Brahma Muhurta: The Creator’s Hour – The Ambrosial Hour – Time to Wake up!
Dr.Bhushan Sood
Dental Surgeon Clinical Master Hypnotherapist
Divine Inner Science Clinic & Research (DISC-R)
Spiritual Counsellor- Energy Healer
If you practice yoga or ever read about it, you must have come across the word Brahma muhurta. Ask any yogi, and he or she will tell you it is the best period to wake up and practice yoga for spiritual gains.
Brahma muhurta translates as “The Creator’s Hour.”
It is considered the best time for prayer, meditation, yoga, pranayama, contemplation, reading, learning, or other religious practices.
The atmosphere is also calm and soothing at that time. It is silent outside, and there are no disturbances. Although you might have to bear the barking and howling of stray dogs if you are in India, the ambiance is still comparatively more peaceful.
Since both the mind and the world have qualities of Sattva, we can make quicker spiritual progress by practicing during this period. Brahma muhurta is the time you can use to create yourself.
Sattva (Sanskrit: सत्त्व) is one of the three Gunas or “modes of existence” (tendencies, qualities, attributes), a philosophical and psychological concept developed by the Samkhya school of Hindu philosophy. The other two qualities are rajas (passion and activity) and tamas (destruction, chaos). Sattva is the quality of goodness, positivity, truth, serenity, balance, peacefulness, and virtuousness that is drawn towards Dharma and Jnana (knowledge) .
Brahma muhurta is an auspicious period of 48 minutes that begins 1 hour 36 minutes before sunrise and ends 48 minutes before it. It is considered the best time for meditation and spiritual practices because the mind is fresh and impressionable during this period.
Some consider Brahma muhurta as a period of two muhurtas (time unit of forty-eight minutes), or about one and a half hours before dawn.
In the Vedic tradition this period is considered as the ideal time for spiritual practices like prayer and meditation.
After a good night’s sleep, the mind is refreshed and tranquil when we wake up. If you get up in Brahma muhurta, your mind will be free of thoughts, worries, and anxieties of day-to-day life. The everyday struggles take over the mind as we go through the day, but It is cleaner and purer, like a blank sheet of paper, during this auspicious period.
Waking up during brahma muhurta also has many health benefits. The very first verse written in any Ayurvedic textbook while explaining about the daily regimen to be followed for health and long life is about the importance of brahma muhurta:
ब्राह्मी मुहूर्तम उत्तिशथित स्वास्थो रक्षारथम आयुष:
ततर सर्वार्थ शांतिर्थम स्मारेचा मधुसुदनम II (संदर्भ अश्तांग हृदयाम)
brAhmI muhUrtaM uttiShTHEt swasthO rakshArthaM Ayusha:
tatra sarvArtha shAntyartham smareccha madhusUdanaM
(Ref: Ashtanga Hridayam)
Meaning:
‘One should wake up in the brahma muhurta for sustaining perfect health and for achieving a long-life span, as desired. ‘
Benefits of waking up in Brahma Muhurta
Waking up in Brahma muhurta boosts the immune system, increases our energy levels, and enhances the reproductive system.
For this to work, you will also have to go to bed at a reasonable hour, ideally around 10 PM.
In Ayurveda, it is believed that living in harmony with Mother Nature’s natural circadian rhythms results in a long life. It is the best way to reverse the aging process.
At that time, a high level of prana (vital life energy) which is necessary for the body, is adequately present in the atmosphere. The activities of the entire world and especially of the living beings are yet to be started; hence the pollution is at its minimum. The cheerful atmosphere has a considerable effect on the body and mind.
Ayurveda has given a deep thought to the daily routine, which when followed aligns our day perfectly to express our maximum potential and capabilities. This starts with getting up in the morning. The quality of our waking up decides the energy level for the day. A peaceful fresh start is always better to a dull, lethargic start with a heavy feeling.
Tuning our biological clock to the rising and setting of the sun, is the best way for reversing the aging process. Waking up during this brahma muhurta puts us in perfect synchronization to the natural clock.
Effect on the Doshas – Body Humors
It is important to understand about the relation of Doshas with the time of the day. A dosha is one of three bodily humors that make up one’s constitution according to Ayurveda.
The three doshas of pitta, kapha and vata can be roughly said to be the equivalent of Sun, Moon and Air energies of our body. The intricate workings of time and their relation to the tridoshas (three humors) are explained in detail in the Vedic literature. The whole day consisting of 24 hours can be broken down into kapha, pitta, and vata periods during which the predominating qualities of those doshas are prevalent.
During a given 24 hours period, time wise, there are two segments for each dosha as follows:
6:am to 10:00 am – kapha
10:00 am to 2:00 pm – pitta
2:00 pm to 6:00 pm – vata
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm – kapha
10:00 pm to 2:00 am – pitta
2:00 am to 6:00 am – vata
These are not to be considered exact but fluctuate a little according to the season and altitude too. Through high awareness, one can get an idea of what dosha is predominant at any given time.
The Period of Movement
Because of the above time frames, the very first activity of the daily routine, i.e. rising, should be done shortly before sunrise in the vata period. Vata is the principle of movement, so to wake up in this period ensures that vata principle will be functioning to help in the elimination of wastes from the body. It is also the quietest time of day. For this reason, it is also the best period for prayer and meditation.
Waking up any later than sunrise imbalances the kapha dosha in the body. The effects of this dis-balance can be observed physically as an increased tendency to get upper respiratory disorders, constipation or incomplete elimination of wastes from the intestines (leading to accumulation of toxins in the blood-Urea, Uric acid, Cholesterol, Creatinine, Other salts) , general lethargy and fatigue.
It is interesting how ancient Indians measured time. The smallest time unit is called nimesha, which is the smallest time frame conceivable by humans. It is defined as the ‘wink of an eye’. So, one nimesha is the time it takes you to blink your eyes.
Now, 15 nimesha = one kashta
15 kashta = one laghu
15 laghu = one ghatika
2 ghatika (30 Laghu) = one muhurta
30 muhurta = one day (of 24 hours)
People used to measure time in muhurta, just as we do in hours. Muhurta is still used in Vedic astrology to determine the auspicious time for starting an event. When we do the math, one muhurta equals 48 minutes.
Now, Brahma muhurta is the second-last muhurta before sunrise. Some people believe it starts at 3:30 AM and ends at 5:30 AM, which is not true. Brahma muhurta begins 1 hour 36 minutes before sunrise, and ends 48 minutes before sunrise, lasting for 48 minutes. The time of sunrise varies each day, depending on the time of the year and geographical location. So, the exact time of Brahma muhurta also varies.
One should wake up during Brahma Muhurta for perfect health; and for achieving a life if one desires so. (Ashtanga Hridayam)
Takeaway
Do’s and don’ts of Brahma muhurta
The ancient sages figured that doing certain things during Brahma muhurta can lead to extraordinary benefits in terms of physical health and spirituality. Dharma shastra, an ancient Hindu text on Dharma, lays down the following activities for us to engage in and abstain from during Brahma muhurta:
Do’s (What We can do)
Meditate: Brahma muhurta is an excellent time for mindfulness meditation. (There are many modules to practice mindfulness). The mind can be easily molded during this period, and you will find it easier to focus. Imagine starting your day with spreading loving-kindness to all sentient beings.
Masters of higher realms: Yogis, Paramahamsas, Sanyasins, Rishes, Acharyas, Aspirants start their meditation during Brahma Muhurta, sending vibrations throughout the world to benefit all. Meditation will come by itself without any conscious effort. During Brahma Muhurata, the Sushumna Naadi flows readily. You will enter meditation and samadhi without much effort when Sushumna Naadi flows. When breath flows uniformly, without nasal friction, through both the nostrils, know that the Sushumna is working. Whenever the Sushumna functions, sit for meditation and enjoy the inner peace of Atman or soul.
Sit in a comforting meditative state for 30 minutes with spine erect and body still. Allow subtle bi-nostril long and deep breathing. Take the awareness, first at the breathing and then at the Third eye chakra ( Agnya Chakra), an area on the forehead between the two eyebrows. The Prana begins to flow up from the base of the spine – ‘Root Chakra-Sacral Chakra joint’ (‘Muladhara Chakra-Sweet-Svadishthana Chakra’) to the Triveni (junction and meeting point of the three Nadis (channels) behind the ‘Third Eye’ (Agnya Chakra ) through the tributaries; Ida, Pingla and Sushumna to finally dispersing and dispense Prana to each cell, muscle, nerve, tissue and organ of the body.
Guided meditations are immensely helpful and available on you tube and taught by many social and professional organizations.
Meditation On Twin Hearts?
A guided meditation called ‘Twin Heart meditation by Master Chao Kok Sui is recommended.
“Just as Pranic Healing can ‘miraculously’ cure simple and severe ailments, the Meditation on Twin Hearts, when practiced by a large number of people, can miraculously heal the entire earth; thereby making the earth more harmonious and peaceful.
– Master Choa Kok Sui
The Meditation on Twin Hearts technique developed by Master Choa Kok Sui, the Philippines based founder of Pranic Healing and Arhatic Yoga, is a technique to achieve illumination or “Universal Consciousness”. It is also a form of world service that helps to bring harmony by blessing the earth with loving-kindness, peace, joy and good will. It does not follow any specific religious belief or guru (teacher). Doing the meditation involves blessing the earth with peace, love, light and joy.
The Meditation on Twin Hearts brings a tremendous amount of spiritual energy, peace, love, prosperity and happiness in the practitioner’s life. It is a noble tool that raises one’s vibrations toward higher states of awareness and expanded levels of consciousness. Presently being practiced globally by tens of thousands of people of different religions and backgrounds, the Meditation on Twin Hearts is extraordinary in its simplicity with amazing and dramatic results.
“If crown chakra is the gate to heaven, then heart chakra will be the key to that gate.”
Master Choa kok Sui
Follow the link to know more on the technique: The Pranic Healers
Read books:
Reading spiritual books or ancient scriptures is another wonderful way to start your day. With no distractions around, the mind is better able to grasp and absorb the sacred teachings. Studying spiritual texts during this period will benefit you tremendously.
Exercise:
You can also practice Yogic stretches or poses. As said, Brahma muhurta also has physical benefits, and you can ensure you have a healthy body and mind by waking up in this time and practicing both meditation and Hatha Yoga.
Do spinal bends, postures (Asanas), Macro -Micro limb-joint movements and Breathing exercises (Pranayaam).
Don’ts (Not be Done at all )
Eating: Try not to eat during Brahma muhurta. Doing so is detrimental to your health and may cause illnesses.
Strenuous activity: Do not do anything that requires a lot of mental work. This is not the time to exercise the brain strenuously.
How to wake up in Brahma muhurta
Okay, so you know that waking up in Brahma muhurta is beneficial for your body and mind, but how do you do it actually? It is tough to change your sleep cycle suddenly and start waking up early. Here are three small tips to help you get up in Brahma muhurta:
Place the alarm clock far from yourself: Everybody knows that snoozing is the brain’s way of sneaking into sleep again after waking up. Put your alarm clock away from where you sleep, so you will have to get out of bed to shut it off.
Move up gradually: Get up just 15-30 minutes earlier than usual. Do this for a few days and then move up by another 15-30 minutes. Keep doing this gradually until you get up in Brahma muhurta.
Reward yourself: Usually, you need to force yourself to get up in the morning, but it becomes easier if there is a reward waiting for you the next day. It can be something simple like a cup of coffee, an enjoyable book, or tasty breakfast (not to be eaten during Brahma muhurta).
Is waking up in Brahma muhurta good for everyone?
The Ashtanga Hridayam, the “Heart or Essence of all the Eight Branches of Ayurveda,” is one of the primary ancient root texts of Ayurveda. Today, the Ashtanga Hridayam continues to serve as a root source for Ayurvedic philosophy and protocol, providing clear guidelines in all aspects of health.
Ashtanga Hridayam says that only a healthy person should get up in Brahma muhurta. The text prohibits pregnant women and children from doing so. It also bars you if you are suffering from any physical or mental ailments or if your last meal has not been properly digested.
Also, aged people who have not been waking up early since youth should not try to change their body cycle now. The physical conditioning of years is difficult to break, especially for elderly people.
Brahma muhurta is an optimal period for the practice of yogic exercises or meditation. We are used to staying up till late, and it is difficult to make the transition from being a night owl to an early bird. However, the rewards are worth it. According to ancient Indian texts, this period is Divine and allows us to connect with ourselves more easily.
Even if you do not believe in religious texts, you ought to experiment waking up early for a few weeks and see how it feels. You might just be surprised to have all the extra time while the world is asleep.
The mythology of Brahma Muhurta
Vinata was one of the wives to saint Kashyapa along with Kadruva. As a boon given by Kashyapa to both, Kadruva wanted a thousand serpent children. But Vinata wanted only two children. Also, she wanted more bright and powerful children than those of Kadruva.
Over a period, Kadruva gave birth to a thousand eggs and Vinata gave birth to two eggs. Hatching of eggs happened for Kadruva earlier. Hence, her thousand serpent sons came into life.
Vinata’s eggs were not hatched and she became jealous of Kadruva. Out of curiosity, she broke one of the eggs of her two eggs. Because of this, she gave life to a half-formed son. The son got angry and cursed the mother to be a slave of Kadruva and her children.
Later, Lord Brahma made this son of Vinata as a charioteer and herald of Sun God. Brahma named him as ‘Aruna’ as he is the initial creator of light at dawn. Brahma Muhurta is the period exactly when Aruna enters on the earth. Also, Lord Brahma gave blessings to mankind. This is that whatever the actions performed during the Brahma Muhurta will be auspicious.
The Law of Macrocosms and Microcosms
Whatever the extensive external universe contains, the same appears in the internal cosmos of a human being. This is the law of macrocosms and microcosms. According to Charaka, ‘Man is the epitome and essence of the universe. Man has as much diversity as the universe has and the universe has as much diversity as the man has’. When the individual becomes aligned with the universe, the lesser cosmos functions as a harmonious unit of the greater (Dr. Robert Svoboda-Ayurveda Acharya and Aghora-Settled in Australia)
According to Ayurveda, the law of macrocosms and microcosms is available in its Elements and Doshas. Three doshas (meaning three substances) exist including Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each Dosha contains elements in it.
1. Air and Ether are the elements present in Vata Dosha.
2. Fire and Water are the elements present in Pitta.
3. Earth and Water are the elements present in Kapha.
The same five ‘elements’ and three ‘Doshas’ make up the universe and human beings. They act in the same manner in both.
While not as frequently evoked as our elemental macro and microcosms, there are also temporal microcosms and macrocosms. In these, each time cycle is a microcosm of he next. There is the 24-hour cycle of the night giving way to the daytime. This daily rhythm goes on and on and on, mimicking the grander cycles. The cycles of the years, where the winter with its cold, lifeless months melt into the new growth of spring. The cycles of a lifetime where a man goes from death into birth and from birth again into death. (Theory of repetition or reincarnation.)
Brahma Muhurata and Physiology
Brahma Muhurata is part of the 24-hour cycle. If we overlay this 24-hour cycle microcosm over the cycle of a lifetime, we would see that Brahma Muhurta roughly corresponds to (at least) late pregnancy and birth in the life cycle. Childhood would correspond to the morning, middle to midday, old age-or the twilight of life – to late afternoon, death to the fall of the night and unembodied soul to the nighttime. VATA governs all sandhis, unions or joints, such as the transitions from birth to death, death to birth, day to night and night again into a day. VATA governs the hours of 2 AM to 6AM, or through dawn, which we know embraces the ‘joint’ of the night into day and encompasses Brahma Muhurta.
APANA, one of the five subsets of VATA, becomes particularly active during dawn.
PRANA, another one of the five subsets of Vata, is that mystical and practical intelligence responsible for assembling a baby’s cells, tissue and organs during pregnancy. It controls the way a body is put together and how it functions once it is assembled. The same Apana that is active during dawn is also responsible for successfully delivering the baby into the world. So, we can see that the same force – Vata is dominant during both time cycles.
If the healthy functioning of Prana assures optimal organization of energy and physical matter in the developing person, and healthy Apana delivers the complete person into the world in an optimal manner, then it goes to follow that these principles apply to the microcosm of Brahma Muhurata as well.
During the early morning hours, for example, the active prana would be organizing the intelligence of our physical and mental status or pathways. As it does during pregnancy and delivery. Healthy Apana would allow us smooth entry into our day. It would also stand to reason here that damaging or healing influences on Prana, Apana and other subsets of Vata would be particularly significant during Braham Muhurata, as they are during pregnancy and birth.
We may take advantage of the fact that organizational and delivery principles are particularly active, available and subject to influences at this time and we can provide healthy influences to pacify Vata and facilitate the free flow of Prana.
Brahma Muhurat for Students
Concentration level is at its peak at this golden moment of Brahma Muhurata.
Melatonin levels which constitute a part of the body’s circadian rhythm, according to modern science, peak in the night and ebb by the time the sun rises. Melatonin is seen as a mood stabilizer and may enhance cognition. There have been few studies with mixed evidence on the short-term effects of melatonin on cognitive function. The drop in melatonin levels is accompanied by a rise in the anti-stress hormone cortisol whose levels rise during the early morning hours and are highest at about 6 AM. The rising levels of cortisol result in theactivation of anti-stress and anti-inflammatory pathways and also stimulate all the body organs.
So, get out of the bed to take charge of the day by waking up in BrahmMuhurata !
PRAYER For BRAHMA MUHURATA:
Early Morning Sloka
Early Morning is considered as the best time to worship God. Early morning is also known as “Brahma Mahurat” in the Hindu Mythology. It is regarded that prayers made at this time reach directly to the God. Early Morning Shloka (Sloka) is given here which also serves as the first prayer of the day to the almighty.
Shaalok 1:
कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मि, करमूले सरस्वती करमध्ये तु गोविन्द प्रभाते कर दर्शनम् ||
Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi Karamadhye Sarasvati, Karamuule Tu Govinda Prabhaate Karadarshanam,
Meaning: The front part of the hands (the fingertips) is credited to Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. The middle part or palm is credited to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of learning and the root (the part of hand near the wrist) to Govinda. So, every morning, one should have a reverent look at one’s hand which represents sincere labor.
Govinda meaning
Definition – What does Govinda mean? Govinda is one of the many names of Krishna, the incarnation of the Hindu god, Vishnu, in Vaishnavism and much of the pan-Hindu traditions. The name comes from the Sanskrit go, which means both “Veda” and “cow,” and vinda, meaning “finding” or “gaining.”
Shalok 2 :
| समुद्र वासने देवी, परवाता स्ाना मंडले I विष्णुपतनी नमस्तू भीष्म, पाडा स्पार्शा कशामामावेम | Samudra Vasane Devi, Parvata Stana Mandale Vishnupatni Namastubhyam Paada Sparsha Kshamasvame |
Samudravasane Devi Parvatastanamandale,
Vishhnupatni Namastubhyam Paadasparsham Kshamasva Me
I bow to Mother Earth, who has mountains and jungles on her body and whose clothing is made by the ocean. The wife of Lord Vishnu, please pardon me for touching you with my feet.
It is considered propitious (auspicious) to start the day with this sincere prayer.
- Hymn from Gurvani (SGGS)
गुरु राम दास सरोवर नाते सब उतरे पाप कमाते
Guru Ram Dass Sarover Naate. Sb Uttre Paap Kamate
Meaning: All your sins get washed away. Once take a dip in the Holy pond of Golden Temple (Hari Mandir, Swarn Mandir)
Hymn from Gurvani (SGGS)
जो जन तुमरी भक्ति करनते
तिन के काज संवारता। गोपाल तेरो आसरा।
Jo Jan tumri bhakti karamte,
tin ke kaaj sanvaarta. Gopal tero aasra.
Meaning: Lord brings Bliss in the lives of those who serve with heartiest devotion. All issues of life are resolved.
3. Hymn from Gurvani (SGGS)
एका माई जुगद वियाई, तिन चेले परवान।
इक संसारी इक भंडारी इक लावे दीवान।।
Eka Mayi jugad Viahi, tin chele parvaan
Ik sansari, Ik bhandari Ik Lave diwan
The feminine divine creative energy first manifested the illusionary world (Jugad). To sustain that manifested, rose, out of her, three energies personified as Sansari,Bhandari and Dewan (Vishnu for propagation, Shiv for destruction and recreation and Brahma as observant).
Summary 1
Brahma Muhurta is the period exactly when Aruna enters on the earth. This is exactly 1 hour and 36 minutes before sunrise. This period is unique and sacred for all types of activities. These include yoga, meditation, and divinity.
Summary 2
Ayurveda implements the law of macrocosms and microcosms. The five elements along with the three Doshas implements this.
The five elements include Earth, Air, Ether, Fire, and Water.
The three Doshas include: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Inspired to compile this article by my school Hindi language teacher; Late Pandit Hans Raj ji who would get up at 2.30 AM, do his morning chores like Puja and cold-water bath at the near by well. We would start his morning coaching at 4 AM sharp, without fail, walk down to my house to teach the language to me and my friend, Cdr. Anil kumar Walia (now retired), back in 1969. I used to get up 20 minutes before his arrival.
Also Inspired by my Sister in law; Late Madhu Sood who left for her heavenly abode in 2015
Source: Browsing Internet # ‘Brahma Muhurata’.
Inspiring everyone to kick the blanket off and align vata by getting up at Brahma Muhurat. *******************************