5. Ayurveda is known as science of living beings. It concerns over
the maintenance of health of healthy living beings and
restoration of health of the diseased ones.
Thus, the first aim of Ayurveda is maintenance of health
which is comprised of Dina Charya, Ritu Charya, Sadvritta
etc.
हिनियाां हनशाियाां ऋतुियाां यथोहितम्। आिाीन् पुरुषः स्वस्थः सािा हनष्ठहत
नान्यथा।। (भा.प्र.५/१३)
Acharya Charaka has described Ritucharya in Charak
Sutrasthan Chapter 6 whereas Sushruta described it in
Sushrut Uttartantra Chapter 64,While Acharya Vagbhata
described in Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana Chapter 3.
INTRODUCTION
6. DEFINITION
ऋतु काल पयाायः। ियाा िीणां वतानां । ियाा शास्त्र हनयहमत आिाीः।।
(िल्हण on साु.हि.३/८)
Rtu is Synonym of time and carya is regimen to be
followed
उभयलोक हितमािाीहविाी िेहितहमहत यावत् । (अ.हृ.साू. ३ / १)
The regimen which is wholesome to every one with
respect to diet and practices is ṛtu carya.
7. मासाैहद्वासाांख्यैमााघाद्यैः क्रमात् षि् ऋतवः स्मृताः ।
हशहशीोऽथ वसान्तश्च ग्र ष्मवषााशीद्धिमाः।। (AH.SU.3/1)
The six Ritus (seasons), Sisira (extreme winter), Vasanta (spring), Grisma
(summer), Varsa (rainy season), Sarat (autumn) and Hemanta (early winter) –
in order, each one comprising of two months constitute a seasonal cycle.
CLASSIFICATION
8.
9.
10. ऋतुष्येषु र् एतस्तु विविविियतयते नरः दोषानृतुक
ृ तान्त्रैि लिते स
कदाचन (र्ो.र. 2)
If one follow the regimens prescribed under each and every
Ritu (season) such person is never inflicted with seasonal
diseases or disorders and he always remains as a healthy
person.
चर्कोपशमा र्स्मिन्दोषाां सम्भिस्मि वि। ऋतुषटक
ां तदाख्यातां रिे
रावशषु सांक्रमात ॥ (भा.प्र. हिनियााहि प्रकीण 309)
The movement of sun from one Rasi to the other is known as
Rutu cycle of six seasons. Chaya (mild increase), Kopa (more
increase) and Samma (decrease to normal) of Doshas occur
in this cycle.
तस्यावशताद्यादािारदू लां िर्णं िियते र्स्यतुांसात्म्यां विवदतां
चेष्टािारव्यपाश्रर्म (ि.साू. 6/3)
One who knows the suitable diet and regimens for every
season and practices accordingly are enhancing the strength
and luster.
IMPORTANCE
OF
RITUCHARYA
11. इि खलु साांवत्सीां षिङ्गमृतुहवभागेन हवद्यात
तत्राहित्यस्योिगयनमािानां ि श्र नृहशीाि न ग्र ष्मान्तान
व्यवस्थेत वषााि न पुनिेमन्तान्तान िहक्षणायनां हवसागा (ि.साू.
6/3)
The year is divided into six parts according to
seasons. The northward movement of the sun
and its act of dehydration brings about three
seasons beginning from late winter to summer.
The southward movement of sun and its act of
hydration gives rise to the other three seasons
beginning with the rainy to early winter.
मासाैहद्वसाांख्यैाघाः क्रमात पितवः स्मृताः
हशहशीोऽथ वसान्ति ग्र ष्मो वषााशीद्धिमाः ॥ (AH.SU.3)
12.
13.
14. ADANA KALA (UTTARAYANA)
Definition:-
उत्तीाां हिशाां प्रहत अयनां गमनम् इहत उत्तीायणां ।। (अ.हृ. ३/२ सा.साु. ट का)
The movement of the sun in northern direction is
uttarāyana
आििाहत क्षपयहत पृहथव्याः साौम्ाांशां प्राहणनाां बलहमत्यािानम् ।।
The ayana reduces the saumya or mild qualities from the
earth and takes away the strength of human beings.
15. हशहशीाद्या, द्धस्त्रहभस्तैस्तु हवद्याियनमुत्तीम्
आिानां ि तिाित्ते नृणाांपीहतहिनां बलम् (AH.SU.3)
Sisira, vasantha, grishma ritu together form uttarayana, which brings
about reduction of strength .
तद्धस्मन् ह्यत्यथात क्ष्णोष्णरूक्षा मागास्वभावतः ।
आहित्यपवनाः साौम्ान् क्षपयद्धन्त गुणान् भुवः ।
हतक्तः कषायः कटुको बहलनोऽत्र ीसााः क्रमात्
16. Tikshna, ushna, ruksha guna of sun andair increases
Weakens saumya guna of earth
Rasas such as tiktha, kashaya, katu becomes stronger.
17. EFFECT OF ADANA KALA
ON BODY
तत्र ीहवभााहभीाििानो जगतः स्नेिां वायवस्त व्ररूक्षाश्चोपशोषयन्तः
हशहशीवसान्तग्र ष्मेषु यथाक्रमां ीौक्ष्यमुत्पाियन्तो
रूक्षान् ीसााांद्धस्तक्तकषायकटुकाांश्चाहभवधायन्तो नृणाां
िौबाल्यमाविद्धन्त||६||
In adana kala the Sun with its hot rays absorbs moisture from the environment. The
excessively dry wind by virtue of its absorbing quality further causes dryness
in shishira, vasanta, and grishma seasons progressively, leading to the predominance
of tikta, kashaya, and katu rasa respectively and gradual increase of weakness in
human beings during these three seasons. [6]
18. During the period of Adana Kala not only the
sun with its rays, but also winds their sharp
velocity and dryness, absorb the moisture from
the earth. Winds progressively brings about
dryness in tha atmosphere during the three
seasons of periods, viz Sisira, Vasanta and
Grishma, which enhance the Tikta, Kashaya,
Katu tastes respectively, all having dryness
effects and as result, human being also become
weak.
19. दविर्णां वदशां प्रवत गमनां दविर्णार्नम् ।। (अ.हृ. ३/४ स.सु.
टीका)
The southward movement of sun and the ayana which
gives Strength.
20. Seasons in Dakshiņāyana
ऋतिो दविर्णार्नम् िषायदर्ो विसगयश्च ।। (अ.हृ. ३/९)
Ritus in Dakshinayana areVarshā, Sarat and Hemanta.
विसगयश्च र्द्बलां विसृजत्यर्म् (AH.su.3)
Body gains strength during this period .
सौम्यत्वादत्र सोमो वि बलिान िीर्ते रविः ।।
मेघिृष्ट्यवनलैः शीतैः शाितापे मिीतले ।
विग्धाश्चेिाम्ललिर्णमिुरा बवलनो रसाः ।। (AH.su.3)
21. Due to predominance of somabhava, moon gains strength
Weakens property of sun
Cold clouds, rain, wind of this period cool the earth and
this causes the snigdha rasas ie madhura, alla, lavana to
gain strength.
22. During the Varsha, Sharad and Hemanta, the sun
moves towards the south, and its power of heating is
slackened by various factors, viz. The time, course,
storm and rain but the moon is not affected. The earth
is relieved of its heat by the rain causes unctuousness
in the body grow during the Varsha, Sharad and
Hemanta respectively. As a result of all these, human
beings also progressively grow in strength during the
period of Visarga Kala.
23.
24.
25. Attribution of Adana Kala and Visarga Kala
Adana Kala Visarga
kala
Uttarayana-Agneya
Dakshinayana- saumya
Agneya-Agni Guna Pradhana Saumya sheeta
guna pradana
Vayu-Ati-ruksha Vayu-Not so
ruksha
Moon- less Bala Moon- strong
bala
Sun-Strong Bala Sun-Less bala
26. Strength of the body in Six Ritus
श तेऽग्र्यां दृहिधमेऽल्पां बलां मध्यां तु शेषयोः (अ.ि.साु. 317)
आिावन्ते ि िौबाल्यां हवसागाािानयोनृाणाम मध्ये मध्यवलां, त्वन्ते
श्रेष्ठमग्रे ि हनहिाशेत । (ि.साू. 6/8)
In Sitakala (Hemanta and Sisira) –the strength will
be maximum
Varsha &Grishma - poor Strength
Vasanta and Sharad – medium strength
31. Rasa- Madhuram, Amlam, Lavana
Vihara - Abhyanga, Moordhataila, Vimardanam. Paadaghatam, pravrita sayanam,
padatranam, svedam
Panam- Gaudam, Achasura
Annam- Navannam, Vasa, Tailam
In Hemanta Rutu, the people are strong; the Anala (digestive activity) becomes
powerful because it gets obstructed by the cold atmosphere. It begins to digest the
tissues supported by Vayu(Vata); so in this Hemanta Rutu, use of Madhura, Amla,
Lavan Rasa Ahara should be made for eat.
33. Agni bala increased
Vata increases due to seetha guna
Ahara- snigdha, alla, lavana rasa, audhuka, anupa mamsa, medhya mamsa,
bilesaya, prasaha, bhruta mamsa
Pana- madira, seethu, madhu
Pathya- Gorasa, ikshu vikruthi, vasa, taila, nava oudana, ushna toya
Vihara- abhyanga, utsadana, murdini taila, jentaka sweda, garbha gruha,
buri Graham, cover body with aguru, maithuna
Apathya- anna& pana which are vatala, laghu, pravata( cold wind),
pramitahara(less food)
34.
35. SISIRA RITU
अयमेव हवहधः कायाः हशहशीेऽहप हवशेषतः ।
तिा हि श तमहधक
ां ीौक्ष्यां िािानकालजम् ।।
( AH. Su. 3)
Same as hemantha ritu. Intensity of cold increases, and also roukshya property.
36. VASANTA RITU
कफहश्चतो हि हशहशीे वसान्तेऽकाांशुताहपतः ।
ित्वाऽहनां क
ु रुते ीोगानतस्तां त्वीया जयेत् ।।(AH.su.3)
The kapha that increases& accumulates during sisira is liquified by hot sunrays of
vasanta ritu. This weakens the digestive fire causing various disease. Hence
aggravated kapha is to be quickly pacified.
38. CHANGES IN HUMAN BODY
Kayagni becomes manda
Accumulation of aama
Kaphajarogas will occur
AHARA
Laghu ruksha ahara
Purana yava Godhuma, kshoudra
Jangala mamsa
Asava,arishta,mardvika,sidhu
Water medicated with shunti or extracts or candana
Water boiled with musta and honey
39. Vihara
Vyayama
Udvartana
After bath body smeared with powder of karpura, candana, aguru, kunkuma
The aggravated kapha pacified by vamana, nasya
CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Guru amla snigdha madhura ahara
Divaswapna
43. GRISHMA RITU
त क्ष्णाांशुीहतत क्ष्णाांशुग्र ष्मे साद्धषक्षपत व यत् ॥
प्रत्यिां क्ष यते श्लेष्मा तेन वायुि वधाते । अतोऽद्धस्मन्पटुकट्वम्लव्यायामाक
ा कीाांत्यजेत । (अ.ि.साू. 3/26-27)
In Grishma (summer) the sun rays become powerful and appear to be destructive.
Kapha decreases day by day and Vata increases consequently, hence in this season
avoid use of Lavan, Katu and Amal rasa foods, heavy physical exercises and
exposure to sunlight.
44. भजेन्मधुीमेवान्नां लघु हस्नग्धां हिमां द्रवम्सुश ततोयद्धस्तक्ताड़्गोहलि्ं
् यत्सक्तून् साशक
ा ीान्||(अ.साू.
3/28)
Food-which are Madhura Rasa, light (easy to digest), fatty, cold and liquid
should be taken, take corn flour mixed with cold water and sugar after taking
bath in cold water.
Indication for limited use of wine during summer
मद्यां न पेयां, पेयां वा स्वल्पां, साुबहुवारी वा
अन्यथा शोफसाशैहथल्यिािमोिान् कीोहत तत् ॥(अ.हृ.साू. 3/29).
45. Madya (wine) should not be taken; if very necessary, taken in very little
quantity or diluted with more quantity of water; if wine is taken in large
doses, it will cause sopha, shaithilya, daha& moha
क
ु न्देन्िुधवलां शाहलमश्न याज्जाङ्गलैः पलैः ।
हपबेद्रसाां नाहतघनां ीसाालाां ीागखाण्डवौ ।।
पानक
ां पञ्चसााीां वा नवमृद्भाजनद्धस्थतम् ।
मोििोििलैयुाक्तां सााम्लां मृन्मयशुद्धक्तहभः ।।
पाटलावाहसातां िाम्भः साकपूाीां साुश तलम् ।
शशािहकीणान् भक्ष्यान् ीजन्याां भक्षयन् हपबेत् ।।
साहसातां माहिषां क्ष ीां िन्द्रनक्षत्रश तलम् ।
46. Ahara
Madhura, laghu, snigdha, sheeta drava ahara
Saktu mixed with sheeta jala and sugar
Shali with jangala mamsa
Mamsa (not very thick)
Mahisha ksheera mixed with sita
Vihara
Diva swapna
Mild exercize
Bath in cold water
Apply candana in body and forehead take rest in gardens with tall trees that
does not allow the sunlight
47. CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Vatavardhaka ahara vihara
lavana,amla,katu rasa
Vyayama
Madyam-if necessary taken in mild quantity
Upavasa exposure to sunlight.
DIETARY PREPARATIONS
Rasala
Raaga
Shadava
48. Panaka
Panchasaara
Shashangakirana
Panchakarma
Snehana with medicated vatahara ghrita
Swedana in mild form
All other panchakarma should be avoided.
49. NISHACHARYA
हनशाकीकीाक णे साौधपृष्ठे हनशासाु ि ।।
आसाना स्वस्थहित्तस्य िन्दनाद्रास्य माहलनः ।
हनवृत्तकामतन्त्रस्यसाुसाूक्ष्मतनुवासासाः (AH.Su.3)
At nights, one should sleep in on terrace having good moonlight. Exhaustion of heat
of day is to be relievedby chandana lepa, wearing garlands, avoidance of sexual
activities, wearing of very light and thin dress, fanning with leaves of tala, sprinkling
cool water etc.
54. In rainy season, the Agni (digestive activity) is weak. It
is already debilitated by Adana Kala; it undergoes
further decrease and gets vitiated by the Doshas, The
Doshas get aggravated by the effect of thick clouds full
of water, cold wind having snow, dirty water because of
rain, warmth of the earth and sourness. The poor
strength of digestive activity the Doshas start vitiating
one another and cause many diseases. Hence all
general measures to mitigate imbalanced Doshas and to
improve digestive activity should be adopted.
55. Ahara
Drink medicated water,rice along with honey
old barley,wheat,rice, meat soup, yusha
Drink little quantity of mardwika arishta with honey
mastu with souvarchala and panchakola
Vihara
Regular exercise or yogasanas.
Do oil massage and exercise
Take bath atleast after half an hour after taking the massage
Should not walk barefooted
56. CONTRAINDICATIONS
अपाििाी साुीहभः साततां धूहपताम्बीः ।।
िम्ापृष्ठे वसाेद्वाष्पश तश कीवहजाते ।
नि जलोिमन्थािः स्वप्नायासाातपाांस्त्यजेत्
(AH.su.3)
Walking without footwear is not recommended in this season. Body shall be
scented with per fumes and the clothes worn shall be fumigated. Stay shall be
in the upper floor of a mansion free from moisture, cold and mist. River water,
mantha (powder of parched paddy churned with water). Sleeping during
daytime, exertion and sun-bath are to be avoided.
57. River water
Udhaka pradhana mantha
Day sleep
Exposure to mist
Excessive vyayama and vyavaya
PANCHAKARMA
Niruha or asthapana vasthi should be given.
59. Ahara- amla, lavana, sneha, yava, godhuma, purana Sali, jangala mamsa,
yusha
Pana- madhvika, arishta, mahendra, tapta seetham, koupa, sarasa, with
honey
Vihara- pragarsha, udvartana,snana, gandhamalyam, asthapana, wear
clean& light apparel, reside in house which is akledi
Apathya- divaswapna, nadi jala, vyayama, atapa, vyavaya
60.
61. SHARATH RITU
वषााश तोहिताङ्गानाां सािसाैवाक
ा ीद्धिहभः ।
तप्तानाां साहञ्चतां वृिौ हपत्तां शीहि क
ु प्यहत ।। (AH.Su.3)
In varsha ritu, the body is accustomed to cold atmosphere and hence, pitta is
accumulated but fails to aggravated due to frigid atmosphere. When the sunrays
escalate heat in ensuing sarat ritu, the body become suddenly hot, the accumulated
pitta aggravates to cause diseases.
64. Vihara
Spend evening time on terraces of houses which are white
Lepa with chandana, usheera, karpura
Wearing pearl garlands and shining dress
Enjoying the moonlight
CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Exposure to mist
Use of kshara, dadhi, taila, vasa strong liquors
Exposure to sunlight,
Divaswapna
67. Pitta kopana
Ahara- madhura, laghu, seeta, sa tikta anna pana, pitta prasamana accor. To
matra when there is proper appetite, lava, kapinjala, ena, sasa, Sali, yava,
godhuma
Pathya- Tikta sarpi pana, vireka, raktha mokshana
Apathya- atapa, vasa, taila, audaka, anupa, amisha, kshara, dadhi,
divaswapna, pragvata
68. Hamsohakam
हिवा साूयाांशुसाांतप्तां हनहश िन्द्राांशुश तलम् ।
कालेन पक्क
ां हनिोषमगस्त्येनाहवष क
ृ तम् ॥
िांसाोिकहमहत ख्यातां शाीिां हवमलां शुहि। (Ca.su.6)
The water is exposed to heat of sun during day time and cooling rays of moon
during night, also purified by time and is detoxicated by agastya star, this is
known as hamsodaka.
69.
70. RITU SANDHI
ऋत्वोीन्त्याहिसाप्तािावृतुसाद्धन्धरीहत स्मृतः
तत्र पूवो हवहधस्त्याज्यः साेवन योऽपीः क्रमात्॥
असाात्मजा हि ीोगाः स्युः सािसाा त्यागश लनात्॥ (अ.हृ.साू. 3/58-59)
The seven days at the end and commencement of a season is known as Rutu Sandhi
(inter seasonal period). During this period, the regimes of the preceding season should
be discontinued gradually and that of the succeeding season should be gradually
adopted; sudden discontinuance or sudden adoption gives rise to diseases caused by
Asatmya
71. YAMADAMSHTRA
काहताकस्य हिनान्यिविावाग्रयणस्य ि यमिांिर ा सामाख्याता स्वल्पभुक्तो हि ज वहत (शा. साां. 2 / 29 )
The eight days of Kartika Masa (third week of November) and first eight days of
Agrahayana (fourth week of November) are known as Yamadamstra Kala. During
this period one can be healthy if he takes only small quantities of food.
72. RITU HARITAKI
हसाांधूत्थशक
ा ीाशुण्ठ कणामधुगुिैः क्रमात् वषााहििभया प्राश्या ीसाायनगुणाहषणा ।(भा.प्र.हन.
िरीतक्याहिवगा 34 )
Administration of hareetaki with different dravyas during each ritu
73. RITUVIPARYAYA
ियकोपशमान्दोषा हविाीािाीसाेवनैः सामानैयाद्धत्यकालेऽहप हवपी त हवपयाय (भा.प्र. हिनियाा प्रकीण
326)
Doshas undergo Caya, Prakopa and Prashamana by indulgence in foods, activities
etc, which are similar to them even apart from the seasons, and indulgence in
foods, activities of dissimilar qualities produce opposite effect even during right
time.
Varsha sharathemanteshu tu dakshinabhimukhe arke , kala marga meghavat
Meat juice (Mamsarasa) which is not very thick, Rasala (curds churned and mixed with pepper powder and sugar), Raga (syrup which is sweet, sour and salty) and Khandava (syrup which has all the tastes, prepared with many substances),Panaka panchasara, (syrup prepared with raisins (draksha), madhuka, dates (karjura), kasmarya, and parushaka fruits all in equal quantities, cooled and added with powder of cinnamon leaves, cinnamon and cardamom etc) and kept inside a fresh mud pot, along with leaves of plantain and coconut trees, and made sour (fermented) should be drunk in mugs of mud or shell; Very cool water kept in mud pot along with flowers of patala and karpura (camphor) should be used for drinking. Food articles like sasanka kirana (hollow, finger-like, fried pastry made of corn flour) should be taken at night; Buffalo milk mixed with sugar and cooled by moonlight and the stars should be used for drinking.