Indian National Song
Indian
National Song - Bankim Chandra Chaterjee penned 'Vande Mataram' for
his Bengali novel 'Anand Math'. The song charged with patriotic fervor and full
of praises for the motherland was an instant favorite among the freedom fighters
of the day. Later, it was translated into English by Shree Auribindo Ghosh to conform
to its universality and eventually, the first stanza of the song became the National
Song of India.
Sanskrit
Vande Mataram
Sujalam Suphalam
Malayaja Shitalam
Shasyashyamalaam Mataram !
Shubharajyothsna
Pulakitayaminim
Phullakusumita
Drumadala Shobinim
Suhasinim
Sumadhura Bhasinim
Sujhadam varadam Mataram!
English
I bow to the Mother,
Richly watered, richly fruited
Cool with the winds of the South,
Dark with the crops of the harvests, The Mother!
In the Glory of the moonlight,
Her nights rejoicing,
Her trees in flowering bloom,
Her hands clothed beautifully
Sweet of laughter,
Sweet of speech
Giver of boons, giver of Bliss, The Mother!
The song was a source of inspiration for many patriots and owes as much respect
by the Indians as the National Anthem - 'Jana Gana Man'. It was first sung in the
1896 session of the Indian National Congress.