Today India celebrated their 63 Independence day! Over the summer I have had the opportunity to learn the words to this beautiful anthem. Written by the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, the first five stanzas of this quasi sanskritized Bengali hymn were adopted as India’s National anthem on January 24th 1950. The words to this beautiful anthem along with the translation are found below. There are many things about this country that I do not understand but there are many things that I love about this land. I am grateful to be here in this beautiful country. Victory, Victory, Victory to thee!
Jana gaṇa mana adhināyaka jaya he
Bhārata bhāgya vidhātā
Punjāba Sind Gujarāṭa
Marāṭhā Drāviḍa Utkala
Banga Vindhya Himāchala
Yamunā Gangā Ucchala
jaladhi taranga
Tava śubha nāme jāge
Tava śubha āśiṣa māge
Gāhe tava jaya gāthā
Jana gaṇa mangala dāyaka jaya he
Bhārata bhāgya vidhāta
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 Punjab, Sind, Gujarat and Maratha, Of the Dravida and Orissa and Bengal; It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas, mingles in the music of Jamuna and Ganges and is chanted by the waves of the Indian Ocean. 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, victory, victory, Victory to thee.
