It is true that Vande Mataram blossomed forth in Anandamath, but it is even more true that it was Bankim's intention that it should blossom forth beyond Anandamath. For Vande Mataram, the song, was composed before Anandamath was written. How Bankim saw the wonderful vision that worked as a most powerful spiritual lever in the movement for his country's liberation, how he immortalised that vision in the hymn are not fully known. But this much is known that one auspicious moment arrived, in 1875, when Bankim took a holiday to escape from the hectic life of Calcutta. He boarded a train bound for his native town Kantalapada. As the city left behind, there was greenry all around and his heart filled with joy. The contemplation of the motherland with her rich rivers, flowers, fruits and forests sent a pulsating current through Bankim. In that instant the sod was turned into divinity by magic. His eyes and ears became alert, hungry. His inner eye beheld the motherland in all her rich variety and beauty; his inner ear listened to voices from the earth, the air and the sky. And Nature begot her song! She gave it to benevolent Bankim! He bowed and received the gift. And then he reduced it to writing, as one who saw and heard the whole of it. Vande Mataram! Those lakes, and rivers, the sacred Ganga, Jamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu, Kaveri; and those groves laden with fruits of many kinds, a very paradise on earth; and the soft breeze which gently kisses as it passes by; and the endless greenry.... Sujalam suphalam Malayaja sheetalam Sasya shyamalam Mataram! An d the land bathed in moonlight, trees and creepers gay with tender leaves and flowers, the sweet smile and melodious voice..... Shubhra jyotsna pulakitayamineem Phullakusumita drumadala shobhineem Suhasineem sumadhura bhashineem Sukhadam, varadam Mataram! And the leonine roar that issues from multi-million throats; the blinding flash of millions of swords leaping up in an instant; and the spectacle of unfettered strength triumphantly trampling the enemy under its elephantine foot.... Koti koti kantha kalakala ninadakarale Koti koti bhujairdhrutakharak aravale Ke bale ma tumi abale Bahubala dharineem Namami tarineem Ripudala varineem Mataram! Th e ancient land of giver of the Vedas, and those centers of devotion, power and knowledge... . Tumi vidhya tumi dharma Tumi hridi tumi marma Twam hi pranah shareere Bahute tumi ma shakti Hridaye tumi ma bhakti Tomarayi pratima gadi Mandire mandire! Jaya Durgi....Sri Lakshmi....Sri Saraswati... motherland! the Goddess incarnate Twam hi Durga dashapraharana dharinee Kamala kamaladala viharinee Vani vidyadayinee Namami twam Namami kamalam Amalam atulam Sujalam suphalam Mataram Vande Mataram! Th e one evergreen, ever new, and endowed with riches of many kinds.... Shyamalam saralam Susmitam bhushitam Dharaneem bharaneem Mataram! The song was born, Bankim put the infant in the cradle of Anandamath. He knew the great promise of the infant. The prophet was aware of the historic role it would play in times to come.