THE SECRET POTENTIAL OF BRAHMAMUHURTA

Literally meaning The Creator’s Hour

THE POWER AT THE HOUR BEFORE DAWN —– Brahma muhurta

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. We may take advantage of the fact that the organizational and delivery principles are particularly active, available and subject to influences at this time and we can provide healthy influences. Healthy influences would be any that would pacify Vata and facilitate the free flow of Prana.

Brahma muhurta for Students

During the time of Brahma Muhurta, the concentration level is at peak. Therefore, students are advised to study during Brahma Muhurat.

According to modern science, melatonin levels, which constitute a part of the body’s circadian rhythm, 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 some 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 the activation of anti-stress and anti-inflammatory pathways and also stimulate all of the body organs.

So let’s kick the sheets of the bed and take charge of the day by waking up in the Brahmamuhurat.

Rise early in the morning for studies instead of staying awake till late night

Friends, remember that the amount of energy spent by the mind, brain and body while studying in the morning is very less as compared to that spent while studying in the night! So, one can study more effectively if one studies early in the morning. For example if you want to remember a particular topic and you are studying at night, then the amount of time and energy spent for this is much more as compared to the energy spent in the morning! Thus, the study done in the morning is more effective and grasped better.

In earlier times, the students used to get up at Brahma-muhurt (an auspicious time at dawn between the fourth ghatika from night and the second ghatika before sunrise ideal for spiritual practice.) and recite Vedas. You must have also heard that many famous singers also practice in early mornings.

Entire day we are engrossed in doing various activities and spend a lot of mental energy. Due to this our mind, body and intellect get tired and are stressed out. This stress is not present in the morning as we are fresh after a good night’s sleep.

The enthusiasm increases as the process of excretion of things like vata, pitta etc. from the body happens in much better way in early mornings. It is said that, “Early to bed and early to rise makes the man healthy, wealthy and wise!”

So children sleep early, rise early and become successful by attaining concentration in studies.

POTENTIAL OF BRAHMA MUHURTA

About an hour and a half before the sunrise, a great shift in energy fills space. . Hope, inspiration and peace manifest at this time. This time is considered best for attaining bhram gyan , supreme knowledge and eternal happiness. At this time, the environment is pure and calm and soothing and the mind is fresh after sleep.Meditation at this time improves mental performance thus helps in increasing satva gunatherefore subduing mental irritation or hyperactivity and lethargy

Brahma Muhurta literally means the creator’s hour. Brahma refers to the creative force within us and also the God of creation. In Vedic Astrology, a day is divided into 30 muhurtas (Sanskrit word for a time period) and each muhurta is 48 minutes. From Sunrise to Sunset there are 15 Muhurtas and from Sunset to the next Sunrise, there are 15 muhurtas. The last 2 muhurtas before Sunrise are extremely powerful and special and is called “Brahma Muhurta”.  It is considered auspicious and powerful to perform studies, yoga, meditation, mantras and prayers during this time. During this time the mind is inherently still enabling us to achieve a deeper meditative state.

POTENTIAL OF BRAHMA MUHURTA

At this time, a high level of prana (vital life energy) which is necessary for the body is adequately present in the atmosphere. The pollution is at its minimum. The cheerful atmosphere has a considerable effect on the body and mind.In Sanskrit, the daily routine is called as Dinacharya. ‘Din’ means ‘day’ and ‘acharya’ means ‘to follow’ or ‘close to’. So, Dinacharya is an ideal daily schedule taking into account the nature’s cycle.

Protection Mantra

Recite the protection mantra that belongs to this simple but effective morning ritual. After reciting the mantra, sit silently with an empty mind for a few moments. Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi (In the front part of the hands, i.e. the fingertips, lives Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth) Karamadhye saraswati (In the middle part of the hands, i.e. the palm, lives Saraswati, the goddess of art and of learning) Karamoole tu govinda (In the end part of the hands, i.e. the root or wrist, lives Govindam, Lord Krishna) Prabhate kara darsanam (It is auspicious to see the hand in the morning) Relax – do pranayama until the breath flows evenly through both nostrils. Meditate while centering your energy in the heart chakra or at the third eye. Take a short, slow walk in the fresh morning air. Surround yourself with simple and soothing visuals.

” कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मि:
करमध्ये सरस्वति
करमूले तु गोविन्द:
प्रभाते करदर्शनम् “

Benefits of waking up in Brahma Muhurta

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. Scientific research has determined that in brahamuhurat, the oxygen level in the atmosphere is most (41%), which is beneficial to lungs. 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.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 properly.

In a recent study of 90,000 people they discovered links between the ‘morningness’ genetic make-up (more commonly found in women) and the genes connected to body weight. Early risers generally have a lower BMI (body mass index) and consequently are less likely to suffer from obesity. According to the same study, the earlier you get up the less likely you are to develop diabetes, or suffer from depression or insomnia.

How to program yourself to get up early

According to Dr Irshaad Ebrahim of The London Sleep Centre on Harley Street, commitment and consistency are key to overcoming your genetic predisposition. If you want to wake up at a certain time on a regular basis, you need to get up at the same time every day — even at weekends. ‘Your brain needs to be trained to synchronise correctly with its 24-hour rhythm; your 24-hour sleep/wake cycle.’

For Productivity and Clarity

Bramha Muhurtha is the time  about achievements and the sense of empowerment and productivity nature can bring. It’s the time to experience a certain mental clarity, which you can’t achieve at any other time of day. “Just as we clean the temple or holy place where we worship God, in the same way, we must remove all the worldly thoughts, all the bad things from our within and clean it with the Simran [remembrance] of God.

“brahmi muhurtam uttishthet swastho rakshartham ayusha:tatra sarvartha shantyartham smareccha madhusudanam”

Benefits of Studying in the Mornings

Many people find themselves most alert and motivated at the beginning of the day. Once they pour themselves a cup of joe and eat a healthy breakfast, they’re ready to tackle the world. Because your brain has been refreshed by a good night’s sleep, you’re more likely to feel refreshed and energized in the morning. Combined with the natural daylight working to keep you awake and alert, this energy can help you power through any assignment you need to tackle. The best part? Morning study sessions don’t interrupt your sleep schedule, ensuring you have enough gas in the tank to get through your day.

Benefits of Studying in the Afternoons

Afternoon studiers have a huge benefit: access to their peers. The afternoon hours are when friends and classmates are most likely to be free to meet up and study together. The added social element makes such sessions more fun. Having accountability buddies who rely on you to show up when you say you will is also helpful. During the afternoon hours, you’re also likely to have access to tutors who can help you complete assignments and go over complex ideas you need extra help with.

Benefits of Studying in the Hours of the Night

If your energy peaks in the evening hours, then night studying may be best for you. People generally think more creatively in the evening hours when there is peace and quiet. The lack of interruptions can’t be undervalued! With fewer distractions than daytime studying, the night is yours and yours alone.

What Science Says About Ideal Study Times

If you find it realistic to study at any time of day, you may be asking yourself: when is the best time to learn and retain new information? The answer could help determine when you should study. The answer, however, isn’t as straightforward as you might expect.

According to a study performed by the University of Sussex, humans actually process two types of memorization, Semantic and Declarative, throughout the day. Declarative memory tasks like remembering facts, names, dates and statistics are easiest in the morning hours. On the other hand, Semantic memory tasks like integrating new information into the context of what we’re studying are more easily undertaken in the afternoon.

What does this mean for your study plans? If you’re hoping to study new material, take care of it first thing in the morning. In the afternoon, use what you’ve learned to integrate it with what you already know. It’s a winning formula proven by science!

Other Considerations to Determine Your Best Study Times

While it’s important to determine how best your brain learns, it’s also crucial to understand the way diet impacts our ability to learn. Without proper nutrition, the hours you spend studying could be less impactful. To eat a brain-boosting diet, embrace healthy foods like broccoli. While it might not be your favorite, it’s packed with vitamin K and antioxidants, which help improve your memory skills.

But it doesn’t have to be all veggies all the time! Nuts, coffee, eggs, and even dark chocolate have been linked to brain health. The best food you could possibly treat your brain to? Fatty fish. Time and time again, fatty fish is recommended for its rich omega-3s. These are a major building block for the brain, improving your mood and sharpening your memory.

Building these foods into your diet is just one way to prepare for studying. Making sure you get a full eight hours of sleep each night is just as important. Scheduling your day with plenty of free time for studying is also crucial. While these tips might seem easy, employing them is sometimes more challenging than you might expect. You get out what you put in, though, and the benefits of studying are obvious.

Jyotirvidh Shyama Gurudev

Team – India Astrology foundation.