Amrit vela is considered a very special, auspicious time of the day. Amrit means sacred and vela is time, pehar. According to Sikhism, there are eight pehars (sometimes translated as "watch") in a day. Amrit vela is considered between 3:00 am to 6:00 am. Also known as fourth pehar of the night. A few hours before the dawn
This pehar is not only considered important in our religion only but also in Hinduism as Brahm Mahurat, in Islam they call as Fazhr ki Namaz. Scientifically, it's the time when the EMF (electromagnetic frequencies from electronic devices) are at their lowest level and the angle of the sun to the earth is most conducive to subtle sensitivity.
According to Gurbani, a Sikh should get up and, after taking bath, meditate and recite Gurbani.
ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲਾ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਉ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
amrit vaylaa sach naa-o vadi-aa-ee veechaar.
ਕਰਮੀ ਆਵੈ ਕਪੜਾ ਨਦਰੀ ਮੋਖੁ ਦੁਆਰੁ ॥
karmee aavai kaprhaa nadree mokh du-aar.
'Meditate deeply in the ambrosial hours
On the Naam, deep and vast.
Your karmas will all be covered
And the door of freedom will open.' (Japji Sahib)
As one sits in meditation and withdraws himself from outer world, one can taste the raas (nectar,) the graciousness, of one’s relationship with the divine. It is a very special, peaceful, sensitive and personal time to use to connect with the One in all. This empowers us with great energy and vast thoughts which help us to lead our life in the right direction. This is hard to do once the world begins its busy, noisy day.
It is like making a bank deposit in the morning upon which you can draw all throughout the rest of the day. Without amrit vela meditation, there is no deposit, and we all know what happens when one draws from one’s account without having first deposited.
My grandmother used to tell us a small story so that we would get up early in the early morning and do path. She told us that kaljug is a very devil person, who always tries to distract or drag us away from the right path. One day a person meets kaljug and asks him, “you have so many great powers and are such a rich person, then why does the shawl you are wearing have so many holes in it?” He replied in return that when there is Amrit vela I always go around and try to make everyone go into deep sleep so that they are not able to wake up at the time of amritvela. These holes are made by those Sikhs who wake up at the time of amritvela despite my best efforts.” She also used to tell us that the early morning hours are the time when the gods divine guardians are encircling the earth waiting to bestow blessings… but only upon those who are awake! These blessings are the supreme ones, which will help you in all your tough times.
The benefits of Amrit Vela are countless, it's is the best time to get energized and fill up with high energy fuel (prana) for your body and soul. There is so much silence around us, without all the unwanted, noisy sounds of the day. With no disturbance around us, we can more easily peep inside and connect to our soul, focus on our inner strengths, weakness and clear thoughts. We can find the true meaning of our life and our mission and purpose for being on this earth. We can experience that light which takes our soul out of darkness. All these things calm us and fill us with love, sweetness and pure vibrations. No space is left for negative thoughts or energy. We strengthen our inner soul and are able to overcome many obstacles that arise in our lives. Inner and outer conflicts then become spontaneously resolved.
Amrit vela is the base of strong spirituality. It takes you one step closer to the supreme power.
It's written in Guru Granth Sahib ji:
ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਜੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਅਖਾਏ ਸੁ ਭਲਕੇ ਉਠਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥
gur satgur kaa jo sikh akhaa-ay so bhalkay uth har naam Dhi-aavai.
ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰੇ ਭਲਕੇ ਪਰਭਾਤੀ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ਕਰੇ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਰਿ ਨਾਵੈ ॥
udam karay bhalkay parbhaatee isnaan karay amrit sar naavai.
ਉਪਦੇਸਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪੁ ਜਾਪੈ ਸਭਿ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਪਾਪ ਦੋਖ ਲਹਿ ਜਾਵੈ ॥
updays guroo har har jap jaapai sabh kilvikh paap dokh leh jaavai.
ਫਿਰਿ ਚੜੈ ਦਿਵਸੁ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਗਾਵੈ ਬਹਦਿਆ ਉਠਦਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ
fir charhai divas gurbaanee gaavai bahdi-aa uth-di-aa har naam Dhi-aavai.
ਜੋ ਸਾਸਿ ਗਿਰਾਸਿ ਧਿਆਏ ਮੇਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਸੋ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵੈ ॥
jo saas giraas Dhi-aa-ay mayraa har har so gursikh guroo man bhaavai.
'One who calls himself a Sikh of the True Guru shall rise in the amrit vela and meditate on the Lord's Name.
Upon arising he is to bathe, and cleanse himself in the pool of nectar.
Following the Instructions of the Guru, he is to chant the Name of the Lord, Har, Har.
All sins, misdeeds and negativity shall be erased.
Then, at the rising of the sun, he is to sing Gurbani; whether sitting down or standing up, he is to meditate on the Lord's Name.
One who meditates on my Lord, Har, Har, with every breath and every morsel of food — that GurSikh becomes pleasing to the Guru’s Mind.'(Guru Ram Das ANG 305)
This is the time to do naam abhiass. It can be any Shabad, path or even mool Mantar only. But do it with great pondering, conviction and full devotion to him. Listen deeply (suniaee.) Do ardas for all mankind “please destroy our all hankering, greed, pinning and burning and take us to state of worship, where we can find peace, solitude, calmness and harmony.
These all things will not happen to you all in one day or even at any specific time. It takes full devotion faith and discipline. But as time passes, you will get addicted to it and will be more determined to have this blissful experience every day. It gradually turns from sadhana to aradhana — from daily effort to daily habit. To wake up early it's better to go to sleep early as your body needs six to seven hours of sleep. It's a lifestyle change. Your body and health will change as well. All during the day you will be pumped with a great amount of energy. Doing your regular day to day activities with more concentration, positivity and enthusiasm. Fatigue, depression, negativity and anger will be out of your dictionary.
There will be no aspect in your life which will be untouched, whether body, work, relationship, health and your soul.
“If you snooze, you lose.” Amrit Vela is the time to wake up, get out of bed and meditate. Enjoy this sweet taste of Amrit vela and awaken your body, mind and soul. This daily habit will lead to redemption.