Svasthavrtta (स्वस्थवृत्तम्)

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Svasthavrttam refers to the code of conduct to be followed by a healthy individual so as to preserve and promote his health and well-being. It is the widely discussed topic under Ayurveda. Various aspects of preventive healthcare and public health are discussed under Svasthvrttam in Ayurveda literature. It is believed to be one of the unique topics discussed exclusively in Ayurveda. It includes various topics like Dinacharya, Rutucharya, Vega dharana, Sadvrttam etc that discuss specific diet or lifestyle related aspects under one major category which is an integral part of life of any individual.

Introduction

The aim of Ayurveda knowledge is to preserve and promote the health of healthy individual and cure the disorders of diseased individuals. It is therefore clear that, the knowledge offered in Ayurveda focuses not only on the treatment of various diseases but equal emphasis has also been given on preservation of health in the healthy individual. Preservation of health refers to prevention of diseases by boosting the immunity and also maintaining the fitness. Since Ayurveda considers life of any individual as the union of Shariram, Manas, Atman and Indriyas; health of an individual refers to the health of all these components of life. Thus, Svasthavrtta is also discussed with reference to the health and well-being of Shariram, Manas and Atman with Indriyas. When each and every component of life is given due importance, their union functions well and results in generation of good health and wellbeing of that individual.

आयुर्वेदस्य प्रयोजनम्॥ Prayojana of Ayurveda

Prayojana (प्रयोजन । ) of Ayurveda means the aim of Ayurveda. All the ayurveda acharyas have clearly explained the aim of Ayurveda in their treatises.

वत्स सुश्रुत! इह खल्वायुर्वेदप्रयोजनं- व्याध्युपसृष्टानां व्याधिपरिमोक्षः, स्वस्थस्य रक्षणं च ॥ (Sush. Samh. 1.14)

Acharya Sushruta opines that, the aim of Ayurveda is व्याधिपरिमोक्षः । Vyadhiparimoksha i.e. to alleviate the suffering of a diseased individual by eradicating the disease and स्वास्थ्यरक्षणम् । Svasthyarakshan i.e to preserve the health of a healthy individual by preventing the diseases.

प्रयोजनं चास्य स्वस्थस्य स्वास्थ्यरक्षणमातुरस्य विकारप्रशमनं च ॥ (Char. Samh. 30.26)

Hence, it is clear that Ayurveda focuses on both the aspects of health namely, curative and preventive. The methods of achieving health and longevity by not just treating the diseases but also by prevention of the diseases, have been described in Ayurveda indicating supremacy and the wisdom of ancient Rshis.

Acharya Charaka has frequently used the term Prakrti, Swasthya, Sukha, Arogya, Dhatusamya as synonyms of health. He stresses that disorder is disequilibrium of Dhatus and their equilibrium is health. Health is known as happiness while disorder is unhappiness.

Etymology

The term Svasthvrtta is composed of two parts viz. 'Svastha' and 'Vrttam'.

Svastha

• Swa means - One's own, belonging to one self, innate, natural
• Stha means -To stand and live.

In total it means "Living one's own inherent life". Therefore, one who stands strong without any diseases and disequilibrium of Dhatus is called as svastha.

Vrtta

Vrtta (वृत्तम्) means practice, action, mode of life, conduct, behavior. Therefore, mode of life or conduct to be followed by a healthy individual to remain healthy is discussed under Svasthavrtta.

Definition of word 'Svastha'

Ayurveda has defined the term Svastha and clearly explained what 'svasthya' means to Ayurveda. Ayurveda acharyas had recognized the importance of equilibrium of functional units like Doshas, Dhatus, Malas and Agni in maintaining the health. Thus, while defining the term 'svasthya' attention has been paid to all these factors. Acharya Sushruta has defined the term Svastha as below,

समदोषः समाग्निश्च समधातुमलक्रियः। प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रियमनः स्वस्थ इति अभिधीयते।। (Sushrut Samhita Sutrasthanam 15.48)

Meaning: Svastha means the one who has equilibrium of doshas, agni, dhatus and well balanced mala activities (in body) along with energetic/well functioning atman, indriyas and manas (all collectively).

In the above definition, physical, mental and adhyatmik (spiritual) health has been explained. Health does not mean only the absence of disease but it means that manas and atman should also be Prasanna (energetic/active/happy). Complete psycho-somatic equilibrium is the key to Svasthya (health). Therefore Ayurveda recognizes svastha not just at the level of physical body. Ayurveda considers individual as the union of body, mind and energy (Soul). Thus svasthya also depends on well functioning of all these components of one's life which has been stated clearly in the definition.

Prashasta Purush characteristics

Along with the term svastha, acharya Charaka at one place described the features of a person which make him strong and immunocompetent. He has clearly mentioned that individuals who are too lean or obese are usually sick with some or the other ailment frequently. They are also intolerant towards many climatic factors like heat, cold etc. Further it is also seen that if the same disease affects lean and obese both at a time, the obese person is bound to suffer more than the leaner one. Thus both these states are not desirable. Therefore having appropriate amount of mansa and meda dhatu in body is one of the important criteria for immunity building in one's body. In this reference, the features of the person having appropriate amount of mamsa dhatu have also been described and the commentator Chakrapani of Charaka Samhita has called such individual 'Prashasta purusha'. Prashasta means admired and purusha means an individual (human being). This refers to the state of optimum health or fitness of any individual due to optimum amount of mamsa dhatu and few other components critical for god health. Acharya Charaka has given features of such individual and revered him as 'Prashasta purusha'.

सममांसप्रमाणस्तु समसंहननो नरः| दृढेन्द्रियो विकाराणां न बलेनाभिभूयते||१८|| क्षुत्पिपासातपसहः शीतव्यायामसंसहः| समपक्ता समजरः सममांसचयो मतः||१९|| (Char. Samh. 21.18-19)

Meaning: A person with a balanced proportion as well as appropriate tone of the muscles and firmness in (sensory & motor) organs is not overcome by the onslaught of disorders. Such people can tolerate hunger, thirst, the heat of the sun, cold and physical exercise. Their agni (digestive fire), digestive function and muscle metabolism is in a state of equilibrium.

Svasthya Chatushka of Charaka Samhita

Acharya Charaka has named group of 4 adhayays as 'Swasthya chatushka'. All these 4 adhyayas are predominantly dedicated for describing the measures to prevent diseases, preserve and promote health of an healthy individual.

Adhyayas in Swastha chatushka are as follows,

1. Matrashiteeya Adhyaya (The proper quantity of food and daily regimen for preserving health)
2. Tasyashiteeya Adhyaya (Seasonal regimen of diet and lifestyle)
3. Naveganadharaniya Adhyaya (Non-suppressible and suppressible natural urges and other factors for health)
4. Indriyopakramaniya Adhyaya (The Disciplinary Protocol for Sense and Motor Organs)

Contents of Svasthvrtta

Daily regimen (Dincharya)

Seasonal Regimen (Ritucharya)

Non suppression of natural urges

Occasional Occupational duties

Precautionary Observances in sexual activity

General rules of conduct for the well being of society: Ethical Regimen

Precautionary measures against untimely old age

Conduct and Practices realization