For most of my life, waking up early has been a daily challenge. I was never a morning person. Every school day started with me struggling to get up on time, snoozing multiple alarms, and finally rushing in panic to prepare lunch for my daughter. Those stressful mornings often left me irritated, restless, and even angry for no reason. At one point, I even wondered if I needed professional help to manage my mood swings.
A Divine Reminder from Sanatana Dharma
Recently, while listening to a pravachan on Devi Lakshmi, I heard a teaching that transformed my outlook. The Swamiji said that Devi Lakshmi does not reside in homes where there is no discipline—and one sign of such indiscipline is waking up late.
In Sanatana Dharma, rising early has always been emphasized as a sacred practice. Our elders taught us to wake up during Brahma Muhurta (around 4:00–6:00 am), the most sattvic (pure) time of the day. It is believed that during these hours, our body and mind are naturally aligned with universal energy, making it the best time for clarity, discipline, and peace.
This made me realize that the habit of sleeping late and waking up late wasn’t just a lifestyle issue—it was a break in discipline, which affected my peace, and even the spiritual energy of my home.
My First Steps Towards Change
Inspired by this realization, I started waking up early since a few days—even on weekends. The change was visible almost instantly. I completed household chores on time, prepared meals peacefully, and most importantly, felt calm instead of irritable.
I realized that waking up early gave me a sense of control over my day. Instead of starting in chaos, I began my mornings in balance.
The Secret: Sleeping Early
Of course, waking up early is possible only if we sleep early. One major obstacle was my habit of endlessly scrolling on my phone at night. I decided to give this up gradually. The first few days will be difficult, and sometimes the temptation to sleep in—especially on weekends—lingers. But I remind myself that every effort to build discipline brings long-term peace.
My Realization
Now, I see why Sanatana Dharma emphasizes early rising as part of daily discipline (Nitya Karma). Waking up early isn’t just about productivity—it is about harmony with nature, self-control, and creating a sattvic environment at home.
I am still on this journey, but I already feel calmer, more disciplined, and spiritually lighter. With consistent effort, I believe waking up early will no longer feel like a struggle but a blessing.
