View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research Int. J. Ayur. Pharma Research, 2014; 2(2): 101-110 ISSN: 2322 - 0910 International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research Review Article RITU (SEASON), RITUCHARYA AND PRAKRITI- A CONCEPTUAL STUDY Bakal Nilesh Ganeshrao1*, Lode Dattatraya Somaji2, Patil Aparna Shrikrishna3 *1Assistant Professor and H.O.D. Department of Kriya Sharir, G. S. Gune Ayurveda College, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India. 2Assistant Professor and H.O.D. Department of Kaumarbhritya, G. S. Gune Ayurveda College, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India. 3Postgraduate Scholar. Department of Ayurveda Samhita, C.S.M.S.S. Ayurveda College, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. ABSTRACT The Prakriti (genetic constitution) and Kala (season) are extra ordinarily related with each other from the origin of a Prakriti due to many common and mutual factors. Naturally the effect of Kala on the Prakriti is unavoidable. The off springs from the conjugation of same Sukra (sperm) and Shonita (ovum) are not alike by Prakriti, because the time of conception or fertilization of the ovum might be different. The prominent Doshas during the time of conception has got definite role in the formation of Prakriti during conception, as well as after birth also. If the time predominates the Vata dosha, there must be certain qualities of Vata Dosha, even though the conjugating Sukra and Shonita may be of different Dosha. In such cases the chances of mixed Prakriti is more. The Charakacharya said that, a chance of Sama prakriti find is very difficult or rare. Most of the Prakrities are Vatala, Pittala and Sleshmala with predominance of Vata, Pitta and Kapha respectively. The season has great role in the genetic constitution because the fertilization of ovum also depends upon the time. Sushruta said, "after the cessation of the Rajo darshana (menstrual period) the 12 nights are useful for fertilization only". The modern physiology also states that the mature ovum get discharged through one of the two ovaries, every month, on or around the 14th day of cycle and so the period round about the 14th day is best for definite conception. This clearly shows the relation of Kala (season) and Prakriti (genetic constitution) since its origin and again ahead throughout the life time. Nowadays, the nature is changing its qualities due to various atmospheric changes like pollution, space experiments, heavy industrialization and population crisis. So while studying the effects of Kala (season) one has to face the hyper/ hypo and perverted faculties of Kala (season) which are affecting the generations. So the study of Kala (season) in respect of its various effects on Prakriti (genetic constitution), will be the essential thing in future. As per Ayurveda, Ritucharya (seasonal lifestyle) should be followed for prevention of diseases arising from variations in Tridosha due to Kala (season). In present study, we tried to advocate Ritucharya (seasonal lifestyle) with respect to Prakriti (genetic constitution). KEYWORDS: Prakriti, Ritu, Kala, Ritucharya. INTRODUCTION which one has to face in day to day busy life. Also Ayurveda is a science of life [1] developed the Ayurveda advocates living long and healthy - by the ancient sagas based on philosophical sturdy life, to achieve the Caturvidha speculations as well as intense clinical purushartha, i.e. Dharma, Artha, Kama and [2] observations. The principal object of Ayurveda is Moksha . It shows significant evidences, not only to cure the disease, but also to prevent elucidating the psychosomatic approach, the individuals from all sorts of miseries of life, towards the entire problems of health and Available online at : http://ijapr. in Page 101 Bakal Nilesh Ganeshrao et al. Ritu (Season), Ritucharya and Prakriti- A Conceptual Study diseases. The life is a union of body (Sharir), The genetic constitution has been senses (Indriyas), mind (Satwa) and spirit described in relevance to the fundamental (Atma)[3] as if a trigon of mental, physical and elements, i.e. Tridoshas which are supposed be spiritual factors, without any one of them, it can't the origin of Prakriti (genetic constitution). exist. So to have a long and healthy life, one must According to the predominance of the Doshas in be careful about the above three principles, all seven types of Prakrities (genetic which are inter-related and inter-dependent. constitution) has been described in old texts. In Ayurveda the creation of living being The Tridoshas being the initiative active is mainly considered as combination of five subjects in the formation of Prakriti (genetic fundamental entities called Panchamahabhutas constitution) as well as in nature, on which the (five fundamental entities) and the soul [4]. The existence of life as well as the nature depends. whole physical world is derived from these Likewise these Tridoshas when get affected by Panchamahabhutas (five fundamental entities) external forces as Kala (season) or Parinama [7], by their specific combinations. Thus the human it also reflects upon the corresponding Doshaja body is also a combination of five Mahabhutas or genetic Prakriti. (fundamental entities). There are various The Rituchakra of six Ritus (season cycle) external environmental forces like Sun, Moon, have different characters, responsible for and Air etc., which are responsible for the increase in same qualities in nature, as well as in control of external atmosphere. The same forces human being and depresses the opposite have various effects on the human body directly qualities also [8]. This is the reason for the Chaya, or indirectly. Prakopa and Prashama of Tridoshas in the These effects observed on various human beings in corresponding Ritus[9] (season). individuals are not same because, there is This variation of Tridoshas is not of the same difference in genetic constitution, which is quality in every individual. If the Doshas (Prakriti governed by Tridoshas. Tridoshas are supposed genetic), corresponds with the natural vitiated to be the basic elements of the body, derived Doshas in body, the chance of vitiation of Doshas from the Panchamahabhutas (five fundamental in that Prakriti (genetic constitution) is more e.g. entities) or the purpose of physiological in Vasanta ritu kala (spring) the nature is in activities. They are responsible for the integrity favour of Kapha prakopa due to sunshine heat of of the human body and govern the entire it. So the persons of Kaphaja prakriti will systems. When these Tridoshas get vitiated by definitely show signs of Kapha prakopa with external forces, various types of somatic slightest Kaphaja ahara -Vihara. So the study of disorders start, giving rise to diseases [5]. such effects in all six Ritus (season) in various Thus the health of an individual depends Prakrities (genetic constitution) will be helpful upon the normal position of Dosha, Dhatu and for the prevention and cure of the vitiated Mala [6]. For which, the Ayurveda had prescribed Tridoshas and thereby further illnesses. specific regimen of life for longevity and health, Nowadays, the nature is changing its such as Dincharya (daily lifestyle), Ritucharya qualities due to various atmospheric changes (seasonal lifestyle) etc. like pollution, space experiments, heavy Though the equilibrium of Tridoshas is industrialization and population crisis. So while supposed to be essential factors for normal studying the effects of Kala (season) one has to living, there is always a limited relative genetic face the hyper/ hypo and perverted faculties of variation of these Tridoshas, right from Kala (season) which are affecting the conception of ovum which leads to generations. So the study of Kala (season) in predominance of one of the Doshas in the body, respect of its various effects will be the essential on which genetic constitution is based upon. thing in future. This is called "Deha-prakriti". The concept of As one can't avoid Kala (season), its Deha (body) is a psychosomatic approach in variations will definitely reflect Upon the which the Prakriti has genetic and acquired individual and if he knows about his Prakriti aspects. The acquired constitution develops in (genetic constitution) and relation with the Kala relation to the environmental factors, like age, (season), he will try to guard himself. sex, familial and socio-economic atmosphere, Similarly the Ritucharya (seasonal and lastly climatic condition which top the list. lifestyle) described in the old texts must be modified according to the modern techniques Available online at : http://ijapr. in Page 102 Int. J. Ayur. Pharma Research, 2014; 2(2): 101-110 ISSN: 2322 - 0910 and the life shall be made more comfortable with 5. Atma (Soul personal): The Jiwatma, which all the amenities, bearing in mind the Tridoshas enters at the time of conception with its own and their characters, which one has to keep in peculiarities. equilibrium. Thus, the direct and indirect factors DISCUSSION mentioned above are responsible, in the PRAKRITI formation of Prakriti (genetic constitution) with their various different faculties. Hence the off- The Brihatrayee (Charaka, Sushruta, springs from the same parents are not always of Vagbhata) has wisely and minutely explained the same Prakriti (genetic constitution). about the process of Prakriti [10-12,]. Types and Classification of Prakriti As Tridosha are part of and parcel of every component i.e. Dhatu, the Vata, Pitta, The Prakriti (genetic constitution) is classified Kapha are also present in Shukra (sperm) as well by various ways as: as in Shonita (ovum). When the union of these 1) Doshaja Shukra (sperm) and Shonita (ovum) takes place 2) Panchabhautika and Jiwatma (soul) enters; at that same time, the conception takes place. At that time one or other 3) According six basic factors like Jati, Kula etc of the Doshas may be in preponderance. So the 4) Manasa Prakriti (genetic constitution) is determined by Here we are not going in details of each Prakriti the most dominant Dosha and thus the foetus due to the possible expansion of the topic.