Brahma Muhurta Jagrana and its Effects on Lifestyle Disorders: An Ayurvedic Perspective

Authors

  • Dr Vikrant Chauhan, Dr Prashant Singh Yadav, Dr Kirti Naharwal Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23753125

Keywords:

Chauhan V, Yadav PS, Naharwal K. Brahma Muhurta Jagrana and its Effects on Lifestyle Disorders: An Ayurvedic Perspective. Int J Holist Health AYUSH. 2026;1(3):8–12.

Abstract

Background: Lifestyle disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and stress-related illnesses have shown a steady rise in recent decades, largely due to irregular sleep-wake patterns, delayed waking hours, and disturbed circadian rhythm. Ayurveda, through its concept of Dinacharya (daily regimen), has long emphasized Brahma Muhurta Jagrana, that is, waking during the last quarter of the night, approximately one and a half hours before sunrise, as a fundamental preventive practice for maintaining Dosha balance, optimal Agni, and overall health. This structured review explores the classical basis of Brahma Muhurta Jagrana and examines its probable role in the prevention of modern lifestyle disorders.

Aim: To critically review the Ayurvedic concept of Brahma Muhurta Jagrana and correlate it with contemporary scientific understanding of circadian rhythm, so as to evaluate its role in the prevention of lifestyle disorders.

Objectives: To study the classical description of Brahma Muhurta and Dinacharya as mentioned in Ayurvedic texts. To understand the Doshik and Agni-related basis of Brahma Muhurta Jagrana. To correlate the Ayurvedic concept with modern knowledge of circadian rhythm and sleep physiology. To analyze the probable preventive role of Brahma Muhurta Jagrana in common lifestyle disorders.

Material and Methods: Classical Ayurvedic texts and contemporary scientific literature on circadian rhythm and lifestyle disorders were reviewed. The gathered information was compiled and analyzed in a narrative format.

Result & Discussion: Brahma Muhurta Jagrana appears to support metabolic and psychological health through mechanisms aligning with modern chronobiology. Its neglect may contribute to the rising burden of lifestyle disorders.

Conclusion: Brahma Muhurta Jagrana is a simple, cost-free, time-tested practice with considerable preventive potential. Its wider adoption, supported by further research, may offer a valuable public health strategy.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

World Health Organization. Noncommunicable diseases [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2023 [cited 2026 Oct 24]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases

Agnivesha. Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana, Chapter 5 (Matrashitiya Adhyaya). Revised by Charaka and Dridhabala; commentary by Chakrapanidatta. Translated by Sharma PV. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia.

Roenneberg T, Merrow M. The circadian clock and human health. Curr Biol. 2016;26(10):R432-43.

Vagbhata. Ashtanga Hridaya, Sutrasthana, Chapter 2 (Dinacharya Adhyaya). Translated by Srikantha Murthy KR. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy.

Sarngadhara. Sarngadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 1. Translated by Srikantha Murthy KR. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia.

Bhavamishra. Bhavaprakasha, Purva Khanda, Dinacharya Prakarana. Translated by Srikantha Murthy KR. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy.

Chaput JP, McHill AW, Cox RC, Broussard JL, Dutil C, da Costa BGG, et al. The role of insufficient sleep and circadian misalignment in obesity. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2023;19(2):82-97.

Scheer FAJL, Hilton MF, Mantzoros CS, Shea SA. Adverse metabolic and cardiovascular consequences of circadian misalignment. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009;106(11):4453-8.

Potter GDM, Skene DJ, Arendt J, Cade JE, Grant PJ, Hardie LJ. Circadian rhythm and sleep disruption: causes, metabolic consequences, and countermeasures. Endocr Rev. 2016;37(6):584-608.

Walker WH 2nd, Walton JC, DeVries AC, Nelson RJ. Circadian rhythm disruption and mental health. Transl Psychiatry. 2020;10(1):28.

Hastings MH, Maywood ES, Brancaccio M. Generation of circadian rhythms in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2018;19(8):453-69.

Panda S. The arrival of circadian medicine. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2019;15(2):67-9.

Buysse DJ. Sleep health: can we define it? Does it matter? Sleep. 2014;37(1):9-17.

Irwin MR. Sleep and inflammation: partners in sickness and in health. Nat Rev Immunol. 2019;19(11):702-15.

Besedovsky L, Lange T, Haack M. The sleep-immune crosstalk in health and disease. Physiol Rev. 2019;99(3):1325-80.

Downloads

Published

2026-10-29

Issue

Section

Peer Review Articles