Brahma Muhurat literally means the creator’s time, meaning this is the time when one creates themselves. In Sanatan Dharma, this time period is considered sacred and has been honoured by rishis and yogis.

During this time, spiritual practices can help attract inner peace and build a connection with the inner consciousness. Let's understand in detail what Brahma Muhurta means, how to calculate it and what a person should do during this time period.

What Is Brahma Muhurat?

The word Brahma Muhurat comes from two Sanskrit words: 'Brahma ', which means 'ultimate knowledge' or 'creator ', and 'Muhurta', which means time period.

Brahma Muhurat time is generally between 3.30 a.m. and 5.30 a.m. This time period starts exactly 2 Muhurats before sunrise. Hence, it begins 1 hr and 36 mins before sunrise and ends 48 mins before it. However, sunrise and sunset timings depend on geographical location, so Brahma Muhurta also varies accordingly.

According to the classical Ayurvedic text Ashtanga Hridayam, waking up at this hour not only increases productivity but also increases one’s lifespan and helps avoid diseases.

How To Calculate The Exact Brahma Muhurat Time

In Sanatan Dharma, the period between sunset and the following sunrise is divided into 15 equal time blocks called Muhurtas. Each Muhurat is believed to last about 48 minutes. Brahma Muhurta is the 14th block, the second-to-last period before sunrise.

So, to calculate Brahma Muhurat, one should:

1. First, find their local sunrise time for the day; say it is 6 am.
2. Then subtract 96 minutes from the sunrise time to find the start time, meaning if the start time is 6 am, then subtract 96 minutes from it, which comes to 4:24 AM.
3. Then subtract 48 minutes from the sunrise time to find the end time, meaning 6 am - 48 minutes, which comes to 5:12 AM.

So, now you have the window of Brahma Muhurat, which is 4:24 AM to 5:12 AM.

Brahma Muhurat time is generally between 3.30 a.m. and 5.30 a.m. (Image: Pexels)

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Why Brahma Muhurat Is Considered Auspicious

1.It is believed that during Brahma Muhurat, the connection between the individual soul (Atma) and the Supreme soul (Brahman) is stronger, making it a great time for prayer, chanting, and spiritual growth.

2. According to Chapter 14 of the Bhagavad Gita, Brahma Muhurat is dominated by sattva guna, which represents purity, clarity and harmony. This guna naturally prevails during Brahma Muhurat, which supports spiritual growth and understanding.

3. Helps to build a connection with nature.

4. Early rising helps the body to maintain its balance, as this time is dominated by Vata dosha, which provides clarity in thoughts and increases concentration.

5. Helps build a deeper connection with the Divine.

Scientific Benefits Of Waking Up In Brahma Muhurat

According to the International Journal of Yoga and Allied Sciences, the pre-dawn time is filled with fresh oxygen that easily mixes with haemoglobin, forming oxyhemoglobin, which has the following benefits:

  • Helps boost immunity
  • Increases energy level
  • Maintains the body’s pH level
  • Reduces pain, soreness, and cramps

5 Things To Do During Brahma Muhurat

According to renowned spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, there are certain activities one can do in Brahma Muhurta to feel more aligned with themselves.

1. Meditation

Meditation during this time helps an individual build a connection with themselves. According to Sri Sri Ravi Shanker, Sahaj Samadhi Dhyana is one of the best meditations one can do.

2. Read Or Listen To Thought-Provoking Speeches

According to Ashtanga Hridaya and Dharmashastra, studying scriptures or gaining knowledge about them during Brahma Muhurat can help ease mental problems.

3. Plan Your Day

One should plan their day during Brahma Muhurat so that their entire day can run smoothly without chaos.

4. Introspect

By reflecting on the previous day and emotions, one can gain clarity of thought, understand their emotions and direct the mind toward something productive.

5. Remember parents, guru and god

Most people forget to remember the most important people in their lives due to their busy schedule. Remembering them during this hour cultivates gratitude and builds a better connection.

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Things Not To Do In Brahma Muhurat

According to Dharmshastra, there are a few things one should not do during this time period, such as:

  • Eating food, as it causes illness
  • Doing anything which requires too much mental work, as it is believed to reduce one’s lifespan.

One should avoid eating food in Brahma Muhurat (Image: Pexels)

Who Should Not Wake Up During Brahma Muhurat?

  • Pregnant women
  • Children
  • Aged people who have not been waking up in this period from the very beginning
  • People suffering from illness
  • People whose previous meal has not been digested (No bowel movement indicates an undigested meal)

Thus, waking up at Brahma Muhurat and doing meditation, mantra chanting, and pranayama enhances understanding and purifies the mind and soul.

FAQs

1. What is Brahma Muhurat in Sanatan Dharma?

Brahma Muhurta is the sacred time before sunrise considered ideal for meditation and spiritual practices.

2. Can you sleep after Brahma Muhurat?

Meditating during Brahma Muhurta fills the body with cosmic energy that can help an individual to be more productive. Sleeping after it disturbs this accumulated cosmic energy.