Jai Jai Maharashtra Mazha

Maharashtra State Song – Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha

The Maharashtra State Song celebrates the courage, history, heritage and people of Maharashtra. Some of its words are poetic and refer to Maharashtra's geography and history. The notes below will help students understand what the song means.

Lyrics

जय जय महाराष्ट्र माझा, गर्जा महाराष्ट्र माझा
जय जय महाराष्ट्र माझा, गर्जा महाराष्ट्र माझा

भिती न आम्हा तुझी मुळी ही गडगडणाऱ्या नभा
अस्मानाच्या सुलतानीला जवाब देती जिभा
सह्याद्रीचा सिंह गर्जतो शिव शंभू राजा
दरीदरीतून नाद गुंजला महाराष्ट्र माझा

काळ्या छातीवरी कोरली, अभिमानाची लेणी
पोलादी मनगटे खेळती, खेळ जीवघेणी
दारिद्र्याच्या उन्हात शिजला, निढळाच्या घामाने भिजला
देश गौरवासाठी झिजला, दिल्लीचेही तख्त राखितो
महाराष्ट्र माझा

Difficult Words and Phrases

गर्जा – Roar or thunder loudly. In the song, it means to show strength, courage and pride.

गडगडणारे नभ – A thundering sky.

अस्मानाच्या सुलतानीला – Literally refers to a great power from above. Here it means powerful forces that may try to frighten, control or defeat us.

जिभा – Tongues. Here it means the courage and spirit to speak back and defy powerful forces.

सह्याद्री – The mountain range that runs through much of Maharashtra.

सह्याद्रीचा सिंह – "The lion of the Sahyadri." This refers to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and describes his bravery and strength.

दरीदरीतून – Through every valley.

नाद गुंजला – The sound echoed everywhere.

काळ्या छातीवरी – On the dark rocky surface of Maharashtra. Much of Maharashtra is made of dark basalt rock.

कोरली – Carved.

लेणी – Rock-cut caves carved into hills or mountains.

अभिमानाची लेणी – Magnificent rock-cut caves that are a source of pride.

पोलादी मनगटे – Literally, "wrists of steel." It means people who are strong, brave and determined.

खेळ जीवघेणी – Dangerous struggles in which people risked their lives.

दारिद्र्य – Poverty.

निढळाचा घाम – The sweat of hard work.

झिजला – Worked, struggled and sacrificed greatly.

तख्त – Throne. Here it means the seat or centre of political power.

What Does the Song Mean?

जय जय महाराष्ट्र माझा, गर्जा महाराष्ट्र माझा

Victory to my Maharashtra!

Let my Maharashtra roar with strength and pride!

The word "roar" does not mean making an actual roaring sound. The poet is asking Maharashtra to stand strong, courageous and proud.

भिती न आम्हा तुझी मुळी ही गडगडणाऱ्या नभा…

We are not afraid even when the sky thunders above us.

We answer back to even the greatest powers.

The poet is saying that the people of Maharashtra are brave. They do not simply endure hardship quietly — they have the spirit to speak up and stand their ground against powerful forces.

सह्याद्रीचा सिंह गर्जतो शिव शंभू राजा…

The lion of the Sahyadri roars — King Shivaji.

His call echoes through the hills and valleys of Maharashtra.

The Sahyadri mountains are closely connected with the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Many of his important forts were built in these mountains.

Calling Shivaji Maharaj the "lion of the Sahyadri" means that he was courageous, powerful and fearless.

काळ्या छातीवरी कोरली अभिमानाची लेणी…

Magnificent caves have been carved into Maharashtra's dark rocky hills — caves that are a source of pride.

Much of Maharashtra is formed from dark basalt rock. Over many centuries, people carved caves, temples, monasteries and beautiful sculptures directly into these rocky hills.

Famous examples include the Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta, Karla and Bhaja caves.

The poet imagines Maharashtra as a person. Its dark basalt hills are its "black chest," and the beautiful rock-cut caves have been carved into it.

पोलादी मनगटे खेळती खेळ जीवघेणी…

Strong and courageous people have fought dangerous battles, even when their lives were at risk.

"Wrists of steel" is a poetic way of describing people who are extremely strong and determined. Their arms were not really made of steel!

दारिद्र्याच्या उन्हात शिजला…

Maharashtra has lived through poverty and hardship.

Its people have worked hard and sweated through difficult times.

They have struggled and sacrificed for the honour of the country.

The poet again uses strong images.

Being "baked in the sun of poverty" means having to live through very difficult conditions.

Being "soaked in sweat" refers to the hard work of ordinary people.

दिल्लीचेही तख्त राखितो महाराष्ट्र माझा

The power of the Marathas reached even Delhi, the great centre of political power in India.

This line needs some historical background.

After the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha Empire continued to grow. During the 18th century, particularly under the Peshwas, Maratha power spread far beyond Maharashtra and into large parts of northern India.

Important Maratha leaders and armies became deeply involved in the affairs of Delhi.

For many centuries, Delhi was considered the main seat of political power in India. Therefore, when the song refers to the "throne of Delhi," it does not simply mean an actual chair or throne. It represents the power and government centred in Delhi.

The line shows pride in the fact that Maratha influence had grown far beyond Maharashtra itself.

Simple Meaning of the Whole Song

Maharashtra is a land of courage and strength. It is the land of the Sahyadri mountains and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Its dark basalt hills hold magnificent rock-cut caves that remind us of its rich heritage. Its people have fought bravely, worked hard and lived through difficult times. Later, Maratha power spread across large parts of India and even reached Delhi. The poet celebrates this history and asks Maharashtra to stand tall and proud.