Amritvela

Amritvela means the ambrosial period or the divine nectar period. The duration of Amritvela is approximately three hours before the sun rises in a region. A lot of dedicated Sikhs consider Amritvela somewhere around 3:00 am-6:00 am.

Night is divided into 4 pehrs (3hrs duration each) -

1) First pehr of night - 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

2) Second pehr of night - 9:00 pm - 12:00 am

3) Third pehr of night - 12:00 am - 3:00 am

4) Fourth pehr of night - 3:00 am - 6:00 am

The second pehr & third pehr of night are considered good for sleeping. Amritvela, the fourth pehr of night, ie. 3:00am-6:00am is considered to be the best time for doing paath, meditation or any other spiritual practice.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji instructed his disciples to recite Lord's name during this auspicious time period. Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 2 states -

WHAT DOES GURBANI SAYS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF AMRITVELA ?

1) Guru Nanak Dev Ji quotes ( GGSJ, Ang 2 ) -

ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲਾ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਉ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
In the Amrit Vaylaa, the ambrosial hours before dawn, chant the True Name, and contemplate His Glorious Greatness.

2) Guru Ramdas Ji quotes ( GGSJ, Ang 305 ) -

ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਜੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਅਖਾਏ ਸੁ ਭਲਕੇ ਉਠਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥
One who calls himself a Sikh of the Guru, the True Guru, shall rise in the early morning hours and meditate on the Lord's Name.

3) Bhagat Fareed Ji quotes (GGSJ, Ang 1382 ) -

ਫਰੀਦਾ ਰਾਤਿ ਕਥੂਰੀ ਵੰਡੀਐ ਸੁਤਿਆ ਮਿਲੈ ਨ ਭਾਉ ॥
ਜਿੰਨੑਾ ਨੈਣ ਨਂੀਦ੍ਰਾਵਲੇ ਤਿੰਨੑਾ ਮਿਲਣੁ ਕੁਆਉ ॥੮੦॥
Fareed, musk is released at night. Those who are sleeping do not receive their share.
Those whose eyes are heavy with sleep - how can they receive it? ||80||

4) Guru Amar Daas Ji quotes (GGSJ, Ang 1285 ) -

ਬਾਬੀਹਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲੈ ਬੋਲਿਆ ਤਾਂ ਦਰਿ ਸੁਣੀ ਪੁਕਾਰ ॥
ਮੇਘੈ ਨੋ ਫੁਰਮਾਨੁ ਹੋਆ ਵਰਸਹੁ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰਿ ॥
The rainbird chirps in the ambrosial hours of the morning before the dawn; its prayers are heard in the Court of the Lord. The order is issued to the clouds, to let the rains of mercy shower down.

5) Bhagat Fareed Ji quotes (GGSJ, Ang 1383 ) -

ਫਰੀਦਾ ਪਿਛਲ ਰਾਤਿ ਨ ਜਾਗਿਓਹਿ ਜੀਵਦੜੋ ਮੁਇਓਹਿ ॥
ਜੇ ਤੈ ਰਬੁ ਵਿਸਾਰਿਆ ਤ ਰਬਿ ਨ ਵਿਸਰਿਓਹਿ ॥੧੦੭॥
Fareed, if you do not awaken in the early hours before dawn, you are dead while yet alive.
Although you have forgotten God, God has not forgotten you. ||107||

HISTORICAL SAKHI TO ILLUSTRATE THE IMPORTANCE OF AMRITVELA

Apart from what Gurbani says, let us try to understand the importance of Amritvela through this historical sakhi from Guru Gobind Singh Ji's time at Sarsa river. It was during that period, when Guru Gobind Singh Ji left the fort of Anandpur Sahib, it was raining heavily and Guru Sahib along with his sikhs were attacked by the Mughal forces. The fierce battle continued until the morning hours. Around 3:00 am, Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked the sikhs to stop and settle down at the bank of river Sarsa for Amritvela nitnem. Some sikh warriors were placed to guard against the forces and the other group of sikhs participated in the Amritvela nitnem. All the warriors who were fighting against the forces, became Shaheed that morning. At that time, Bhai Daya Singh Ji with tears in his eyes, asked Guru Gobind Singh Ji that was it really important for us to observe Amritvela, in such harsh conditions, when we were under the attack ? At that time, Guru Gobind Singh Ji replied that, "A Sikh's wealth is Amritvela and bani." That was the Amritvela of 21st December, Guru Gobind Singh ji himself recited Nitnem (daily prayers) and then recited the kirtan of Asa Di Vaar. You must have heard of the saying "AMRITVELA SAMBHALO" from a lot of kirtaniyas. This sakhi perfectly illustrates that how much Amritvela is important for all the sikhs. The hours of Amritvela are not for sleeping. The auspicious hours of Amritvela should solely be used for Simran, ie. rememberance of God's name.