Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached"
is a sloka of the Katha Upanishad which was popularized in the late 19th century by Indian Hindu Monk Swami Vivekananda.
Arise and awake, for the time is passing and all our energies will be: frittered away in just sleeping.
Arise and awake, let minor things, like pain, aches and laziness be thrown aside, for they were never meant to be a permanent part of your life.
Arise! Awake! Stand up and fight!
Fight the fat, the illness of your body, Exercise now!
It is totally in your hands alone, for it is your body, your health and your life, that is screaming for change.
Listen to what Yama says in the Katha Upanisad:
उत्तिष्ठत जाग्रत प्राप्य वरान्निबोधत ।
Arise! Awake! and stop not until the goal is reached!
In the 1.3.14 chapter of Katha Upnishad, this sloka can be found, where Yama (pictured) teaching Nachiketha the methods of Yoga.
Interpret it, in any way you want, use it to be inspired in any aspect of your life.
Sharp as the blade of a razor, long and difficult and hard to cross, is the way to freedom (freedom from ill health) but not impossible.
The health enthusiasts, have declared this again and again.
Do not let these weaknesses and failures stop you.
Say a big 'NO' to 'Temptations', for they only lead you to illness.
The Upanishads have declared,
Arise ! Awake ! and stop not until the goal is reached."
We will then certainly cross the path, sharp as it is like the razor, and long and distant and difficult though it may seem in the beginning, it is achievable, if we are committed.
The goal is definitely within everyone's reach!
Understand that sitting idly, in front of the computer/ TV or being engrossed in your Smart phone will not give you the health that you are aspiring for.
Have you started exercising?
Beautiful matter to post.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anil, I am glad you like it.
DeleteYou are fit as a fiddle, Rama! We too go for 4 Kms. walk every morning on the beach road and yoga for 4 days a week. I feel very light and fit too! Hope to be like this for some more years at least!
ReplyDeleteYes Sandhya, we need to be fit more as we grow older, cannot be sitting and be dependent on others for the rest of our lives. I think the older generations are more active, whereas the some of the younger generation are still hooked on fast food, late nights and stress filled lives. While they are still in their 20s and 30s they are putting on weight, i can't even imagine how they would be when they reach our age. Thanks Sandhya.
DeleteI think and act like you, Rama and believe in waking early to follow a fitness regime:)
ReplyDeleteSound advice. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYou always pass on some part of your enthusiasm to me, another example of it happening with this post!
ReplyDeleteSolid suggestions.Thank you,Rama.I do walking,exercises and pranayama for about fifty minutes to one hour
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring post Rama!! Really a post that awakens energy in every person who reads it!! This not only holds good for fitness and health but it is true for every goal in our lives - arise, awake and stop not until the goal is reached!! Great post, keep writing more of these!! Have a nice weekend :)
ReplyDeleteI had written a comment,but not seen now.Might be that I might not have clicked publish.Anyway very useful solid suggestions with a positive stroke. I do exercise,walking and pranayama,altogether for one hour.
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring Rama. As you have rightly pointed out, our health is in our hands, we need to nurture and nourish our body to lead a happy life. Just as we plan for investments for a better and secure financial future, we should exercise for a fitter and healthier future.
ReplyDeleteYes I have to re start my exercise programme. Will start tomorrow :-)
ReplyDeleteI really liked your post about Arise, Awake.....
ReplyDeleteArise ! Awake ! and stop not until the goal is reached
ReplyDeletewell said
never to stop until
Thank you for this post Rama, so glad I popped in this morning. Sorry absent for too long. Hope all is well. Mei
ReplyDeleteThis is a very energetic article, rama, and it was written foe me, isn't it? My excuse is ever my age and my illness, even if I know it is not right! Even if I don't know what "sloka" means, I think I need a special one to make me start!
ReplyDeleteI heard about Vivekananda long time ago, when I read about him.
Sloka means:a couplet or distich of Sanskrit verse, especially one with each line containing 16 syllables.. Maha bharat, Ramayana are stories written in sloka form. Slokas contain a profound meaning in a brief form. Some of them are even recited like Mantras.
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