The national motto of India, “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth Alone Triumphs), inscribed below the national emblem, is taken from which ancient Indian scripture?

Introduction / Context:
India's national emblem, adapted from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, carries the inscription “Satyameva Jayate” in Devanagari script. This phrase, meaning “Truth alone triumphs,” is not modern; it comes from ancient Indian spiritual literature. Many exams ask from which specific scripture this motto has been taken, as it links national symbols with India's philosophical heritage.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The phrase is “Satyameva Jayate.”
• It appears on India's national emblem as a national motto.
• The options list the Bhagavad Gita, Mundaka Upanishad, Ramayana, and Chandogya Upanishad.
• We assume basic awareness that “Satyameva Jayate” is an Upanishadic phrase rather than a later epic one.

Concept / Approach:
“Satyameva Jayate” occurs in the Mundaka Upanishad, one of the principal Upanishads associated with the Atharva Veda. The line appears in a passage that emphasizes that truth alone ultimately wins and that untruth does not. While the Bhagavad Gita and the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata also teach about dharma and truth, the exact phrase “Satyameva Jayate” is specifically sourced from the Mundaka Upanishad. The Chandogya Upanishad is another Upanishad but contains different famous passages, such as “Tat tvam asi.”

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that “Satyameva Jayate” is widely cited as an Upanishadic quote. Step 2: Recall that the Mundaka Upanishad is the text where this precise line appears in the context of truth and spiritual knowledge. Step 3: Understand that the Bhagavad Gita, although philosophically rich, does not contain this exact phrase as the source for the national motto. Step 4: Note that the Ramayana and Chandogya Upanishad have their own famous quotations but are not the origin of this motto. Step 5: Conclude that the correct scripture is the Mundaka Upanishad.

Verification / Alternative check:
Government documents, constitutional commentaries, and standard general knowledge books explicitly state that the motto “Satyameva Jayate” is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad. They often cite the original Sanskrit verse, which emphasises that truth, not untruth, leads to the divine path. No authoritative source attributes this exact phrase to the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, or Chandogya Upanishad, confirming the Mundaka Upanishad as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• The Bhagavad Gita: Although it discusses truth and dharma, it is not the textual source of the specific phrase “Satyameva Jayate.”
• The Ramayana: An epic narrative that upholds truth and righteousness but does not contain this exact quotation as the source for the national motto.
• The Chandogya Upanishad: Another significant Upanishad known for the phrase “Tat tvam asi,” but not the origin of “Satyameva Jayate.”

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse which Upanishad a famous quotation comes from, especially when several texts emphasise similar values. Another common error is to assume that because the Bhagavad Gita is very famous, all popular Sanskrit sayings must come from it. To avoid such mistakes, remember the pairing: Satyameva Jayate comes from the Mundaka Upanishad, and “Tat tvam asi” comes from the Chandogya Upanishad.

Final Answer:
The national motto “Satyameva Jayate” is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad.