“ JAI HO”(Victory to Thee): Meaning & Historical Perspective
“Jai Ho!”is a ‘Hindi ‘(national language of India) word, which is commonly used by intellectual people/’Sadus’/poets/Pandits, and others in an amusing way to wish or greet each with affection and regard,with a hidden meaning that that we respect and love what ever you are doing and may you succeed(‘Victory to thee’ )in what ever you are doing.To some, ’Jai Ho’ itself is very uplifting and affirming term ,Within it, that which one seek is supposed to be istantly accomplished. This word is derived from Sanskrit (ancient, highly intellectual level language) word "JAYATU BHAVA!"(May you Succed!). Jai Ho is very common word , used by people of ‘HINDI ‘speaking belt(M.p.,U.P., Rajsthan,Bihar and New Delhi,etc).
As far as using exclamation mark, the purpose is to indicate that it is being said with strong feeling(from heart) and in a loud voice .As exclamation means:An exclamation mark or exclamation point is a punctuation mark: ! It is usually used after an interjection or exclamation to indicate strong feelings or high volume, and often marks the end of a sentence
This Indian slogan or gesture – “ Jai Ho”, has suddenly become popular and important globally next to “NAMASTE’ (made popular through YOGA).Recent popularity of Jai Ho! ,has come with the popularity of Oscar winning Movie-‘ Slumdog Millionaire’ and its songs. The English translation of few lines of that song is as follows:
“ Jai Ho, Jai Ho, Jai Ho, Jai Ho
(Victory to thee, Victory to thee, Victory to thee, Victory to thee)
Aaja Aaja Jind Shamiyane Ke Tale
(Come come below the decorated tent of life)
Aaja Jariwale Nile Aasman Ke Tale
(Come below blue sky decorated with ‘jari’ threads)
Jai Ho, Jai Ho, Jai Ho, Jai Ho
(Victory to thee, Victory to thee, Victory to thee, Victory to thee)”.
However if we go in to the History of the usage of this word -”Jai Ho”in India we find that this was popularly used in even during British Raj days. The national anthem(Qaumi Tarana)’ Subh Sukh Chain’ of ‘ The Indian National Army (INA)’ or Azad Hind Fauj (Hindi: ????? ????? ????) of Subhas chandra Bose (formed in 1942 in Southeast Asia during World War II), contained these words as score, which was very popular during Indian freedom movement throughout the country. The score for that song is now also used for the present day national anthem of India, -‘Jana Gana Mana’ written by Rabindranath Tagore. First stanzas of both the national anthems are given for to see the use of the word “Jai Ho” in both:
*National anthem(Qaumi Tarana)’ -Subh Sukh Chain’ of ‘ The Indian National Army (INA)’ or ‘Azad Hind Fauj’,First stanza Only:
First stanza–
Subh sukh chain ki barkha barse,
Bharat bhaag hai jaaga.
Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, Maratha,
Dravid, Utkal, Banga,
Chanchal sagar, Vindh, Himaalay,
Neela Jamuna, Ganga.
Tere nit gun gaayen,
Tujh se jivan paayen,
Har tan paaye asha.
Suraj ban kar jag par chamke,
Bharat naam subhaga,
Jai ho, jai ho, jai ho,
Jai, jai, jai, jai ho.
*Rabindro nath Tagore, when wrote –‘Jan-gan Man’ song for National Anthum , he changed Jai ho to Jai hey!
Jana gana mana adhinayaka jaya he
Bharata bhagya Vidhata
Panjaba Sindh Gujarata Maratha
Dravida Utkala Vanga
Vindhya Himachala Yamuna Ganga
Ucchala jaladhi taranga
Tava shubha name jage
Tava shubha ashisha mage
Gaye tava jaya gatha
Jana gana mangala daayaka jaya he
Bharat bhagya Vidhata
Jaya he jaya he jaya hey
Jaya jaya jaya jaya hey!
Dear Arun,
Interesting post, very truly said. Jayatu, jaya he, jaya ho is a word vastly used in india. AR Rahman reminded us again by his fantastic song.
Wish you love, peace and happiness.
Trisha
Jai ho. Has been a very uplifting and affirming term for me. Within it, that which you seek is already accomplished. Thanks for the post.
Ashirwad ho
In Peace,
Linda M