ARTICLE : Bharatiya Rashtrageet - Bharat's National Songs
JAI_HIND
Namaste _/I\_
National Songs of Bharat
The Sovereign Democratic Republic of Bharat has two official songs, which
each share equal status according to the Constitution. In addition, there
is also a third song, extremely dear to the hearts of many people in
Bharat, but holding no official position in the Republic.
=== Rashtrageet - National Anthem ===
The first of these three songs, designated the title of the "National
Anthem", is the poem written by the great Bengali poet, Srijut Rabindra
Nath Thakur (a.k.a. Rabindranath Tagore). The poem was first sung at the
Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress, on December 27, 1911,
and was then published the following year. The poem gained increasing
popularity through the course of the Independence struggle, and finally,
on January 24, 1950, two days before the declaration of the Republic, when
the Constitution was ratified, the song was officially adopted by the
Constituent Assembly as the National Anthem.
The poem in its full form comprises five stanzas, but the first stanza
makes up the entire National Anthem. The approximate playing time of this
full version of the National Anthem (i.e. the first stanza of the poem) is
approximately 52 seconds. A shorter version of this stanza, comprising
only its first and last lines, and having a playing time of approximately
20 seconds, is also played on certain occasions.
The poem is becoming increasingly mired in controversy. There are
rumours, for example, that the song was actually not intended as a
patriotic song, but that it was written in praise of the Monarch of the
British Empire, King George V, who was the first British Sovereign to
actually visit the colony of Bharat. It is held by those who argue this
that the "Vidhata" and "Adhinayaka" mentioned in the National Anthem
actually originally referred not to God, but to King George V.
However, this claim is quite easily rejected on the basis of the later
stanzas, in which this "Vidhata" is described as the "Chira Sarathi"
("Eternal Charioteer" - held to be an appellation to Shri Krishna) and
"Rajeshwara" (translated as "King of Kings", this is also an epithet of
Lord Vishnu, who's incarnation Shri Krishna is). Also, the phrase
"Sehamayee Toomi Maataa" ("You are the ever-loving Mother") is quoted as
demonstrating that it was indeed not the King, but God to whom this song
was directed. The switch from referring to Lord Vishnu and Shri Krishna
to referring to the "Mother" is explained by alluding to the well-known
line, "Twameva mata cha pita twameva..." ("You alone are the Mother, and
you alone are the Father"), which demonstrates God's role as both Father
and Mother.
Following is the first stanza of the poem - constituting the entire
National Anthem - with Srijut Rabindra Nath Thakur's own rendering of the
stanza in English :-
Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka Jaya He,
Bharat Bhagya Vidhata.
Punjab Sindh Gujarat Maratha,
Dravid Utkala Banga.
Vindhya Himachal Yamuna Ganga,
Uchhal Jaladhi Taranga.
Tava Shubha Name Jage,
Tava Shubha Ashish Mange,
Gahe Tava Jaya Gatha.
Jana Gana Mangaladayaka Jaya He,
Bharat Bhagya Vidhata.
Jaya He, Jaya He, Jaya He,
Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya He.
Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people,
Dispenser of India's destiny.
Thy name rouses the hearts of the Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat and Maratha,
Of the Dravid and Orissa and Bengal.
It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas,
Mingles in the music of the Jamuna and Ganges,
And is chanted by the waves of the Indian Sea.
They pray for thy blessings and sing thy praise.
The saving of all people waits in thy hand,
Thou dispenser of India's destiny,
Victory to thee, victory to thee, victory to thee,
Victory, victory, victory, victory to thee.
The remaining four stanzas of the poem, with their translation, are as
follows :-
Aharaha Tabo Ahwano Pracharito, Shuni Tabo Udara Bani
Hindu Bauddha Shikha Jaina Parsika, Musalman Kristani
Purabo Pashchimo Ashe
Tabo Shinghashano Pashe
Premoharo Haya Gantha
Jana Gana Aikya Bidhayaka Jaya He, Bharat Bhagya Vidhata
Jaya He, Jaya He, Jaya He, Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya He
Your invitation is announced all the time, and all of us -- Hindus,
Bauddhas, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Muslims, and Christians -- always
hear your clarion call. The East and the West come to your throne and
the garland of love is created. Glory to you, who brings unity among
the people.
Patana Abhyoodaya Bandhoora Panthaa, Yuga Yuga Dhaabita Yaatri
Hey Chira Saarathi, Taba Ratha Chakrey Mookharita Patha Dina Raatri
Daaroona Biplaba Baajhey
Taba Sankkha Dhwani Baajey
Sankata Dookka Traataa
Jana Gana Patha Parichaayaka Jaya Hey, Bharat Bhagya Vidhata
Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey Jaya Hey, Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey
The road is difficult, with rise and fall; the travellers travel this
road for ages. Oh Eternal Charioteer, the wheels of your chariot
keep this way alive day and night. In the midst of all chaos, your
conch shell sounds aloud, as savior of pains and perils of the
journey. Glory to you, who leads people on the way.
Ghora Timira Ghana Nibira Nishithey Peerita Moorchita Deshey
Jagrata Chila Taba Abichala Mangala Natanayaney Animeshey
Dooh Swapney Aatankey
Rakkhaa Kariley Ankey
Snehamayee Toomi Maataa
Jana Gana Dookkha Traayaka Jaya Hey, Bharat Bhagya Vidhata
Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey
It was the darkest of the dark nights; the entire country was sick,
even unconsciuos. Your kind eyes didn't rest; they kept a
round-the-clock vigil (on the ailing country). In the nightmares and
fears, you protected us in your lap, like a loving mother. Glory to
you, who relieve the pain of people.
Raatri Prabhaatila, Oodila Rabichchhabi, Poorba Oodya Giri Bhaaley
Gahey Bihangama, Poonya Samirana Naba Jibana Rasa Dhaaley
Taba Karoonaaroona Raagey
Nidrita Bharat Jagey
Taba charaney nata maathaa
Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey, Jaya Rajeshwara, Bharat Bhagya Vidhata
Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey
The night is over, the sun is rising at the eastern mountains, the
birds are singing; the gentle breeze is bringing in the nectar of new
life. Your kind rays awaken the sleeping India; they all bow their
heads to your feet. Glory to you, again and again, Oh King of Kings!
=== Rashtriya Geet - National Song ===
The second of the three songs, designated as the "National Song", was
written by another great Bengali literary beacon, Srijut Bankim Chandra
Chatterjee, in 1874. The poem, "Bande Mataram" (now known as "Vande
Mataram") was set to music by Srijut Rabindra Nath Thakur himself, and was
sung by him at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress in
Calcutta, it having been adopted by the INC as its own Official Anthem.
The song went on to occupy a unique position in pre-Independence Bharat,
becoming the uniting call to all those struggling against the oppression
of the British Raj, and countless martyrs of the Independence struggle
went to their deaths with the words "Vande Mataram" on their lips. The
words "Vande Mataram" came to be the common war-cry of the Indian struggle
against foreign tyranny under the mighty Raj. This was the song that, more
than any other, captured the hearts of millions throughout Bharat, and
served as an inspiration to the whole nation. At the time of
Independence, the song was the natural choice for the National Anthem.
However, in 1937, the song was banned by the Muslim League, and described
by them as being "not merely positively anti-Muslim and idolatrous in its
inspiration and ideas, but definitely subversive of the growth of the
genuine nationalism in India." Indeed, the story is told that when the
song was sung at a certain public function, the Muslim Congress leader,
Maulana Azad actually left the event in protest!!
The problem appeared to be the huge "Hindu" content of the song. To the
Hindu, Bharat Mata is an incarnation of Parvati Devi, and as such, the
song even compared Bharat Mata to Durga (another of Parvati Devi's forms).
As such, the Congress leaders decided, in following with their ongoing
policy of extreme appeasement, to choose "Jana Gana Mana" over this.
However, possibly as some form of conciliation, the first two stanzas of
the song, which, in its full form, comprises of six stanzas, were adopted
as the "National Song", and nominally given equal status under the
Constitution. Adoption of just these two stanzas also meant that any
direct reference to anything that could be (mis)construed as "idolatry"
were cut out, since those references occur only later on in the song
(though, of course, the hardliners - for example, the Students Islamic
Movement of India, SIMI - continue to complain about the phrase "Vande
Maataram", condemning patriotism itself, with statements such as "Nation
worship, the biggest idol amongst all, a death threat for Islam").
The complete National Song - i.e. the first two stanzas of the original
poem - are given below, along with an English translation by Rishi
Aurobindo Ghose :-
Vande Maataram!!
Sujalaam Sufalaam Malayaja Sheetalaam
Shasyashaamalaam Maataram!!
Shubhrajyotsna Pulakita Yaaminim
Phulla Kusumita Drumadala Shobhinim
Suhaasinim Sumadhura Bhaashinim
Sukhadaam Varadaam Maataram!!
Vande Maataram!!
I bow to thee Mother!!
Richly watered, richly fruited,
Cool with the winds of the south,
Dark with the crops of the harvests,
The Mother!!
Her nights rejoicing in the glory of the moonlight,
Her lands clothed beautifully with her trees in flowering bloom,
Sweet of laughter, sweet of speech,
The Mother, giver of boons, giver of bliss!!
I bow to thee Mother!!
The complete poem in its entirety, with its translation in poetic form, is
as follows :-
Vande Maataram!!
Sujalam Sufalam Malayaj Sheetalam
Sasyashyamalam Maataram!!
Shubrajotsna Pulakita Yaamineem
Phulla Kusumita Dhrumadal Shobhineem
Suhasinim Sumadhura Bhashinim
Sukhadam Varadam Maataram!!
Koti-Koti Kantha Kala-Kala Ninnadi Karale
Koti-Koti Bhujair Dhrathakhar Karawale
Ke Bole Maa Tumi Abale
Bahuvall Dharinneem Namami Taarinneem
Ripudala Varinneem Maataram!!
Tumi Vidya Tumi Dharma Tumi Hridhi Tumi Marma
Twamhee Prannah Shareere
Vahute Tumi Maa Shakti Hrudaye Tumi Maa Bhakti
Tumari Pratima Gadi Mandire Mandire Maataram!!
Twamhee Durga Dhashapraharan Dharinni
Kamalaa Kamaldalvi Haarinni
Vaanni Vidya Dayinee
Namaami Twa Maataram Namaami Kamalaam Amalaam Atulaam
Sujalaam Sufalaam Maataram!!
Shyamalaam Saralaam Susmitaam Bhushitaam
Dharanneem Bharanneem Maataram!!
Vande Maataram!!
Mother, I bow to thee!!
Rich with thy hurrying streams, Bright with thy orchard gleams,
Cool with winds of delight,
Dark fields waving, Mother of Might, Mother free!!
Glory of moonlight dreams, Over thy branches and lordly streams,
Clad in thy blossoming trees,
Mother, giver of ease, Laughing low and sweet!!
Mother, I kiss thy feet, Speaker sweet and low,
Who hath said thou art weak in thy lands,
When the sword flash out in seventy million hands,
And seventy million voices roar,
Thy dreadful name from shore to shore,
With many strengths that art mighty and stored,
To thee I call Mother and Lord,
Thou who savest, arise and save,
To her I cry who ever her foremen drove,
Back from plain and sea, and shook herself free!!
Thou art wisdom, Thou art law,
Thou art heart, our soul, our breath,
Thou art the love divine, the awe,
In our hearts that conquers death,
Thine the strength that nerves the arm,
Thine the beauty, Thine the charm,
Every image made divine, In our temples is that thine!!
Thou art Durga, Lady and Queen,
With her hands that strike and her swords of sheen,
Thou art Lakshmi lotus-throned,
And the Muse a hundred-toned,
Pure and perfect without peer, Mother, lend thine ear,
Rich with thy hurrying streams, Bright with thy orchard gleams!!
Dark of hue, O candid-fair,
In thy soul, with jewelled hair,
And thy glorious smile divine,
Loveliest of all earthly lands,
Showering wealth from well-stored hands,
Mother, Mother mine!!
Mother, I bow to thee!!
=== Vedic Svarashtra Geet - Vedic Song of Our Nation ===
The third song dates back around five or six millenia, to Vedic times,
when the great rishis and sages of Bharat glorified the country as the
Divine Mother, Bharat Mata - incarnation of Parvati Devi, Goddess of
Sacrifice, Strength, Courage and Power. The prayer that rose up from
those children of Bharat to their Mother is immortalised within the pages
of the Vedas, the gift of Gayatri Devi, given to mankind under the
auspices of Lord Brahma and his consort, Saraswati Devi, Goddess of
Knowledge, Truth, Purity and Virtue, whose incarnation Gayatri Devi is.
In those Vedic times, when Hindustan was truly a Hindu sthaan, in every
sense of the phrase, the National Prayer of what was then known as
Aryavrat, Bharatvarsh, Jambudvipa, or Sapta Sindhu, was the Vedic
Svarashtra Geet, the Prayer for National Prosperity. The prayer,
obviously in Sanskrit, is as follows :-
Aum Aabrahman Braahmano Brahmavarchasee Jaayataam,
Aa Raashtre Raajanyah Shoora Ishavoati Vyaadheeh Mahaaratho Jaayataam,
Dogdhree Dhenurvodhaa Anadvaanaashuh Saptih Purandhiryoshaa
Jishnooratheshtaah Sabheyo Yuvaasya Yajamaanasya Veero Jaayataam,
Nikaame Nikaame Nah Parjanyo Varshatu Phalavatyo Na Oshadhayah Pachyantaam
Yogakshamo Nah Kalpataam.
The prayer is now often found as the Hindi version, renderd into poetic
form, as follows :-
Brahman Svaraashtra Me Hon, Dvij Brahma Tejadhaari,
Kshatriya Mahaarathi Hon, Aridal Vinaashakaari.
Hovein Dudhaaru Gauvein, Pashu Ashva Aashuvaahi,
Aadhaar Raashtra Ki Hon, Naari Subhag Sada Hi.
Balavaan Sabhya Yodhaa, Yajamaan Putra Hovein,
Ichhaanusaara Barse, Parjanya Taap Dhovein.
Phal Phool Se Lade Hon, Aushadh Amogh Saari,
Ho Yogakshema Kaari, Svaadheenataa Hamaari.
The English translation of the original Sanskrit prayer is also given
below :-
O omniscient Lord! May men of learning and wisdom take birth in our
country,
May there be born, for the destruction of our enemies, fearless, valiant
and heroic soldiers, proficient in the art of war,
May there be no shortage of milch cows and animals useful in our
agricultural operations,
May the women of our country be our honour and virtue,
May the children of our country grow to become useful and civilised
members of the community,
May this land of ours be blessed with its seasonal rains, its natural
fauna and flora, and may it yield in quantities adequate for our
subsistence,
May this country of ours thrive and flourish, be productive and populated,
and may all who live here progress and prosper.
-----
For information and articles on topics related to Hindutva and the Hindu
Rashtra, please visit the "Nation of Hindutva" website at
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHillLobby/9089 - promoting the cause of
the Hindu Rashtra and enabling it to survive and prosper in an
increasingly hostile environment.
Namaste
JAI HIND !!
Manish Tayal (JAI_HIND)
E-mail : m...@st-andrews.ac.uk
hindu-...@geocities.com
-----===-----===-----===-----===-----===-----===-----===-----===-----
__ __ __ __ __ ___ _ _ __ _ _ ____ ____
/__\ ( )( ) \/ ) / __) )_( ) /__\ ( \( )_ _)_ _)
/(__)\ )(__)( ) ( ____\__ \) _ ( /(__)\ ) ( )( _)(_
(__)(__)______)_/\/\_)____)___/_) (_)__)(__)_)\_)(__)(____)
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/9089
-----===-----===-----===-----===-----===-----===-----===-----===------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mail posts to: gh...@netcom.com : http://www.hindunet.org/srh_home/