bimba fruit,
And whose eyes are like lotus flowers.

Kireedojwalath sarva dhik prantha bhagam,

Surair architham Divya rathanair anarghyair,

Tribhangakruthim barha malyavathamsam,

Parabrahma lingam baje pandurangam. 6

I worship that Panduranga, who is the absolute Brahman,
Whose shine of the crown illuminates all sides,
Who is being worshipped using invaluable gems by the devas,
Who assumes a posture with three bends,
And who wears garlands and peacock feathers.

Vibhum venu nadham charantham durantham,

Swayam leelaa gopa vesham dadanam,

Gavaam brunda kanandadam charu hasam,

Parabrahma lingam baje pandurangam. 7

I worship that Panduranga, who is the absolute Brahman,
Who is all pervasive and sings with his flute,
Who spells the doom for the bad ones,
Who playfully wears the attire of the cowherd,
Who brings great happiness to the herd of cows,
And who has a lotus like smile.

Ajam Rukmani prana sanjeevanam tham,

Param dhama kaivalyamekam thureeyam,

Prasannam prapannarthiham deva devam,

Parabrahma lingam baje pandurangam. 8

I worship that Panduranga, who is the absolute Brahman,
Who was not born to any one,
Who is the panacea for the soul of Rukmani,
Who is supreme light,
Who is the only way to redemption,
Who is the fourth higher state of humans,
Who is forever with satisfaction,
Who is the God of gods,
And who removes problems of those who seek refuge in him.

Sthavam pandurangasya vai punyadham ye,

Padanthyeka chithena bhakthya cha nithyam,

Bhavmbhonidhim they api theerthava anthakale,

Harer alayam saswatham prapnuvanthi. 9

He who reads with devotion and concentration daily,
This holy prayer addressed to Panduranga,
Would cross with ease, this ocean of life,
And at the end attain the world of Vishnu permanently.