As a child, singing Vande Mataram was a feeling. It was so lyrical, and beautifully weaved. It’s first two verses are in Sanskrit. And Sanskrit itself has a musical touch to words. The Sanskrit verses are in “Dwitiya Vibhakti”, making it even more and more musical, lyrical, directly touching the heart. A song that was also a prayer in my school. Here I make a humble effort to explain the meaning of this song, it is one of the many songs that is closer to my heart.
“Vande Mataram,” meaning “I bow to thee, Mother,” is the sacred hymn that embodies the soul of India. Penned by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyaya in the 1870s and published in his novel Anandamath in 1882, it is India’s national song, revered alongside the national anthem, “Jana Gana Mana.” This celestial anthem, written in a divine blend of Sanskrit and Bengali, was a rallying cry during India’s freedom struggle, igniting hearts with patriotism and devotion. While only the first two stanzas were adopted as the national song in 1950, the complete poem comprises 12 stanzas, each a poetic offering to Bharat, our Mother India. Its melody, shaped by luminaries like Rabindranath Tagore, flows like a sacred river, stirring pride and love in every Indian heart.
India is not just a land; it is a divine mother, an eternal emotion that binds us in love and reverence. In the Ramayana, Shri Ram speaks a timeless truth in the Yuddha Kanda:
Sanskrit Verse (Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 13):
जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी।
English Translation:
The mother who gives birth and the motherland are greater than heaven itself.
This sacred verse echoes the essence of Vande Mataram. India, our motherland, is more cherished than paradise, a divine presence we worship with every breath. Below, I present all 12 stanzas of Vande Mataram in their original Devanagari script, followed by their English translations and meanings.
Verse 1
Original Devanagari Script:
वंदे मातरम्, वंदे मातरम्!
सुजलाम्, सुफलाम्, मलयज शीतलाम्,
शस्यश्यामलाम्, मातरम्!
वंदे मातरम्!
English Translation:
I bow to thee, Mother, I bow to thee!
Rich with flowing waters, abundant with fruits,
Cool with the breeze from Malaya hills,
Dark and lush with fertile fields, Mother!
I bow to thee, Mother!
Divine Meaning:
Oh Mother India, I offer my heart at your sacred feet!
Your rivers dance like silver threads, quenching our thirst with love.
Your orchards bloom with sweet mangoes, feeding our souls with joy.
The cool breeze from southern hills whispers your tender care,
Like a mother’s soothing touch on a weary heart.
Your fields, dark and green, cradle life in their embrace,
A paradise woven with nature’s love.
Oh Bharat, you are our abundance, our divine mother,
Whose gifts sustain us, whose beauty enchants us.
Verse 2
Original Devanagari Script:
शुभ्रज्योत्सनाम् पुलकितयामिनीम्,
फुल्लकुसुमित द्रुमदल शोभिनीम्,
सुहासिनीम् सुमधुर भाषिणीम्,
सुखदाम् वरदाम्, मातरम्!
वंदे मातरम्, वंदे मातरम्!
English Translation:
Bathed in pure moonlight, your nights thrill with joy,
Adorned with blooming flowers and lush green trees,
Smiling sweetly, speaking with honeyed words,
Granting bliss, bestowing blessings, Mother!
I bow to thee, Mother, I bow to thee!
Divine Meaning:
Oh Mother, your nights glow like a divine dream,
Moonlight kissing your lands, as if you smile upon us.
Your forests burst with jasmine, dressing you in nature’s grace.
Your laughter echoes in children’s joy, your voice in poets’ songs.
Every word you speak is sweet, a lullaby to our hearts.
You shower us with happiness, you bless us with hope.
Oh India, you are a celestial mother, radiant and kind,
Your love heals our souls, your beauty lights our way.
Verse 3
Original Devanagari Script:
सप्तकोटिघोषवदतिर्नादति,
कोटिकोटिकण्ठकलकलनिनादति,
सप्तकोटिभुजैर्युयुधति,
के बोले मा तुमि अबले,
वंदे मातरम् ॥
English Translation:
Seventy crore voices resound in unison,
Millions of throats sing in harmonious chorus,
Seventy crore arms rise to fight for you.
Who dares call you weak, Mother?
I bow to thee, Mother!
Divine Meaning:
Oh Mother India, your children’s voices roar like thunder,
Millions singing your name, their hearts aflame with love.
Countless arms, strong and fearless, rise to shield you,
Ready to lay down all for your sacred soil.
Who dares call you frail? You are might itself,
A warrior mother, fierce and eternal.
Your spirit unites us, your strength empowers us.
Oh Bharat, you are our pride, our invincible queen,
We bow to you, our hearts swelling with devotion.
Verse 4
Original Devanagari Script:
कोटि कोटि कन्ठ कलकल निनाद कराले
द्विसप्त कोटि भुजैर्ध्रत खरकरवाले
के बोले मा तुमी अबले
बहुबल धारिणीम् नमामि तारिणीम्
रिपुदलवारिणीम् मातरम् ॥
English Translation:
Millions of voices sing your praise, resounding fiercely,
Seventy crore arms wield sharp swords to protect you.
Who dares call you weak, Mother?
I bow to you, bearer of immense strength, Savior,
Destroyer of enemies, Mother!
Divine Meaning:
Oh Mother, your children’s chants shake the heavens,
A chorus of millions, fierce with love and pride.
Their hands, countless as stars, grasp swords to guard you,
Standing tall to defend your divine honor.
Weak? You are power incarnate, a goddess of might.
You save us from darkness, you crush all foes.
Oh India, you are our fortress, our eternal protector,
We kneel before your strength, our souls ablaze with faith.
Verse 5
Original Devanagari Script:
तुमि विद्या तुमि धर्म, तुमि ह्रदि तुमि मर्म
त्वं हि प्राणाः शरीरे
बाहुते तुमि मा शक्ति,
हृदये तुमि मा भक्ति,
तोमारै प्रतिमा गडि मन्दिरे-मन्दिरे ॥
English Translation:
You are knowledge, you are faith, you are the heart, the soul,
You are the breath within our bodies.
In our arms, you are strength,
In our hearts, you are devotion,
Your image is crafted in every temple, every shrine.
Divine Meaning:
Oh Mother India, you are the light of wisdom, guiding our minds.
You are the fire of faith, warming our souls.
You pulse in our hearts, you breathe in our lungs.
Your strength flows through our arms, lifting us to glory.
Your love fills our hearts, binding us in devotion.
From Kedarnath’s icy peaks to Kanyakumari’s shores,
Your divine form shines in every temple, every prayer.
Oh Bharat, you are our spirit, our essence,
A sacred mother we worship with every breath.
Verse 6
Original Devanagari Script:
दशप्रहरणधारिणीं दुर्गा त्वं हि,
कमला कमलदलविहारिणी,
वाणी विद्यादायिनी,
नमामि त्वां कमलाम्,
अमलां अतुलाम्,
सुजलां सुफलां मातरम् ॥
English Translation:
You are Durga, wielding ten weapons of might,
You are Lakshmi, gliding on lotus petals,
You are Saraswati, granting the gift of wisdom.
I bow to you, pure, matchless, radiant Mother,
Rich with waters, abundant with fruits, Mother!
Divine Meaning:
Oh Mother, you are Durga, fierce and fearless,
Brandishing ten arms to shield us from harm.
You are Lakshmi, radiant on a lotus,
Showering prosperity, filling our lives with abundance.
You are Saraswati, the river of knowledge,
Lighting our minds with wisdom’s eternal glow.
Pure as the morning dew, unmatched in your glory,
Your rivers flow with life, your fields burst with fruit.
Oh India, you are our divine trinity,
A celestial mother whose love is our eternal light.
Verse 7
Original Devanagari Script:
वंदे मातरम्,
सुजलां सुफलाम्,
मलयजशीतलाम्,
शस्यश्यामलाम्,
मातरम्, वंदे मातरम् ॥
English Translation:
I bow to thee, Mother!
Rich with flowing waters, abundant with fruits,
Cool with the breeze from Malaya hills,
Dark and lush with fertile fields, Mother!
I bow to thee, Mother!
Divine Meaning:
Oh Mother India, we bow to you again,
Your rivers sing songs of life, your fruits sweeten our days.
The southern breeze carries your gentle caress,
Your fields, dark and green, weave a tapestry of love.
You are our paradise, our nurturing embrace,
A mother whose gifts are endless, whose beauty eternal.
Oh Bharat, you are the heartbeat of our land,
We offer our love, our lives, at your sacred feet.
Verse 8
Original Devanagari Script:
शुभ्रज्योत्सनापुलकितयामिनीम्,
फुल्लकुसुमितद्रुमदलशोभिनीम्,
सुहासिनीं सुमधुरभाषिणीम्,
सुखदां वरदां मातरम्,
वंदे मातरम् ॥
English Translation:
Bathed in pure moonlight, your nights thrill with joy,
Adorned with blooming flowers and lush green trees,
Smiling sweetly, speaking with honeyed words,
Granting bliss, bestowing blessings, Mother!
I bow to thee, Mother!
Divine Meaning:
Oh Mother, your nights shimmer like a divine dream,
Moonlight painting your lands with a tender glow.
Your forests bloom with champak, adorning you in grace.
Your smile sparkles in children’s eyes, your voice in sacred chants.
You speak words of love, soothing our weary hearts.
You gift us joy, you bless us with hope.
Oh India, you are our radiant mother,
Whose beauty inspires, whose love is our home.
Verse 9
Original Devanagari Script:
कोटिकोटिकण्ठकलकलनिनादकराले,
द्विसप्तकोटिभुजैर्धृतखरकरवाले,
के बोले मा तुमि अबले,
वंदे मातरम् ॥
English Translation:
Millions of voices sing your praise, resounding fiercely,
Seventy crore arms wield sharp swords to protect you.
Who dares call you weak, Mother?
I bow to thee, Mother!
Divine Meaning:
Oh Mother India, your children’s voices rise like a storm,
Millions chanting your name, their hearts united in love.
Their arms, countless and strong, wield swords for your honor,
Guarding your sacred soil with unwavering courage.
Weak? You are a goddess of might, unyielding and fierce.
Oh Bharat, you are our strength, our eternal queen,
We bow to your power, our souls ablaze with pride.
Verse 10
Original Devanagari Script:
तुमि विद्या तुमि धर्म,
तुमि ह्रदि तुमि मर्म,
त्वं हि प्राणाः शरीरे,
वंदे मातरम् ॥
English Translation:
You are knowledge, you are faith,
You are the heart, the soul,
You are the breath within our bodies.
I bow to thee, Mother!
Divine Meaning:
Oh Mother, you are the wisdom of our sages,
The faith that lights our prayers.
You are the heartbeat in our chests,
The soul that guides our lives.
You breathe within us, giving us life,
Your love our eternal flame.
Oh India, you are our essence, our spirit,
A divine mother we cherish with every breath.
Verse 11
Original Devanagari Script:
बाहुते तुमि मा शक्ति,
हृदये तुमि मा भक्ति,
तोमारै प्रतिमा गडि मन्दिरे-मन्दिरे,
वंदे मातरम् ॥
English Translation:
In our arms, you are strength,
In our hearts, you are devotion,
Your image is crafted in every temple, every shrine.
I bow to thee, Mother!
Divine Meaning:
Oh Mother India, your strength flows through our arms,
Empowering us to build, to protect, to love.
Your devotion fills our hearts, binding us to you.
In every temple, from the Himalayas to the seas,
Your divine form is worshipped, your name is sung.
Oh Bharat, you are our power, our faith,
A sacred mother whose presence is our eternal guide.
Verse 12
Original Devanagari Script:
श्यामलां सरलां सुस्मितां भूषिताम्,
धरणीं भरणीं मातरम्,
वंदे मातरम् ॥
English Translation:
Dark and lovely, simple and smiling, adorned with grace,
You are the earth, you are its sustainer, Mother!
I bow to thee, Mother!
Divine Meaning:
Oh Mother India, you are radiant as the dawn,
Dark as the fertile earth, simple as a village stream.
Your smile, gentle as moonlight, warms our hearts,
Your grace adorns the land like lotus blooms.
You are the earth herself, nurturing life,
Sustaining billions with your boundless love.
You stand eternal, proud, and divine,
Oh Bharat, our home, our heart, our mother forever.
Note: The lines — श्यामलां सरलां सुस्मितां भूषिताम् धरणीं भरणीं मातरम्—are indeed part of the complete Vande Mataram text as found in Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyaya’s novel Anandamath. This verse appears toward the end of the full song, though it is not included in the officially adopted version (the first two stanzas) used as India’s national song. The complete poem is longer and contains additional verses that are less commonly sung but are part of the original composition.
Is the Verse Part of Vande Mataram?
Yes, the verse is part of the full Vande Mataram text. The complete song has 12 stanzas in the original Anandamath, but only the first two stanzas are officially recognized as the national song. The verse श्यामलां सरलां सुस्मितां भूषिताम् धरणीं भरणीं मातरम् appears in the later part of the poem, often included in cultural recitations and performances of the full song.
Note: Some stanzas (e.g., 7, 8, 9) repeat themes or lines from earlier ones, reflecting the song’s lyrical structure and reinforcing its devotion to Mother India.
India: The Eternal Motherland
Vande Mataram is the soul of India, a divine song that weaves our love for Bharat into words. India is not just a country; she is our mother, our heartbeat, our pride. Her rivers sing lullabies, her mountains whisper courage, her fields cradle our dreams. From the vibrant chaos of Delhi’s streets to the serene shores of Lakshadweep, India is a tapestry of colors, cultures, and love. She is the Diwali lamp, the Holi splash, the Rakhi bond. Every Indian, near or far, carries her in their heart—a love deeper than oceans, a pride brighter than stars.
When we sing Vande Mataram, we offer our souls to her. We see her in the farmer’s toil, the soldier’s sacrifice, the child’s hope. We feel her in the monsoon’s embrace, the temple’s bells, the flag’s tricolor. India is our identity, our home, our divine mother, greater than heaven itself, as Shri Ram proclaimed.
With tears of pride and hearts full of devotion, we sing:
Vande Mataram, Vande Mataram!
Oh Mother India, we bow to you, forever and always.
