Uttishthata Jagrata (Arise, Awake) — Word-by-Word Meaning

उत्तिष्ठत जाग्रत

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

उत्तिष्ठत

uttiṣṭhata

Arise! Stand up! (rise from inertia and ignorance)

जाग्रत

jāgrata

Awake! Be alert! (awaken from the sleep of ignorance)

प्राप्य

prāpya

Having approached, having reached (the great teachers)

वरान्

varān

The excellent ones, the noble teachers (or the boons of a precious human birth)

निबोधत

nibodhata

Learn, understand, realize (the Self)

क्षुरस्य धारा

kṣurasya dhārā

The edge of a razor

निशिता

niśitā

Sharpened, keen

दुरत्यया

duratyayā

Hard to cross, difficult to traverse

दुर्गम्

durgam

Difficult, arduous, hard to tread

पथः

pathaḥ

The path (to Self-realization)

तत् कवयः वदन्ति

tat kavayaḥ vadanti

So the wise seers declare

Complete Translation

Arise! Awake! Approach the great teachers and learn (the Self). Sharp as the edge of a razor and hard to cross, difficult to tread is that path — so the wise declare.

Origin & History

Source: Katha Upanishad, Verse 1.3.14

Author: Traditional (Upanishadic); the teaching of Yama to Nachiketa

Period: Vedic / Upanishadic

In the Katha Upanishad, the boy Nachiketa, sent to the abode of Death, wins from Yama himself the highest teaching about the Self. In the course of this instruction comes the rousing verse, 'Arise! Awake! Approach the worthy teachers and learn; the path is sharp as a razor's edge and hard to cross, so the wise declare.' It exhorts every seeker to leave the sleep of ignorance and strive, with the help of realized guides, toward knowledge of the immortal Self. In modern times Swami Vivekananda made it his famous call, 'Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.'

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Uttishthata Jagrata mean?▼

It means 'Arise! Awake!' The full verse continues, 'approach the great teachers and learn the Self; sharp as a razor's edge and hard to cross is that path, so the wise declare.' It is a call to wake from spiritual ignorance and strive for Self-knowledge.

Where does Uttishthata Jagrata come from?▼

It is from the Katha Upanishad (1.3.14), which belongs to the Yajur Veda. The Katha Upanishad records the teaching given by Yama, the lord of death, to the young seeker Nachiketa.

Why did Swami Vivekananda use this verse?▼

Swami Vivekananda adopted 'Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached' (based on this verse) as a rallying cry to inspire people to throw off weakness and fear and strive boldly for the highest, both spiritually and in life.

What does the 'razor's edge' signify?▼

The path to realizing the Self is compared to walking the sharp, narrow edge of a razor — it is subtle, demanding and easy to slip from. The image teaches that the spiritual journey requires keen alertness, discipline and steadfast effort.

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