'Brahmimuhurtham' - 3.00 A.M ~ 5.30 A.M
Question
QUESTION: hi dhananjay,
hope you are doing fine, i have a doubt regarding first year of brahmacharya, i read some where that during the first year of brahmacharya the person should compulsorily wake up at 4am if not he will not attain self-realisation, i cant understand why the person said so and plz you can shed some light on this, can you please guide us...
Ganapathi.
ANSWER: One should always wake up so as to perform Yogic practices (Asana, Bandha, Pranayama & Meditation) at 'Brahmimuhurtham' (between 3.00 A.M -5.30 A.M). During this period, the Pineal gland within the brain produces the hormone 'Melatonin'. The Pituitary gland produces a hormone called as 'A.C.T.H' (Adreno-cortico-tropic hormone). Both these hormones are in plenty during this period.
If one were to indulge in Yogic practices and meditation in this period:
1. 'Melatonin' is taken into the blood and absorbed by the gonads (male testes/female ovaries), thereby inhibiting the development of lust, passion and sexual agitation. This makes it possible for the person to maintain a tranquil and serene state of mind throughout the day, thereby supporting easy movement into higher planes of consciousness during meditation.
2. 'A.C.T.H' is taken into the blood and in turn stimulates the adrenal glands to produce sufficient amounts of 'Adrenalin'. The right amount of Adrenalin helps man maintain energy and vigor through the day for activities such as work or meditation.
If one were to sleep during this time and wake up after 5.30 A.M, these secretions are wasted (as the body is inert in sleep) and absorption of these hormones does not occur. These hormones then descend into the sexual area (since they were not absorbed) and stimulate anger, irritation and sexual tendencies. Finally, the hormones are burnt up and the remaining thrown out through expenditure of the sexual fluid in man through voluntary or involuntary means and during menstruation in women. This is one of the reasons why people who wake up late find it impossible to retain their sexual fluid for long. Such people who miss the absorption of these two hormones by waking up late become prone to loss of the vital fluid, start ageing fast and loose their health and vitality as they near midlife. They find themselves unable to work with energy through the day. Fatigue, weakness and loss of vigor soon follow.
For this reason, ancient Yogis, Rishis and saints always woke up early to catch the 'Brahmimuhurtham' without fail. This gave them a healthy, long life and ample scope to attain great heights spiritually through the attainment of 'Samadhi' (super-consciousness). They were able to proceed towards self-realization speedily. The same principle is followed by Buddhists (It is mandatory for Buddhist monks to rise at 2.45 A.M in Buddhist-Zen monasteries in Tibet and sit for meditation by 3.00 A.M).
Those who wake up during this period and meditate, quickly develop natural Brahmacharya, reduce ageing to the minimum and become blessed with much energy of the mind and body. One stays cheerful, full of energy and free from fatigue through the course of the day. The tendency for lustful thoughts reduces greatly as the mind stays 'sathwic' and pure. The vibrations in the atmosphere at this period of time are most suitable to awaken 'Kundalini' and direct 'Prana' (vital energy) into the 'Sushumna Naadi' within the spine to help attain 'Samadhi' (super-consciousness) to help reach Kaivalya (self-realization). Since the world is asleep in this period, the mental vibrations of desire, anger, greed, attachment, arrogance, jealousy etc.. which otherwise inundate the space around us are subdued or almost absent. The cosmos is filled with divine, pure and virtuous vibrations at this time. It becomes easy to meditate and merge into the Supreme Brahman. This is why it is called as 'Brahmimuhurtham' (Brahmi - 'Brahman' or Almighty, Muhurtham - time -- "The time when the vibrations of the Almighty Brahman are at their maximum).
Anyone who follows this routine even for a month will realize its immense benefits through experience. Then, one will feel unhappy and at a loss if one were to wake up late. One should go to bed by 9.00~9.30 P.M at night to help wake up early. Waking up at this time is not only to be applied during the first year of Brahmacharya but throughout life and forever without fail. The benefits that follow are priceless and cannot be quantified.
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)
[an error occurred while processing this directive]---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: hi dhananjay,
a very hearty thanks for clearing my doubt and i have one more query i.e. if the people are working in night shift and they get some time to practice at office premises then are the effects as same to that we do at home or the vibrations in our home vary from office even though we are following the same routine, at last what is you suggestion for the people working in night shifts who have a deep longing to practice brahmacharya.
have a nice day,
Ganapathi
Answer
1. It is preferable to indulge in Yogic practice at home, everyday, in the same place set aside. However, one can practice at any place such the workplace as long as there is privacy, for it is better to indulge in practice than miss practice. These practices are not to be done in front of people but only in seclusion. The journey to self-realization is a private and very secret relationship between man and God. It should not be shared, described, performed or broadcast to the public/other people. The experiences one undergoes are not to be spoken of with people who cannot understand or are not connected with the practice, for this invariably leads to obstacles and impediments.
2. For people working night shifts, it is suggested that they indulge in Yogic practices twice a day like all others but at ANY TWO of the four 'Sandhi Kaala-s' (Before Sunrise, At 12.00 P.M mid-day, at Sunset and at mid-night 12.00 A.M) convenient to them. If they are working at night, they can opt for mid-day and Sunset practice etc... as per their convenience. If the practice of Brahmacharya and Yoga is sincere and genuine with devotion and love for God, God will undoubtedly relieve them of the stress of a night shift in course of time by arranging for a day job or reducing commitment/responsibility. This is the truth and beyond doubt. One need not have the least doubt about this. God always makes things easy for the genuine devotee in course of time so as to help him proceed towards self-realization. But the devotion and sincerity should be very real.
The initial period of Yoga and unbroken Brahmacharya (especially the first 2 years) involve many challenges. One's patience, devotion and sincerity are severely tested by God. Sometimes it may appear as though it is impossible to continue. Diseases/illnesses may crop up when past karma surfaces (when the conserved semen pushes out bad karma during evacuation). The task appears very uphill and strenuous. This is when most people give up. This is the initial screening set up by God to filter undeserving/non-serious aspirants. Those who are not genuine quit the practice at this stage. They decide Brahmacharya is not for them.
Only the chosen few who are intent on eating the fruit of Brahmacharya for self-realization continue despite all problems. They alone pass the tough screening process set up by the divine power, for God lets only the very deserving to continue. On the one hand HE sets up tests and on the other hand HE HIMSELF helps the sincere devotee pass these tests. Isn't the 'Leela' (divine play) of God complex and magnificent? Who can understand his ways and mysterious actions? We can only cry and marvel at his immense power and control.
One's attitude should be - "Let what happens happen. I shall not give up the practice of Brahmacharya even if it involves much sacrifice. I shall not get cowed down by the obstacles which come in the way even in the worst scenario. I shall make any sacrifice for attaining to self-realization. Even if I loose all the worldly things, give up on Brahmacharya and faith in God I shall not. Even if many obstacles and problems arise in this quest, this body and mind, I offer as a token of my love for HIM."
When Brahmacharya and desire for God-realization are fueled by such genuine, honest and innocent feelings, God comes at the last moment, even in the tests and trials and sets things right. One should trust God and love him with the innocence of a child. There will never be even one single voluntary break if such feelings exist. But even to think like this, HIS grace/blessings are mandatory. The Brahmachari may not see him with these naked eyes, but one can undoubtedly FEEL HIS presence at such times, saving the aspirant from danger and peril, showing him the right way out and standing by him like a father stands by the son. HIS intention was never to cause us trouble. It was only to test our authenticity and help us clear our past karma. HE gave us a test and as soon as we proved our sincerity, HE HIMSELF solved the test for us. What can we say about this Supreme being...This wonder of wonders called the 'Parabrahman'? We can only shed tears of devotion, not finding words to express the thousand feelings for HIM which arise from within.
Finally, I end with these few quotes glorifying HIS greatness, describing this indescribable Lord of Lords:
" The Lord supports this universe, which consists of a combination of the perishable and the imperishable, the manifest and the unmanifest. As long as the Jiva (self) does not know the Lord, it gets attached to worldly pleasures, and is bound; but when it knows HIM, all fetters fall away and it is released forever without doubt" -- Chap I/8 - Svetashvathara Upanishad.
" There is naught higher than or different from HIM; naught greater or more minute than HIM. Rooted in HIS own glory HE stands like a tree, one without a second and immovable. By that Being is the whole universe filled." -- Chap III/9 - Svetashvathara Upanishad.
" Without hands and feet HE goes fast and grasps; without eyes HE sees; without ears HE hears. HE knows whatever is to be known, yet there are none who know HIM. They say HE is the foremost, that great Infinite Being." -- Chap III/19 - Svetashvathara Upanishad.
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)