Jayatu Jagati Hindutā: The Song That Expounds the True Meaning of Hindutva, Not as Exclusion But Expansion

When righteousness and human values are reduced to politics and shame, the Sanskrit hymn “Jayatu Jagati Hindutā” — meaning “May Hinduness triumph” — offers a striking message of universal benevolence. The song, composed in classical Sanskrit, offers a refreshing perspective and celebrates not dominance, but awakening: a vision of Hindutva as an enabler of knowledge, compassion, and the well-being of all.

The opening verse invokes sages and philosopher-kings who sought both spiritual enlightenment and ethical governance. This pairing of wisdom and leadership echoes an enduring Hindu ideal: that power must be guided by dharma, or duty, not desire. Hindu civilizational history is rich with rulers, who embodied such a union of contemplation and service. 

King Janaka of Videha role-modeled the Upanishadic ideal that enlightenment need not demand renunciation; one can live amidst responsibility and still realize truth. Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty transformed from conqueror to compassionate ruler — he established hospitals for animals, planted shade trees for travelers, and sent emissaries of peace across Asia. In the 7th century, Harsha Vardhana of Kannauj governed through dialogue rather than decree, personally distributed his wealth to the poor, and embodied the Bhagavad Gita’s vision of nishkāma karma — selfless action for the greater good. Modern philanthropic movements, such as Sewa Diwali in the U.S. also promote the same virtues.

The refrain — “Jayatu Jagati Hindutā” — is a universal celebration of Hinduness. The song describes Hindutva (Hindutā) as a divine, benevolent energy worshipped by all, imbued with jñāna (knowledge) and viveka (discrimination between truth and falsehood). It speaks of a civilization that values inquiry and discernment over dogma — a message the world could use more of.

The words in the hymn paint the cosmos as made of mountains, rivers, flora, fauna, stars, enlightened beings, and humans — an egalitarian tapestry where every piece of creation shares divine essence. This ecological spirituality has long defined Hindu thought. From the Ṛgveda’s praise of natural forces to the Upanishadic truth “Īśāvāsyam idam sarvam” — “The divine pervades all this” — the Hindu worldview sees no separation between the sacred and the natural.

Historically, it means living by the righteous values of dharma — timeless truth, inner discipline, respect for plurality, charitable co-existence, and the pursuit of knowledge.

This reverence for life also echoes in contemporary practices — from environmental movements like Chipko and temple traditions of protecting groves and riverbanks to the community movements of Health for Humanity Yogathon, Earth Day, and Universal Oneness Day. These are not modern inventions but the natural continuation of a 5,000-year-old ethic of harmony with nature.

Another verse envisions a society where men and women live by dharma, turning the world into a Nandana-vana — a garden of joy. It’s a portrait of a society that prefers balance, fraternity, and harmony over hegemony. Hindutva at its best has seen householders, ascetics, scholars, traders, warriors, and laborers as equal participants in a cosmic order where duty (karma) and compassion (seva) coexist. This spirit is carried forward today in the quiet work of service organizations inspired by Hindu ideals — from education programs to disaster and pandemic relief efforts. These acts of seva illustrate what the hymn calls “viśva-hita” — the welfare of the world.

The closing verse of the hymn recalls the ancient Upanishadic prayer:
 “Asato mā sad gamaya, tamaso mā jyotir gamaya, mṛtyor mā amṛtaṁ gamaya” —
 “Lead us from falsehood to truth, from darkness to light, from death to immortality.”

This prayer captures the essence of Hindutāas envisioned by the song — an illumination, not ideology. It is a journey from ignorance to awareness, from fear to realization. 

In recent times, Hindutvahas become a debated word in the public sphere, often scorned by critics and academics based on contemporary geopolitical influences and/or political biases. Yet, the Sanskrit roots of the term — “Hindu-tā,” synonymous with “Hindu-tva,” or the quality of being Hindu — point to something far older, gentler, and grander than today’s narrow connotations. Historically, it means living by the righteous values of dharma — timeless truth, inner discipline, respect for plurality, charitable co-existence, and the pursuit of knowledge.

The song “Jayatu Jagati Hindutā” celebrates that spirit. It reminds us that Hinduness is not about exclusion, but expansion — an openness to learning, questioning, and embracing the universe as one family: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. To sing “Jayatu Jagati Hindutā” is to wish for a world guided by lasting peace, harmony, and compassion. It is a tribute to traditions and practices that balance material progress with spiritual depth that uplifts rather than divides. If Hindus have endured for millennia, it is because of this elasticity — the ability of Hindutva to adapt and evolve without losing its moral center.

Sanskrit lyrics:

ब्रह्मर्षि गणै राजर्षि गणैः सततं समुपासिता

संमन्त्रमयी पुण्य देवता जयतु जगति हिन्दुता ॥

आदि भौतिकं आदि दैविकं किमपि यदाध्यात्मिकं

ज्ञानं सद् सद् विवेकविमलं ब्रह्म प्रतिपादकं

ततो न किञ्चन पवित्र करमिति निगतति विश्वहिता

जयतु जगति हिन्दुता जयतु जगति हिन्दुता ॥

गिरि सरिन्मयं विगविहगमयं यद् ग्रह नक्षत्रमयं

श्री मदूर्जितं विभूतिमहितं सुरनर रूपमयं

भक्त भगवद् तेजोमयमिति भोधयतेयाद्भुता

जयतु जगति हिन्दुता जयतु जगति हिन्दुता ॥

धर्मानुगतं यर्थेकामे नरनारीजीवनं

तदेव निखिलं भुवनतलमिदं कुरुते नन्दनवनं

साध्युदयं निश्रेयसा धर्मं समुपदिषति सुहिता

जयतु जगति हिन्दुता जयतु जगति हिन्दुता ॥

असतो गमयितुमिमं मानवम सत् तत्वं शात्वतं

तमसो महतो ज्योतिरुज्वलं मृत्योः पदमंमृतं

विश्व जनीनं योग पथम्या ज्योतयते संयता

जयतु जगति हिन्दुता जयतु जगति हिन्दुता ॥

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Anil Kothari is an Oklahoma City-based mechanical engineer, yoga practitioner and teacher.