National
Anthem of any nation portrays that nation – it is like a mirror to that
country and that is why it is respected. The National Anthem of our country
“Jana Gana Mana” was written by Rabindranath Tagore.
There have been constant reports in the net and claims by people that “Jana Gana Mana” glorifies the British rule but that is not so. The song “Jana Gana Mana” is a prayer to GOD/Almighty to save and protect us.
There have been constant reports in the net and claims by people that “Jana Gana Mana” glorifies the British rule but that is not so. The song “Jana Gana Mana” is a prayer to GOD/Almighty to save and protect us.
The song has
been written for God where the people of Independent India are praying to come
and rescue them from the rule of the British Empire.
The song goes as http://www.sanyal.com/india/janagana.html[1]: -
Normal
Text
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English
Translation
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1st
Para
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Jano Gano Mano Adhinaayako Jayo Hey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa
Panjaabo Sindhu Gujaraato Maraathaa Draabirho Utkalo Bango
Bindhyo Himaachalo Jamunaa GangaaUchchhalo Jalodhi Tarango
Tabo Shubho Naamey Jaagey Tabo Shubho Aashisho Maagey Gaahey
Tabo Jayogaathaa
Jano Gano Mangalo Daayako Jayo Hey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa
Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Jayo Jayo Jayo Hey
|
Oh! the ruler of the mind of the people, Victory be to You, the dispenser of the destiny of India!
Punjab, Sind, Gujrat,
Maharastra, Drabir (South India), Orissa, and Bengal, the Vindhya, The Himalayas, the Jamuna, the Ganges and the
oceans with foaming waves all around
Wake up listening to
Your auspicious name, ask for Your auspicious blessings And sing to Your
glorious victory.
Oh! You who impart well
being to the people! Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!
Victory, victory,
victory to Thee! (refrain repeated five times)
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2nd
Para
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Aharaho Tabo Awhbaano Prachaarito Shuni Tabo Udaaro Baani Hindu Bauddho Shikho Jaino Parashiko
Musholmaano Christaani
Purabo Pashchimo Aashey Tabo Singhaasano Paashey Premohaaro Hawye Gaanthaa
Jano Gano Oikyo Bidhaayako Jayo ey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa
Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey
|
Your call is announced
continuously, we heed Your gracious call. The Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs,
Jains, Muslims, and Christians,
The East and the West
come to the side of Your throne and weave the garland of love.
Oh! You who bring in
the unity of the people! Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!
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3rd
Para
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Patano Abhyudayo Bandhuro Panthaa Jugo Jugo Dhaabito Jaatri Hey
Chiro Saarothi, Tabo Ratha Chakrey Mukharito Patho Dino Raatri
Daaruno Biplabo Maajhey Tabo Shankhodhwoni Bajey Sankato Duhkho
Traataa
Jano Gano Patho Parichaayako Jayo Hey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa
Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey
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The way of life is
somber as it moves through ups and downs. But we, the pilgrims, have followed through ages. Oh! Eternal Charioteer, the wheels of your chariot echo day and night in the path
In the midst of fierce
revolution your conch shell sounds. You save us from fear and misery.
Oh! You who guide the
people through tortuous path! Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!
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4th
Para
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Ghoro Timiro Ghono Nibiro Nishithey Pirhito Murchhito Deshey
Jagrato Chhilo Tabo Abichalo Mangalo Nato Nayoney Animeshey
Duhswapney Aatankey Rakkhaa Koriley Ankey Snehamoyi Tumi Maataa
Jano Gano Duhkho Trayako Jayo Hey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa
Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey
|
During the bleakest of nights, when the whole country was sick
and in swoon Wakeful remained Your incessant blessings through Your lowered
but winkless eyes.
Through nightmares and fears You protected us on Your lap Oh
Loving Mother.
Oh! You who have removed the misery of the people! Victory be to
You, dispenser of the destiny of India!
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5th
Para
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Raatri Prabhatilo Udilo Rabichhabi
Purbo Udayo Giri Bhaaley Gaahey Bihangamo Punyo Samirano Nabo Jibano Rasho Dhaley
Tabo Karunaaruno Ragey
Nidrito Bhaarato Jagey
Jayo Jayo Jayo Hey, Jayo Rajeshwaro
Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey |
The night is over, and the Sun has risen
over the eastern horizon. The birds are singing, and a gentle auspicious breeze is pouring the elixir of new life.
By the halo of Your compassion
India that was asleep is now waking.
Victory be to You, the Supreme
King!
the dispenser of the destiny of India! |
The first stanza of the poem is used as the “NATIONAL ANTHEM OF INDIA”
The controversy which has arisen is that use of the word “Bhagya Vidhata” means to
respect and pray to the Britishers as our God and glorify the British Rule
which is totally wrong and baseless. The song has been written in Bengali with
the use of Sanskrit words and in any language the word “Bhagya Vidhata” means
“God – the master of our fate”. Further on the poem says that “Patano Abhyudayo Bandhuro Panthaa Jugo
Jugo Dhaabito Jaatri Hey Chiro Saarothi, Tabo Ratha Chakrey Mukharito Patho
Dino Raatri” meaning that “Eternal
Charioteer, you have always guided us through the ages and eternal charioteer in
Indian Literature means “Lord Krishna” and it is being prayed that you guide us
through the darkness just as way he had guided Arjuna when he was his charioteer.
Further the
poem says that “Daaruno Biplabo Maajhey
Tabo Shankhodhwoni Bajey Sankato Duhkho Traataa” meaning that in this
revolution your conch shells sound to free us from our misery and the poem
further says that “Ghoro Timiro Ghono
Nibiro Nishithey Pirhito Murchhito Deshey Jagrato Chhilo Tabo Abichalo Mangalo
Nato Nayoney Animeshey” , by which he had compared the English Rule to a
dark never-ending evil you come and save us from evil.
In no way does the song portray or glorify the
British Rule. On second thoughts to believe that Rabindranath Tagore would
write a song to glorify the British Rule is a little hard for me to digest as
it was the same man who on "Jallianawala
Bagh Massacre" had given up his knighthood and who has written numerous
songs and stories criticizing the British Rule would write a song a coronation
of British King, I think it was not possible and by saying that we are questioning
his integrity and we have no right to do that.
In fact on 10 November 1937 Rabindranath
Tagore wrote a letter to Mr. Pulin Bihari
Sen about the controversy. That letter in Bengali can be found in Tagore's
biography Ravindrajivani, volume II page 339 by Prabhatkumar
Mukherjee -
"A certain high official in His Majesty's service, who was also my friend, had requested that I write a song of felicitation towards the Emperor. The request simply amazed me. It caused a great stir in my heart. In response to that great mental turmoil, I pronounced the victory in Jana Gana Mana of that Bhagya Vidhata [ed. God of Destiny] of India who has from age after age held steadfast the reins of India's chariot through rise and fall, through the straight path and the curved. That Lord of Destiny, that Reader of the Collective Mind of India, that Perennial Guide, could never be George V, George VI, or any other George. Even my official friend understood this about the song. After all, even if his admiration for the crown was excessive, he was not lacking in simple common sense."Again in his letter of 19 March, 1939 Rabindranath Tagore writes, “I should only insult myself if I cared to answer those who consider me capable of such unbounded stupidity as to sing in praise of George the Fourth or George the Fifth as the Eternal Charioteer leading the pilgrims on their journey through countless ages of the timeless history of mankind." (Purvasa, Phalgun, 1354, p738.).
I believe this is ample proof that song has not been written not for the British Rule but was against the British Rule.
"A certain high official in His Majesty's service, who was also my friend, had requested that I write a song of felicitation towards the Emperor. The request simply amazed me. It caused a great stir in my heart. In response to that great mental turmoil, I pronounced the victory in Jana Gana Mana of that Bhagya Vidhata [ed. God of Destiny] of India who has from age after age held steadfast the reins of India's chariot through rise and fall, through the straight path and the curved. That Lord of Destiny, that Reader of the Collective Mind of India, that Perennial Guide, could never be George V, George VI, or any other George. Even my official friend understood this about the song. After all, even if his admiration for the crown was excessive, he was not lacking in simple common sense."Again in his letter of 19 March, 1939 Rabindranath Tagore writes, “I should only insult myself if I cared to answer those who consider me capable of such unbounded stupidity as to sing in praise of George the Fourth or George the Fifth as the Eternal Charioteer leading the pilgrims on their journey through countless ages of the timeless history of mankind." (Purvasa, Phalgun, 1354, p738.).
I believe this is ample proof that song has not been written not for the British Rule but was against the British Rule.
 |
Bengali Version of the Song sung for George V
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It was only because of some
negligent reporting which has led everyone to the belief that “Jana Gana Mana”
was sung for George V, which actually was not and as I have stated earlier that
Rabindranath Tagore had himself refused to dedicate the song “Jana Gana Mana” to
George V and that it is also very impossible for me to believe that the man who
gave up his “Knighthood” and who on every occasion had criticized British
Imperialism would write a song that would glorify the British Empire.
 |
| Tagore's own interpretation in his handwriting |
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| Tagore's own interpretation in his handwriting |
I have referred this from:-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jana_Gana_Mana.
https://heritage-india.com/history-of-the-indian-national-anthem/
https://heritage-india.com/history-of-the-indian-national-anthem/
(Please read these)
