Brahmamuhurta (Sanskrit:ब्रह्ममुहूर्त,lit. 'time ofBrahma') is a 48-minute period (muhurta) that begins one hour and 36 minutes before sunrise, and ends 48 minutes before sunrise. It is traditionally the penultimate phase ormuhurta of the night, and is considered an auspicious time for all practices ofyoga and most appropriate formeditation, worship or any other religious practice. Spiritual activities performed early in the morning are said to have a greater effect than in any other part of the day.[1]
Brahmamuhurta is the 14thmuhurta kala of the night. Onemuhurta is a period of 48 minutes, with a whole night consisting of 15 muhurtas. The time of sunrise varies each day, according to geographic location and time of year, and the time of thebrahmamuhurta varies with it. For example, if sunrise is at 6:00 am, thebrahmamuhurta begins at 4:24 am and ends at 5:12 am.[2][3]
Ayurveda medicine states that there are threedoshas found in the human physical body, calledVata (air and ether),Pitta (fire and water) andKapha (earth and water). The increase or decrease of these threedoshas is related to the cycles of time. From sunrise until 10:00 am is the time ofKapha; from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm is the time ofPitta; and from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm (sunset) is the time ofVata.
The evening follows a similar pattern, with the period from 2:00 am until 6:00 am (sunrise) beingVata time.Brahmamuhurta occurs during this phase, and yoga masters state that the best time to meditate is one and a half hours before dawn, because the mind is inherently still at that time, enabling one to achieve a deeper meditative state.[4][5][6] Yoga teacherTirumalai Krishnamacharya stated "Think of God. If not God, the sun, if not the sun, your parents."[7] Krishnamacharya identified himself withVaishnavism, or the worship ofVishnu, as did Annanta, under the guidance ofShiva, who is the firstyogi.[8] A modern yogi would then show reverence to the sun.
In theKali Yuga, divinity can still be reached throughyoga, but because of the agitated mind associated with theYuga, Yoga must be practiced throughKriya, based onasana.[8] It is therefore common for modern yogis whose lineage can be traced to Krishnamacharya to practice theSuryanamaskara, or sun salutation, in the morning. The Suryanamaskara can be used in ritual cleansing practice that uses the mind states associated with 'Vata' inAyurveda medicine. These mind states are mentioned inPatanjali's Yoga Sutras[9] These qualities are nearer to the divine, as they pertain to stillness of the mind, which allows for the spirit to shine. It is because of the inherently stiller state of mind in thebrahmamuhurta, that meditative states can be more easily achieved.[8]
