Vande Mataram lyrics in Hindi: Full National Song, how to sing, English translation, meaning and rules you should keep in mind

Vande Mataram lyrics in Hindi: “वन्दे मातरम्” is India’s National Song and remains one of the most recognisable expressions of patriotism in the country. Written by Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay, the song first appeared in literary journal Bangadarshan in 1875 and later became part of his novel Anandamath in 1882. The year 2025 marked 150 years of Vande Mataram, with the government organising a year-long commemoration that continues through November 2026.

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For readers searching for Vande Mataram lyrics in Hindi, the full lyrics of the National Song, how to sing Vande Mataram, its english translation and meaning, here is the complete guide along with a simple explanation of what the verses convey.

Vande Mataram lyrics in Hindi: Full version

The National Song is written primarily in Sanskrit, although it is commonly searched for and presented in Hindi script. The government’s published version contains six stanzas.

वन्दे मातरम्।

Vande Mataram!

Sujalam suphalam malayaja-sitalam,
Sasya-syamalam Mataram!
Vande Mataram!

Subhra-jyotsnam pulakita-yaminim,
Phulla-kusumita druma-dala-sobhinim,
Suhasinim sumadhura bhasinim,
Sukhadam varadam Mataram!
Vande Mataram!

Koti-koti kantha kalakala ninada karale,
Koti-koti bhujair dhrta kharakaravale,
Ke bole Ma tumi abale!
Bahubala-dharinim namami tarinim,
Ripudala-varinim Mataram!
Vande Mataram!

Tumi vidya, tumi dharma,
Tumi hrdi, tumi marma,
Tvam hi pranah sarire!
Bahute tumi Ma sakti,
Hrdaye tumi Ma bhakti,
Tomarai pratima gadi mandire-mandire.
Vande Mataram!

Tvam hi Durga dasa-praharana-dharini,
Kamala kamala-dala-viharini,
Vani vidya-dayini,
Namami tvam namami kamalam,
Amalam atulam,
Sujalam suphalam Mataram!
Vande Mataram!

Click here to learn how to sing Vande Mataram from offical tutorial

Vande Mataram English translation

The opening verses describe the motherland through images of fertile fields, cool breezes, moonlit nights, flowering trees and a sweet-speaking, generous mother. In simple English, the first stanza can be understood as a salutation to a motherland blessed with abundant water, plentiful crops, cool winds and lush green fields.

The second stanza continues that imagery, portraying the country under bright moonlight, surrounded by blossoming trees and filled with happiness and sweetness. The motherland is described as one who gives comfort and blessings.

The third stanza shifts from nature to the strength of the people. It evokes millions of voices and millions of arms, asking how the motherland can be considered weak when she possesses such immense strength. The lines salute the mother who has the power to overcome difficulties and defeat hostile forces.

The fourth stanza presents the motherland as the source of knowledge, faith, inner strength and devotion. It says that the nation is present in the heart and at the core of life, while its people recognise and honour that image in temples.

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The fifth stanza uses the imagery of Hindu goddesses to describe different aspects of the motherland. She is associated with Durga, the embodiment of strength; Lakshmi, associated with prosperity; and Saraswati, the giver of knowledge. The stanza ultimately salutes the pure, incomparable and prosperous motherland.

The final stanza returns to the image of the green and beautiful land, describing the motherland as simple, smiling and adorned, while also presenting her as the land that sustains and nourishes her people.

What does ‘Vande Mataram’ mean in English?

The phrase “Vande Mataram” broadly means “I bow to thee, Mother” or “I salute you, Mother.” Here, the mother is the personification of the motherland, or Bharat Mata.

The song therefore uses the relationship between a mother and her children to express devotion to the country. Its imagery moves from fertile land and natural beauty to knowledge, prosperity, courage and collective strength, giving the song a meaning that extends beyond a simple patriotic slogan.

Vande Mataram Rules

Vande Mataram to precede Jana Gana Mana

The Home Ministry circular mentions that the National Song Vande Mataramshall be played or sung before the National Anthem‘Jana Gana Mana’ on all occasions when both are to be played or sung.
Vande Mataram duration

The total duration of the National Song must be “approximately 3 minutes 10 seconds.”

If played by a band, it should be preceded by a “by a roll of drums to assist the audience to know that the National Song is going to be played, unless there is some other specific indication that the National Song is about to be played, as for example, when fanfares are sounded before the National Song is played.”

The circular adds that “the duration of the roll, in terms of marching drill, will be 7 paces in slow march. The roll will start slowly, ascend to as loud a volume as possible and then gradually decreases to original softness, but remaining audible until the seventh beat. One beat rest will then be observed before commencing the National Song.”
Vande Mataram: Occasions for rendition

• Civil Investitures
• On arrival of the President at formal State functions and other functions organized by the Government and on his departure from such functions
• Immediately before and after the President addresses the Nation over All India Radio and Television
• On arrival of the Governor/Lieutenant Governor at formal State functions within his State/Union Territory and on his departure from such functions
• When the National Flag is brought on parade

Vande Mataram Rules for Mass Singing

The National Song shall be played accompanied by mass singing on these occasions:

• On the unfurling of the National Flag, on cultural occasions or ceremonial functions other than parades
• On the arrival of the President at any Government or Public function (but excluding formal State functions) and also immediately before his departure from such functions
• On all occasions when the National Song is sung, the official version shall be recited accompanied by mass singing
  The National Song may be sung on occasions which, although not strictly ceremonial, are nevertheless invested with significance because of the presence of Ministers etc
• In all schools, the day’s work may begin with community singing of the National Song

Standing mandatory during National Song Vande Mataram

The circular mentions specific rules of standing when the National Song is played or sung:

Whenever the official version of the National Song is sung or played, the audience shall stand to attention.
However, when, in the course of a newsreel or documentary, the National Song is played as part of the film, it is not expected of the audience to stand, as standing is bound to interrupt the exhibition of the film and would create disorder and confusion rather than add to the dignity of the National Song.

Vande Mataram history

Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay is credited with writing Vande Mataram in November 7, 1875. It was first published in Bangadarshan and subsequently appeared as part of Anandamath.

The song gradually became closely associated with India's freedom movement and emerged as an important expression of national identity during the struggle against British rule. Its invocation of the motherland as a figure of strength, prosperity and divinity helped give it a distinctive place in India's political and cultural history.

The song was first sung at a session of the Indian National Congress in 1896 by Rabindranath Tagore, according to the Ministry of Culture. Over the following decades, Vande Mataram became deeply embedded in the freedom movement and continued to be remembered as one of the songs that inspired the struggle for independence.

Why is Vande Mataram important?

Vande Mataram holds a special position in India's national life because it combines patriotic feeling with vivid descriptions of the country's landscape and cultural imagination. While Jana Gana Mana is India's National Anthem, Vande Mataram is the National Song, and both occupy important places in official and public life.

The government began a nationwide year-long commemoration of 150 years of Vande Mataram in November 2025, highlighting its continuing association with India's freedom struggle and national identity.

In 2026, the full six-stanza version also gained renewed attention after Akashvani announced that its stations would begin broadcasting the six-stanza National Song from March 26, replacing the two-stanza version traditionally used in its broadcast routine.

Vande Mataram and Independence Day 2026

Vande Mataram is particularly significant this year because August 15, 2026, marks India's 80th Independence Day celebrations, while the country is also observing the 150-year commemoration of the National Song.

The song is set to receive an especially prominent place in the Independence Day programme at the Red Fort in 2026, with Vande Mataram scheduled to be performed from the ramparts for the first time, according to the Ministry of Defence announcement.