"Janani Janma-bhoomi-scha Swargadapi Gariyasi" (Devanagari: जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी, IAST: jananī janmabhūmiśca svargādapi garīyasī) is a Sanskrit shloka uttered by Lord Rama It is also the national motto of Nepal.
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Translation
This Sanskrit verse can be translated as "Mother and motherland are superior to Heaven."
Origin
The verse is from the great Hindu Epic Ramayana in Sanskrit composed by Adi Kavi (Primordial Poet) sage Valmiki. Lord Rama uttered this while addressing his younger brother Lakshmana after their victory over the Rakshasa (demon) king Ravana. After the victory Vibheeshana invited the Vaanara sena, Rama and Lakshmana to enter the Lanka city and be his guests for some time..
The entire shloka is as follows.
अपि स्वर्णमयी लङ्का न मे लक्ष्मण रोचते जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी
"Lakshmana, even this golden Lanka does not appeal to me, mother and motherland are greater than heaven."