Question map
The national motto of India, 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from
Explanation
The motto "Satyameva Jayate" comes from the Muṇḍaka Upaniṣhad; in full, it reads satyameva jayate nānṛitam, that is, "truth alone triumphs, not falsehood".[1] This motto was added to India's national emblem, which features the Ashoka capital.[1]
The phrase, meaning "truth alone triumphs," was chosen as the national motto to reflect the core values and philosophical heritage of India. The complete verse from the Mundaka Upanishad emphasizes the ultimate victory of truth over falsehood, a principle that resonates with the foundational ethos of the Indian Republic. This makes option D (Mundaka Upanishad) the correct answer, while the other Upanishads—Katha, Chandogya, and Aitareya—do not contain this specific phrase.
Sources- [1] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: The Rise of Empires > Art and architecture > p. 112
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a 'Sitter' category question—a non-negotiable fact found in basic Class VII NCERTs. It bridges Ancient History and Modern Polity (National Symbols). Missing this indicates a gap in fundamental static GK, not a lack of advanced reading.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Explicitly states the motto 'satyameva jayate' and attributes it to the Muṇḍaka (Mundaka) Upaniṣhad.
- Gives the fuller phrasing 'satyameva jayate nānṛitam', confirming textual origin.
- Directly notes 'Satyameva Jayate is from Mudaka Upanishad' (alternate spelling).
- Serves as an independent corroboration of the Upanishad source.
- [THE VERDICT]: Absolute Sitter. Directly lifted from NCERT Class VII (Our Pasts II) and TN Board Class XI. This is foundational knowledge.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: National Identity & Symbols. The specific intersection where Vedic literature meets the Constitutional insignia of modern India.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize origins of other symbols: 1) National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana) -> First sung 1911 Calcutta Session. 2) National Song (Vande Mataram) -> Anandamath (1882). 3) National Calendar -> Saka Era (78 AD). 4) Supreme Court Motto -> 'Yato Dharmastato Jayah' (Mahabharata). 5) RAW Motto -> 'Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah'.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not study History only chronologically. Create a 'Legacy Sheet': List every symbol on the Indian currency, flag, and emblem, and trace its historical origin (e.g., Hampi chariot, Konark wheel, Sarnath Lion Capital).
Both references [1] and [5] identify the Mundaka (Mudaka/Muṇḍaka) Upanishad as the textual source of 'Satyameva Jayate'.
High-yield for polity/cultural-history questions about national symbols; memorize the primary source and common variant spellings (Mundaka/Mudaka/Muṇḍaka). Connects to questions on emblems, mottos, and constitutional symbolism. Prepare by cataloguing symbols and their original texts.
- Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: The Rise of Empires > Art and architecture > p. 112
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 2: Early India: The Chalcolithic, Megalithic, Iron Age and Vedic Cultures > Satyameva Jayate is from Mudaka Upanishad. > p. 31
References show other institutional mottos derived from ancient texts (e.g., Supreme Court, India Meteorological Department, Indian Navy), illustrating a pattern of sourcing modern symbols from classical literature.
Useful for multidisciplinary UPSC questions linking culture, history, and institutions; enables quick elimination in MCQs by matching symbols to textual sources. Study by creating a table of symbols, mottos, and source texts.
- Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: The Rise of Empires > Art and architecture > p. 112
- Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 10: Grassroots Democracy — Part 1: Governance > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 156
- Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Understanding the Weather > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 32
References reference multiple Upanishads (Mundaka, Chhandogya, Brihadaranyaka), highlighting their relevance to cultural and philosophical heritage.
Useful for prelims and mains when questions ask about classical texts, their contents, or influence on modern India; mastering a short list of key Upanishads and notable verses is efficient prep. Approach: create concise notes listing each Upanishad and notable teachings/quotes.
- Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: The Rise of Empires > Art and architecture > p. 112
- THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > Verses from the Upanishads > p. 85
- THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Kinship, Caste and Class > Metronymics in the Upanishads > p. 59
The full verse is 'Satyameva Jayate Nanritam' (Truth alone triumphs, not falsehood). The Mundaka Upanishad also contains the famous 'Two Birds' analogy (Dvā suparṇā sayujā sakhāyā) representing the Jivatma and Paramatma, which is a potential future question on Indian Philosophy.
Association Logic: 'Munda' implies 'shaven head' (monk/renunciate). The path of truth is often associated with renunciation. Chandogya and Brihadaranyaka are massive, complex metaphysical texts. For a catchy, short motto, smaller Upanishads like Mundaka or Katha are more likely sources than the dense prose of the larger ones.
Mains GS IV (Ethics): Use this motto to define the foundational value of Indian Governance. It establishes that the Indian State is theoretically rooted in 'Satya' (Truth) rather than 'Rta' (Cosmic Order) or 'Dharma' (Duty) alone, prioritizing transparency over expediency.