Janani Janmabhūmishcha Swargādapi Garīyasī

Meaning

"Mother and motherland are greater than Heaven."

Origin

The verse might be present in certain recensions of the Hindu epic Ramayana, though it is not present in its Critical Edition.

Further, at least two versions of the shloka are prevalent. In one version (found in an edition published by Hindi Prachara Press, Madras in 1930 by T. R. Krishna Chary, Editor and T. R. Vemkoba Chary the publisher at 6:124:17) it is spoken by Bharadvaja addressing Rama:

मित्राणि धन धान्यानि प्रजानां सम्मतानिव |

जननी जन्म भूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी ||

Translation: "Friends, riches and grains are highly honoured in this world. (But) mother and motherland are superior even to heaven."

In another version, it is spoken by Rama to Lakshmana:

अपि स्वर्णमयी लङ्का न मे लक्ष्मण रोचते |

जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी ||

Translation: "Lakshmana, even this golden Lanka does not appeal to me. Mother and motherland are superior even to heaven."

References

References

1. (2020-06-17). "रामायण का वो श्लोक, जो नेपाल का नेशनल मोटो है और इसका मतलब क्या है".
2. (Oct 2, 2014). "Janani Janmabhoomi scha Swargadapi Gariyasi".
3. "The ''Rāmāyaṇa''".
4. "Chapter [Sarga] 124". Valmiki Ramayana.