Meaning of NATIONAL ANTHEM

At the outset, I would say that we do not sing our National Anthem (Rashtriya Gaan), we recite our National Anthem. We sing our National Song (Rashtriya Geet) i.e. Vande Mataram and not our National Anthem. You might remember this place if you stay in Kolkata

It is the place where National Anthem was first recited during the annual conference of the Indian National Congress on December 27, 1911. It’s the Indian Association Building on Bowbazar Street. Needless to say, our National Anthem was penned by Rabindra Nath Tagore.

Our National Anthem finds its place in the Guinness Book of World Record as the most meaningful anthem in the whole of world.

I would not choke you with more facts and dive straight into our topic – meaning of our national anthem. Many say that Tagore wrote this song in the praise of some king named may be George IV, if my memory serves may correctly. But people who say these are prime duffer…meant to be pinned to the wall.

This anthem was written in the praise of Lord Krishna and there are evidences galore in the Anthem itself and various findings which show that it wasn’t written for any king. Now let’s get started.

“Jana Gana Mana Adhinayak Jaya He”

-Here Tagore prays (Jaya He) to the Leader (Adhinayak) referring to Lord Ram who lives in the hearts (Mana) and minds (Gana) of the common people (Jana)

“Bharat Bhagya Vidhata”

-He says that You (Lord Ram) are the creator (Vidhata) of India’s (Bharat) future (Bhagya)

“Punjab Sindh Gujarat Maratha

Dravid Utkal Banga”

-Now Tagore wonderfully wraps the whole of India in these two lines mentioning the various states –Punjab, Sindh (Now part of Pakistan), Gujarat, Maharashtra (Maratha), Dravid (The whole of southern region) Utkal (Orissa), Banga (whole of Bengal and Bangladesh which were then part of India) where people remembers Lord Krishna

“Vindhya Himachal”

Now he mentions the two amazing mountain ranges of India i.e. Vindhya Ranges and the Himachal ranges saying that India is a blessed country with all its diversities and your name echoes in these mountain ranges

“Yamuna Ganga

Ucchal Jaladhi Taranga”

He further mentions the two pure and serene rivers of India saying that they also enchants the name of the Almighty in the form of rising waves that metaphorically praises Krishna when their waves hit the sea shore.

“Tav subah name me jaage

Tab subh aashish mange

Gaye taba jaya gatha”

In these two lines Tagore outlines the common habit of Indian people to get up early in the morning to worship God, read various Holy Books like Geeta, Koran, Bible, Ramayan, recite Hanuman Chalisa to praise The Almighty. And touch the feet of our parents and respected elders. Even in pre-independence era, Indians didn’t get up early in the morning to remember any British.

“These two lines also substantiate the fact that Tagore wrote this in remembrance of Lord Krishna and not any pathetic King”.

“Jana Gana Mangal Dhayak Jaya He

Bharat Bhagya Vidhata”

Tagore reiterates Lord Krishna You are the saviour of We Indians, You need to ameliorate our already-hostile condition and you are the creator of India’s destiny

“Jaya He, Jaya He, Jaya He”

Here Tagore requests Lord Krishna to lead India to the path of victory (Jaya He, Jaya He, Jaya He)

“Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya He”

This last line of national anthem brings into light the common custom that Indians do after the end of every Aarti i.e. loudly voicing Jai-Jai Kar of every god as in Har Har Mahadev.

This was my bit of contribution towards my motherland this year. Hope that you will do yours by sharing this post.

Thank you. Feel free to comment below.