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The
National Symbol is an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of
Emperor Ashoka, who ruled from 272 BC to 232 BC. In the original
pillar, there are four lions, standing back to back, mounted on an
abacus with a frieze carrying sculptures in high relief of an
elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by a lion
separated by
intervening wheels over a
bell-shaped lotus. Carved out of a single block of polished
sandstone, the Capital is crowned by the Wheel of Law (Dharma
Chakra).
In the State Emblem adopted by
the Government of India on January 26 1950, only three lions are
visible, while the fourth is hidden from view. The wheel appears
in relief in the centre of the abacus with a bull on right and a
horse on left, and the outlines of the other wheels on the extreme
right and left.
The
bell-shaped lotus has been omitted. The words Satyameva Jayate
from Mundaka Upanishad, meaning 'Truth Alone Triumphs', are
inscribed below the abacus in Devanagari script. |
