The primary claim of Ayurveda as a medical science is that it extends our lifespan – or better said, it teaches us how to avoid the pitfalls that typically shorten our lifespan. 

As a claim that is relevant to our modern times, this is a pretty good one, I’d say. If we observe the herculean efforts employed in modern medicine to avoid the end of life, clearly a lot of value is placed in extending our lives. 

And this focus is where the wisdom of Ayurveda shines – longevity is the overarching goal of all the varied teachings of Ayurveda. We need only to understand these specific guidelines, and then prioritize them over our habits or the actions we have gotten used to. (Of course, that’s often the hard part!)

With this in mind, there is a line that stands out in one of the primary ancient texts of Ayurveda, the Ashtanga Hrdayam. It is in the second chapter titled “The Daily Routine,” which gives specific guidance on the daily regimens that best protect a long, healthy life. It’s implicit that what we do regularly and repeatedly over a long period will affect our longevity.

The very first line of this chapter states, “To preserve the wholesome lifespan, a healthy person should arise from sleep in the Brahma muhurta” (Sutrasthana, Ch. 2:2). Brahma refers to the divine, or a higher order or power, while muhurta means a small chunk of time.

Thus Brahma muhurta can be translated as the time of higher knowing, or the “hour of the gods.” So when exactly IS the hour of the gods? A common reference in ancient texts, the Brahma muhurta is understood by scholars to refer to the hour or so before the sun rises.

Many spiritual traditions encourage waking in these pre-dawn hours for spiritual practice of some kind. Indeed some may sense that the divine is more accessible at this time, that the veil between the worlds is thinner – and almost certainly the distractions of our mundane life are not as pressing.

And yet the Astanga Hrdayam is a text on health and longevity, not spiritual practice, so it is notable that this line takes pride of place as the very first teaching in this chapter on how we can establish a long life. In these ancient teachings, what is taught first is typically the most important. For a long life, wake before sunrise.

Ayurveda places a great emphasis on appropriate timing of activities. There is a recognition that the same event done at a different time will have a different and perhaps less desirable effect. Hence, this specification to start our day in the Brahma muhurta should not be taken lightly. It is a bedrock principle for good health.

It should be noted that the text specifies a healthy person should arise in the Brahma muhurta. If one is currently ill or convalescing, different guidance should be followed. But if we are healthy, regardless of the season or day of the week, we can preserve that good health by rising before the sun.

Easier said than done, some might say. It can take some effort to adjust our lives so that waking in this hour is doable. If we start with a strong intention, knowing it will have a profoundly positive impact on our health, we may find the inspiration to make it happen. 

Here are some guidelines that can make this decision more approachable:

Get enough sleep. It’s very hard to wake up before the sun if you have not slept enough the night before. Consequently, it can help tremendously to get to bed a little earlier the night before. This may be the most important step to make waking in the Brahma muhurta sustainable on a regular basis.

Eat a lighter supper. If the body is still working on digesting last night’s food, the mind will not feel light and alert in the early morning. 

Sleep with an open window. If the climate allows, crack open a window before you go to bed. A slightly cooler room tends to lead to deeper, more restorative sleep, and in the morning, the rustle of nature waking up outside can gently awaken your senses and call you to join them.

Make a plan. Decide what you will do with this rarified time upon waking, and lay out the necessary goods. For example, you could set out herbs for a cup of tea, or place an uplifting book or journal by your bed. You might prepare to do an abhyanga (self massage with oil), or sit on your yoga mat for a few minutes. Putting a plan in place takes away the decision-making hurdle that might keep you in bed.

The clarity of the Brahma muhurta can become an enticement itself. There is a special quality of freshness and peace in the air before dawn. Step outside and breathe it in. You just might find you love waking before dawn to watch the day get born around you.