Mystery of Lord Vitthala solved!

Lord Vitthala of Pandharpur has always been an enigma to the scholars. Worship of Lord Vitthala dates back to
minimum 11th century AD. It is believed that it is even more antique. The saints like Namdeo, Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram
believe that the idol of Lord Vitthala is as ancient as the universe is. The devotees of Lord Vitthala have been
worshipping him as a manifestation of Lord Vishnu or Krishna. The Varkaris (Devotees of Lord Vitthala) call
themselves Vaishnavas, cult of Vishnu. Still Lord Vitthala is an enigma because of following reasons:
a. Lord Vitthalas name is nowhere to be found in the list of Vishnus 1000 names or in his 24 reincarnations and the
saints and devotees had and has this knowledge still he is called as Vishnu who appeared on the banks of
Chandrabhaga river, naked, stood arms akimbo.. Same time Saints believe He is Krishna, in a pastoral attire, came
to Pandharpur for the great devotee Pundarik, who was eternally busy in service of his parents. Also there is
another story told about the appearance of Krishna at Pandharpur. The story goes like this: As Rukmini, consort of
Krishna saw Radha, a mythical lover of Krishna, sitting on his laps, she got angered. In a rage she left Mathura and
came in recluse at Pandharpur. To please her, Krishna, along with his pastoral mates came to Gopalpura, a village
near Pandharpur, and in pastoral attire went alone to meet Rukmini. Another explanation of Krishnas visit and his
eternal abode at Pandharpur is told that Krishna visited Pandharpura to seduce a beautiful Princess named Padma.
All these stories appear to be concocted as there is no consistency in them. Real form of Vitthala remains a mystery.
b. Many scholars like Dr. Manikrao Dhanpalwar have tried to prove that this sacred place was originally Shaivait
before it was converted to a Vaishnav shrine. This is because actual temple of Devotee Pundarik is a Shiva temple. It
is belief of devotees that on the head of Lord Vitthala is Shivalsinga. Many saints like even Dnyanehwar recognize
Lord Vitthala as Shiva as well with Vishnu.
c. According to Dr. R.C.Dhere, Vitthala originally was a minor God of pastoral communities, named as Ital, who rose
high as supreme God as his character was elevated in a Vaishnav form by the Sthalapuranas (Local mythological
scripts) According to him He was first elevated as Shaivait and in later course He was related with Vishnu and
Krishna to adorn him a Vaishnav character.

Without going into much detail of various opinions of the scholars and imaginative forms that were seen by Saints in
the intoxication of their devotion we can deduce that Lord Vitthala is only God in Maharashtra whose origin cannot be
traced in any mythological texts. There is no explanation of word Vitthala. No origin of this word is found as yet.
Some scholars have tried to prove that Vitthala is local form of Sanskrit word Vishnu. Some have tried to connect
his name from the Kannada language word Bittiga or Bittarasa. But these explanations are lame as in Karnataka
and even in Tamilnadu, there are temples those are called only aa Vitthala (or Vitthaleshvar) only, and not Bittiga.
The facts about present Pandharpura are as follows:
a. Pandharpura was known as Pundrik Kshetra since ancient times.
b. The city name Pandharpur is a corrupt form of original Pundrikpur.
c. The mausoleum of Devotee Pundarik is in fact a Shiva temple, which can be still seen clearly. The temple was
famous as Pundrikeshwar in ancient past which is clearly stated in Pudma and Skanda Purana. Pundrikeshwar
means Lord of Pundrik or Pundariks
d. The idols of so-called Krishnas consorts are located at different temples. In fact they have no relation with Lord
Vitthal.
Looking at above, instead of searching for Vitthal, I thought better to find historical link or lineage of Pundarik. This
was so as the city is named after Pundarik, the Vitthalas main and popular epithet is Panduranga which is clearly a
corrupt form of Paundranka and that the Shiva temple is called Pundrikeshwar
In Shaivaits it is a practice that the Lord Shiva is named either after great devotee or society or builder of the temple.
Lord of Asur Mahabal is Mahabaleshwar. Lord of Poona is Puneyshwar. Similar way Pundrikeshwar meaning L"ord
of Pundrik."
The historians were busy in finding historical Pundarik. There are various indivisuals named as "Pundarik" in Hindu
mythologies, but they could relate no one with Devotee Pundarik of Pandharpur.
Also it is clear that there never was a devotee named Pundarik (or Puindalik) in any era for whom Lord Krishna
appeared at Pandharpur. Historians completely agree with this fact. Also they cannot explain why the name Krishna
was changed to Vitthala (as it would be impossible) and by which process and why it could be so, when Krishna is
Krishna everywhere in India.
The Historians were misled because they didnt see that was just standing before them. Or they didnt want to see it
for the reasons best known to them.
However, we can safely assume now that the place Pandharpur was historically known as Pundrikpur. (Kannada form
"Pandarage" is clearely corrupted from Kannad expression "Pudarike")The area was known as Pundrika Kshetra
(region). Vitthalas main epithet is "Paundrank"that for the sake of simplicity was converted to "Pandurang". This
threefold labyrinth makes the whole thing clear.
HISTORICAL PUNDRAS
Among many societies in ancient India were Pundras. The first reference to Pundras can be traced in Aitereya
Brahmin, a sacred text explaining Rig Veda. There is story of sage Vishwamitra. King Harishandra of his times had no
child. He worshipped Lord Asura Varuna and begot a boon and in turn he promised to Varuna that he will sacrifice his
son to him. He had a son, named Rohit. As his son, Rohit became younger, Harichandra started postponing Rohit's
sacrifice for his love towards Rohit. On this Varuna got angry and punished Harischandra with sever pains in
stomach. When Rohit came to know the reason, Rohit went to the sage Ajeegarta and bought his son Shunahshep as
an alternate sacrifice. When Vishwamitra saw Shunahshep bound to the sacrificial pillar in a pitiable condition,
Vishwamitra took mercy upon him and freed him. He named him as Devrata and asked his 101 sons to treat and

respect him as their elder brother. The elder 50 sons denied accepting Devrata as their elder brother. On this
Vishwamitra got enraged and cursed his fifty sons that They shall become shudra and shall seek shelter of Pundras,
Aundras, Shabar and Mutibs, the shudra kings of southern India. In alternative version it is stated that his son went to
south and formed Pundra, Aundra and other dynasties.
The another reference to Pundras we can find in Ramayana, in which, Bhargava Rama had subjugated Pundras.
In Jain Ramayana, the story goes like this. When Rama deserted pregnant Seeta, she was taken in shelter by
Pundrik king of Pundrapur, where Seeta deleivered twins, Luv & Kush.
Another ancient story tells us that Aundras and Pundras along with other clans belonged to Lord of Asuras, King
Bali.
In Mahabharata there are several stories related with Pundra's. The kingdom of Pundras was located in Northern
part of Bengal and was powerfull. They were allies of Emporar Jarasangha, an Asura King, whom Krishna got
crookedly killed at the hands of Bheema.
That time there ruled a king who called himself Purushottama and said to be copied attire of Krishna. People of his
kingdom would call him Paundrank Vassudeo. He opposed Krishnas claim that He was incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
In later times, in a battle Paundrank Vasudeo was killed at the hands of Krishna.
In Mahabharat battle Pundras were united to fight against Pandavas. After that annihilating war, many Pundras
migrated toward south and formed their kingdoms. Mahabharata too call them Shudras, non-Vediks. Originally
Pundra, Aundra, Vanga, Shabar and Kalinga were sons of Great Asur King Bali, who is still worshipped throughout
India. This does mean that the Pundra clan originated from Asur Bali. No wonder Pundra's were despised by the
Vedik people.
Aundras established their kingdom in Odisa and Andhra. The nouns Odisa and Andhra are transformation of original
Aundra. Pundras were closely related with them. Pundras first capital was Pundranagara in Pundrikvardhan
kingdom, in North Bengal. At Mahasthangarh ruins of that ancient city have been found. Several branches of
Pundras migrated to south.
There are at least three known Pundrikpurs in south. Pandharpur (Originally Pundrikpur or Pundrapur) could be first
settlement/kingdom of Pundras in south India, as this is a bordering city of Karntaka and is in Maharashtra. The
ancient name of the city of Tiruvarur and Chidambaram too was known as Pundrikpur and they too are famous
Shaivait pilgrimages. This does prove that the Pundras ruled some parts of south as well along with their alleys
Aundra. Satvahanas, first known dynasty of Maharashtra, that ruled from 2nd century BC till 3rd century AD
belonged to Aundra (Andhra) clan. Aundras too were Shiva worshipers and this fact is evident from the fact that
Andhra Pradesh and even Maharashtra is crowded with ancient Shiva shrines.
It can be safely deduced that Pundras first settlement was at Pundrikpur (Pundrapur) alias Pandharpur. Pundras too
were Shaivik, like most of Asuras in mythological India. They established temple and lingam of Shiva which naturally
was called as Pundrikeshwara (Lord of Pundrikas.)
Hence it is clear that there was never existed an individual Brahmin devotee called Pundarik for whom Krishna or
Vishnu dashed to this place. This is not at all a historical figure. In fact Pundrika was an independent society, who
worshipped Lord Shiva, thus erected the Shiva temple calling it Pundrikeshwar, Lord of Pundras.
Now it will become clear, who Lord Vitthala is!
The main epithet of Vitthala is Pandurang. Till date the meaning of Pandurang was taken verbatimFair/white
complexioned. Also it was another name of Lord Shiva too. This baffled scholars as if Vitthala is manifestation of

Krishna, who is black in color and so Vishnu too is and as Vitthala is called as black, how come that he is called
Pandurang (fair complexioned) from ancient times? In fact the old Puranik texts are known as Pandurang
Mahatmya (Glory of Pandurang), not as Vitthal Mahatmya!
But now we know that the root of noun Pandurang lay elsewhere. We now know that Pundra people referred
themselves as Paundrank (Pundra people) at least from Epical times. This solve mystery why Vitthal is called
Pandurang (Root Paundrank). This only mean that Vitthal himself was from Pundra clan, a great devotee and most
probably founder of Pundrikpur. Vitthal was his name; hence there is no need to find its origin elsewhere. Paundrank
Vitthal remained Pandurang Vitthal throughout. The Vitthal idol must have been established by his successors in his
memories. There was custom among Aundra Satvahanas as well in many dynasties to have erected idols of their
predecessor kings. Hence there is no wonder why idol of Paundrank Vitthal was erected near the Pundrikeshwar
Shiva temple.
It is told by the scholars that the first temple around the Vitthal idol was built during 12th century when Yadava
dynasty ruled Maharashtra from Devgiri. Till then the idol stood in the wilderness of the nature. Vitthal till then was a
secondary God at Pandharpur. Main worshipping place still was famous a Pundrik kshetra or Pundrikeshwar.
How idol of Pandrank king Vitthala could have been elevated as manifestation of Vishnu or Krishna is another story.
We should keep in mind that Yadava dynasty related their bloodline with Lord Krishna. Pundras too were noted
herdsmen from ancient times. The ancient enmity between Pundras and Yadavas must have been forgotten by then
or it was a distant, vague memory. The idol of Vitthala was and is dark black, had attire of a herdsman, and though
not exactly same but partially attributes of Krishna and Vishnu, such as conch and flower, in Vitthalas hands made it
suitable to correlate Vitthala with Krishna and same time with Vishnu. It suited purpose of Yadava kings as the
sanctity of the place was already known and was a pilgrimage. In all probability, to get huge donations from Yadava
kings, Brahmin Puranik community created a mythical God from a historical persona. They composed verses creating
various stories to elevate Vitthala as a Vaishnav God. Yadava kings helped build first temple. Later on many southern
kings donated villages as well as money to this temple. We can see that from known history and many inscriptions
found at Pandharpur.
It is fact that in 12th century memories of Pundras had become distant as they were seized to be rulers and had
degraded to a pastoral, fishermen, and other shudra community. Still they maintained their right of Puja of
Pundrikeshwar. This fact is evident that till this date Mahadev Koli (Fishermen) community has right to perform sacred
rituals at Pundrikeshwar temple though Vitthala has been kidnapped by Brahmins since last 8 centuries.
Gradually by 13th century, people started accepting Vaishnav form of Vitthala. The Saints like Namdeo, Dnyaneshwar
to Tukaram wove their life around Vitthala and saw in Vitthala a brother, father, friend and a compassionate Lord who
could bless them with ultimate salvation. Thus cult of Vitthala spread so much so that He has become a main God in
pantheon of Hindu gods in Maharashtra.
But the fact remains that "Paundrank Vitthala" was a historical figure belonging to Pundra clan, who was declared by
Brahmins as Shudra and non-Vedik since ancient history. It is irony that the same Vedic's have become chief priests
of Lord Vitthala!