‘Vande Mataram,’ recognized as the National Song of India, is deeply ingrained in the nation’s struggle for freedom. The chant of these words served as a source of immense strength for freedom fighters and the masses, enabling them to endure the brutal lathi blows and whiplashes during their resistance against British rule. So powerful were these words that they incensed the British, with Curzon’s loyal follower, the Governor of Bengal, imposing a legal ban on their utterance. However, this ban only heightened the significance of ‘Vande Mataram,’ turning it into a nationwide symbol of resistance and a revered National Mahamantra.
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Who Wrote Vande Mataram?
The iconic song ‘Vande Mataram’ was penned by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (1838–1894), also known as Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, one of India’s greatest novelists and poets. Renowned for his literary contributions, Bankim Chandra gifted the nation this stirring composition, which continues to inspire generations. ThePoemStory pays heartfelt homage to this illustrious son of Bharat Mata on his birth anniversary, 27th June.
Bankim Chandra wrote ‘Vande Mataram’ on 7th November 1875, which corresponds to the Kartik Shukla Navami according to the lunar calendar. The song was later published in his seminal novel Anandmath. Written in a language rich with Sanskrit vocabulary, this powerful hymn gained prominence as a rallying cry against oppression. The novel Anandmath itself captures the Sanyasi Rebellion of 1772, a violent uprising against the injustices inflicted by the British and Muslim rulers in Bengal.
‘Vande Mataram’ continues to hold a special place in India’s history, symbolizing patriotism, resilience, and the undying spirit of the nation.
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Lyrics and meaning of Vande Mataram Song
वन्दे मातरम्
~ Vande Mataram, Bankimchandra, from Anandmath
सुजलां सुफलां मलयजशीतलाम्
शस्यशामलां मातरम् ।
–
Vande Mataram
Sujalam suphalam malayaja sheetalam
Sasya shamalam Mataram.
—
शुभ्रज्योत्स्नापुलकितयामिनीं
फुल्लकुसुमितद्रुमदलशोभिनीं
सुहासिनीं, सुमधुर भाषिणीं,
सुखदां वरदां मातरम् ।। १ ।।
वन्दे मातरम् ।
–
Shubhra jyotsna pulakita yaminim
Phulla kusumita drumadala shobhinim
Suhasini, sumadhura bhaashini,
Sukhadaam varadaam Mataram. (1)
Vande Mataram.
—
कोटि-कोटि-कण्ठ-कल-कल-निनाद-कराले
कोटि-कोटि-भुजैर्धृत-खरकरवाले,
अबला केन मा एत बले ।
बहुबलधारिणीं
नमामि तारिणीं
रिपुदलवारिणीं मातरम् ।। २ ।।
वन्दे मातरम् ।
–
Koti-koti-kantha-kala-kala-ninada-karale
Koti-koti-bhujaidhrita-kharakaravale,
Abalaa kena maa eta bale?
Bahubala dhaarineem
Namaami taarineem
Ripu dala vaarineem Mataram. (2)
Vande Mataram.
तुमि विद्या, तुमि धर्म
तुमि हृदि, तुमि मर्म
त्वं हि प्राणा: शरीरे
बाहुते तुमि मा शक्ति,
हृदये तुमि मा भक्ति,
तोमारई प्रतिमा गडि
मन्दिरे-मन्दिरे मातरम् ।। ३ ।।
वन्दे मातरम् ।
–
Tumi vidya, tumi dharma
Tumi hridi, tumi marma
Tvam hi praanah sharire.
Bahute tumi maa shakti
Hridaye tumi maa bhakti,
Tomarai pratima gadi
Mandire-mandire Mataram. (3)
Vande Mataram.
—
त्वं हि दुर्गा दशप्रहरणधारिणी
कमला कमलदलविहारिणी
वाणी विद्यादायिनी,
नमामि त्वाम्
नमामि कमलां
अमलां अतुलां
सुजलां सुफलां मातरम् ।। ४ ।।
वन्दे मातरम् ।
–
Tvam hi Durga dashapraharana dhaarini
Kamala kamaladala vihaarini
Vaani vidya daayini,
Namaami tvaam.
Namaami kamalam
Amalam atulam
Sujalam suphalam Mataram. (4)
Vande Mataram.
—
श्यामलां सरलां
सुस्मितां भूषितां
धरणीं भरणीं मातरम् ।। ५ ।।
वन्दे मातरम् ।।
–
Shyamalam saralam
Susmitam bhooshitam
Dharaneem bharaneem Mataram. (5)
Vande Mataram.
Line-by-Line Meaning of Vande Mataram
Vande Mataram
I bow to thee, Mother.
Sujalam suphalam malayaja sheetalam
With sweet water, bountiful harvests, and a cool breeze fragrant with sandalwood,
Sasya shamalam Mataram
O Motherland, richly adorned with green fields of crops.
Shubhra jyotsna pulakita yaminim
With nights resplendent with clear moonlight,
Phulla kusumita drumadala shobhinim
Adorned with blossoming flowers and lush tree leaves,
Suhasini, sumadhura bhaashini
O Mother, who smiles sweetly and speaks in a melodious voice,
Sukhadaam varadaam Mataram
Giver of happiness, bestower of blessings, O Mother.
Koti-koti-kantha-kala-kala-ninada-karale
Your voice echoes through millions and millions of throats,
Koti-koti-bhujaidhrita-kharakaravale
And your strength lies in the millions and millions of arms holding weapons.
Abalaa kena maa eta bale?
O Mother, who says you are weak with such immense strength?
Bahubala dhaarineem
Bearer of boundless strength,
Namaami taarineem
I salute you, the one who delivers us from sorrow,
Ripu dala vaarineem Mataram
O Mother, destroyer of enemy forces, I bow to you.
Tumi vidya, tumi dharma
You are knowledge; you are righteousness.
Tumi hridi, tumi marma
You are the heart and the soul.
Tvam hi praanah sharire
You are the very life within the body.
Bahute tumi maa shakti
In the arms, you are strength,
Hridaye tumi maa bhakti
In the heart, you are devotion.
Tomarai pratima gadi
Your idol is created and worshipped
Mandire-mandire Mataram
In every temple, O Mother.
Tvam hi Durga dashapraharana dhaarini
You are Goddess Durga, wielding ten weapons.
Kamala kamaladala vihaarini
You are Goddess Lakshmi, residing on a lotus flower.
Vaani vidya daayini
You are Goddess Saraswati, giver of knowledge and wisdom.
Namaami tvaam
I bow to you.
Namaami kamalam amalam atulam
I bow to the pure, sacred, and incomparable Mother.
Sujalam suphalam Mataram
O Motherland, endowed with sweet waters and bountiful fruits.
Shyamalam saralam susmitam bhooshitam
You are dark, simple, adorned with a sweet smile,
Dharaneem bharaneem Mataram
You bear the earth and nourish it, O Mother.
Vande Mataram
I bow to thee, Mother.
This poem beautifully combines devotion to the motherland with spiritual imagery, invoking the mother as a symbol of strength, nurture, and divinity. It represents a call to revere and protect the nation with unwavering love and dedication.
Freedom Fighters and Vande Mataram
In 1905, Lord Curzon announced the partition of Bengal, igniting a massive revolt across the region. The entire Bengal united against this division, rallying around two powerful words: ‘Vande Mataram.’ These words became a symbol of resistance and defiance, so potent that they enraged the British authorities. In response, the Governor of Bengal, a loyal subordinate of Curzon, imposed a legal ban on uttering ‘Vande Mataram.’ However, this very ban elevated the phrase to national prominence, transforming it into a National Mahamantra of the freedom struggle.
‘Vande Mataram’—The Cry of Freedom
‘Vande Mataram’ became the rallying cry for freedom fighters. On August 6, 1906, a daily newspaper titled ‘Vande Mataram’ was launched to inspire and unite people. No freedom movement or event concluded without the echo of these words. The National Flag designed by Sister Nivedita for the Kolkata Congress and the one hoisted by Madam Cama at the International Communist Conference in Germany both proudly displayed the words ‘Vande Mataram’ inscribed in Devanagari script. Moreover, every session of the All India Congress began with the song ‘Vande Mataram,’ firmly establishing it as an integral part of India’s independence movement.
A Song of Strength and Sacrifice
The words ‘Vande Mataram’ became a source of unparalleled strength for freedom fighters and the masses. These simple yet powerful words empowered people to endure police brutality, from lathi blows on their heads to whiplashes on their bare bodies. At the 21st session of the Congress held in Varanasi (Benaras) in 1905, the renowned poetess and singer Sarladevi Chaudhurani sang the entire ‘Vande Mataram,’ mesmerizing and inspiring all present.
A Forgotten Legacy?
Today, we only sing the first stanza of ‘Vande Mataram,’ and its full form remains unknown to many. The younger generation, in particular, may not realize the depth and significance of this iconic song, which once united an entire nation in its fight for freedom.
As we reflect on our history, let us remember the power of ‘Vande Mataram’—a phrase that fueled a revolution and became a symbol of courage, unity, and love for the motherland.
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