The national motto “Satyameva Jayate” has been taken from which ancient Upanishad of Indian philosophical literature?

Introduction / Context:
The phrase Satyameva Jayate, which means truth alone triumphs, is inscribed at the base of the State Emblem of India and is regarded as the national motto. It comes from the ancient corpus of Hindu philosophical texts known as the Upanishads. This question tests your ability to correctly identify which specific Upanishad contains this famous phrase.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The phrase Satyameva Jayate is given.
• The question asks about its source Upanishad.
• The options list Akshi Upanishad, Mundaka Upanishad, Garuda Upanishad, and Mahavakya Upanishad.
• You must select the correct scriptural source from these alternatives.

Concept / Approach:
Satyameva Jayate occurs in the Mundaka Upanishad, which is one of the principal Upanishads belonging to the Atharva Veda tradition. The verse asserts that truth alone triumphs, not falsehood, and that through truth seekers reach the supreme reality. While other Upanishads and texts also discuss truth, this particular phrase is specifically associated with Mundaka Upanishad. The other options are either less prominent or not the source of this exact Sanskrit expression used as the national motto.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that India adopted Satyameva Jayate as its national motto after independence. Step 2: Remember that the phrase is cited from a verse in the Mundaka Upanishad, a well known Upanishad connected with the Atharva Veda. Step 3: Note that Akshi Upanishad and Garuda Upanishad are lesser known texts and are not typically mentioned as the source of the national motto. Step 4: Mahavakya is a term that refers to great sayings from various Upanishads but is not the name of a standard principal Upanishad that contains this specific phrase as its title. Step 5: Therefore, identify Mundaka Upanishad as the correct answer from the given list.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard references on Indian national symbols and civics textbooks clearly state that Satyameva Jayate is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad. They often provide the full Sanskrit verse and its translation to emphasize the importance of truth in the Indian cultural and philosophical tradition. None of the other listed Upanishads are cited in this official context, which confirms that Mundaka Upanishad is the correct source.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Akshi Upanishad: This is not widely recognized as the source of the national motto and does not hold the same canonical position as Mundaka Upanishad in this context.

Garuda Upanishad: Though it is part of the later Upanishadic literature, it is not associated with the phrase Satyameva Jayate.
Mahavakya Upanishad: The term Mahavakya usually refers to great sentences like Tat tvam asi from various Upanishads and is not the direct textual source of this specific phrase.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the term Mahavakya with the actual titles of Upanishads, leading them to guess incorrectly. Others may not be clear about the classification of principal versus minor Upanishads. To avoid confusion, it helps to remember a few key associations, such as Satyameva Jayate with Mundaka Upanishad and Tat tvam asi with Chandogya Upanishad, which are frequently mentioned in exams.

Final Answer:
The national motto Satyameva Jayate has been taken from the Mundaka Upanishad.