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|Winter or late autumn

|Winter or late autumn

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The month of Ashvina, Karthika and also Margashirsha (as per some scholars) make up the Sharada rutu.  

The month of Ashvina, Karthika and also Margashirsha (as per some scholars) make up the Sharada rutu. <ref>Ashtanga Samgrha (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 4 Sutra 4)</ref> <ref name=":0">Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 6 Sutra 10)</ref> <blockquote>कार्तिकमार्गशीर्षौ शरत् (Sush. Samh 6.10)<ref name=":0" />

 

== अव्यापन्नशरदऋतुलक्षणानि॥ Characteristics of Sharada Rtu ==

== अव्यापन्नशरदऋतुलक्षणानि॥ Characteristics of Sharada Rtu ==

[[Pravrta Rtu (प्रावृट ऋतु)|Varsha/Pravrt]] , Sharada and Hemanta Rutu are the seasons of Dakshinayana i.e. Southern solstice. It is the period when the sun is away from the earth and thus the sun rays reaching the earth are mild. The heat is low. Moon's cooling effect is dominant resulting in colder climate. The sky is cloudy, climate is windy and rain showers are frequent.  Rainwater diminishes the heating effect prevalent in nature. Owing to this dryness reduced, dampness and moisture increases in not just climate but also in all the beings living in  the nature including plants, animals and humans bodies. The [[Rasa (रसः)|rasa]] that become predominant in the nature due to such weather conditions are Madhura (Sweet- [[Prthvi (पृथ्वी)|Prthvi]] + [[Jala (जलम्)|Jala]]), Amla (Sour-Teja + Prithvi) and Lavana (salty- jala+Teja). All these 3 rasas are said to be nourishing and strengthening. Therefore, this period is called Visarga kala or nourishing period.  <blockquote>वर्षाशरद्धेमन्तेषु तु दक्षिणाभिमुखेऽर्के कालमार्गमेघवातवर्षाभिहतप्रतापे, शशिनि चाव्याहतबले, माहेन्द्रसलिलप्रशान्तसन्तापे जगति, अरूक्षा रसाः प्रवर्धन्तेऽम्ललवणमधुरा यथाक्रमं तत्र बलमुपचीयते नृणामिति||७|| (Char. Samh. Su. 6.7)</blockquote>

[[Pravrta Rtu (प्रावृट ऋतु)|Varsha/Pravrt]] , Sharada and Hemanta Rutu are the seasons of Dakshinayana i.e. Southern solstice. It is the period when the sun is away from the earth and thus the sun rays reaching the earth are mild. The heat is low. Moon's cooling effect is dominant resulting in colder climate. The sky is cloudy, climate is windy and rain showers are frequent.  Rainwater diminishes the heating effect prevalent in nature. Owing to this dryness reduced, dampness and moisture increases in not just climate but also in all the beings living in  the nature including plants, animals and humans bodies. The [[Rasa (रसः)|rasa]] that become predominant in the nature due to such weather conditions are Madhura (Sweet- [[Prthvi (पृथ्वी)|Prthvi]] + [[Jala (जलम्)|Jala]]), Amla (Sour-Teja + Prithvi) and Lavana (salty- jala+Teja). All these 3 rasas are said to be nourishing and strengthening. Therefore, this period is called Visarga kala or nourishing period.  <blockquote>वर्षाशरद्धेमन्तेषु तु दक्षिणाभिमुखेऽर्के कालमार्गमेघवातवर्षाभिहतप्रतापे, शशिनि चाव्याहतबले, माहेन्द्रसलिलप्रशान्तसन्तापे जगति, अरूक्षा रसाः प्रवर्धन्तेऽम्ललवणमधुरा यथाक्रमं तत्र बलमुपचीयते नृणामिति||७|| (Char. Samh. Su. 6.7)<ref>Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 6 Sutra 7)</ref></blockquote>

Among the 3 seasons of Visarga kala or Dakshinayana, Sharada is second in the sequence which comes after [[Pravrta Rtu (प्रावृट ऋतु)|Pravrt or Varsha rutu]] or Rainy season. The specific events in nature in this season and their effects on body have been deeply studied by Ayurveda scholars and described as,<blockquote>

Among the 3 seasons of Visarga kala or Dakshinayana, Sharada is second in the sequence which comes after [[Pravrta Rtu (प्रावृट ऋतु)|Pravrt or Varsha rutu]] or Rainy season. The specific events in nature in this season and their effects on body have been deeply studied by Ayurveda scholars and described as,<blockquote>

वर्षाशीतोचिताङ्गानां सहसैवार्करश्मिभिः| ....||४१||

वर्षाशीतोचिताङ्गानां सहसैवार्करश्मिभिः| ....||४१|| (Char. Samh. 6.41)<ref name=":1">Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 6 Sutra 41-48)</ref>

 

 

Meaning: The human body which has become used to the cold climate of rainy season suddenly receives sharp sun rays in Sharada rutu..</blockquote>

Meaning: The human body which has become used to the cold climate of rainy season suddenly receives sharp sun rays in Sharada rutu..</blockquote>

These climatic changes in Sharada rutu affect the elemental balance in Human body or [[Sharira (शरीरम्)|Sharira.]] These directly affect the levels of 3 [[Doshas (दोषाः)|doshas]] which are the 3 controlling forces in body. The changes in dosaha leevls in Sharada rutu have been discussed by Ayurveda scholars as below, <blockquote>

These climatic changes in Sharada rutu affect the elemental balance in Human body or [[Sharira (शरीरम्)|Sharira.]] These directly affect the levels of 3 [[Doshas (दोषाः)|doshas]] which are the 3 controlling forces in body. The changes in dosaha leevls in Sharada rutu have been discussed by Ayurveda scholars as below, <blockquote>

वर्षाशीतोचिताङ्गानां सहसैवार्करश्मिभिः| तप्तानामाचितं पित्तं प्रायः शरदि कुप्यति||४१||

वर्षाशीतोचिताङ्गानां सहसैवार्करश्मिभिः| तप्तानामाचितं पित्तं प्रायः शरदि कुप्यति||४१|| (Char. Samh. 6.41)<ref name=":1" />

 

 

Meaning: The pitta accumulated in body in varsha rutu get vitiated due to the sharp sun rays of Sharada and causes Pitta aggravation. </blockquote>Along with the pitta, kapha dosha also vitiates to some extent but lesser than pitta. Therefore Pitta and Kapha doshas get aggravated or vitiated in Sharada rutu and lead to multiple health problems arising from these 2 if the Sharada rutucharya is not followed properly. The [[Agni in Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदे अग्निः)|agni]] is neither weak nor strong. Strength is also moderate in this period.  

Meaning: The pitta accumulated in body in varsha rutu get vitiated due to the sharp sun rays of Sharada and causes Pitta aggravation. </blockquote>Along with the pitta, kapha dosha also vitiates to some extent but lesser than pitta. Therefore Pitta and Kapha doshas get aggravated or vitiated in Sharada rutu and lead to multiple health problems arising from these 2 if the Sharada rutucharya is not followed properly. The [[Agni in Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदे अग्निः)|agni]] is neither weak nor strong. Strength is also moderate in this period.  

In short the status of body elements is as follows as per Ayurveda,

In short the status of body elements is as follows as per Ayurveda,

== शरद ऋतुचर्याविधानम्॥ Rtucharya for Sharada ==

== शरद ऋतुचर्याविधानम्॥ Rtucharya for Sharada ==

Pitta aggravated in Sharada should be controlled by following a specific diet and lifestyle regime which is known as Sharada Rutucharya. The do's and dont's under this regimen are as follows,<ref>Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 6 Sutra 41-48)</ref>

Pitta aggravated in Sharada should be controlled by following a specific diet and lifestyle regime which is known as Sharada Rutucharya. The do's and dont's under this regimen are as follows,<ref>Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 6 Sutra 41-48)</ref><ref>Ashtnaga Hrudayam (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 3 Sutra 49-55)</ref>

 

# In order to keep a check on naturally aggravating Pitta dosha, it is advised to avoid hot and spicy food.  

# 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 (sea food), curds, etc.

# Few food stuffs which are to be avoided - fat, oils, meat of aquatic animals (sea food), curds, etc.

# Its best to avoid overeating.  

# Its best to avoid overeating.

# Avoiding the direct heat and sun exposure is recommended in this season.  

# Avoiding the direct heat and sun exposure is recommended in this season.

# Kshara in food which could be correlated with Highly alkaline diet should be avoided in this season. The ksharas in food are identified as those ingredients which have excess spice and salt. Such substances when consumed in excess can lead to pitta aggravation.

# Kshara in food which could be correlated with Highly alkaline diet should be avoided in this season. The ksharas in food are identified as those ingredients which have excess spice and salt. Such substances when consumed in excess can lead to pitta aggravation.

# Curd is best avoided.  

# Curd is best avoided.

# One should not sleep during the daytime

# One should not sleep during the daytime

# Cold air in the early morning (specifically coming form the east) is best to be avoided.  

# Cold air in the early morning (specifically coming form the east) is best to be avoided.

 

# Foods that are sweet or bitter in taste, cooling in nature and light on digestion should be consumed to remain fit. Also these should be consumed in moderate quantity. These foods can then pacify vitiated ''Pitta''.  

# Foods that are sweet or bitter in taste, cooling in nature and light on digestion should be consumed to remain fit. Also these should be consumed in moderate quantity. These foods can then pacify vitiated ''Pitta''.  

# Wheat, green gram, sugar candy, honey, in nonvegetarian food- flesh of animals having habitat in dry land (''Jangala Mamsa'') can be consumed.

# Wheat, green gram, sugar candy, honey, in nonvegetarian food- flesh of animals having habitat in dry land (''Jangala Mamsa'') can be consumed.

== शरदि पंचकर्माणि॥ Panchakarmas done in Pravrt Rtu ==

== शरदि पंचकर्माणि॥ Panchakarmas done in Pravrt Rtu ==

Sharada is the season of Pitta dosha vitiation and aggravation. Therefore it is said to be the season for pitta cleansing or pitta detox in the year. Specific Panchakarma procedures are advised in this season to remove the excess pitta from channels and get good health.  

Sharada is the season of Pitta dosha vitiation and aggravation. Therefore it is said to be the season for pitta cleansing or pitta detox in the year. Specific Panchakarma procedures are advised in this season to remove the excess pitta from channels and get good health. <blockquote>तिक्तस्य सर्पिषः पानं विरेको रक्तमोक्षणम्| (Char. Samh. Su. 6.44)<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>Consuming ghee medicated with herbs that are bitter in taste, [[Virechana (विरेचनम्)|Virechana]] and [[Raktamokshana (रक्तमोक्षणम्)|raktamokshana]] are the panchakarma treatments of choice in sharada season.  

 

तिक्तस्य सर्पिषः पानं विरेको रक्तमोक्षणम्| (Char. Samh. Su. 6.44)

 

Consuming ghee medicated with herbs that are bitter in taste, [[Virechana (विरेचनम्)|Virechana]] and [[Raktamokshana (रक्तमोक्षणम्)|raktamokshana]] are the panchakarma treatments of choice in sharada season.  

Consuming medicated ghee can help in pacifying Pitta. Thus this should be tried first. If this doesn't work the next steps should be conducting Virechana and is that also fails one should go for Raktamoshana. The rakta dhatu which normally acts as a seat for Pitta dosha naturally gets vitiated due to aggravated pitta residing in it.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanaa Adhyaya 24)</ref> Therefore sometimes it also becomes necessary to remove the vitiated rakta (blood) from the system as a detox measure which is facilitated by Raktamokshana pocedure.  

Consuming medicated ghee can help in pacifying Pitta. Thus this should be tried first. If this doesn't work the next steps should be conducting Virechana and is that also fails one should go for Raktamoshana. The rakta dhatu which normally acts as a seat for Pitta dosha naturally gets vitiated due to aggravated pitta residing in it.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanaa Adhyaya 24)</ref> Therefore sometimes it also becomes necessary to remove the vitiated rakta (blood) from the system as a detox measure which is facilitated by Raktamokshana procedure.  

== Specifications related to Sharada rtu described in Samhitas ==

== Specifications related to Sharada rtu described in Samhitas ==

हंसोदकमिति ख्यातं शारदं विमलं शुचि|

Hamsodaka is the unique concept related to water in Sharada rutu. This water is said to have such properties owing to which it is called as elixir. <blockquote>दिवा सूर्यांशुसन्तप्तं निशि चन्द्रांशुशीतलम्| कालेन पक्वं निर्दोषमगस्त्येनाविषीकृतम्||४६||

स्नानपानावगाहेषु हितमम्बु यथाऽमृतम् ^[१] ||४७||

हंसोदकमिति ख्यातं शारदं विमलं शुचि| स्नानपानावगाहेषु हितमम्बु यथाऽमृतम् ||४७|| (Char. Samh. Su. 6.46-47)<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>

Water in Sharada

# Navaratri: Marks the beginning of Sharada rutu. Fasting, late night celebrations

 

# Kojagiri : Marks the peak of Sharada rutu. Late night awakening on full moon day and consuming sweetened thickened milk.

 

 

तेषां भोज्ये च भक्ष्ये च लेह्ये पेये च शस्यते||२०४|| (Char. SAmh. Sutra. 27.204)

 

== Festivals that appear in Sharada Rutu and guide on useful regime ==

[[Category:Ayurveda]]

[[Category:Ayurveda]]