Amrit Velā

Religious time for reciting hymns in Sikhism
Amrit Vela is an important time for Sikhs.
Part of a series on
Sikh practices and discipline
Foundations of Practice
Discipline
  • Five Virtues
  • Five Thieves
  • Five Ks
  • Rehat
  • Prohibitions in Sikhism
Daily Prayers and Hymns
  • Nitnem
  • Amrit Velā
Communal Practices
  • Daswandh
  • Langar
  • Kirtan
Liturgical Practices
  • Akhand Pāth
  • Sadharan Pāth
  • Ardās
  • Hukam
Sanskars
  • v
  • t
  • e

Amrit Velā (Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲਾ, pronunciation: [əmɾɪt̪ᵊ ʋeːläː], lit.'never ending time') does not refer to a specific time.[1] According to the pahar system of time, most Sikhs typically interpret this time to start at around 3:00 a.m.[2] Guru Nanak in the Japji Sahib (4th Pauri) says, "in amrit velā meditate on the grandeur of the one true Name".[2] The importance of Amrit Vela is found throughout the Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru Granth Sahib states that "those who consider themselves a Sikh must wake up daily at Amrit vela and be in tune with the Naam (the Lord's Name)"[3]

Illustration titled 'Morning prayers at the Sikh chapel in the regimental lines' from The Sikhs (1904) by John James Hood Gordon

In the SPGC Sikh Rehat Maryada it is written to arise in the Amrit Velā, bath, and meditate on the divine Naam (through Simran and Naam Japna). Here, Amrit Vela is defined as "three hours before the dawn".[4] Sikhs recite their morning Nitnem during Amrit vela. Traditionally after Nitnem Sikhs meet with the Sangat (congregation) to recite Asa ki Var.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Singh, Dharma (2011). Meditation As Medicine: Activate the Power of Your Natural Healing Force. New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 34. ISBN 9781439117538.
  2. ^ a b McLeod, W. H. (2009). The A to Z of Sikhism. Scarecrow Press. p. 15. ISBN 9780810863446.
  3. ^ Sri Guru Granth Sahib. p. Ang 305.
  4. ^ "Sikh Reht Maryada, The Definition of Sikh, Sikh Conduct & Conventions, Sikh Religion Living, India". Old.sgpc.net. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  5. ^ Duggal, Kartar (1980). The Prescribed Sikh Prayers (Nitnem). New Delhi: Abhinav Publications. ISBN 9788170173779.

Further reading

  • Singh, Puran (1929). The Spirit Born People. Peshawar: Languages Department, Punjab.
  • Singh, Raghbir (2001). Bandginama. (English Translation) New Delhi: Atma Science Trust

External links

  • Definition of Amrit Vela
  • Archived 2014-04-13 at the Wayback Machine
  • Q&A - Amrit Vela and Sadh Sangat #7 @ UCL Sikh Society Video
  • Amrit Vela: Rise & Shine
  • v
  • t
  • e
Gurus
Philosophy
Practices
Scripture
Architecture
By country
Groups, Sects
and Communities
Sikh Empire
  • v
  • t
  • e
Rulers
Military
conflicts
Mughal-Sikh Wars
Afghan–Sikh wars
First Anglo-Sikh War
Second Anglo-Sikh War
Others
Military forces
Adversaries
Forts
Officials and warriors
Natives
Foreigners
Influential families
Treaties
Festivals
Other topics
Takht
Outline Category