Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee's poem "Hindu Tan–Man, Hindu Jeevan" is a powerful reflection of his deep-rooted pride in the Hindu ethos and its values. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Atal ji celebrates the rich spiritual heritage of Hinduism, portraying it as a source of eternal wisdom, peace, and inclusivity. The poem emphasizes the principles of non-violence, moral strength, and selfless service, while rejecting divisions based on religion or nationality. Vajpayee calls for unity, highlighting the inseparable connection between individual identity and collective responsibility. This poem stands as a tribute to Hinduism’s universal and humanitarian spirit.
Lyrics
In Devanagri Script
हिन्दू तन–मन, हिन्दू जीवन, रग–रग हिन्दू मेरा परिचय!
मैं शंकर का वह क्रोधानल कर सकता जगती क्षार–क्षार। डमरू की वह प्रलय–ध्वनि हूँ, जिसमें नचता भीषण संहार। रणचंडी की अतृप्त प्यास, मैं दुर्गा का उन्मत्त हास। मैं यम की प्रलयंकर पुकार, जलते मरघट का धुँआधार। फिर अंतरतम की ज्वाला से जगती में आग लगा दूँ मैं। यदि धधक उठे जल, थल, अंबर, जड़ चेतन तो कैसा विस्मय? हिन्दू तन–मन, हिन्दू जीवन, रग–रग हिन्दू मेरा परिचय!
मैं अखिल विश्व का गुरु महान्, देता विद्या का अमरदान। मैंने दिखलाया मुक्तिमार्ग, मैंने सिखलाया ब्रह्मज्ञान। मेरे वेदों का ज्ञान अमर, मेरे वेदों की ज्योति प्रखर। मानव के मन का अंधकार, क्या कभी सामने सका ठहर? मेरा स्वर्णभ में घहर–घहर, सागर के जल में छहर–छहर। इस कोने से उस कोने तक, कर सकता जगती सोराभ्मय। हिन्दू तन–मन, हिन्दू जीवन, रग–रग हिन्दू मेरा परिचय!
मैंने छाती का लहू पिला, पाले विदेश के क्षुधित लाल। मुझको मानव में भेद नहीं, मेरा अन्तस्थल वर विशाल। जग से ठुकराए लोगों को लो मेरे घर का खुला द्वार। अपना सब कुछ हूँ लुटा चुका, फिर भी अक्षय है धनागार। मेरा हीरा पाकर ज्योतित परकीयों का वह राजमुकुट। यदि इन चरणों पर झुक जाए कल वह किरीट तो क्या विस्मय? हिन्दू तन–मन, हिन्दू जीवन, रग–रग हिन्दू मेरा परिचय!
होकर स्वतंत्र मैंने कब चाहा है कर लूँ सब को गुलाम? मैंने तो सदा सिखाया है करना अपने मन को गुलाम। गोपाल–राम के नामों पर कब मैंने अत्याचार किया? कब दुनिया को हिन्दू करने घर–घर में नरसंहार किया? कोई बतलाए काबुल में जाकर कितनी मस्जिद तोड़ी? भूभाग नहीं, शत–शत मानव के हृदय जीतने का निश्चय। हिन्दू तन–मन, हिन्दू जीवन, रग–रग हिन्दू मेरा परिचय!
मैं एक बिन्दु परिपूर्ण सिन्धु है यह मेरा हिन्दु समाज। मेरा इसका संबंध अमर, मैं व्यक्ति और यह है समाज। इससे मैंने पाया तन–मन, इससे मैंने पाया जीवन। मेरा तो बस कर्तव्य यही, कर दूँ सब कुछ इसके अर्पण। मैं तो समाज की थाती हूँ, मैं तो समाज का हूँ सेवक। मैं तो समष्टि के लिए व्यष्टि का कर सकता बलिदान अभय। हिन्दू तन–मन, हिन्दू जीवन, रग–रग हिन्दू मेरा परिचय!
In Roman Script
Hindu tan–man, Hindu jeevan, rag–rag Hindu mera parichay!
Main Shankar ka vah krodhanal kar sakta jagti kshar–kshar. Damaru ki vah pralay–dhvani hoon, jismein nachta bhishan sanhaar. Ranchandi ki atript pyaas, main Durga ka unmat haas. Main Yam ki pralayankar pukaar, jalte marghat ka dhuandhaar. Phir antartam ki jwaala se jagti mein aag laga doon main. Yadi dhadak uthe jal, thal, ambar, jad chetan to kaisa vismay? Hindu tan–man, Hindu jeevan, rag–rag Hindu mera parichay!
Main akhil vishwa ka guru mahaan, deta vidya ka amardan. Mainne dikhlaya muktimarg, mainne sikhlaya brahmgyan. Mere vedon ka gyaan amar, mere vedon ki jyoti prakhar. Manav ke man ka andhkaar, kya kabhi samne saka thahar? Mera swarnabh mein ghahar–ghahar, sagar ke jal mein chhahar–chhahar. Is kone se us kone tak, kar sakta jagti soraabhyay. Hindu tan–man, Hindu jeevan, rag–rag Hindu mera parichay!
Mainne chaati ka lahoo pila, pale videsh ke kshudit laal. Mujhko manav mein bhed nahin, mera antasthal var vishal. Jag se thukraye logon ko lo mere ghar ka khula dvaar. Apna sab kuch hoon luta chuka, phir bhi akshay hai dhanagaar. Mera heera paakar jyotit parkiyon ka vah raajmukut. Yadi in charanon par jhuk jaye kal vah kirrit to kya vismay? Hindu tan–man, Hindu jeevan, rag–rag Hindu mera parichay!
Hokar swatantra mainne kab chaha hai kar loon sab ko gulaam? Mainne to sadaa sikhaya hai karna apne man ko gulaam. Gopal–Ram ke naamon par kab mainne atyachaar kiya? Kab duniya ko Hindu karne ghar–ghar mein narsanhar kiya? Koi batlaye Kabul mein jaakar kitni masjid todi? Bhoobhaag nahin, shat–shat manav ke hriday jeetne ka nishchay. Hindu tan–man, Hindu jeevan, rag–rag Hindu mera parichay!
Main ek bindu paripoorn sindhu hai yah mera Hindu samaaj. Mera iska sambandh amar, main vyakti aur yah hai samaaj. Isse mainne paaya tan–man, isse mainne paaya jeevan. Mera to bas kartavya yahi, kar doon sab kuch iske arpan. Main to samaaj ki thaati hoon, main to samaaj ka hoon sevak. Main to samashti ke liye vyashti ka kar sakta balidaan abhay. Hindu tan–man, Hindu jeevan, rag–rag Hindu mera parichay!
Meaning/ Explanation This powerful poem by Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Hindu Tan–Man, Hindu Jeevan, reflects his deep connection to the Hindu identity and culture, portraying a strong sense of pride and responsibility towards it. The poem is not just about religion, but more about the values and spirit that Hinduism embodies for him. Here's a detailed breakdown of its meaning:
1. Shankar's Wrath and Cosmic Energy "Main Shankar ka vah krodhanal, kar sakta jagti kshar–kshar..." The poem begins by describing the speaker as the embodiment of Lord Shiva’s wrath, capable of turning the world into ashes. Shiva, in Hinduism, represents destruction, but not in a negative sense—rather, it symbolizes the destruction of evil and ignorance to bring about transformation and renewal. The poet sees himself as a force that can destroy what’s impure and lead to new beginnings. "Damaru ki vah pralay–dhvani hoon..." The damaru is a drum associated with Shiva, representing cosmic sound and energy. Here, the poet likens himself to the sound that heralds destruction, emphasizing his powerful, transformative potential. He draws parallels between himself and the forces of nature like the “fire of cremation grounds” (symbolizing the inevitable end of life). It speaks of a spiritual reckoning with the material world.
2. Cultural Pride and Universal Teacher
"Main akhil vishwa ka guru mahaan, deta vidya ka amardan..." This stanza talks about India’s historical role as a teacher to the world, the land that gave eternal wisdom, such as the Vedas and Upanishads, that guide humanity towards enlightenment. India, according to the poet, has not only been a place of spiritual learning but has shown the world the path to salvation and higher knowledge.
"Manav ke man ka andhkaar, kya kabhi samne sako thahar?" The poet asserts that the darkness of ignorance in the human mind could never stand against the knowledge that Hinduism has offered. He portrays Hinduism’s teachings as an eternal, guiding light for all humanity, breaking through the darkness of ignorance.
3. Humanity Beyond Division
"Mainne chaati ka lahoo pila, pale videsh ke kshudit laal..." In this section, the poet moves beyond religion and expresses a humanitarian vision. He highlights how Hinduism does not distinguish between people on the basis of religion, caste, or nationality. By metaphorically “feeding the hungry children of foreign lands,” he shows Hinduism’s vast, inclusive heart, which embraces humanity as a whole.
"Mujhko manav mein bhed nahin, mera antasthal var vishal..." He proudly declares that he doesn’t believe in dividing people, and his heart is vast enough to accommodate all. This reflects the inclusive and non-sectarian nature of Hinduism, as Vajpayee sees it—open to all, regardless of differences.
4. Non-Violence and Moral Leadership
"Hokar swatantra mainne kab chaha hai kar loon sab ko gulaam?" Vajpayee emphasizes that Hinduism has never sought to enslave or conquer other people. Unlike many other civilizations or religions that spread through conquest or force, Hinduism, he says, has always promoted inner conquest—control of one's own mind and self, rather than dominion over others.
"Koi batlaye Kabul mein jaakar kitni masjid todi?" This is a rhetorical question pointing out that Hinduism has never destroyed religious structures or imposed itself violently on other faiths, unlike the invasions and conquests that have often marked world history. It stands as a religion of peace, seeking the victory of hearts and minds, not territories.
5. Individual and Society
"Main ek bindu paripoorn sindhu hai yeh mera Hindu samaaj..." The individual (the poet) is seen as a small but integral part of the vast ocean of Hindu society. He emphasizes the unbreakable connection between him (as an individual) and the collective (society). This reflects the Hindu idea of the interconnectedness of all beings—each person is part of the larger whole.
"Isse maine paaya tan–man, isse maine paaya jeevan..." The speaker attributes his entire being—his body, mind, and life—to the society that has shaped him. He sees it as his duty to give back everything to this society, reflecting the Hindu belief in selfless service and sacrifice for the greater good.
6. Sacrifice for the Greater Good
"Main to samashti ke liye vyashti ka kar sakta balidaan abhay..." The poet ends on a note of service and sacrifice. He expresses his willingness to sacrifice his individual self (vyashti) for the larger collective good (samashti), a sentiment rooted deeply in the philosophy of karma and dharma. This speaks of his deep commitment to society and humanity, which he believes is the true essence of being Hindu.
Overall Themes
Spiritual Power and Renewal: The poem opens with the idea of destruction as a means of renewal, much like Lord Shiva, who destroys in order to create.
Cultural Pride: Vajpayee celebrates the ancient wisdom of Hinduism, emphasizing its timeless relevance and moral leadership in the world.
Inclusivity and Humanism: Hinduism, for the poet, is not a narrow religion but a universal philosophy that embraces all humanity without division or discrimination.
Non-Violence and Ethical Conquest: The poem underscores that Hinduism’s strength lies in its ability to conquer hearts and minds through peace, not through force or violence.
Selfless Service and Sacrifice: The poet views himself as a servant of society, willing to sacrifice his personal needs for the greater good of humanity, reflecting the ethos of "seva" or selfless service.
Conclusion Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s poem is not just a celebration of the Hindu identity but also a call to embrace the values of knowledge, peace, inclusivity, and sacrifice. It’s a deeply patriotic and humanistic work that seeks to connect individual identity with a broader, universal cause.