Dinacharya (दिनचर्या)

Dinacharya (दिनचर्या)

Dinacharya is the daily code of conduct expounded by Ayurveda acharyas which literally means daily regimen of an individual. Ayurveda acharyas have provided the guideline on what activities should one perform in an entire day and in what order and what exact time should these be performed in order to maintain the balance of body energies and prevent lifestyle related disorders.

Introduction

Dinacharya is the unique concept elaborated in Ayurveda under the section of preventive healthcare. Even before 2000 years ago, ancient Ayurveda scholars had recognized the significance of following a specific daily regimen in order to preserve the good health. It is believed that, ‘Kala’ (time) is always changing and it is that causative factor of disease which is beyond the control of Purusha. Changing times of the day also affect the internal environment of the human body. The physiological levels of Doshas, which are considered as the controlling forces of various functions of the body, is disturbed even because of the minute changes in the external environment one needs to bring the equilibrium of their natural back in order to maintain the normal functioning of the life (union of body, mind and life energy). Thus, one should follow the specific regimen daily to restore the balance of doshas which are disturbed due to the day and night cycle. This regimen should be followed on the daily basis. Therefore, Ayurveda acharyas have put forward the list of activities which should be the part of one’s daily regime. These activities have been described in detail under the topic of Dinacharya in Ayurveda scriptures.

Which food or regimen could be a part of anyone’s ‘Daily’ lifestyle?

Ayurveda acharyas were prudent enough to analyse and appraise the effect of anything (food or activity) that is adopted by an individual as a part of his/her daily regime. Thus, they laid high importance on selection of appropriate diet and activities for one’s lifestyle. Acharya Charaka has described the properties and desired effect which one should look for in any component (Food & lifestyle) before adopting it a pat of one’s daily regime. Acharya Charaka said,

तच्च नित्यं प्रयुञ्जीत स्वास्थ्यं येनानुवर्तते| अजातानां विकाराणामनुत्पत्तिकरं च यत्|| (Char. Samh. 5.13)

Tacca nityaṁ prayuñjīta svāsthyaṁ yēnānuvartatē| ajātānāṁ vikārāṇāmanutpattikaraṁ ca yat||

Meaning: One should take those as a daily routine, which maintains the health as well as prevents the onset of diseases.

And after saying that proposed the ready-made list of such daily regimen to preserve health of an individual which is known as Dinacharya.