Research Article International Ayurvedic Medical Journal ISSN:2320 5091 PREVENTIVE PRINCIPLES IN RUTUCHARYA Bargale Sushant Sukumar1, Shashirekha.H.K2 1Assistant Professor, Department of Swasthavritta and Yoga,2 Assistant Professor, Department of Basic Principles SDM college of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan, Karnataka, India ABSTRACT “Swasthasyaswasthyarakshanam”.Ayurveda being a holistic healing science emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle in preventing diseases which is evident from its objective. Ayurvedic perspective of an ideal lifestyle include following Dinacharya, Ratricharya, Rutu- charya, Dharaneeya and AdharneeyaVega,Sadvritta, Rasayana all of which are instrumental in the prevention of disease and promotion of ideal health. These concepts are mainly aimed at understanding the rhythms of nature and body, and the measures for maintaining homeostasis in these rhythms leading to a healthy life. A Dincharya and Rutucharya are explained with their four fold benefits like health promotive, preventive, curative and restorative. Key Words:Dharaneeya,AdharneeyaVega,Dinacharya,health, Rutucharya, Sadvritta, INTRODUCTION Ayurveda, the science of life is one health promotive, preventive, curative and of the ancient and comprehensive systems of restorative. Tridoshas undergo seasonal health care. Good health is basic prerequisite changes as Sanchaya – Prakopa – Prasha- to acquire materialistic, social and spiritual mana which are the three natural stages re- upliftment of individual. Therefore Ay- sponsible for Health and disease.3These viti- urveda lays great on preventive and promo- ated dosha will produce specific signs and tion of health and prevention of health. This symptoms. To overcome these and who is is achieved through life style management willing to attain good health should follow rather than drug or any other external inter- regimens of CharyaTraya i.e. Dinacharya, vention.1Ayurvedic perspective of an ideal Ritucharya, Ratricharya which were men- lifestyle include following Dinacharya, tioned by Acharyas. Ratricharya, Rutucharya, Dharaneeya and Importance of ritucharya Adharneeya Vega, Sadvritta, Rasayanaall of following the regimens prescribed which are instrumental in the prevention of under each and every Ritu(season) such per- disease and promotion of ideal health.2 son is never inflicted with seasonal diseases These concepts are mainly aimed at under- or disorders and he always remains as a standing the rhythms of nature and body, healthy person.4One who knows the suitable and the measures for maintaining homeosta- diet and regimens for every season and prac- sis in these rhythms leading to a healthy life. tices accordingly are enhancing the strength Dincharya and Rutucharya are ex- and lustre.5Ritucharya is the observance of plained with their four fold benefits like diet and regimen according to the seasonal Bargale Sushant Sukumar Shashirekha.H.K: Preventive Principles In Rutucharya changes. In Ayurveda, a year is divided into The three ritus commencing with Varsha, Adana Kala (Uttarayana)andVisargaKala Sharat and Hemanta from the Dakshinayana (Dakshinayana) based on the apparent posi- (southern solstice) and VisargaKala the pe- tion of the sun in the north and southern di- riod in which the sun releases the strength of rections.6 peoples; because the moon is more powerful ADANA KALA (Uttarayana) and sun loses his strength, the earth becomes Sun and Wind become very strong and dry cool and heat of sunlight by the effect of during this Uttarayana and take away all the clouds, rain and cold wind, unctuous tastes- cooling qualities of the earth: Tikta, Ka- Amla, Lavana and Madhura are powerful shaya and Katu tastes are more powerful respectively during this period. 10 respectively in theShishir, Vasant and Effect of VisargaKala on Body- Grishma hence this Adana Kala is Agneya During the Varsha, Sharat and Hemanta, the predominantly.7, 8 sun moves towards the south, and its power Effect of AdanaKala on Body of heating is slackened by various factors, During the period of AdanaKala not only viz. the time, course, storm and rain but the the sun with its rays but winds alsohave hot moon is not affected. The earth is relieved of blowing and dryness, absorb the moisture its heat by the rain causes unctuousness in from the earth. Winds progressively bring the body grow during the Varsha, Sharat about dryness in the atmosphere during the and Hemanta respectively. As a result of all three seasons of periods, vizSisira, Vasanta these, human beings also progressively grow and Grishma , which enhance the Tikta, Ka- in strength during the period of Visarga- shaya, Katu tastes respectively, all having Kala.11 dryness effects and as result, human become Table.1-shows the Attribution of Adana also become weak.9 Kala and Visarga Kala VISARGAKALA(Dakshinayana) ADANA KALA VISARGA KALA Uttarayana – Agneya Dakshinayan –Soumya Agneya- Agni GunaPradhana Soumya- SheetaGunaPradhana Vayu –Ati-ruksha Vayu- Not so Ruksha Moon- Less Bala Moon- Strong Bala Sun – Strong Bala Sun – Less Bala Sun dries away Things Moon Nourishes Things Ruksha,Tikta,Kashaya,Katu Snigdha, Amala, Madhura, Lavan BalaGruadullydecreases BalaGradullyIncreases Strength of the body in Six Ritus poor and remaining Vasanta and SharatRitu, In Sitakala (Hemanta and Sisira) the and it will be medium.12, 13 strength of the people will be maximum, Table -2 Shows the Status of Bala during during Varsha and GrishmaRitu it will be Year Uttarayana Dakshinayana Sisira Vasanta Grishma Varsha Sharad Hemanta Aadi Madhya Anta Aadi Madhya Anta 1022 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 3; Issue 4; April- 2015 Bargale Sushant Sukumar Shashirekha.H.K: Preventive Principles In Rutucharya Uttam Madhyam Avara Avara Madhyam Uttam Sanchaya-Prakopa-PrashamanaofDosha increase due to cold of the season.15 Kapha Vata undergoes Sanchaya in Grish- undergoes mild increase in SisiraRitu be- maRitu due to predominance of Laghu and cause of Snigdha and Sheeta predominance Ruksha properties in foods and in the bodies in water and foods and in the bodies of men of similar qualities, but does not undergo similar qualities but does not undergo great Prakopa due to the heat of the season.14Pitta increase because of its solidification.16 undergoes mild increase in VarshaRitu be- Table 3.Shows the Sanchaya-Prakopa- cause of water and food becomes sour at the Prashamana of Dosha according to ritu end of digestion but does not undergo great Dosha Sanchaya (Accumulation) Prakopa (Vitiation ) Shamana (Pacification) Vata Greeshma Varsha Sharad Pitta Varsha Sharad Hemanta Kapha Sisira Vasanta Greeshma During HemantaRituPittadecrease to cleansing of the body, they should resort to normal andVata and Kaphaslightly in- the regimen as enumerated in Abhyanga creases,Vata increase greatly in procedure with medicated oil with Vata al- SisiraanKapha undergo mild decrease. leviating property; MurdhiTaila bathing the Kaphaundergoes mild increase in Hemanta, head with more of oil, mild massaging of the in SisiraRituintake of food having quality of body, wrestling with the skilled to half of his cold, Snigdhand guru and it does not vitiates strength and judicious trampling of body. the Dosha. This is the nature of seasons and After the Abhyangaoiliness should be re- relation of Doshas.17Doshas undergo Caya, moved by washing with Kashaya decoc- PrakopaandShamana immediately also, by tions, powder etc. and bathing; then fine the effect of food and life style in the sea- paste or powder of Kumkuma and Darpa sons.18 should be applied, the body exposed to the Doshashodhanain RituCharya fumes of Aguru; meat soup mixed with fats, One should eliminate Kapha in VasantaRitu, meat of fattened animals, wine prepared Pitta in SharadRitu, and Vayu in Var- with Jaggery supernatant portion of Suras shaRitu, prior to the emergence of disor- and Sura as such should be made use of ders.19 food prepared from the flour of Wheat, HEMANATA RITU (winterseason) black gram, products of sugarcane and milk, In HemantaRitu, the people are strong; the food prepared from freshly harvested corn, Anala (digestive capacity) becomes power- muscles, fat and edible oils should be par- ful because it gets obstructed by the cold taken as food; warm water should be used atmosphere. It begins to digest the tissues for cleaning , thick sheet made of cotton, supported by Vayu(Vata); so in this Heman- leather, silk, wool or bark of tress which are taRitu, use of Madhura, Amla, Lavan Rasa. light in weight should be used during sleep; Ahara should be made for eat. exposure to sunlight, and fire should be re- As the night duration is longer, persons feel sorted to judiciously; foot wear should be hungry in the early morning itself, so after worn always. Persons who spend their time 1023 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 3; Issue 4; April- 2015 Bargale Sushant Sukumar Shashirekha.H.K: Preventive Principles In Rutucharya residing in house kept warm by fire, in inner water all around, invisible or poor sunlight, most apartments encircled with others or in the land covered with shining crystals, with underground chambers, will not be affected the cuckoo everywhere making pleasant by the disorders due to cold and dryness.19 sound and engaged in lovely play, with trees SISIRARITU (Late Winter) of different kinds of beautiful and sweet Even in SisiraRitu the same regimen should smelling flowers. be adopted more intensely for during this Foods which are hard to digest and cold, period cold is severe and dryness more, be- sleeping at day time, foods which are fatty, ing the effects