Greeshma Rutucharya (ग्रीष्म ऋतुचर्या)

Greeshma Rutu/ Rtu (ग्रीष्मऋतुः) is one of the 6 seasons of the Hindu calendar year. Jyeshtha (ज्येष्ठः) and Ashadha (आषाढः) masas (मासाः months) comprise of this season. It is the period of the year that coincides with peak Summer season. Therefore the diet, lifestyle regime, do's and dont's for this season are peculiar and are described under Greeshma rutucharya (ऋतुचर्या).

ग्रीष्मऋतुमासाः॥ Months of Hindu calendar for Greeshma rtu

As per Hindu calendar in Bharata, for every 2 months there is one season. Therefore for 12 months there are 6 seasons. However the seasons are listed with little variation in the names in 2 different cases. The list of season and months in Hindu calendar is given below,

No.	Rtu list 1	Hindu calendar months	Corresponding season
1	Shishira (शिशिरः)	Magha, Phalguna	Winter
2	Vasanta (वसंतः)	Chaitra, Vaishakha	Spring
3	Greeshma (ग्रीष्मः)	Jyeshtha, Ashadha	Summer
4	---	---	Early Monsoon
5	Varsha (वर्षा)	Shravana, Bhadrapada	Monsoon
6	Sharad (शरदः)	Ashvin, Kartika	Autumn
7	Hemanta (हेमंतः)	Margashirsha, Pausha	Winter or late autumn

The month of Jyeshtha, Ashadha make up the Greeshma rtu.  

• वैशाखज्येष्ठौ ग्रीष्मः (Sush. Samh 6.10)

• तत्र माघादयो द्वादश मासाः, द्विमासिकमृतुं कृत्वा षडृतवो भवन्ति; ...........शुचिशुक्रौ ग्रीष्मः, (Sush . Samh. 6.6)

• शुचिः ज्येष्ठः, शुक्रः आषाढः; अन्ये तु शुक्रो ज्येष्ठः, शुचिराषाढ इति मन्यन्ते| (Dalhana commentary on Sush . Samh. 6.6)

Thus, Jyeshtha, Ashadha are the 2 months in the lunar calendar which fall under Greeshma rtu. While, as per Gregorian calendar Greeshma is grossly a period from Mid May to Mid July.

1. Jyeshtha or Shuchi (ज्येष्ठः - शुचिः) - Mid May-Mid June
2. Ashadha or Shukra (आषाढः - शुक्रः )- Mid June to Mid July

अव्यापन्नग्रीष्मऋतुलक्षणानि॥ Characteristics of Greeshma Rtu

Greeshma rtu is the peak summer season of Bharata. It is the time of the year when the Sunrays are very harsh. The sun appears to be showering extremely intense heat on the earth. The winds flowing from south west become unpleasant. The earth appears scorched, rivers become narrow and thin due to decreased water levels and the entire surrounding appears as if it is on fire. The small herbs, crops and grass creepers are vanished or destroyed, big trees loose their leaves and become leafless. Animals also roam around in the search of water. In short, the life on the earth at this time is dehydrated, exhausted and dull.

ग्रीष्मे अग्निदोषादीनां गतिः॥ The status of bio-energies in body in Greeshma

Intense heat and dryness of summer in Greeshma Rtu causes changes in the bio energies. Kapha dosha in body which is inherently cold in the property, decreases due to extreme heat in the outside environment. Kapha and Vata are opposite in properties to some extent. Therefore day by day reduction in the levels of Kapha leads to increase in Vata dosha levels in the body.

ऋतुचर्याविधानम्॥ Rtucharya for Greeshma

Intense heat and dryness of Greeshma cause Kapha reduction and Vata aggravation. Therefore a specific regime of diet and lifestyle should be followed to maintain balance of these bio-energies, prevent their further disturbances and preserve health.

ग्रीष्मे अपथ्यम्॥ What should be strictly avoided in Greeshma rtu?

• Avoid food that is salty, pungent, spicy and sour in taste. All such foods cause upsurge in heat levels and further deterioration of health.
• One must avoid doing exercise in this season since the overall strength is already low, heat from outside weather causes excess dehydration and fatigue. Hence exercise is contraindicated.
• Avoiding direct exposure to harsh sunrays and heat is important.
• One must avoid use of liquor (alcoholic drinks) as much as possible. In other case at least it should be diluted with lot of water and the amount of liquor should be very much less than the usual quantity of intake. Because otherwise it leads to dehydration, weakness, burning sensation in body, inflammation and delusion etc.
• Keeping awake late night should also be avoided

ग्रीष्मे अपथ्यम्॥ What should be followed in Greeshma rtu?

• One should preferably eat food that is predominantly sweet in taste.
• Foods that are easily and smoothly digested, unctuous (having some calories) and not dry, cooling in property and predominantly liquids should be consumed in this season.
• After taking bath with cold water, one should take saktu with sugar.
• White rice can be taken along with the meat of Jangala (living in deserts) animals.
• Meat soup which is not very thick can be taken.
• Rasala, a type of sweet or dessert wherein churned thick curd is mixed with sugar and some herbs like cardamom, pepper, clove etc, should be consumed being suitable for this season.
• Raaga, meaning sweet, sour and salty syrups made up of various fruits etc can be taken
• Khandavas, syrups or jams made up of multiple substances are also suited for this season.
• Panakas, mocktails or drinks made up of various refreshing ingredients like dates, raisins etc should be consumed. Panchasara, is one such type of a drink made up of dates, liquorice, black raisins, fruits of kashmari, parushaka etc is specifically mentioned to be beneficial to drink in this season. It proves to be more helpful when stored and drank through a clay pot or container.
• Water can be infused with the flowers of Patla tree or camphor, cooled down and then taken throughout the day in sufficient amount.
• Food items like Shashanka kiranas (sweet and cooling in properties) should be enjoyed at night time.
• Over that, drinking milk especially, buffalo milk mixed with sugar and cooled down under the moon rays proves to be very much beneficial.
• In order to combat the heat of the afternoon time, spending time and relaxing in the room or area where the surroundings are cool, covered or dark (protecting from heat) and made fragrant by using aromatic cool sprays as well as by applying perfumes or sandalwood pastes to body, is recommended. One can also sit near water bodies and lie down on the beds or surface which is made even cooler by spreading flower petals of cool leaves etc.
• Also at night, to come up against the fatigue of the daytime heat, applying cooling pastes of Sandalwood, camphor, wearing garlands of cooling flowers like lotus, jasmine and spending time with loved ones is said to be beneficial.

ग्रीष्मे पंचकर्माणि॥ Panchakarmas done in Greeshma Rtu

Greeshma is not considered as the Shodhana rtu. Ii means that, this is the rtu when no Dosha aggravates naturally due to the seasonal cycle. Therefore, Shodhana or Panchakarma is not generally advised in this rtu. It is the time when the balam or strength of the individuals is very low due to heat, dryness and dehydration. Hence generally no panchakarma is done in this season for a healthy individual as a part of seasonal detox. However, if a medical condition of a patient demands it, relevant panchakarmas as treatment for that disorder can always be conducted by a Vaidya.

ग्रीष्मे उत्सवाः॥ Festivals that appear in Greeshma Rtu and guide on useful regime

There are no major festivals that are celebrated in Greeshma rtu throughout the Bharata. However some vratas are performed in Jyeshtha and Ashadha months. Some of these are celebrated in a specific manner.

• Vata Savitri/purnima vrata by married women where they observe fast, worship the Banayan tree and pray for well-being and long life of their husbands.
• Jagannath Rathyatra is a huge Hindu festival associated with Lord Jagannath held at Puri in the state of Orissa in the month of Ashadha.
• Guru purnima : Also known as Vyasa purnima. Full moon day during Ashadha month is known as Vyasa Puja day. It is a festival traditionally celebrated by Hindus. On this day, disciples offer puja or pay respect to their Guru.