Monday 18 January 2016

Janani Janma Bhoomischa Swargadapi Gariyasi



Janani Janma Bhumischcha Swargaadapi gariyasi. These famous words are quoted by many to impress the importance of one's Mother and Motherland.This is one of the  oft quoted verse from Srimath Ramayanam. Some say it is the words of Vibhishana to Sri Rama. I searched for the origin in Valmiki Ramayana in many editions, but to my surprise could not find this verse. How ever I could find this sloka  in "Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda" in  the edition published by Hindi Prachara Press, Madras. These are the words of Sage Bharadwaja to Sri Rama, when he returned from Sri Lanka and met him on the way to Ayothya.

मित्राणि धन धान्यानि प्रजानां सम्मतानिव |
जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी || ६-१२४-१७

mitraaNi dhana dhaanyaani prajaanaaM sammataaniva |
jananii janma bhuumishcha svargaadapi gariiyasii || 6-124-17

"The friends, the riches and the grains are highly honoured in this world. 
Mother and mother-land are far superior to even the heaven."

( "Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda" in  the edition published by Hindi Prachara Press, 
Madras in 1930 by T.R. Krishna chary, Editor and T. R. Vemkoba chary the  publisher.)

Another version quoted here under is said to be the words of Sri Rama to Lakshmana in Sri Lanka, but  not found in the editions of Valmiki Ramayana.
अपि स्वर्णमयी लङ्का न मे लक्ष्मण रोचते।
जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी॥
api svarṇamayī laṅkā na me lakṣmaṇa rocate |
jananī janmabhūmiśca svargādapi garīyasī ||

Even Lanka, decked with all it’s gold doesn't  endear itself to me;
Mother and mother-land are far superior to even the heaven."


















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