<P> "Satyameva Jayate" (Sanskrit: सत्यमेव जयते satyam - eva jayate; lit . "Truth alone triumphs .") is a mantra from the ancient Indian scripture Mundaka Upanishad . Following the independence of India, it was adopted as the national motto of India in 26 January 1950 . It is inscribed in script at the base of the national emblem . The emblem and the words "Satyameva Jayate" are inscribed on one side of all Indian currency . The emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka which was erected around 250 BCE at Sarnath, near Varanasi in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh . It is inscribed on all currency notes and national documents . </P> <P> The origin of the motto is well - known mantra 3.1. 6 from the Mundaka Upanishad . The mantra is as follows: </P>

The words 'satyameva jayate' inscribed below the base plate of the emblem of india are taken from