Audio by Bhai Nirmal Singh Ji – Babiha Amrit Vele Boleya

by Harnaak Singh

The dictionary meaning of Amrit Vela is the hours before sunrise. 

General reference sources and scientific findings indicate that early morning meditation is beneficial for us. 

Vaaran Bhai Gurdas also show Amrit Vela is the last quarter of the night meaning the hours before sunrise. 

From Gurbani we find that one should meditate and worship God during the hours before sunrise (Amrit Vela). 

Therefore Amrit Vela ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲਾ is last few hours of the night before sunrise.  This is the time when there is minimum possibility of distraction and would be the most ideal to meditate and recite the morning prayers.

ਸਲੋਕ ਮਃ ੩ ॥ SGGS 1285 Slok M:3

ਬਾਬੀਹਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲੈ ਬੋਲਿਆ ਤਾਂ ਦਰਿ ਸੁਣੀ ਪੁਕਾਰ ॥
Baabeehaa Anmrith Vaelai Boliaa Thaan Dhar Sunee Pukaar ||
The rainbird chirps in the ambrosial hours of the morning before the dawn; its prayers are heard in the Court of the Lord.

ਮੇਘੈ ਨੋ ਫੁਰਮਾਨੁ ਹੋਆ ਵਰਸਹੁ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰਿ ॥
Maeghai No Furamaan Hoaa Varasahu Kirapaa Dhhaar ||
The order is issued to the clouds, to let the rains of mercy shower down.

ਹਉ ਤਿਨ ਕੈ ਬਲਿਹਾਰਣੈ ਜਿਨੀ ਸਚੁ ਰਿਖਆ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰਿ ॥
Ho Thin Kai Balihaaranai Jinee Sach Rakhiaa Our Dhhaar ||
I am a sacrifice to those who enshrine the True Lord within their hearts.

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੇ ਸਭ ਹਰੀਆਵਲੀ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥੧॥
Naanak Naamae Sabh Hareeaavalee Gur Kai Sabadh Veechaar ||1||
O Nanak, through the Name, all are rejuvenated, contemplating the Word of the Guru’s Shabad.

In this shabad GuruJi is using the rainbird (ਬਾਬੀਹਾ) / rain (ਵਰਸਹੁ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰਿ) / clouds (ਮੇਘੈ) as a metaphor to show our expected relationship with God at Amrti Vela.  Just like the rainbird, which has a longing for the special raindrops that can occur early in the morning.  The clouds are instructed (ਮੇਘੈ ਨੋ ਫੁਰਮਾਨੁ ਹੋਆ) to let these special rain drops down for the rainbird (ਵਰਸਹੁ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰਿ). 

Similarly when we truly and internally within our internal-self enshrine the love for God (ਜਿਨੀ ਸਚੁ ਰਿਖਆ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰਿ) by contemplating the Gurus’ Shabad (ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ), God will shower blessings on us and we will be spiritually rejuvenated reciting Naam (ਨਾਮੇ ਸਭ ਹਰੀਆਵਲੀ). Those who perform this are very dear to our Guru and God (ਤਿਨ ਕੈ ਬਲਿਹਾਰਣੈ).

See LINK for information on the rainbird:  https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c6de1f30e5a75e11fb294c9ce/files/Mar_30_Wed.01.pdf

To read the AMRIT VELA article, please click the link

https://gurvichar.com/2017/01/12/amrit-vela-and-a-misleading-claim/