Host:
Respected viewers, on this beautiful evening, I offer my pranams to Ma Bhavatarini at Shanti Kunj and begin this episode. I welcome new viewers to the "Gupta Sadhak Shyamakpa" YouTube channel and thank our old friends for their continued support. Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru:
Pranam, pranam. Please, go ahead.
Host:
Gurudev, we know that in spiritual practice (sadhana), there is a specific, special moment. We often don't know exactly when it begins. Today, I would like to hear from you: when does that moment actually start?
Guru:
Well, Brahmamuhurta is considered the most auspicious time. Among all the divisions of time, Brahmamuhurta is the best because, during this period, the earth remains cool, it is free from noise and chaos, and the air is very fresh. That is why our sages and saints chose Brahmamuhurta.
Guru:
Now, as for the exact time, it's a subject of discussion. Some say one Danda (a traditional unit of time) is 24 minutes, and 15 Dandas make a day. This varies with summer, monsoon, and winter. Some say 15 Dandas make a day, but we calculate a day from one sunrise to the next sunriseāa full 24-hour cycle. We don't follow the British system of AM and PM starting at midnight. For us, a day begins when the sun rises today and ends when it rises tomorrow.
Guru:
Regardless, the scriptures mention that Brahmamuhurta can be considered up to 90 minutes before sunrise. Sometimes it's cited as 45 minutes, and sometimes as 24 minutes. There are various opinions. Since one Danda is 24 minutes, many call the period one Danda before sunrise "Brahmamuhurta."
Host:
Gurudev, as you mentioned, 24 minutes isn't quite enough time to truly call upon God; a longer period is needed. So, I feel the 90-minute window is more practical.
Guru:
You are right. But determining the exact moment of Brahmamuhurta is difficult. Some say 24 minutes, some 45, and some 90. What is my opinion? Well, during Durga Puja, the Ashtami (eighth day) might end at 7:00 or 8:00 AM. In such cases, we often sit for prayers one or two Dandas before sunrise. Durga Puja rituals cannot be performed until the sun rises; it is not a nighttime ritual. There is only one specific nocturnal ritual for Goddess Durga called "Ardharatri Vihita Puja," where she is awakened at midnight for worship and then put back to sleep.
Guru:
But for general rituals, we consider the 90-minute window because otherwise, we wouldn't be able to finish the puja on time. So, we sit 90 minutes before sunrise. If the sun rises at 5:00 AM, we sit much earlier. While we should wait for the sun, time constraintsālike if Ashtami ends shortly after sunriseāforce us to start earlier to complete the Sandhi Puja.
Guru:
An Ashtami Puja takes about four hours. That's why we sit 90 minutes before sunrise to ensure everything is finished within the auspicious time. To be honest, no one can pinpoint the "original" Danda perfectly; it's based on what we've heard and studied. It varies with the seasons. But for spiritual practice, 24 to 90 minutes before sunrise is generally accepted as Brahmamuhurta.
Host:
So, you are considering up to 90 minutes before sunrise as the window.
Guru:
Exactly. Within those 90 minutes, you will definitely hit the true Brahmamuhurta. As I said, it doesn't last very longāit's a fleeting moment. If you can catch it, your work is done. During this time, the world is quiet, pollution is low, and the oxygen level is high. This makes sadhana feel easier and more natural. If you sit 90 minutes before sunrise, you are guaranteed to be in meditation during that peak moment.
Host:
Gurudev, we hear that many successful people, including scientists and industrialists, follow the Brahmamuhurta schedule.
Guru:
Yes, that is true. Many great things are achieved by working during this time. Even the late APJ Abdul Kalam used to work during Brahmamuhurta. Many successful people utilize this period. As I mentioned, the confusion lies in the durationāwhether it's 24, 45, or 90 minutes. But if you want to perform Japa (chanting) or deep meditation, you need that 90-minute window. Any auspicious work is best started then.
Host:
So, we don't need to worry about the exact Danda; 90 minutes is sufficient.
Guru:
Yes, because you need time for your spiritual actions. You can't just close your eyes and immediately get up. By sitting 90 minutes early, you ensure you are present for the entirety of the auspicious window.
Host:
Respected viewers, you've heard it today. Many were curious about the exact timing of Brahmamuhurta. Brahma's time is the time planned by the Creator himself. Gurudev has clarified that while there are various opinions, the 90-minute window before sunrise is the most practical and beneficial for all spiritual and auspicious work.
Guru:
Exactly. If you sit 90 minutes before sunriseāabout an hour and a halfāyou will definitely experience the Brahmamuhurta, and your spiritual goals will be achieved.
Host:
Thank you so much, Gurudev, for this clarification. I offer my pranams. I hope our viewers and devotees will find this helpful in their daily practices. Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru:
Pranam. Success to you all.