Mother India

1

Mother India, when Thou rosest from the depths of oceans hoary,

Love and joy burst forth unbounded, life acclaimed Thee in Thy glory;

Darkness fled before Thy splendour, light its radiant flag unfurled.

All acclaimed Thee, "Hail, O Mother! Fosterer, Saviour of the world!"

Earth became thrice-blessed by the rose of beauty of Thy feet;

Blithe, she chanted: "Hail, World-Charmer! Hail, World-Mother! Thee I greet."

2

Damp from ocean's kiss Thy raiment, from its waves still drip Thy tresses.

Greatness spans Thy brow, and flower-like lucent-pure Thy smiling face is.

Sun and moon and stars go dancing through the vastness of Thy spaces,

While below mid ocean's thunders foam of waves Thy feet embraces.

Earth became thrice-blessed with the rose of beauty of Thy feet;

Blithe, she chanted: "Hail, World-Charmer! Hail, World-Mother! Thee I greet."

3

On Thy brow the snow's corona, round Thy knees leaps ocean's spray;

Ganges, Indus, Brahmaputra, — pearl-strings for Thy bosom's play!

There in desert places dire and bright and bare in heat Thou blazest,

There mid garnered world-flung riches with Thy golden smile amazest.

Earth became thrice-blessed with the rose of beauty of Thy feet;

Blithe, she chanted: "Hail, World-Charmer! Hail, World-Mother! Thee I greet."

Page – 555

4

Through the void Thy winds sweep clamouring mighty, tireless, huge of wing,

Or Thy feet adored caressing low and long bird-murmurs sing.

Race of wild clouds thunder-hurling with their deluge-seas of rain,

Laughter of Thy groves and woodlands drunk with fragrance, flowery-fain!

Earth became thrice-blessed with the rose of beauty of Thy feet;

Blithe, she chanted: "Hail, World-Charmer! Hail, Earth-Mother! Thee I greet."

5

Peace surrounds men from Thy bosom, Thy sweet voice love's blessing throws;

By Thy hand are fed earth's millions, from Thy feet salvation flows.

Deep Thy joy is in Thy children, deep Thy suffering's tragic night,

Mother India, great World-Mother! O World-Saviour, World's Delight!

Earth became thrice-blessed by the rose of beauty of Thy feet;

Blithe, she chanted: "Hail, World-Charmer! Hail, Earth-Mother! Thee I greet."

DWIJENDRALAL ROY

Page – 556