Amrit Vela – ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲਾ

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!

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.

• 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).
• ਥਿਤੀ ਵਾਰ ਸੇਵਹਿ ਮੁਗਧ ਗਵਾਰ ॥ : Only idiots and fools observe the lunar days and the week days (i.e., good and bad, omens). (sggs 843).
• ਮਾਹ ਦਿਵਸ ਮੂਰਤ ਭਲੇ ਜਿਸ ਕਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ॥ : The months days and moments are auspicious when (we) become good (i.e., abide in Naam, Wisdom, Virtues, Truth, Hukam etc.). (sggs 136).
• ਥਿਤੀ ਵਾਰ ਤਾ ਜਾ ਸਚਿ ਰਾਤੇ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਸਭਿ ਭਰਮਹਿ ਕਾਚੇ ॥੭॥ : The lunar days or the week days become beneficial only when (the mind) becomes imbued in Truth. Those who do not live by the Naam (Wisdom, Virtues, Hukam, Truth etc.), all of them keep on wandering (doubt-ridden…) due to ignorance or falsehood. ||7|| (sggs 842).
• ਸਫਲ ਮੂਰਤੁ ਸਫਲਾ ਘੜੀ ਜਿਤੁ ਸਚੇ ਨਾਲਿ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥ ਦੂਖੁ ਸੰਤਾਪੁ ਨ ਲਗਈ ਜਿਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਧਾਰੁ ॥ ਬਾਹ ਪਕੜਿ ਗੁਰਿ ਕਾਢਿਆ ਸੋਈ ਉਤਰਿਆ ਪਾਰਿ ॥੩॥ : Auspicious is that time, and fruitful is that moment, which is passed in Love of the Creator. Suffering and sorrow do not touch that person who have the Support of God’s Naam (Wisdom / Virtues). Only that person is truly saved whom the Guru (i.e. Wisdom) pulls out of the worldly ocean (of life, Maya, vices or Bikaar). (sggs 44).

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). In his Japu Bani (4th Pauri) Guru Nanak, Guru Nanak used the words “ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲਾ-Amrit Vela”, which clarifies the Gurmat principle of not considering any time as good/auspicious or bad/inauspicious.

• 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).
• ਦਿਨੁ ਰੈਣਿ ਸਭ ਸੁਹਾਵਣੇ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਜਿਤੁ ਜਪੀਐ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਉ ॥੫॥ : O dear! All my days and nights are blessed when I understand the Naam. ||5|| (432).
• ਧੰਨੁ ਸੁ ਵੇਲਾ ਘੜੀ ਧੰਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਮੂਰਤੁ ਪਲੁ ਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਧੰਨੁ ਸੁ ਦਿਨਸੁ ਸੰਜੋਗੜਾ ਜਿਤੁ ਡਿਠਾ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਸਾਰੁ ॥ : Blessed is that time, the hour, the moment, and sublime is that instant, and blessed is that day and occasion, when one realizes the Gur-Giyan-Wisdom. (sggs 958).
• ਘੜੀ ਮੂਰਤ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਪਲ ਵੰਞਹਿ ਜੀਵਣੁ ਸਫਲੁ ਤਿਥਾਈ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥ : If you remember and contemplate on Naam, even for an instant, then your life will become fruitful and prosperous. ||1|| (sggs 107).
• ਓਹ ਬੇਲਾ ਕਉ ਹਉ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਉ ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਜਪੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : I am a sacrifice to that time, when my mind remembers God with love and devotion. ॥1॥Rahaou॥ (sggs 191).
• ਧਨੁ ਸੁ ਵੇਲਾ ਜਿਤੁ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਕਰਣਾ ॥ : Blessed is that moment when we get a glimpse of God. (sggs 562).

From the above Guru’s Shabads, it is easy to understand that the Satguru has called only that time blessed when a person’s mind is connected to the Creatror. No day, hour, or moment is in itself auspicious, nor is inauspicious. Time is made good or bad by the good or bad deeds of a person.

Based on the above Guru’s Shabads, no fixed or customary time (e.g. about three hours before sunrise) ts to be considered as Amrit. The concept of Amrit that has become well-established in the minds of Sikhs (i.e about three hours before sunrise) goes against the Guru’s teachings (SGGS).

Amrit means = deathless, immortal. Gurbani has considered Amrit only to be the Creator. But man has imagined such water (“Aabe Hayat, ਆਬੇ-ਹਯਾੱਤ”), by drinking which a person would not die. The whole world has been and is struggling in search of this “water of life” for time immorial. But no one has found such a thing that can give eternal life to a living being.

• ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸੁ ਸਦਾ ਸਰਣਾਗਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਜਣੁ ਮੇਰਾ ॥੧॥ Nanak, I am ever in the Eternal Creator’s refuge, He is my “Amrit Sajjan” (Eternal Creator). (sggs
• ਨਾਨਕ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਏਕੁ ਹੈ ਦੂਜਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਨਾਹਿ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਮਨੈ ਮਾਹਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ : Nanak, there is ONLY ONE AMRIT (i.e. the Naam-Amrit for the mind to drink in); there is NO OTHER AMRIT at all. O Nanak! (This Naam) Amrit is within the mind (of everybody, but, it is), realized by ‘Gur Parsaadi’ (i.e. the Grace of the Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom…). (sggs 1238).
• ਨਾਮੁ ਅਮੋਲਕੁ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਵੈ ॥ ਨਾਮੋ ਸੇਵੇ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਵੈ ॥ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਰਸਨਾ ਨਿਤ ਗਾਵੈ ॥ : A Gurmukh (enlightened, Guru Shabad-Oriented) obtains the invaluable gift of Divine Naam from the Guru. He/she always remember Divine Naam, and through Naam he merges in a state of equipoise. He/she lives life by remembering the Amrit Naam every Time. (sggs 232).

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!

• 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).

It becomes clear from Gurbani (SGGS) that Satguru has taught to create and remain in a high spiritual state (Sahaj, equipoise, equanimity…) throughout the day (breath by breath – “ਸਾਸਿ ਸਾਸਿ”). After good night sleep, the mind becomes rested and rejuvenated. Therefore, upon waking up from a good night sleep, contemplating the Divine Naam at dawn, the mind so tuned to divine Naam becomes easy to reform, and it becomes ready to remain connected to the creator every breath (“ਸਾਸਿ ਸਾਸਿ”) of the rest of the day. Therefore, the advice to join in contemplation at that time is repeated in Gurbani. But no Shabad indicates that just waking in early morning and contemplating is enough and the rest of the day becomes completely free to do whatever we wants to do!

• ਸਾਸਿ ਸਾਸਿ ਸਿਮਰਹੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ॥ ਮਨ ਅੰਤਰ ਕੀ ਉਤਰੈ ਚਿੰਦ ॥ : With (each) breath, remember ‘Gobind‘ (Mool…). (So that) worry within (your) mind be erased (sggs 295).

That said, in Gurbani, for the time of dawn, words like “Ugvai Sur-ਉਗਵੈ ਸੂਰ”, “Prabhate-ਪ੍ਰਭਾਤੇ”, “Pachha Raat-ਪਛਾ ਰਾਤ”, “Jhalage-ਝਾਲਾਗੇ”, “Jhalu-ਝਾਲੂ”, “Chiri Chuhki-ਚਿੜੀ ਚੁਹਕੀ”, “Subahu-ਸੁਬਹੁ”, “Pratahkaali-ਪ੍ਰਤਾਹਕਾਲਿ”, “Chouthai Pehre Sabah Ke-ਚਉਥੈ ਪਹਿਰੇ ਸਬਾਹ ਕੇ” etc. are used, but that time is not called Amrit Vela anywhere.

• ਝਾਲਾਘੇ ਉਠਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਿ ਨਿਸਿ ਬਾਸੁਰ ਆਰਾਧਿ ॥ ਕਾਰ੍ਹਾ ਤੁਝੈ ਨ ਬਿਆਪਈ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਿਟੈ ਉਪਾਧਿ ॥੧॥ : Wake up early in the morning and internalize Divine Naam; not only that, remember Him day and night. Nanak, no anxiety will afflict you and your misfortune will vanish. ||1||(sggs 255).
• ਪ੍ਰਾਤਹਕਾਲ ਲਾਗਉ ਜਨ ਚਰਨੀ ਨਿਸ ਬਾਸੁਰ ਦਰਸੁ ਪਾਵਉ ॥ ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਅਰਪਿ ਕਰਉ ਜਨ ਸੇਵਾ ਰਸਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਵਉ ॥੧॥ : (O God), I wish I may pay obeisance to seekers in the morning, and be in their company day and night. (sggs 533).
• ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਜੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਅਖਾਏ ਸੁ ਭਲਕੇ ਉਠਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥ ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰੇ ਭਲਕੇ ਪਰਭਾਤੀ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ਕਰੇ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਰਿ ਨਾਵੈ ॥ ਉਪਦੇਸਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪੁ ਜਾਪੈ ਸਭਿ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਪਾਪ ਦੋਖ ਲਹਿ ਜਾਵੈ ॥ ਫਿਰਿ ਚੜੈ ਦਿਵਸੁ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਗਾਵੈ ਬਹਦਿਆ ਉਠਦਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥ ਜੋ ਸਾਸਿ ਗਿਰਾਸਿ ਧਿਆਏ ਮੇਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਸੋ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵੈ ॥ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਦਇਆਲੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਮੇਰਾ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਗੁਰੂ ਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਸੁਣਾਵੈ ॥ ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਧੂੜਿ ਮੰਗੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਕੀ ਜੋ ਆਪਿ ਜਪੈ ਅਵਰਹ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਾਵੈ ॥੨॥ : A Sikh of the Satigur (Spiritual Wisdom of the Gur-Shabad: SGGS), awakens every day/morning to enduringly towards internalizing the divine Naam (Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues). (A Sikh of the spiritual Messages of the Shabad) puts forth self-efforts every day/morning and cleanse the mind of vices in the pool of Amrit (‘ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਰਿ’ = in the pool of Naam: Giyan Amrit…). The Shabad Guides in eliminating the anguish of vices towards becoming realized of the Omnipresent Creator within. Later in the day he is attentive to Guru’s teaching and Naam while doing daily chores life. Such a Guru’s Sikh (learner), who pays attention to God’s Naam with every breath and morsel of food (i.e. every moment), is pleasing to the Guru’s mind (for he has internalized the Gurbani’s Message Permanently). The one who is graced by my Creator Master is the Sikh of the Shabad’s spiritual Message; and who brings one’s Self to internalize the Guidance of the Shabad. Nanak, my devotion is humbled by the Sikh of the Shabad’s spiritual Message who realizes the Self and brings about realization of the Creator within the Self.  ||2|| (sggs 305).

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, all the time) 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!

Pujaaree’s Amrit Vela

Authentic, Unique and Innovative Sikhi of Guru Nanak is based on Gurmat (teaching of the SGGS), whilst Sikhi of the Pujaaree (clergy) is based on empty and imaginary rituals (Karamkaand) rejected by Gurmat.

The Gurbani is logic-driven (ਤਰਕ). It is NOT driven by imaginary rituals Karamkaand (rituals), blind faith (ਅੰਧ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ), 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 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. These 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 or 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.

When we have understood that according to Gurmat, a time gets importance only if the Divine Naam is contemplated on at that time or a very good deed for the welfare of humanity is done, otherwise no time in itself can be good or bad. That said, no time in itself can have the power to give Amrit or eternal life. This is the edict of the Gurbani (SGGS).

‘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. 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).

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
• Develop Divine Virtues
• 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.
• Panj Khand – Guru Nanak’s Universal and Practical Guide for Spiritual Progression