Our National Emblem

I gazed up at those four lions, those wonderful creations brought to life by the work of excellent craftsman, and the entire force of awe and admiration exploded within my soul, reminding me with a jolt the importance and integrity of our very own national emblem.

                An incredible amount of insight would have been required to construct such a monument. Each miniscule detail appears to serve a greater purpose and each carving is made life-like and enchanting. Four Asiatic lions, placed with such painstakingly precision to create a beautifully shaped, delicately carved capital where only three heads could be visible from any angle, save from above. An intricate bull and horse, separated by a chakra, are depicted as running around the circular base of this monument.

                Many scrutinize the Lion Capital from all directions possible, yet fail to realize the true meaning of this mystical monument. The Great King Ashoka built this not only to commemorate the foundation of the Buddhist Sangha and the first preaching by Buddha himself, but also to remind us of the importance of believing in our moral duties and qualities. Each object formed in this incredible emblem explains to us the important qualities an ideal human being should have.

                The four Asiatic Lions symbolize power, courage, pride and confidence. The bull recognizes the need for steadfast and unwavering hard work. The horse symbolizes speed on the path to progress. Satyameva Jayate, an incredibly famous saying, which correctly says “Truth Alone Triumphs.”

                In our modern era, surrounded by the many luxuries created by Man himself, we often fail to remember our true duty on this earth; to be a good, kind human being, emanating confidence and pride, yet remaining humble before all. With the advancement of technology, we constantly lavish ourselves with gifts, turning ourselves into lazy, stubborn, and egoistic people. We realize this change, but we remain unmoving, unsure whether to succumb to our desires or recuperate and revert ourselves to the people we are supposed to be. We lie, we cheat, we bribe.

                Our National Emblem, the Lion Capital at Sarnath, acts as a gentle reminder to us; for us to fulfill our duties and responsibilities as a responsible human being. With its saying, “Satyameva Jayate”, it creates a revolutionary change within us. We realize that we, as people of this planet, cannot progress by deceit or lies. We must step out and accept the truth, and only then can we work towards our goals. This monument not only acts as a reminder that history was created at that very place, but also to remind us how to be truthful and pure-hearted.

                Yet the National Emblem, too, serves a greater purpose. It is a symbol of India’s sovereignty; the very sign that  declared the end of British Rule in India; that the British Empire had finally lost one of its most mistreated and valuable territories. That India could rule itself, through democracy: “A government for the people, of the people, and by the people.” That India could progress and grow rapidly, which, to this day, has remained true.

                Each day, when I feel cheated or irritated, I take a glance at this National Emblem of ours, think about it, smile, then walk off with a new zeal for life that nothing else could give me.