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All of human being’s livelihood and public behaviour making use of his efforts is included in the five portfolios listed above. The expansion of activities undertaken on land itself gives rise to endless human activities.
 
All of human being’s livelihood and public behaviour making use of his efforts is included in the five portfolios listed above. The expansion of activities undertaken on land itself gives rise to endless human activities.
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==== शयनविधि॥ Shayana Vidhi or Preparation for Sleep ====
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Before retiring for the day, one should recite the ratri sukta. The person who recites this remains completely safe from nightmares, insomnia, sleep disturbances, fear, fear of sleeping alone, fear of ghosts, sudden catastrophes etc. After sleeping at night, a person is protected from poisonous snakes. Such a person overcomes fear of death from fire, poisonous air etc. Therefore, in ancient India one used to sleep only after reciting Ratrisukta. It should be recited especially when there is fear of unwanted nightly happenings. It can also be read to overcome insomnia and hypersomnia.<blockquote>या देवी सर्वभूतेषु निद्रारूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥(दुर्गा सप्तशती)</blockquote>The divine element itself resides in the body in the form of sleep. Therefore, one should sleep after paying obeisance to  Nidra Devi. Nature has included sleep in the body only for the relaxation of the body. Therefore, the process by which the body can rest is called sleep as in देहं विश्रमते यस्मात् तस्मान् निद्राप्रकीर्तिता।
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Only the one who lives by the essence of Dharma attains happy sleep. Only a person who has a timely routine falls asleep and wakes up at the right time. Therefore, one should sleep after paying obeisance to Vaishnavi Shakti, Yogamaya Nidra Devi. Sleep definition-<blockquote>यदा तु मनसि क्लान्ते कर्मात्मानः क्लमान्विताः। विषयेभ्यो निवर्तन्ते तदा स्वपिति मानवः॥(चर0सूत्र0२९)</blockquote>When the mind gets tired, the senses get tired. Due to tiredness of the senses, mind retires from seeking outward objects and the person falls asleep.
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यामद्वयं शयानस्तु ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते – Do not sleep for more than six hours.
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न सन्ध्ययोः - One should not sleep during sandhi vela (sunrise-sunset).
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In religious scriptures, there is often a provision for रात्रि जागरण or keeping awake all night as a part of many festivals. The aim is that wherever there is a provision for jagarana (awakeness at night), there is provision for fasting also. By fasting and staying awake at night, both the phlegm and fire elements remain calm and balanced. Excessive sleep and insomnia both cause pain to the body in the form of diseases. While insomnia causes weakness of limbs, heaviness of head, yawning, stiffness, guilt, labor, indigestion, drowsiness and gas related diseases, excessive sleep causes laxity, heaviness in the brain, slow blood circulation and many types of mental illnesses. According to Ayurveda, hypersomnia is cured by body detoxification, head detoxification, exercise, smoking (as per Ayurvedic procedure), fasting and worship etc.
    
== References ==
 
== References ==
 
[[Category:Dharmas]]
 
[[Category:Dharmas]]
 
[[Category:Ayurveda]]
 
[[Category:Ayurveda]]

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