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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 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.
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