[1][2] The poem envisages a Karnataka that recognises its position in the comity of Indian states, believes in peaceful co-existence with her sisters, but at the same time maintains her self-respect and dignity from a position of confidence and strength rather than insecurity and fear.

Ananthaswamy also sang it in Kuvempu's presence in Maharaja's College, Mysore, and noted in his diary that the latter had approved the tune.

[3] In December 2003, the state cabinet announced its decision again, to coincide with the birth centenary of Kuvempu.

[4] The decision was finalized on 10 January 2004 when the government issued an order declaring it as state anthem (naadageethe).

It directed that the song should be rendered daily before the commencement of classes in all schools and that it should also be sung at all events.

It also added that those present at the time of rendering should stand up as a mark of respect to the State, and that school authorities and organisers of events had been informed that they could use a select portion of the song brought out in the annexure of the order.

Bhūdēviya makuṭada navamaṇiye, gandhada candada honnina gaṇiye; rāghava madhusūdhanaravatarisida bhārata jananiya tanujāte!

Nānaka ramānanda kabīrara bhārata jananiya tanujāte, jaya hē karnāṭaka māte.

Caitan'ya paramahansa vivēkara bhārata jananiya tanujāte, jaya hē karnāṭaka māte.

Hindū kraista musalmāna, pārasika jainarudyāna janakana hōluva doregaḷa dhāma, gāyaka vaiṇikarārāma.

You are a sacred forest of knowledge where Shankara, Ramanuja, Vidyaranya, Basaveswara, Madhvacharya and others dwelt.

You are the holy abode where Ranna, Shadakshari, Ponna, Pampa, Lakshmisa, Kumaravyasa and Janna were born.

This is the land ruled (in the past) by Tailapa and Hoysalas, The beloved home of Dankana and Jakkana.

A committee led by poet G. S. Shivarudrappa was asked to suggest a befitting tune for the rendition of the anthem, had recommended that the music composed by Mysore Ananthaswamy was apt.

[3] The Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, has asked Kannada University to create a uniform rendering for the anthem.

[6] A controversy started immediately after the poem's adoption as the Karnataka State anthem in January 2004.

[7] This argument was supported by the seer of the Tambihalli Madhava Theertha Math, who termed it "plagiarism" and stated: "... the government is acting against the Constitution and is creating unnecessary caste problems, filling people's hearts with hatred.

Their argument was that the Kannada Sahitya Parishat had published this version of the poem when Kuvempu was alive, and had he any reservations regarding it, he would voiced it then.