Dinacharya (दिनचर्या)

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Dinacharya (दिनचर्या) is the daily code of conduct expounded by Ayurveda acharyas which speak about daily regimen of an individual. Ayurveda acharyas have provided the guideline on what activities should one perform in an entire day, in what order and at what exact time should those be performed in order to maintain the balance of body energies and prevent lifestyle related disorders.

Introduction

Dinacharya is the unique concept elaborated in Ayurveda under the section of Swasthawrtta (स्वस्थवृत्तम्।preventive healthcare). Even before 2000 years ago, ancient Ayurveda scholars had recognized the significance of following a specific daily regimen in order to preserve the good health. It is believed that, ‘Kala’ (कालः। time) is always changing and it is that one causative factor of diseases which is beyond the control of Purusha (पुरुषः). Changing times of the day also affect the internal environment of the human body. The physiological levels of Doshas (दोषाः), which are considered as the controlling forces of various functions of the body, is disturbed even because of the minute changes in the external environment. One needs to bring the equilibrium of their natural state back in the system in order to maintain the normal functioning of the life which is a complex union of body, mind and life energy. Thus, one should follow a specific regimen daily, to restore the balance of doshas which are disturbed due to the day and night cycle. This regimen should be followed on the daily basis. Therefore, Ayurveda acharyas have put forward the list of activities which should be the part of one’s daily regime. These activities have been described in detail under the topic of Dinacharya in Ayurveda scriptures.

Which food or regimen could be a part of anyone’s ‘Daily’ lifestyle?

Ayurveda acharyas were prudent enough to analyse and appraise the effect of anything (food or activity) that is adopted by an individual as a part of his/her daily regime. Thus, they laid high importance on selection of appropriate diet and activities for one’s lifestyle. Acharya Charaka has described the properties and desired effect which one should look for in any component (Food & lifestyle) before adopting it a pat of one’s daily regime. Acharya Charaka said,

तच्च नित्यं प्रयुञ्जीत स्वास्थ्यं येनानुवर्तते| अजातानां विकाराणामनुत्पत्तिकरं च यत्|| (Char. Samh. 5.13)

Tacca nityaṁ prayuñjīta svāsthyaṁ yēnānuvartatē| ajātānāṁ vikārāṇāmanutpattikaraṁ ca yat||

Meaning: One should take those as a daily routine, which maintains the health as well as prevents the onset of diseases.

And after saying that proposed the ready-made list of such daily regimen to preserve health of an individual which is known as Dinacharya. This daily regime includes specially designed activities which have the capacity to neutralize the deleterious effects of various times of the day and night cycle and regular acts followed to achieve Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.

Importance of Dinacharya in today's world

(Needs to be edited) Principle of dincharya is more relevant in current era because everybody is in rush and running according to fast life-style of present time. Even nobody has time for himself also. So, result is emergence of epidemic due to life-style disorders both communicable and non-communicable. Although modern medical science has been very much developed with latest technologies and antibiotics, etc. and prevalence of communicable diseases has also been reduced very much. On the other hand non-communicable diseases are emerging very rapidly both in developed and developing countries. Cardiovascular diseases and cancer are at present the leading causes of death in developed countries e.g. Europe and North America accounting for 70-75 percent of total deaths7 . The prevalence of noncommunicable diseases has been increased in recent some years in India also due to blindly following of western culture. Two important reasons for emergence of non-communicable diseases are accepted; one is increasing life expectancy and second is rapid changes in life-style and behavioral patterns of people. Life-style changes and stress factor are included among the six key sets of risk factors responsible for the major share of adult non-communicable diseases8 . This trend of present time cannot be changed as it is demand of this era but life-style can be modified by simple interventions through procedures of dincharya. Dincharya prevents both types of diseases mentioned above. In the case of communicable diseases it not only prevents the communication of diseases but also strengthen the immunity of the individual. On the other hand in the case of non-communicable diseases it maintains the agni (digestive power) and thus metabolism. This results in removal of toxins from the channels and proper nutrition of all the cells and tissues. This fact not only maintains homeostasis of each cell but also slow down the decaying and degenerative changes carried out in every cell due to time. All these positive things can be achieved by very low expense. There is only need of time management according to individual’s own current life-style. Even modern medical science also recommends this fact that people should go close to their traditional life-style patterns.

Dinacharya (Daily regimen)

1. Brahmamuhurta-jagarana (Wake-up just before sun-rise)
2. Darpanena mukhasayavalokana (To see the mirror image of himself)
3. Malotsarga (Defecation and urination)
4. Achamana (Washing of hands)
5. Danta-dhavana (Tooth-brushing)
6. Jihva-nirlekhana (Tongue-cleaning)
7. Sneha gandusha-dharana (Retaining oil in mouth)
8. Mukha-netra prakshalana (Washing of face and eyes)
9. Sugandhita dravya dharana and tambula sevana (Use of mouth freshener and betel leaves)
10. Anjana (Application of collyrium)
11. Nasya (Oily nasal drops)
12. Dhumapana (Inhalation of medicated smoke)
13. Vyayama (Physical exercise)
14. Kshaura-karma (Regular cutting of hair, nail, etc)
15. Abhayanga (Body massage with oil)
16. Sharir-parimarjana (Body cleansing)
17. Snana (Bathing)
18. Vastra-dharana (Dressing)
19. Anulepana (Deodorants, perfumes, face-pack, etc)
20. Gandhamala-dharana (Garlanding)
21. Ratna and abhushana dharana (Use of precious stones and metals in the form of jewellery)
22. Sandhyopasana (Worship and prayer with surya-namaskar)
23. Paduka-chhatra-dandadi dharana (Use of shoes, umbrella, stick, etc)
24. Jivikoparjana upaya (To indulge in occupation)

It is the ideal regimen in dincharya and rarely followed by individuals in present time due to fast paced competitive life-style as well as due to some kind of ignorance towards health. Result is emergence of various diseases and emergence of life-style disorders which are considered as the epidemic of current era.