There has been controversy regarding whether the Jana gana mana was written by Tagore in praise of the visiting King George V. Those who have read the works of Tagore or know his character can have no such doubts. Yet, in spite of the Poet himself having had to deny it and defend himself in very strong terms - something for his stature was an insult - every other day, people raise these doubts. It is indeed a great matter of sorrow that a poet who wrote, "Give me the strength never to let down the poor, nor bend my knees before insolent might --Give me the strength to surrender my strength to thine will with love", should even be imagined to have written a poem in praise of a mere mortal.
I should thank my friend Ashish Vajpayee for having sent me the full poem (along with the English Translation) the first stanza of which alone has been made our National Anthem. The third stanza is itself enough to prove whom the Poet mentions as the Eternal Charioteer:
"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!"
NOW TO THE ENTIRE POEM:
1. Jano Gano Mano Adhinayaka
Jaya Hey Bharata Bhagya Bidhata,
Panjabo Sindhu Gujarato Maratha
Drabiro Utkala Bango
Bindhyo Himachalo Jamuna Ganga
Uchhalo Jalodhi Tarango
Tabo Subho Namay Jagay
Tabo Subho Ashiso Magay
Gahay Tabo Jayagatha.
Jano Gano Mangala Daayaka
Jaya Hey Bharata Bhagya Bidhata
Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey,
Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey
2. Aharaha Tabo Awhbano Pracharito
Shuni Tabo Udaro Bani
Hindu Bauddho Sikho Jaino
Parasiko Musalmano Khristani
Puraba Pashchimo Aashay
Tabo Singhasano Pashay
Premoharo Hawye Gantha
Jano Gano Oikya Bidhyaka
Jaya Hey Bharata Bhagya Bidhata
Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey,
Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey
3. Patana Abhyudaya Bandhuro Pantha
Jugo Jugo Dhabito Jatri
He Chiro Sarathi, Tabo Ratha Chakre
Mukharito Patha Dino Ratri
Daruna Biplaba Majhay
Tabo Shankha Dhwani Bajay
Sankata Dukho Trata
Jano Gano Patha Parichyaka
Jaya Hey Bharata Bhagya Bidhata
Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey,
Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey
4. Ghoro Timiro Ghono Nibiro
Nishithay Pirito Murchhito Deshay
Jagrata Chhilo Tabo Abichalo Mangalo
Nato Nayanay Animeshay
Duhswapnay Atankay
Rakkha Karilay Ankay
Snehamayee Tumi Mata
Jano Gano Dukho Trayaka
Jaya Hey Bharata Bhagya Bidhata
Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey,
Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey
5. Ratri Prabhatilo Udilo Rabichhabi
Purbo Udaya Giri Bhalay
Gahay Bihangamo Punyo Samirano
Nabo Jibana Rasa Dhalay
Tabo Karunaruno Ragay
Nidrito Bharata Jagay
Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey, Jaya Rajeswara
Bharata Bhagya Bidhata
Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey,
Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey
---
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
1. Oh! the ruler of the mind of the people,
Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!
Punjab, Sind, Gujrat, Maharastra,
Drabir (South India), Orissa, and Bengal,
the Bindhya, 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!
2. 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!
3. 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!
4. 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!
5. 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!
dispenser of the destiny of India!
