Amrit Vela

Edict (ਫੈਸਲਾ, ਫੁਰਮਾਨ) of the Gurbani enshrined within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) is that anytime is a good time (Vela – ਵਖਤ) to connect with our inner self (Jot Sroop) and to feel more complete. That said, the Gurbani reminds to start Here and Now!

Pujaaree’s Amrit Vela

The Gurbani is logic-driven (ਤਰਕ). It is NOT driven by blind faith (ਅੰਧ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ), worthless Karamkaand (rituals), Pakhand (ਛੋਛੇ-ਬਾਜ਼ੀ) or pre-1469 belief system that has been rejected by Guru Nanak in no uncertain terms.

Generally, the self-serving Pujaaree commentators define ‘Amrit Vela‘ (Vela => time, ਵਖਤ) as a specific time of the day (roughly from 3 am to 6 am or 3 hours before dawn) which they consider superior to other times for realizing God!

But after a little research, it is found that the word Amrit – which occurs hundreds of times in the Gurbani – in no case does the word Amrit occur for any specific time of the day. If you have any such Shabad in mind that suggests ‘Amrit Vela‘ to be a specific time of the day, please let me know. But I have not found any such Shabad yet. Don’t you think if a special auspicious time was important for Sikhs, our Gurus would have mentioned it at least once in SGGS?

The majority of the Gurbani-English translations available on the Internet/Apps are not only direct literal translations, they’re also NOT in-line with the Gurmat Sidhaant of Guru Nanak. The translations have a strong Brahmanical influence because they are based on Gurbani translation of the ‘Fareedkoti Teeka‘ which was created by a group of Nirmalas gathered by the Fareedkot ruler in 1880. Now you know where from these ideas of concocted ‘Amrit Vela‘ come from!

That said, the self-serving Pujaaree has created tremendous confusion about the ‘Amrit Vela’ (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲਾ) because of their not accepting the Pure, Unique and Revolutionary Sikhi or Gurmat of Guru Nanak, which does NOT subscribes to a God that is viewed by the Pujaaree as an entity sitting up there, out there, somewhere in the sky, separate from man.

Hence, when we say God of Guru Nanak is omnipresent, omnipotent and non-discriminatory, it is difficult or impossible to process or accept by the self-serving Pujaaree and for most people.

Gurmat Sidhaant: ALL TIMES are equal

From a spiritual standpoint, all times are equal. That is the Gurbani’s command (ਫੁਰਮਾਨ).

Briefly, an ‘hour’ is a 1/24^th of the total period of rotation of the earth on its axis. This rotation causes day and night depending upon which half of the earth faces the Sun. There is nothing sacrosanct about this number of 24 hours that make our day. In addition, earth orbits around the Sun once a year (once in 365 days, and about 6 hours). In turn, the year is divided into 12 months. The seasons result from this rotation as well.

Apparently, the durations of days, months, years and seasons are arbitrarily chosen by humans. However, the Gurbani says they all are equally auspicious in the eyes of the Divine Hukam (System-Rule-Law of Nature, Universal Energy…). Thus, the Gurbani asserts there is NO inauspicious day, hour, month, year, season etc.

Accordingly, Sikhi or Gurmat of Baba Nanak rejects self-imposed restrictions of Time, Day And Place to remember the Creator. The Sidhaant of the Gurbani enshrined within the SGGS is that all days of the week, all moths, all seasons – ALL TIMES – are good and auspicious for Gurmat Bhagti, Naam Simran, connecting with one’s Jot Saroop within or living by the Divine Virtues. Hence restrictions of Time, Day, Place, and who can and cannot read SGGS are anti-Gurmat of Guru Nanak.

In the following verse of Guru Nanak the word ‘Vela’ is a redefined Gurmat concept. It means anytime throughout the day, month or year. It does not specifically mean an auspicious time of the day based on ‘Pehers’ (8 ‘Pehers’ of night and day).

• ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲਾ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਉ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ : That moment, is the greatest moment when I contemplate and live my life based on the Creator’s Divine Virtues. (sggs 2).

In other words, each moment and day a person is alive, remembering the Creator-Connecting enlightening Giyan-Wisdom contained in the Guru Shabad and applying it to daily life is a blessed.

If we take certain time of the day/night to be the ‘Amrit Vela‘ as defined by the self-serving Pujaaree then we will be contradicting the Gurmat Sidhaant. The Gurbani repeated reminds us this truth as follows:

• ਹਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਕੀ ਸਗਲੀ ਬੇਲਾ ॥ : Every time is a good time to remember the Omnipresent and Omni-imbed Creator. (sggs 1150).
• ਸਾ ਵੇਲਾ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ਜਿਤੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਭੇਟਿਆ ॥ : That time when the creator is remember is accepted. (sggs 521).
• ਜੇ ਵੇਲਾ ਵਖਤੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੀਐ ਤਾ ਕਿਤੁ ਵੇਲਾ ਭਗਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ : If the good and bad of times (for Bhagti) is the discourse, then when will be the Creator be contemplated on (Bhagti)? (sggs 35).
• ਸਭੇ ਵੇਲਾ ਵਖਤ ਸਭਿ ਜੇ ਅਠੀ ਭਉ ਹੋਇ ॥ : Love for the Creator is for ALL TIMES, for all of the eight ‘Pahar‘ (24-hours). (sggs 146).
• ਵੇਲਾ ਸਚੁ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ਸਬਦੁ ਪਛਾਣਸੀ ॥੪॥ : The time that is acceptable when the God-Linking shabad is related to. (sggs 422).
• ਸਭੇ ਵਖਤ ਸਭੇ ਕਰਿ ਵੇਲਾ ॥ ਖਾਲਕੁ ਯਾਦਿ ਦਿਲੈ ਮਹਿ ਮਉਲਾ ॥ : I make ALL HOURS; ALL MY TIME. (I create time by being) in remembrance of my Creator Lord. (sggs 1084).
• ਸਾ ਵੇਲਾ ਸੋ ਮੂਰਤੁ ਸਾ ਘੜੀ ਸੋ ਮੁਹਤੁ ਸਫਲੁ ਹੈ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਜਿਤੁ ਹਰਿ ਮੇਰਾ ਚਿਤਿ ਆਵੈ ਰਾਮ ॥ : O my mind! That time, that second, that hour, that month that I contemplate on my Omnipresent and Omni-imbed Creator is Fruitful. (sggs 540).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਤੁ ਵੇਲਾ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਮੇਰਾ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਤਿਤੁ ਵੇਲੈ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਇ ਜੀਉ ਮੇਰਾ ॥੫॥ : Nanak, my spirituality dies (spiritual death-ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ) at time that I dis-remember my Creator Master. ॥5॥ (sggs 562).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਸੋਈ ਦਿਨਸੁ ਸੁਹਾਵੜਾ ਜਿਤੁ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਵੈ ਚਿਤਿ ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਦਿਨਿ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਫਿਟੁ ਭਲੇਰੀ ਰੁਤਿ ॥੧॥ : O Nanak! The day is beautiful (auspicious), the day ‘Prabh’ (Mool, Jot Saroop) dwells in the mind. Know that day and that season (i.e., time etc.) is accursed (inauspicious) the day and season ‘Paarbrahm’ (Sukh Saagar, integrated mind) is forgotten. (sggs 318).
• ਇਉ ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਸੁ ਵੇਲਾ ਜਿਤੁ ਮੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਸੋ ਸਹੁ ਚਿਤਿ ਆਇਆ ॥੮॥ : Thus, says Nanak, that time is Blessed when I Realize my Guru and the Creator comes to mind. ॥8॥ (sggs 441).

That being said, according to the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS, ‘Amrit Vela’ is NOT referred to a particular or certain time of the day or night!

According to Gurmat, there is NO spiritual significance or benefit whatsoever if one wakes up at 3am in the morning. Gurbani does NOT accept an auspicious time of the day or a special time to remember the Creator. It’s okay if you wish to wake up early, but to put it as a spiritual fact, that is wishful thinking!

• ਵੇਲਾ ਵਖਤ ਸਭਿ ਸੁਹਾਇਆ ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਸਚਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਇਆ ॥ : That time (i.e. anytime, all times) is considered special or auspicious. When the Creator becomes pleasing to my mind – when I affix my mind towards the Creator’s Hukam and divine Virtues. (sggs 115).
• ਮਤਾ ਮਸੂਰਤਿ ਅਵਰ ਸਿਆਨਪ ਜਨ ਕਉ ਕਛੂ ਨ ਆਇਓ ॥ ਜਹ ਜਹ ਅਉਸਰੁ ਆਇ ਬਨਿਓ ਹੈ ਤਹਾ ਤਹਾ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਇਓ ॥੧॥ : The Jan (Gurmukh, Daas, Bhagat…) does not confer to any opinion, advice, or other clever tricks (as to when and where to remember Naam). Whenever the occasion arises, there, he focuses or remembers Hari (Mool, Source, Naam: Giyan, Virtues…). ||1|| (sggs 498).

In fact, according to the SGGS, every moment of our daily life becomes ‘Amrit Vela’ when our mind is engaged in drinking the Giyan-Amrit through constant Shabad-Vichaar or churning the Gurbani – internalizing the enlightening Message contained in the Guru Shabad and applying it to daily life.

In a nutshell, ‘Amrit Vela’ is the moment of Spiritual Awakening in one’s life – Blissful experience of God’s Presence within; staying in the unchanging Awareness as the unchanging Awareness in which everything happens and does not require any specific posture, time or place. It is abiding as THAT which the Guru Shabad calls Jot saroop, and unbrokenly (ਅੱਠੇ ਪਹਿਰ) staying as that in which everything happens beyond the concept of abiding!

Therefore, the Gurbani teaches us that it’s the MIND that must take dip in the pool of Giyan Amrit, NOT the gross body-frame!

‘Vela’ (time) only will become ‘Amrit Vela’ if mind creates it as ‘Amrit Vela’!

‘Amrit Vela’ is a state of the mind (ਗਲ ਮੰਨ ਦੀ ਹੈ)! Since the Gurbani addresses the human mind, it connects the mind to the Shabad-consciousness or Naam-consciousness, NOT body-consciousness or Mayaic-consciousness. 

• ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਜੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਅਖਾਏ ਸੁ ਭਲਕੇ ਉਠਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥ ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰੇ ਭਲਕੇ ਪਰਭਾਤੀ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ਕਰੇ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਰਿ ਨਾਵੈ ॥ : One who calls himself a Sikh of the Satigur (Spiritual Wisdom of the Gur-Shabad: SGGS), Awakens or starts early in life contemplating on the Divine Naam (Divine Wisdom or Giyan, Virtue). He puts forth self-efforts early on in life and he (thus) bathe in the pool of Amrit (‘ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਰਿ’ = in the pool of Giyan Amrit…). (sggs 305).

In essence:

• Amrit (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ) is the Giyan of Gurbani that keeps a Sikh spiritually alive. 
• Amrit Vela (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲਾ) is the time spent on understanding, internalizing, accepting, and applying Gurbani’s Giyan to oneself (i.e. BECOMING THE GURBANI).

With the understanding of the Amrit (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ) and Amrit Vela’ (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲਾ) as defined above, now let’s try to reflect on the following verse in which Guru Sahib have given an example of ‘Babiha‘ (Indian Paradise Flycatcher) to explain to us important points of the strategy of becoming a ‘Sachiaar‘. Before moving forward, let’s talk about ‘Babiha‘ that comes in the following verse – it points to the mind of a person or a Sikh who has a burning desire to become ‘Sachiaar‘:

• ਬਾਬੀਹਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲੈ ਬੋਲਿਆ ਤਾਂ ਦਰਿ ਸੁਣੀ ਪੁਕਾਰ ॥ : The Babiha within me spoke at ‘ Amrit Velay’ (the time spent on understanding, internalizing, accepting, and applying Gurbani’s Giyan to oneself – BECOMING THE GURBANI – and a keen desire to become a ‘Sachiaar‘ Sikh to realize Creator within through sincere self-efforts. After that my inner ‘Pukar‘ (appeal, cry, call, prayer etc) was heard (i.e. I became Sachiaar). (sggs 1285).

Hence, ‘Amrit Vela’ (pronounced as Amrit Velaa) is created when the mind drinks the Giyan-Amrit — Giyan-Wisdom contained within the Guru Shabad). In short, if the mind did not drink the Amrit of Gur-Giyan, then that ‘Vela’ or time (whatever it is) did not become ‘Amrit Vela’ or does not become ‘Amrit Vela’!

Having said that, behind every small and big thing that is seen in this universe, stands the infallible Cosmic/Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ — Divine Hukam.

• ਜੇਤਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਤੇਤਾ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਵਿਣੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋ ਥਾਉ ॥ : (My mind now Realizes that) all that is created is within the confines of the Hukam (ਨਾਉ-Niyam) of the Creator. (My mind also Realizes that) the Creator’s Hukam (System-Rule-Law-Order-Jurisdiction) is Omnipresent. (sggs 9).
• ਜਹ ਚਿਤਿ ਆਵਹਿ ਸੋ ਥਾਨੁ ਸੁਹਾਵਾ ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਵੇਲਾ ਵਿਸਰਹਿ ਤਾ ਲਾਗੈ ਹਾਵਾ ॥੧॥ : (O God!) the blessed or beautiful place is that mind in which you are remembered. The moment I forget You, I sigh in grief. ||1|| (sggs 563).
• ਮਾਹਾ ਰੁਤੀ ਸਭ ਤੂੰ ਘੜੀ ਮੂਰਤ ਵੀਚਾਰਾ ॥ ਤੂੰ ਗਣਤੈ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਪਾਇਓ ਸਚੇ ਅਲਖ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥ : (O Paarbrahm!) You can be Reflected upon through all the months, all the seasons, all the hours, and all the moments (i.e., there is no specific time, place, or season for Reflection or Vichaar). O Unfathomable and Infinite God, no one has ever realized You by calculations. (sggs 140).

Simply put, ‘Vela or time’ will ONLY become ‘Amrit Vela’ if the mind creates it as ‘Amrit Vela’. Otherwise, it will just be any other ‘Vela-time’! In a nutshell, if the mind unchangingly drinks the Amrit of Wisdom and thus remains in unchanging Awareness of the Shabad (Shabad-Surat), then that ‘Vela-time’ is real ‘Amrit Vela’.

• ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਹੈ ਜਿਤੁ ਪੀਤੈ ਤਿਖ ਜਾਇ ॥ : The Gur-Shabad (Gur-Giyan, Upadesh, Wisdom, ਸਿਖਿਆ) is the Amrit; by understanding, internalizing and applying the enlightening Message contained within it) longing for Maya is quenched (we avoid spiritual death, and realize God within). (sggs 35).

All that Karamkaand or ritualized dogmas we see out there in the name of ‘Amrit Vela‘ is actually impositions on an innocent humanity by the greedy and self-serving Pujaaree clique (clergy) having vested interests – freeloading babas or sadhs (ਵੇਹਲੜ), ignorant Bhais / Ragis / Granthis / Pathis / Dhadis / Parcharaks, so called Jathedars etc schooled and trained in Taksali, Deraa, Sampardayi, Sanatanism, Nirmala or Benaras traditions who present Gurmat of Guru Nanak as an appendage of the more older Sanatan philosophy.

Ending

In a nutshell:

• It is not the time that matters. But, its what we do in that particular time that matters.
• Time on its own is Neutral – ALL TIME is the same. Therefore arguing over which time is better (auspicious) and which time is bad (inauspicious) for Spiritual development is wasteful.
• There is no special time reserved for contemplation (Simran, Bhagati etc).
• In the Pure Gurmat of Guu Nanak, Amrit Vela does not refer to a PARTICULAR time or specific hours. Time becomes Amrit when we live by the Divine Virtues.
• Time during which we remember the Creator is Fruitful.

That said, the SGGS wants its lifelong learners (i.e. Sikhs) to make the entire life ‘Amrit Vela‘. By realizing the enlightening spiritual Message contained in the Guru’s Shabad, the Gurbani urges us to live entire life in conformance with the Guru’s Giyan, Wisdom, Virtues, Hukam (Cosmic System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ). These save one from spiritual death.

However, people who are separated from the core enlightening Message contained within the Shabad Guru are only interested in external pomp and show (Pakhand).

• ਊਠਤ ਬੈਠਤ ਸੋਵਤ ਧਿਆਈਐ ॥ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਚਲਤ ਹਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਗਾਈਐ ॥੧॥ : Walking on the path of entire life, we should always remember (the Creator-Hukam). While traversing the path of life, we should always remember to live a life of divine Virtues.(sggs 386).
• ਜੇ ਸਉ ਵਰ੍ਹਿਆ ਜੀਵਣ ਖਾਣੁ ॥ ਖਸਮ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਸੋ ਦਿਨੁ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥੨॥ : If (one) were to live and eat for hundred years, that day (of one’s life) alone would be authentic (acceptable, approved, auspicious…), when (one) Realizes the One Creator Within. ||2|| (sggs 349).
• ਪਰਵਾਹ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਿਸੈ ਕੇਰੀ ਬਾਝੁ ਸਚੇ ਨਾਹ ॥ : (Those who have become virtuous within) they do not care for anyone or look to any one except their Creator. (sggs 473).

Some related posts:

• Pujaaree’s Sikhi vs. Guru Nanak’s Unique Sikhi
• Seven Days of a Sikh
• Spiritual Development
• Gurmat Spirituality is Practical and Universal
• Core of Gurmat Spirituality – ਕਿਵ ਸਚਿਆਰਾ ਹੋਈਐ
• The Most Beautiful Place – So Thaan Suhaavaa
• Nanak, there is Only One Amrit – ਨਾਨਕ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਏਕੁ ਹੈ
• Gurbani Says Well Filled with Amrit is Within Your Body
• Gurbani Defines Naam
• Realize Enlightening Message Embedded within Shabad
• Live in the Present Moment – Here and Now
• Battle of Life is Waged Moment to Moment
• Unique Gurmat Bhagti
• Gurmat Meditation – Simran, Naam Japnaa…
• Gurbani Defines Jap, Tap, Jat, Sat, Sanjam…
• Sikhi: a New ‘Way’ of Life
• It’s the Mind that Needs to Become a Sikh
• Religious Rituals – Karamkaand
• Slumbering Mind – Spiritual Sleep Paralysis
• Crowds follow the path of Falsehood, Pakhand…
• Sheepish Attitude – People See, People do
• Man Invented Separate God, Fear, Blind Faith, Fantasy.
• Gurbani Defines Jap, Tap, Jat, Sat, Sanjam…
• Panj Khand – Guru Nanak’s Universal and Practical Guide for Spiritual Progression