Rutucharya (ऋतुचर्या)

Ayurveda has put forward various guidelines and regimens encompassing components like diet and lifestyle to help people acclimatize to seasonal enforcement easily. This helps individuals to maintain homeostasis of internal environment of their body despite fluctuating external climatic conditions. These guidelines and seasonal regimens are known as ‘Rtucharya’ (Samskrit: ऋतुचर्या). Observance of such behavior, lifestyle and dietary modifications is immensely useful in preventing diseases which might develop due to seasonal variations and individual's poor immunity. Naturally, Rtucharya forms integral part of preventive healthcare described in Ayurveda and is one of the exclusive subjects in this traditional system of medicine. Main theme of this topic is to make people aware concerning the methods to live in accordance with the environment.

परिचयः ॥ Introduction

Rtucharya has been described in almost all the authoritative Ayurveda classics. Ayurveda believes that every change in the external environment and season affects the internal environment of the human body. This leads to imbalance of Doshas (दोषाः) which control entire mechanism of the union of body, mind & life energy known as Ayu (आयुः। life). This imbalance further leads to development of diseases. Therefore, it is important to understand the role of seasonal variations in diseases development as well as the measures to correct this imbalance and achieve right balance of bodily elements. Under the topic of Rtucharya, Ayurveda acharyas have provided such measures in the form of dietary and lifestyle modifications, to maintain the equilibrium of internal environment of body even in the presence of fluctuating external environment and climatic conditions. These measures have been put forward after keen observation of seasonal characteristics and their effect on the state of Doshas and Dhatus (धातवः) in the Purusha (पुरुषः। human being). In the clinical settings, observance of such regime has been found extremely useful especially in the cases where individuals who fall sick frequently because of seasonal variations owing to their poor immunity.

ऋतुसात्म्यस्य उपयोगित्वम् ॥ Practical utility of observing Rtucharya

Acharya Charaka has said that, diet and daily activities of an individual are responsible to maintain or disturb the internal balance of bodily elements. Thus, if one can modify diet and lifestyle or activities according to changes in external environment, one can achieve good health and wellness.

तस्याशिताद्यादाहाराद्बलं वर्णश्च वर्धते| यस्यर्तुसात्म्यं विदितं चेष्टाहारव्यपाश्रयम्|| (Char. Samh. 5.3) tasyāśitādyādāhārādbalaṁ varṇaśca vardhate| yasyartusātmyaṁ viditaṁ ceṣṭāhāravyapāśrayam|| (Char. Samh. 5.3)

Meaning: A person who knows the ritusatmya (getting accustomed to suitable changes in diet and behavior according to seasons), and practices such habits accordingly, and whose diet consists of various types of food articles (with properties such as ashita, pitta lidha , and khadita), has his strength and luster enhanced, and he leads a healthy, long life.

व्युत्पत्तिः॥ Etymology

The word Rtu (ऋतुः।) means “to go.”

It is the form in which the nature expresses itself in a sequence in particular and specific in present forms in short, the seasons.

Charya (चर्या।) means regimen

Thus, Rtucharya (ऋतुचर्या) means the regimen to be adopted during the changing states of the nature or climate.

ऋतुविभागाः॥ Classification of season

According to Ayurveda, the year is divided into two periods Ayana (अयनम्। solstice) depending on the direction of movement of sun. Each is formed of three Rtus (ऋतुः। season). Thus, A year consists of six seasons as listed below,

Classification of Seasons in a year

No.	Rutu	Corresponding season	Ayana
1	Shishira (शिशिरः)	Winter	Uttarayana (northern solstice)=	mid-January to mid-July	According to modern science, this can be compared with the gradual movement of earth around the sun to the position, in which the rays of the sun falls perpendicularly at 30 degree meridian of the North Pole on June 21st every year, called as summer solstice. The northward journey of the Sun from Tropic of Capricorn to Tropic of Cancer happens.
2	Vasanta (वसंतः)	Spring
3	Grishma (ग्रीष्मः)	Summer
4	Varsha (वर्षा)	Monsoon	Dakshinayana (southern solstice)	mid-July to mid-January	According to modern science, this can be compared with the gradual movement of the earth around the sun to the position, in which the rays of the sun fall over 30 degree meridian of the South Pole perpendicularly on December 21st every year, is called as winter solstice. The southward movement of the Sun occurs from Tropic of Cancer to Tropic of Capricorn.
5	Sharad (शरदः)	Autumn
6	Hemanta (हेमंतः)	late autumn

As Ayurveda has its origin in India, the above seasonal changes are observed predominantly in Indian subcontinent.

उत्तरायणस्य दक्षिणायनस्य च परिणामाः ॥ Effect of Uttarayana and Dakshinayana

During Uttarayana (उत्तरायणम्) period, warmness and dryness in weather increases. It has an overall debilitating effect on surrounding environment, of which human being is also a part. As a result, it brings about dryness in the body and reduces the Bala (बलम्। strength) of the individual.

At the time of Dakshinayana (दक्षिणायनम्) period, when cool sets, and due to which anabolic activity dominates over the catabolic activity in the environment, the strength of person enhances.

Months of Hindu calendar 2 lists of seasons

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,

Hindu calendar months and corresponding Rtus / seasons of the year

No.	Rtu list 1	Hindu calendar months	Rtu list 2	Hindu calendar months	Corresponding season
1	Shishira (शिशिरः)	Magha, Phalguna	---	---	Winter
2	Vasanta (वसंतः)	Chaitra, Vaishakha	Vasanta (वसंतः)	Falguna (फाल्गुन), Chaitra (चैत्रः)	Spring
3	Grishma (ग्रीष्मः)	Jyeshtha, Ashadha	Grishma (ग्रीष्मः)	Vaishakha (वैशाखः), Jyeshtha (ज्येष्ठः)	Summer
4	---	---	Pravrt / Pravrush (प्रावृट्/प्रावृष्)	Ashadha (आषाढः), Shravana (श्रावणः)	Early Monsoon
5	Varsha (वर्षा)	Shravana, Bhadrapada	Varsha (वर्षा)	Bhadrapada (भाद्रपदः), Ashvin (अश्विन्)	Monsoon
6	Sharad (शरदः)	Ashvin, Kartika	Sharad (शरदः)	Kartika (कार्तिक), Margashirsha (मार्गशीर्ष)	Autumn
7	Hemanta (हेमंतः)	Margashirsha, Pausha	Hemanta (हेमंतः)	Pausha (पौष), Magha (माघ)	Winter or late autumn

As per the opinion of acharya Kashyapa, season counting and variations in it are dependent upon which part of the Bharata have they been counted. He says that on the south of the river ganga the rains stretch for a longer period during the year while in the northen part of river ganga, the winter extends for a longer period than rains. Therefore in south India the season are counted in a different way than seasons in the north India.

संज्ञाभेदं च देशभेदेनाह काश्यपः-"भूयो वर्षति पर्जन्यो गङ्गाया दक्षिणे तटे| अतः प्रावृट् च वर्षाश्च ऋतू तत्र प्रकल्पितौ|| तस्या एवोत्तरे देशे हिमवद्विन्ध्यसङ्कुले| भूयः शीतमतस्तत्र हेमन्तशिशिरावुभौ||" इति| दक्षिणदेशीयैर्वृष्टिसंबन्धिनोर्द्वयोः प्रावृड्वर्षाख्यत्वं कृत्वा, पारिशेष्याच्छीतसम्बन्धिनोर्द्वयोः शरद्धेमन्ताख्यत्वं कृतम्| उत्तरदेशीयैस्तु शीतसम्बन्धिनोर्द्वयोर्हेमन्तशिशिराख्यत्वं कृत्वा, पारिशेष्याद्वृष्टिसम्बन्धिनोर्द्वयोर्वर्षाशरत्संज्ञत्वं कृतमित्यर्थः| वृष्टिशीतबाहुल्योपन्यासस्तत्रान्वर्थसंज्ञार्थः , न च संज्ञासङ्करे लक्षणसङ्करः, दोषाणां दोषधातुमलसंज्ञावत्|

ऋतुसन्धिः ॥ Transition zone between 2 Rtus

When a new season starts and the previous ends, there is a period which shows transition in weather. Precisely, the last week of the previous season and the the first week of the next season is such a transition period and it is called as Rutusandhi in Ayurveda. This time is considered crucial since one is expected to systematically switch from the regimen of previous season to that of the coming season. If done systematically as described in Ayurveda, one can maintain health even if the season changes. This is the period when most of the people fall sick and thus following the regime given in Ayurveda is the key to maintain immunity, health and wellbeing even during the season change.

ऋत्वोरन्त्यादिसप्ताहावृतुसन्धिरिति स्मृतः|

तत्र पूर्वो विधिस्त्याज्यः सेवनीयोऽपरः क्रमात्||५८||

असात्म्यजा हि रोगाः स्युः सहसा त्यागशीलनात्| (Asht. Hrud. 3.58)

Ayurveda acharyas clearly say that, if the regime of the past season is suddenly stopped and the new regime is immediately adopted it can cause asatmyaja rogas viz disease due to intolerance or unsuitability.

ऋतुचर्या विधानम्॥ Seasonal Diet and Lifestyle Regimen

After keen observation of external climatic conditions in a particular Rtu (ऋतुः। season) and their reflections in the Purusha (पुरुषः), Ayurveda scholars found a close association between external environments and Body's internal environment. It is believed and experienced that, for every change in external conditions, Doshas (दोषाः) and other body elements like Agni (अग्निः), Dhatus (धातवः) get affected. Change in their normal state creates temporary imbalances which leave body vulnerable for attack by various diseases. Thus, if one wishes to maintain health in spite of any change in external environment, one must consciously understand the changing weather and practice specific diet and lifestyle interventions proposed by Ayurveda in order to nullify the effects reflected in body.

Ayurveda acharyas have proposed following diet and lifestyle guidelines for 6 Rtu (ऋतुः। seasons) to correct the imbalances of Doshas, Agni, strength and internal environment of body created by changes in weather due to seasonal rotations.

Seasonal Diet and Lifestyle Regimen

No.	Rutu	Corresponding season	Diet		Lifestyle
			Do's	Dont's	Do's	Dont'
1	Shishira	Winter	Cereals and pulses, wheat/gram flour products, new rice, corn, and others, are advised. Ginger, garlic, Haritaki (fruits of Terminalia chebula), Pippali (fruits of Piper longum), sugarcane products, and milk and milk products are to be included in the diet.	Foods that can aggravate Vata dosha should be avoided in order to keep check on naturally aggravating Vata due to increasing cold. Thus, foods that are pungent, astringent and bitter in taste, cooling in nature and light on digestion should be avoided.	Various Panchakarma procedures like Abhyanga i.e. Massage with warm oil, scrubbing with herbal powder or pastes are considered to be beneficial if followed on daily basis in this season. Use of warm water for bathing, exposure to natural heat or sunlight, wearing warm clothes is also advisable.	Exposure to cold wind of this season, staying awake for late nights may further aggravate Vata dosha in this time. Thus its advisable to avoid these lifestyle factors.
2	Vasanta	Spring	One should take food made up of barley and wheat	One should avoid heavy, sour, unctuous and sweet food items	one should regularly resort to physical exercise, dry massage, medicated smoking, gargling, and collyrium. Bathing and cleaning of excretory orifices should be done with lukewarm water.	One should not sleep during the daytime.
3	Grishma	Summer	Foods and drinks having sweet, cold, liquid and unctuous qualities are considered beneficial	One should stop taking salty, sour, pungent and hot food	Enjoy the coolness of gardens, cold water and flowers whenever possible to negate the fatigue developing from excessively hot and dry climate.	Physical exercise and excess sexual intercourse should be avoided.
4	Varsha	Monsoon	one should predominantly take sour, salty and unctuous food to alleviate vata. Make use of honey in food and drinks.	Since the digestive strength is poor and Vata dosha is aggravated, one should avoid food items that are heavy on digestion and lead to flatulence.	Practice dry massage, reside at places with low humidity, use fragrances, garlands to keep the surroundings fresh and cheerful. This is also considered the ideal season for taking Basti which is one of the 5 types of Panchakarma treatments.	Daytime sleeping, contact with dew, river water, intense physical exercise, exposure to sun rays and excess sexual intercourse should be avoided.
5	Sharad	Autumn	Foods that are sweet or bitter in taste, cooling in nature and light on digestion should be consumed to remain fit. These foods can then pacify vitiated Pitta. Wheat, green gram, sugar candy, honey, , flesh of animals having habitat in dry land (Jangala Mamsa) can be consumed.	In order to keep a check on naturally aggravating Pitta dosha, it is advised to avoid hot and spicy food. Few food stuffs which are to be avoided - fat, oils, meat of aquatic animals, curds, etc.	Medical procedures, such as Virechana (purging), Rakta-Mokshana (blood letting) are ideally performed in this season. It is recommended to observe the natural urge for food and eat only after having the natural desire for food. Its best to avoid overeating. It is also recommended to take water purified by the rays of sun in day time and rays of moon at night time for drinking, bathing, etc. Use of fresh, cooling flowers in surrounding, use of cooling fragrances like Sandalwood can be made as scents and also for local application on body. It is said that moon rays in night are conducive for health. On this ground various rituals wherein staying awake late nights is expected are followed like Kojagiri pournima.	Exposure to sunlight, heat, Daytime sleep and excessive eating is to be avoided.
6	Hemanta	late autumn	One can have more of sweet, sour, and salty foods this season. This season also necessitates intake of food that is unctuous in nature. Naturally sweets, desserts and creamy foods can be enjoyed in this eason with little health risk. Cereals and pulses, new rice, flour preparations, green gram, Black gram, etc. should be used. Various meats, fats, milk and milk products, sugarcane products, Shidhu (fermented preparations), Tila (sesame), and so on, are also beneficial at this time.	Any type of diets which possess capacity to develop feeling of lightness, cold, and dryness in body should be avoided.	Vyayama (Exercise), abhyanga (body and head massage), use of warm water, sunbath, application of fragrant herbs having hot potency can be used, sufficient warm clothing, sexual indulgence with one partner, residing in warm places is recommended	Must avoid exposure to strong and cold wind. Better to avoid diwaswapa daytime sleep.

Rtu Haritaki

This is one the specialty topic from Bhavapraksha samhita (भावप्रकाश संहिता) of Laghutrayee (लघुत्रयी). While describing the properties of Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) Acharya Bhavamishra has thrown light on utility of this single multipurpose herb in all seasons to gain Rasayana (रसायनम्) effect. This single herb when taken with various adjuvants suggested after considering the seasonal dosha dominance, can show rejuvenating effect. The adjuvant to be taken with Haritaki, as per the Rtu (seasons) is listed below,

Rtu Haritaki

Season	Adjuvant for Haritaki
Varsha (वर्षा)	Saindhava (सैन्धवम्)
Sharad (शरदः)	Sharkara (शर्करा)
Hemant (हेमन्तः)	Shunthi (शुण्ठी)
Shishir (शिशिरः)	Pippali (पिप्पली)
Vasant (वसन्तः)	Madhu (मधु)
Grishma (ग्रीष्मः)	Guda (गुड)

The dosage of haritaki, time of consumption and other individual specific administration details should be obtained from a qualified Vaidya after complete evaluation of Prakrti and Roga.