Bharat Our Land
by Subramania Bharati
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'Bharat Our Land' is an ode in which the poet Subramania Bharati expresses deep love and pride for India, celebrating its natural beauty, spiritual wealth and historical greatness. He praises the mighty Himavant (the Himalayas), the generous Ganga, the sacred Upanishads and the sunny golden land, declaring that none can equal them. He recalls the gallant warriors and sages who sanctified the land, the divine music heard here, and the rise of Brahma-knowledge and the Buddha's teachings. The repeated refrain 'she's peerless, let's praise her!' underlines that India is matchless and worthy of praise.
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Nature's incomparable gifts
The poem opens by praising India's natural grandeur. The mighty Himavant (Himalayas) has no equal anywhere on earth; the generous Ganga flows with a grace no other river can match; the sacred Upanishads stand above all other scriptures. This 'sunny golden land' is peerless, and the poet calls on everyone to praise her.
Spiritual and historical greatness
The poet then celebrates India's people and heritage. Gallant warriors have lived here and many a sage has sanctified the land. The divinest music has been heard here and all auspicious things are found here. Brahma-knowledge (spiritual wisdom) took root here and the Buddha preached his dhamma here. Of hoary (ancient) antiquity is Bharat, and once again the poet declares she is peerless and worthy of praise.