Understanding Brahma Muhurta – Advantages and disadvantages of using this time period

Night is divided into 15 muhurtas, each one lasting 48 minutes. That totals 12 hours which is from sunset to sunrise, ideally. But long days and shorter nights and vice vera come into the calculations. 

Brahma Muhurta is the 14th muhurta. It begins 96 minutes before sunrise. It lasts for 48 minutes. Because the time of sunrise changes each day, so does the Brahma Muhurta. Hence to cater for the shorter nights, it is better to calculate the exact time from sunrise backwards. 

People waking up at Brahma Muhurta utilize this time to do any activity which requires focus and concentration. There are many advantages to utilizing this time and some problems too. 

Advantage of waking up at Brahma Muhurta

Almost everyone is fast asleep during this period. So you will get a complete noise free environment. Peace and quiet.

You will have a fresh mind, almost like a blank slate or empty canvas. Your body is also relaxed and blank. That will ensure whatever you want to fit in, will fit perfectly. Students will find this time best to study and retain something for prosperity.

Plan your day ahead – Are you that person who forgets things as the day goes along? Here is a tip. Use the Brahma Muhurta period to chart out what all you are going to do throughout the day. As mentioned earlier, since your mind is a blank canvas, whatever you fit remains there the whole day. 

Physical activity done during this period will benefit the body immensely. You will have a lot of energy this time. So exercises will be easy.

Brahma Muhurta is the best time for yoga especially for elderly people. Basic breathing and stretching exercises wakes up the body. Breathing improves blood circulation. 

Ever heard of Mauni Amavasya. During this day, the sadhus practice a period of no talking for 24 hours. They believe that performing this kind of activity opens the locks to your inner mind. Imagine what one muhurta of no talking will do to you every morning.

Cortisol release and peak – If melatonin is the hormone which helps you relax and sleep, it has an opposite counter-part which is cortisol. Modern western medicine is doing a lot of research on cortisol and it’s role in modern lifestyle ailments. Secretion of cortisol is the lowest between 2 am and 4 am and peaks between 7 am to 8 am. Secretion is hence like a curve which helps wake up the body. As cortisol buildup begins the body also wakes up and the brain starts getting ready for the day. That is why any thinking activity done at the Brahma Muhutra period will be the sharpest and best. 

Disadvantages of waking up at Brahma Muhutra

Who wants to wake up early? Yes there are people who do it every day. But there are also so many who want to sleep till late morning. Sleep is blissful and enjoyable. Relaxation is anytime better for the body and the mind. Sleep is addictive too.

So for many people, a lifetime of sleeping till late will be an effort to get up early. In a family where the culture is sleeping late and waking up late, how do you convince everyone to change. 

Last wave of deep sleep – Westerners believe in the concept of waves of deep sleep. Body gets immensely benefitted due to deep sleep. Though the exact time of the last wave cannot be ascertained, people generally agree to the fact that 3 am to 5 am is when you can really sleep peacefully especially after a disturbed night. 

Possibility of whiling away of time – Waking up so early in the morning means you have to finish your day by 7 pm and get ready to sleep by 9 pm. City life is busy and hectic. If you are not fully rested the previous day, when you wake up with a tired body, it is possible that you will take this 90 minute period for relax. So instead of being active you might end up resting with a slower pace of work. 

People following a hectic lifestyle will not like to wake up early. 

The most ancient concept and time tested

There is no written record as to when the concept of waking up at Brahma Muhurta was conceived and started. However the concept is deeply rooted in Hindusim and followed everywhere. That could be one good reason to start this today.