Ritucharya: The Seasonal Regimen That Enriches Life
Articles By – Inika choudhary
Swasthyashya Swasthya Rakshanam–to maintain the health of the healthy, is the fundamental of Ayurveda, the age-old science of life that has been birthed and nourished in India. To protect and maintain good health, Ayurveda prescribes several lifestyle habits, like Dincharya or daily regimen, and Ritucharya, which comprises of two words, ‘Ritu’, literally translating to season, and ‘charya’, meaning rules and regimen– thereby, seasonal regimen. With extreme weather conditions and climate change becoming a reality with each passing day, it is now imperative to incorporate the teachings of Ritucharya into everyday life and attain the many health benefits it has to offer.
The Knowledge Base of Ritucharya
“Tasya Shitadiya Ahaarbalam Varnascha Vardhate. Tasyartusatmayam Vaditam Chestaharvyapasrayam.” This saying from the Tasyashitya chapter of the Charaka Samhita means that ‘the strength and complexion of the person knowing the suitable diet and regimen for every season and practising accordingly are enhanced.’
Human beings are greatly influenced by their external environment. Many exogenous and endogenous rhythms have a specific phase relationship with each other and in situations when the body is not able to adapt itself to these stressors of change during different seasons, it can lead to Dosha Vaishamya–alterations in the body humours or fundamental bio elements. Ignorance can become a breeding ground for various lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, etc., and a change in seasons and temperatures thus is time for key variations in our lifestyle, which is what Ritucharya theorises in detail.
Ayurveda divides the year into two periods; Kala and Ayana, or solstices, based on the direction of the sun’s movement. These are Uttarayana or Adana Kala (Northern solstice) and Dakshinayana or Visarga Kala (southern solstice). Both comprise of three ritus each; Shishira (winter), Vasanta (spring), and Grishma (summer) in the Northern solstice, and Varsha (monsoon), Sharad (autumn), and Hemanta (late autumn) in the Southern solstice, set predominantly in the context of the Indian subcontinent.
A rhythmic pattern of the Tridosha–Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, occurs in relation to the six seasons outlined above, and their Sanchaya (accumulation), Prakopa (aggravation), and Prashaman (mitigation) all change when the sun changes its Rashi. The basic principle of Ritucharya is to preserve the equilibrium of the Doshas through Samanya (similarities) and Vishesha (dissimilarities). Hence, suitable observance of Ahara (food and diet) along with Vihara (lifestyle and regimen) is essential for ease of transition among seasons. A focus on overcoming Rituvaiparyata or unexpected seasonal changes, majorly as a result of the climate crisis, is also seen in the treatise, along with recommendations for Ritusandhi, the 14-day period of transition between two seasons.
The Prescribed Regimen
Winter or Shishira ritu occurs from mid-January to mid-March. It is characterised by a cold and windy environment, a general lack of strength, higher Agni or catabolism, and deposition of Kapha. The main Rasa (primary taste) is Tikta or bitterness, and the Mahabhuta (elements) is Aakash (space). During this time, Laghu (light) and Shita (cold) foods along with those having Katu (pungent), Tikta, and Kashaya (astringent) tastes are to be avoided. Instead, Amla (sour) should be preferred as the predominant taste, coupled with pulses, wheat and gram flour products, new rice, corn, sugarcane, ginger, garlic, Haritaki, Pippali, and milk products. Lifestyle should include regular oil massages, sunlight exposure, warm clothes, and bathing with lukewarm water while Vata aggravating activities like excessive walking, late sleep, and exposure to cold winds should be avoided.
The regimen for Vasanta ritu or spring falls mainly in the consumption of easily digestible foods like cereals, old barley, wheat, rice, honey, lentils and pulses like Mugda, and rabbit meat, along with lifestyle changes like gargling (Kavala), smoking (Dhooma), eye medication (Anjana), massage (Udvartana) with Chandana powder, Kesara, and Agara, detoxification through Vamana and Nasya and finally, exercising, and bathing with warm water. Sleeping during the day is strictly advised against. This period from mid-March to mid-May is a time of flowering, with the predominant Rasa being Kashaya and the Mahabhuta being Prithvi (Earth) and Vayu (Air). The Kapha Dosha is nullified, energy is medium, and Agni remains in Manda (dull) state; thus, tastes like Shita, Amla, Snigdha (viscous), Guru (heavy), and Madhura (sweet) are not preferred, and in their place, substances tasting Tikta, Katu, and Kashaya are to be taken.
The summers or Grishma ritu (mid-May to mid-July) are a time of intense heat and unhealthy winds, which in turn lead to low strength, deposition of Vata, pacification of Kapha, and a mild Agni. The predominant Rasa is Katu and the Mahabhuta are Agni and Vayu. Foods which are light to digest like rice and lentils with Madhura, Snigdha, Shita, and Drava (liquid) Guna are to be prioritised and one should drink plenty of water, buttermilk, fruit juices, meat soups, and churned curd with pepper, apart from bedtime milk with sugar candy. Warm foods and Lavana (salty), Katu, and Amla tastes are to be avoided. One should also incorporate lifestyle changes like the application of Sandalwood pastes over the body, wearing light dresses, sleeping during daytime, adorning with flowers, staying in cool places, and enjoying the cooled moonlight while seeking prohibition of excessive exercising, alcohol consumption, and sexual activities.
Mid-July to mid-September is the monsoon season or Varsha ritu, primarily cloudy skies with rains and thunderstorms. The predominant Rasa and Mahabhuta are Amla, and Prithvi and Agni, respectively. Agni and Vata get vitiated, while energy becomes less and Pitta is deposited. The intake of medicated or boiled water instead of river water, and preparations with excessive liquid and wine are to be ensured. The inclusion of soup (Yusha) in the diet is recommended. Hard-to-digest foods should be avoided and qualities like Amla, Lavana, and Snigdha are to be prioritised. Daily activities should include bathing with boiled water and oil massages, and to expel vitiated Doshas and cleanse the colon, Basti is recommended. Actions to be prohibited are getting wet in the rain, day-sleep, exercise, and sexual indulgence.
Following this comes the Sharada ritu or autumn, which lies in the period between mid-September and mid-November and sees clear skies, wet mud, and a bright Sun. The Lavana Rasa and Agni and Apa Mahabhuta predominate. Medium strength, pacification of Vata, vitiation of Pitta, and increase in Agni activities are seen. Food is advised to be consumed only in times when there is a feeling of hunger–Madhura, Tikta, Laghu, and cold foods like wheat, green gram, sugar candy, honey, and dry land animal meat are advised, as opposed to hot, bitter, sweet, and astringent items like fat, oils, aquatic animals, curds, etc. Water that is purified from sunlight and moonlight should be used for drinking and bathing, and flower garlands, Chandana paste, purging (Virechana), and blood-letting (Rakta-Mokshana) should be indulged in. Day-sleep, excessive eating, and sunlight should be avoided. It is also said that moonlight in the first three hours of the night is conducive to health during this time.
Finally, mid-November to mid-January is the time of the Hemanta ritu or late autumn, which is marked by chillness, high strength, pacification of the Pitta Dosha, and increased Agni activity. Madhura is the major Rasa while Apa and Prithvi Mahabhuta dominate. Exercise, massages, sunbathing (Atapa-sevana), heavy clothing and application of Agaru, sexual indulgence and residing in warm places are recommended. Day sleep and exposure to strong winds is contraindicated. One should consume cereals, pulses, new rice, green gram, and other unctuous, sweet, sour, and salty foods. Fermented preparations (shidhu), sesame (Tila), meats, fats, and milk and sugarcane products should also be incorporated into the diet. Lastly, cold drinks, and light, cold, and dry foods that can aggravate Vata are to be avoided.
Conclusion
This detailed list of dos and don’ts is testament to the exemplary foresightedness and scientific knowledge of the Indian tradition that aims to upkeep the Swastha (health) and prevent diseases. With changing seasons comes the responsibility of maintaining good health so that such vagaries do not take a toll on our health. Several traditions venerate the role of seasons in the prevention and diagnosis of diseases, and modern medicine has time and time again proven the increase in the occurrence of certain ailments during specific seasons. Hippocrates, the Greek physician widely recognised as the Father of Medicine, has remarked, “Whoever wishes to investigate medicine properly should proceed thus in the first place to consider the seasons of the year and what affect each of them produces.”
A maintenance in the harmony of the Tridosha thus comes out to be essential for the smooth functioning of our bodily functions. While the present-day climate crisis has blurred the distinctions between weather changes and given impetus to erratic seasonal variations, Ritucharya can be instrumental in a harmonious lifestyle that focuses on continued well-being, instead of mere cure of diseases.
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Ritu Chakra Wheel of the Six Seasons by Freedom Cole, retrieved from an article titled “The Six Seasons: Parth Three” by Freedom Cole, published by the Sutra Journal, dated February 2016.
Relational Diagram between the Tridosha and the Seasons, retrieved from a presentation titled “Ritucharya by Dr. Shailesh Vikram”, uploaded to SlideShare, a ScribD Company, dated May 22, 2020.
