National
Emblem of India - An Ashokan pillar at Sarnath near Varanasi in
Uttar Pradesh depicts four lions on the top standing back to back. Its
base has an elephant, a horse, a bull and a lion separated by
intervening wheels over a bell-shaped lotus and a Dharma Chakra or the
Wheel of Law carved on it. This symbol was adopted as the National
Emblem of India by the Indian Government on 26th January 1950. The
two-dimensional picture of this emblem has become the official symbol of
the government now that only shows three of the four lions and the base
having the Dharma Chakra in the center and a bull and horse on either
side and an engraved phase that reads 'Satyameva Jayate' in the
Devanagari script. The phrase is translated to mean 'Truth alone
triumphs'.
Ashoka was a great Mauryan King who was known far and wide for
converting to Buddhism after seeing the after effects of the war imposed
by him on the small states surrounding him, especially on Kalinga. He
was said to be full of remorse seeing the ill effects his ambition had
brought on the soldiers and families from both the sides. His emblem has
now become the official seal of the President of India and Central and
State Governments of the Indian union. Ashoka erected the Lion Capital
in the 3rd century BC to mark the spot where Buddha first proclaimed his
gospel of peace. Now, it is symbolic of India's commitment to world
peace and goodwill. The three lions visible in the emblem symbolize
power, courage and confidence. This State emblem is used only for
official purposes and commands utmost respect and loyalty.
