Vasanta Rutucharya (वसन्त ऋतुचर्या)
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Vasanta Rutu/ Rtu (शरद ऋतुः) is one of the 6 seasons of the Hindu calendar year. Chaitra and Vaishakha masas (मासाः months) comprise of this season. It is the period of the year that can be called as Spring. It is the period of the year when the winter season in Bharata ends and the summer sets in. Hence this is the transition period from cold of winters to heat of summers. Therefore the diet, lifestyle regime, do's and dont's for this season are peculiar and are described under Vasanta rutucharya (ऋतुचर्या).
Months of Hindu calendar for Vasanta 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 | Grishma (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 Chaitra, Vaishakha make up the Vasanta rtu.
फाल्गुनचैत्रौ वसन्तः (Sush. Samh 6.10) तत्र माघादयो द्वादश मासाः, द्विमासिकमृतुं कृत्वा षडृतवो भवन्ति; ...........मधुमाधवौ वसन्तः,
मधुः चैत्रः, माधवः वैशाखः| (Dalhana commentary on Sush . Samh. 6.6)
Thus, Chaitra and Vaishakha are the 2 months in the lunar calendar which fall under Vasanta rtu. While, as per Gregorian calendar Hemanta is grossly a a period from Mid March to Mid May.
- Chaitra or Madhu - Mid March -Mid April
- Vaishakha or Madhava- Mid April to Mid May
अव्यापन्नप्रावृडृतुलक्षणानि॥ Characteristics of Vasanta Rtu
Vasanta rtu is called as the king of the 6 rtus. The reason behind it being the pleasant and cheerful weather in this season. Vasanta appears after the chilling cold of the winters and before the extremely hot weather of Greeshma. The temperature level reaches an optimum level and flowers begin to blossom. It is the season when the dormant buds, trees start blooming on getting sufficient sunlight and warmth to grow. The darkness of night starts reducing and the daytime light span starts increasing gradually. The life on the earth is not in a dormant stage but starts surfacing, growing and blooming once again after dormant period of winters. Branches of the trees start bearing new tender leaves. The blooming flowers on the mountains like Malaya spread their fragrance everywhere through the blowing winds causing happiness and energy in the atmosphere. The weather is clear (unlike smoky and foggy air of winters). Forests are adorned with the blossoming trees like Kinshuka (Forest flame). Birds like cuckoo and bees sing and represent happy cheerful life on the earth. [1] The nature of spring or vasanta affects humans in such a way that one can feel the energy, affection and love in the air growing.
The advent of Vasant Ritu marks the end of cold winter season. In the northern parts of the country, Vasant Ritu heralds the beginning of outdoor activities like Kite flying and colourful Holi festival. The mid-point of Vasant Ritu is characterised by Vernal Equinox, which is also known as Vasant Sampat or Vasant Vishuva in the Vedic astrology. Equinoxes refers to tilt in the Earth’s axis in a manner that the inclination is neither towards nor away from the Sun. Equinoxes occur twice every year, during the spring and autumn season. Vernal Equinox is observed on the 20th or 21st of March and is characterised by equivalent number of hours during days and nights.
अग्निदोषादीनां गतिः॥ The status of bio-energies in body in Vasanta
The change of weather conditions affect the bio energies of human body. Atmosphere or weather of every season leads to some changes in the levels of Dosha, Dhatu, mala and agni in human body. There is either aggravation, vitiation or pacification of a particular element. Acharya Charaka and Acharya Vagbhata have clearly explained the effect of Vasanta rtu on these body elements.
कफश्चितो हि शिशिरे वसन्तेऽर्कांशुतापितः| हत्वाऽग्निं कुरुते रोगानतस्तं त्वरया जयेत्||१८|| (Asht. Hrud. Su. 3.18)[2]
वसन्ते निचितः श्लेष्मा दिनकृद्भाभिरीरितः| कायाग्निं बाधते रोगांस्ततः प्रकुरुते बहून्||२२|| (Char. Samh. Su 6.22)[3]
The major change occurs in the state and strength of Agni. In the previous Shishira rtu, Kapha dosha has accumulated due to excess cold weather. This accumulated Kapha gets aggravated and starts mobilizing from all the parts of the body due to increasing temperature, looking as if it is melting down. This excess kapha then affects the agni and lowers down its strength. Agni strength is directly proportional to the immunity and inversely proportional to the disease development in one's body. Hence weakness of agni further lays foundation for development of various diseases in Vasanta Rtu if appropriate regime is not followed. Status of all the body elements in Vasanta is described in the table below,
| Body element | Status in Vasanta | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doshas | Kapha is predominantly aggravated with little amount of Vata [4] |
| 2 | Agni | Weak[2][3] |
| 3 | Dhatus | Moderate strength[5] |
ऋतुचर्याविधानम्॥ Rtucharya for Vasanta
तीक्ष्णैर्वमननस्याद्यैर्लघुरूक्षैश्च भोजनैः|
व्यायामोद्वर्तनाघातैर्जित्वा श्लेष्माणमुल्बणम्||१९||
स्नातोऽनुलिप्तः कर्पूरचन्दनागुरुकुङ्कुमैः|
पुराणयवगोधूमक्षौद्रजाङ्गलशूल्यभुक्||२०||
सहकाररसोन्मिश्रानास्वाद्य प्रिययाऽर्पितान्|
प्रियास्यसङ्गसुरभीन् प्रियानेत्रोत्पलाङ्कितान्||२१||
सौमनस्यकृतो हृद्यान्वयस्यैः सहितः पिबेत्|
निर्गदानासवारिष्टसीधुमार्द्वीकमाधवान्||२२||
शृङ्गबेराम्बु साराम्बु मध्वम्बु जलदाम्बु च|
------------------------------------------------------------|२३| Ash. Hrud. Su. 3.19-23)
What should be strictly avoided in Vasanta rtu?
गुरुशीतदिवास्वप्नस्निग्धाम्लमधुरांस्त्यजेत्| Ash. Hrud. Su. 3.26
दिवास्वप्नं च वर्जयेत्||२३|| Cha. SU 6
What should be followed in Vasanta rtu?
Madhyanhe udyana sevanam
दक्षिणानिलशीतेषु परितो जलवाहिषु||२३||
अदृष्टनष्टसूर्येषु मणिकुट्टिमकान्तिषु|
परपुष्टविघुष्टेषु कामकर्मान्तभूमिषु||२४||
विचित्रपुष्पवृक्षेषु काननेषु सुगन्धिषु|
गोष्ठीकथाभिश्चित्राभिर्मध्याह्नं गमयेत्सुखी||२५|| a.h. s 3
व्यायामोद्वर्तनं धूमं कवलग्रहमञ्जनम्| सुखाम्बुना शौचविधिं शीलयेत् कुसुमागमे||२४||
चन्दनागुरुदिग्धाङ्गो यवगोधूमभोजनः| शारभं शाशमैणेयं मांसं लावकपिञ्जलम्||२५||
भक्षयेन्निर्गदं सीधुं पिबेन्माध्वीकमेव वा| वसन्तेऽनुभवेत् स्त्रीणां काननानां च यौवनम्||२६|| Char. Samh. Su 6. 24-26
पंचकर्माणि॥ Panchakarmas done in Vasanta Rtu
हरेद्वसन्ते श्लेष्माणं पित्तं शरदि निर्हरेत् |
वर्षासु शमयेद्वायुं [१] प्राग्विकारसमुच्छ्रयात् ||३८|| Sus. Su. 6.38
Ruturaj - Vasant Ritu or Spring Season is ideally termed as ‘Rituraj’ or ‘King of all the Seasons’. During this time, there is neither cold nor hot and the climatic conditions are very pleasant.
Festivals that appear in Vasanta Rtu and guide on useful regime
Some of the important Hindu festivals are celebrated during the time of Vasant Ritu.
- Vasant Panchami: Vasant Panchami is an auspicious Hindu festival that marks the onset of the spring season or Vasant Ritu. This day also commemorates the birthday of Devi Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of Knowledge and Wisdom. Vasant Panchami is also known as ‘Shree Panchami’ and is observed on the ‘Shukla Paksha Panchami’ (5th day during the waxing phase of moon). The festival of Vasant Panchami is celebrated with great zeal and fervour in different parts of the country.
- Gudi Padwa: Gudi Padwa is celebrated as the Hindu New Year on the ‘Pratipada’ (1st day) of the month of Chaitra. It also marks the beginning of the auspicious 9-day long ‘Chaitra Navratri’ festivities. Gudi Padwa is celebrated with great pomp and show in the Indian state of Maharashtra and the adjoining regions.
- Ugadi: The festival of Ugadi marks the beginning of the New Year in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The celebrations of Ugadi or Yugadi begins from the first day of the ‘Chaitra’ month, which is also first month of the traditional Hindu calendar. This day is celebrated with different traditions and rituals all across India.
- Holi: Holi is the colourful festival of Hindus. It is one of the ancient festivals that celebrate the spirit of brotherhood. Holi is rightly referred as the ‘Spring Festival’ and people of all caste, creed or religious discriminations celebrate this festival of colors. It is undoubtedly one of the enjoyable and boisterous festivals of Hindus.
- Bihu: Bihu is the most significant festival of Assam and is celebrated with full dedication by Assamese in all corners of the world. This festival is characterised by its unique traditions and rituals.
- Hanuman Jayanti: Hanuman Jayanti celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman and is observed on the ‘Purnima’ or the full moon of the Hindu month of ‘Chaitra’. Lord Hanuman is a dedicated devotee of Lord Rama and is also known as ‘Anjaneya’ or ‘Bajrang Bali’. Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated with great devotion and love by the Hindus in all regions of India.
- Buddha Purnima: Buddha Purnima also known as Buddha Jayanti is the most revered festivals of the Buddhist sect. This day honours the three significant events in the life of Gautama Buddha, His birth, His enlightenment and Nirvana. Buddha Purnima is celebrated on the ‘Purnima’ (full moon day) during the ‘Vaisakh’ month of the traditional Hindu calendar. On this day devout Buddhists worship Lord Buddha and spread his teachings to all.