Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached

Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached
In the 1.3.14 chapter of Katha Upanishad, this sloka can be found, where Yama (pictured) is teaching Nachiketa the methods of Yoga.
Character	Yama
First used in	Katha Upanishad
Also used in	Lectures of Swami Vivekananda.

Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached is a sloka of Katha Upanishad which was popularized in the late 19th century by Indian Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda. It was his message to the Hindus to get out of their hypnotized state of mind. Swami Vivekananda used the sloka so widely in his teachings that sometimes Swami Vivekananda is mistakenly identified as the author of the sloka.

Nachiketa, the child protagonist of Katha Upanishad, was sent to Yama, the Hindu god of death, by his father Vajashrava. In the abode of Yama, he answered Nachiketa's questions and taught him Self-knowledge and the methods of Yoga. The verse "Arise, awake..." can be found in the 1.3.14 chapter of the book, where Yama is advising Nachiketa—

उत्तिष्ठत जाग्रत प्राप्य वरान्निबोधत,
क्षुरासन्न धारा निशिता दुरत्यद्दुर्गम पथ: तत् कवयो वदन्ति |

Uttisthata Jagrata Prapya Varannibodhata
Kshurasanna Dhara Nishita Dustayadurgama Pathah tat kavayo Vadanti

Arise! Awake! Approach the great and learn.
Like the sharp edge of a razor is that path,
so the wise say−hard to tread and difficult to cross.

The inspirational sloka was Swamiji's message to the Hindus to get out of their hypnotized state of mind. The sloka was meant as a call to his countrymen to awaken their "sleeping soul" and propagate the message of peace and blessings given by the "ancient Mother" to the world. "Awake" also denotes the awakening of one's real nature and the consequent ushering in of prosperity.

On 24 April 1897 Vivekananda wrote a letter to Sarala Ghoshal. In that letter he stressed giving the public only positive education, because of his belief that negative thoughts weaken men. In that letter, he also reiterated this sloka.

Vivekananda quoted this sloka in several lectures and discourses. In a lecture delivered on 12 November 1896 at Lahore, he said:

Therefore, young men of Lahore, raise once more that mighty banner of Advaita, for on no other ground can you have that wonderful love until you see that the same Lord is present everywhere. Unfurl that banner of love! "Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached." Arise, arise once more, for nothing can be done without renunciation.