This presentation by Aravindan Neelakantan, a dedicated social worker from Kanyakumari, portrays the underlying spirit of devotion towards Lord Krishna combined with the glory of Bharath in the National Anthem of India. It also dispels the false notion that the song eulogizes King George V.

1. Bhārata bhāgya bidhātā Jana gana mana adhināyaka jaya hē We all know our national anthem... But who is Bhārata bhāgya bidhātā ? Bhārata bhāgya bidhātā

2. Some people say that it was written to welcome King George V in 1911 when he visited India. Bhārata bhāgya bidhātā Bhārata bhāgya bidhātā Can it be true?

3. Bhārata bhāgya bidhātā Rabindranath Tagore himself refutes this charge as follows: “ I pronounced the victory in Jana Gana Mana of that Bhagya Vidhata [ed. God of Destiny] of India, who has from age after age held steadfast the reins of India's chariot through rise and fall, through the straight path and the curved. That Lord of Destiny, that Reader of the Collective Mind of India, that Perennial Guide, could never be George V, George VI, or any other George.” Bhārata bhāgya bidhātā Bhārata bhāgya bidhātā Then who is

4. Bhārata bhāgya bidhātā Rabindranath Tagore himself refutes this charge as follows: “ I pronounced the victory in Jana Gana Mana of that Bhagya Vidhata [ed. God of Destiny] of India, who has from age after age held steadfast the reins of India's chariot through rise and fall, through the straight path and the curved. That Lord of Destiny, that Reader of the Collective Mind of India, that Perennial Guide, could never be George V, George VI, or any other George.” The clue is here... Bhārata bhāgya bidhātā So who is

5. Bhārata bhāgya bidhātā The second stanza of Jana Gana Mana says Bhārata bhāgya bidhātā So who is You invite day and night Hindus Buddhists Sikhs Jains Parsees Muslims and Christians to unite round your divine throne. People from the eastern and western parts of India gather together to offer you prayers and to wear a garland of your love.

6. Compare You invite day and night Hindus Buddhists Sikhs Jains Parsees Muslims and Christians to unite round your divine throne. People from the eastern and western parts of India gather together to offer you prayers and to wear a garland of your love. [Jana Gana Mana : stanza 2] Truth is One; sages call It by various names."-The Rig Veda (1.164.46) "O Partha! Whosoever worships Me through whatever path, I verily accept and bless them in that way. Men everywhere follow My path." - Bhagavad Gita (4.11) ?

7. The third stanza of Jana Gana Mana says Bhārata bhāgya bidhātā So who is The pilgrims travel for ages along life's path, experiencing its highs and lows. O Eternal Charioteer, the path reverbrates day and night with the sound of the rolling wheels of your chariot. In my dire difficulty and despair, the sound of your conch reassures me. You protect us from pain and danger and steer us along the right path. O Divine Guide, victory to you again and again.

8. So who is HE? ‘ Eternal Charioteer’? ‘ His Conch Sound removes the despair and difficulty’ The pilgrims travel for ages along life's path, experiencing its highs and lows. O Eternal Charioteer , the path reverbrates day and night with the sound of the rolling wheels of your chariot. In my dire difficulty and despair, the sound of your conch reassures me . You protect us from pain and danger and steer us along the right path . O Divine Guide , victory to you again and again. – Jana Gana Mana [stanza 3] Do you recognize Him? Bhārata bhāgya bidhātā Bhārata bhāgya bidhātā ?

9. Here is yet another clue from Tagore... “ In the song Jana Gana Mana I have praised the God Bharat Bhagya Vidhata who is the constant charioteer of travellers through the ages, he who guides through all the difficult circumstances, he who is born in many ages. “ On 10 November 1937 Tagore wrote:

10. NOW Do you recognize Him? Bhārata bhāgya bidhātā Eternal Charioteer His conch sound removes fear Divine Guide steering Bharath to righteousness He is born in different ages

11. Bhārata bhāgya bidhātā

12. Unprompted I touch your divine feet with my forehead. O Ordainer of the good fortune of this land of the Bharatha, victory to you again and again and again. [Jana-Gana-Mana Stanza 5]

13. Psst…one small request… Now that you know who is ‘Bharatha Bhagya Bidhata…’ , do not tell your pseudo-secular politician this. Or (s)he may want to put a secular fatwa on Jana Gana Mana also. -s. aravindan neelakandan