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→Dosha and season relationship: Added illustration
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.
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.
[[File:7. Rutucharya for article.png|thumb|332x332px|'''Rutucharya: Adaptive Lifestyle for Holistic Health''']]
== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
== 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)|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 (दोषाः)|Doshas]] and [[Dhatus (धातवः)|Dhatus]] (धातवः) in the [[Purusha (पुरुषः)|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.
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)|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 (दोषाः)|Doshas]] and [[Dhatus (धातवः)|Dhatus]] (धातवः) in the [[Purusha (पुरुषः)|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 ==
== 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. <blockquote>तस्याशिताद्यादाहाराद्बलं वर्णश्च वर्धते| यस्यर्तुसात्म्यं विदितं चेष्टाहारव्यपाश्रयम्|| (Char. Samh. 5.3)<ref>Charaka Samhita ([http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.28.2/index.php?title=Tasyashiteeya_Adhyaya#Benefits_of_following_seasonal_regimen Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 5 Sootram 3])</ref>
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. <blockquote>तस्याशिताद्यादाहाराद्बलं वर्णश्च वर्धते| यस्यर्तुसात्म्यं विदितं चेष्टाहारव्यपाश्रयम्|| (Char. Samh. 5.3)<ref>Charaka Samhita ([http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.28.2/index.php?title=Tasyashiteeya_Adhyaya#Benefits_of_following_seasonal_regimen Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 5 Sootram 3])</ref>
Thus, Rtucharya (ऋतुचर्या) means the regimen to be adopted during the changing states of the nature or climate.
Thus, Rtucharya (ऋतुचर्या) means the regimen to be adopted during the changing states of the nature or climate.
== Bharatiya Kalamana and place of Rutus ==
[[File:8. Triangular pyramid for article.png|thumb|376x376px|'''<big>Bharatiya Kalamana and place of rutus</big>''']][[Kala (कालः)|Kala]] (Samskrit : कालः) means "time period" in a broad sense. The concept of time is explained systematically in vedanga jyotisha (astronomy). It is significant that time has been considered both at the microcosmic and the macrocosmic levels. Various Puranas also describe Kalapramana that existed previously. The measurement of time is known as [[Kalamana (कालमानम्)|Kalamana]]. Such time measurement has also been explained in Ayurveda texts like [[Charaka Samhita (चरक संहिता)|Charaka Samhita]] and [[Sushruta Samhita (सुश्रुतसंहिता)|Sushruta samhita]], and it is in line with the measurement explained in the other bharatiya shastras. The placement of rutus in this measurement system is of importance in the context of Rutucharya in this topic.
Acharya Charaka and Sushruta, have divided year in to the 6 segments calling this as Shadangas of the year. And it is also stated that, this segmentation is for the purpose of of [[Svasthavrtta (स्वस्थवृत्तम्)|svasthavrutta]] (healthy regimen) in different seasons. As per them, A year (samvatsara) is divided into six parts by seasons. Among them, when the Sun is in northward position to the Earth, that part of the year is called adana kala and includes three ritu starting from shishira, vasanta and grishma. When the Sun is in a position of southwards of the Earth, the period is called visarga kala and includes three ritu starting from varsha, sharad and hemanta. <ref>Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 6 Sutra 4)</ref>
Acharuya Sushruta gives even more detail segmentation of the time itself and provides position of the rutus in it. As per Sushruta, the smallest part of the time is akshinimesha, which refers to the time required to blink the eyelid whereas, the big part of the time is year known as Samvatsara which further makes Yuga known as the largest part in the time measurement. The same has been depicted in the adjacent picture. Till year the cyclical occurance of the time is easily perceptible to everyone therefore the segmentation of the year upto the year only has been given in the picture. However, the biggest part is the Yuga. <ref>Sushruta Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read&h=akShinimeSha Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 6 Sutra 5-6])</ref>
== ऋतुविभागाः॥ Classification of season ==
== ऋतुविभागाः॥ Classification of season ==
|}
|}
Acharya Sushruta has explained the reason behind mention of 2 different lists of rutus in Ayurveda treatises. As per his opinion, when the association of the rutus with the strength of the living beings especially the human has to be understood along with its relation to the rasa dominant in the nature at that time of the year, then the first list of rutus that includes Shishira rutu is considered. Whereas, when the specific season to undergo Panchakarma procedure in order to get excess doshas eliminated from the body for healthy individual also, then the second list of rutus that includes Pravrut rutu is referred. <ref>Dalhana's commentary on Sushruta Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 6 Sutra 10)]</ref>
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.<blockquote>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|</blockquote>
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.<blockquote>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|</blockquote>
Commentary- विसर्गादानविक्षेपैः कर्मभिर्यथासङ्ख्येन चन्द्रादित्यवाता यथा जगद्धारयन्ति, तथा कफादयस्त्रयो यथासङ्ख्येन विसर्गादिभिः कर्मभिर्देहं धारयन्तीति समुदायार्थः| विसर्गः सर्जनं ‘बलस्य’ इति शेषः; आदानं ग्रहणं बलस्यैव; विक्षेपः शीतोष्णादीनां विविधप्रकारेण प्रेरणम्||८||
Commentary- विसर्गादानविक्षेपैः कर्मभिर्यथासङ्ख्येन चन्द्रादित्यवाता यथा जगद्धारयन्ति, तथा कफादयस्त्रयो यथासङ्ख्येन विसर्गादिभिः कर्मभिर्देहं धारयन्तीति समुदायार्थः| विसर्गः सर्जनं ‘बलस्य’ इति शेषः; आदानं ग्रहणं बलस्यैव; विक्षेपः शीतोष्णादीनां विविधप्रकारेण प्रेरणम्||८||
== Dosha and season relationship ==
[[File:12. corrected doshas for article.png|thumb|415x415px]]
Any individual is considered Svastha (Healthy when he has a certain state of Doshas, Agni, dhatus, malas, a certain state of Atman, indriyas and manas. The same has been explained by Acharya Sushruta as follows,<blockquote>समदोषः समाग्निश्च समधातुमलक्रियः | प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रियमनाः स्वस्थ इत्यभिधीयते ॥ (Sush. Samh. 15.41)<ref>Sushruta Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read&h=samadoSha Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutra 41])</ref>
Meaning: Svastha (Healthy) person means, the one who has sama (balanced level of) [[Doshas (दोषाः)|doshas]], sama [[Agni in Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदे अग्निः)|agni]] (digestive fire), Sama metabolism generating balanced level of [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatus]] and [[Malas (मलाः)|malas]] as well as Prasanna (Happy state of ) [[Atman (आत्मन्)|atman]] (life energy / soul), [[Indriyas (इन्द्रियाणि)|Indriyas]] (Sensory and motor organs) and [[Manas (मनः)|manas]] (mind). </blockquote>Therefore, from the point of view of preventive healthcare, it is of utmost importance to maintain the balanced state of all these factors mentioned above which can also be called as the determinant of the health. Along with the other factors like diet, lifestyle, other habits etc kala (time) is one highly important factor that can cause diseases by disturbing the balanced state of doshas. The way in which this happens has been beautifully explained by Ayurveda acharyas in the topic of rutucharya. It was deeply studied and explained as to how the changing seasons, weather in a sequence bring about the changes in doshas, agni and strength. Particularly how seasons affect balanced state of individual doshas has been explained in texts and is depicted in the picture below.
== Strength and season relationship ==
Association or effect of each season on overall strength known as [[Balam (बलम्)|Balam]] in Ayurveda has been clearly explained by all the Ayurveda Acharyas in their texts. How ayanas and seasons affect strength is explained.
During Uttarayana (उत्तरायणम्) period i.e. in Shishira, Vasanta and Grishma rutus, 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 [[Balam (बलम्)|Bala (बलम्। strength)]] of the individual. <ref name=":0" />
At the time of Dakshinayana (दक्षिणायनम्) period i.e. in Varsha, Sharada and Hemanta rutu, when cool sets, and due to which anabolic activity dominates over the catabolic activity in the environment, the strength of person enhances.<ref name=":0" />
Understanding this association and impact of the seasons is very important to decide the diet, lifestyle, treatments and plan activities in seasons. The same is depicted in the table.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
| rowspan="2" |'''Rutu'''
| rowspan="2" |'''Balam'''
'''(Strength and overall Health)'''
|
|-
|-
|'''Shishira'''
|BEST
|
|-
|'''Vasanta'''
|Moderate
|-
|'''Grishma'''
|Poor
|-
|'''Varsha/'''
'''Pravrut'''
|Poor
|
|-
|'''Sharada'''
|Moderate
|-
|'''Hemanta'''
|BEST
|}
== ऋतुचर्या विधानम्॥ Seasonal Diet and Lifestyle Regimen ==
== ऋतुचर्या विधानम्॥ Seasonal Diet and Lifestyle Regimen ==