Muhurtam is a unit of time in tradition. A dina is divided into a number of units of forty-eight minutes, and each of these units is called muhurtam. Modern calendar days are from midnight to midnight. On the other hand, in terms of tradition, ‘dina’ is from sunrise till next sunrise. Thus, we have mornings, noon time, afternoons, evenings, early nights, and late nights. The day set-in, noon, and evening set-in times are called ‘tri-sandhya’, and ‘sandhya vandanam’ is performed during these three times. Bramhi muhurtam is the samayam comprising two ‘muhurta kalas’. In other words, it is ninety-six minutes during the last part of the night. It is one and a half hours before five in the morning.
Bramhi muhurtam is considered to be the most auspicious time for any sadhana. From a material evidence perspective, it is the deepest night for those willing to sleep more. The disturbances of the material world are the least. Only after dawn, the early awakening, do the birds make sounds. Till then, it is the nishabdha of the highest order. This reason is sufficient for people to pursue any activity, whether it is reading, writing, yoga, mantra japam or meditating. Anything one attempts, one can probably do with the highest attention during this hour and a half of time. From the perspective of tradition, Bramhi muhurta is the time when the sages and the divine prepare themselves and move to worship the pre-rising Surya. The Sun crosses the horizon during this time, and, hence, people are to be reverentially prepared to do their offerings as well.
Bramhi is also the name of Saraswati. The adhyayana, sadhana, and vidwat samuparjana—all these are under the auspices of Mother Saraswati. ‘Saras’ means ‘flow’. Any activity attempted during this sacred Bramhi muhurta shall flow easily. Doing Sadhana and Purushartha Prapti can be attempted during this sacred time but with a caveat. During the sandhya, the transiting time of dawn to early morning, the activity of reading/writing, if being performed, has to be stopped for a while. This is the best practice suggested by elders. Perhaps these moments are to be utilised for Sandhya Vandanam. Often, it is said that if one’s sadhana matured, then waking up happens at Bramhi muhurta.
About the author
Dr. S. Ainavolu is a Mumbai-based teacher of Management and Tradition. Intent is NextGen’s learning and cultural education.
