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| === Introduction === | | === Introduction === |
| <div style="text-align:justify;"> | | <div style="text-align:justify;"> |
− | The primary objective of Ayurveda is to maintain good health. [[Ahara]] (diet) is the main basis of life, which should be taken in proper quantity and quality to maintain equilibrium and to promote strength, lustre and healthy long life. It has been observed that a person taking food even in proper quantity may suffer from diseases in different seasons. This implies that apart from the quantity of [[ahara]] (diet), the knowledge of regimen for different seasons also plays a significant role in the maintenance of health and prevention of diseases. | + | The primary objective of [[Ayurveda]] is to maintain good health. [[Ahara]] (diet) is the main basis of life, which should be taken in proper quantity and quality to maintain equilibrium and to promote strength, lustre and healthy long life. It has been observed that a person taking food even in proper quantity may suffer from diseases in different seasons. This implies that apart from the quantity of [[ahara]] (diet), the knowledge of regimen for different seasons also plays a significant role in the maintenance of health and prevention of diseases. |
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| A person who has the knowledge of appropriate food articles and activities applicable to specific seasons and also the discipline and inclination to practice them (in accordance with those seasons) stays healthy. Whereas a person without knowledge (or with limited knowledge) of wholesome regimen for different seasons or without the discipline or temperament of following these seasonal practices is likely to suffer from various diseases. Seeking this objective, the chapter describes [[ahara]] (diet) and [[vihara]] (lifestyle) to be followed in different seasons. The way we eat, exercise, rest, sleep, think, plan, carry out our routine work, and behave with others - are collectively termed 'Lifestyle'. In Indian subcontinent, there are six seasons in the year on the basis of the position of the Sun with respect to the Earth. The qualities of different seasons need to be understood in three aspects viz. [[masa]] (month), [[rashi]] (stellar constellations) and characteristic features pertaining to the season. While prescribing regimen for different seasons, importance should be given first to the appearance of characteristic features in the prevailing season, then to the [[rashi]] and finally to the [[masa]]. | | A person who has the knowledge of appropriate food articles and activities applicable to specific seasons and also the discipline and inclination to practice them (in accordance with those seasons) stays healthy. Whereas a person without knowledge (or with limited knowledge) of wholesome regimen for different seasons or without the discipline or temperament of following these seasonal practices is likely to suffer from various diseases. Seeking this objective, the chapter describes [[ahara]] (diet) and [[vihara]] (lifestyle) to be followed in different seasons. The way we eat, exercise, rest, sleep, think, plan, carry out our routine work, and behave with others - are collectively termed 'Lifestyle'. In Indian subcontinent, there are six seasons in the year on the basis of the position of the Sun with respect to the Earth. The qualities of different seasons need to be understood in three aspects viz. [[masa]] (month), [[rashi]] (stellar constellations) and characteristic features pertaining to the season. While prescribing regimen for different seasons, importance should be given first to the appearance of characteristic features in the prevailing season, then to the [[rashi]] and finally to the [[masa]]. |
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| Per Ayurvedic literature, taking the river Ganga as a baseline, the whole region (Indian subcontinent) is divided on the basis of intensity of cold and rain into two parts. In regions south of Ganga, rain being more, two[[ritu]] i.e. [[pravrita]] (early rains) and [[varsha]] (late heavy rainy season) have been mentioned separately by the sages. In the regions north of Ganga, with a prevalence of snowfall factored in, two [[ritu]] namely [[hemanta]] and [[shishira]] (dewy season and cold season) have been mentioned separately. In the Gangetic plains (Eastern U.P. and Bihar), all the seasons can be found since it is the belt of [[Sadharana desha]]. | | Per Ayurvedic literature, taking the river Ganga as a baseline, the whole region (Indian subcontinent) is divided on the basis of intensity of cold and rain into two parts. In regions south of Ganga, rain being more, two[[ritu]] i.e. [[pravrita]] (early rains) and [[varsha]] (late heavy rainy season) have been mentioned separately by the sages. In the regions north of Ganga, with a prevalence of snowfall factored in, two [[ritu]] namely [[hemanta]] and [[shishira]] (dewy season and cold season) have been mentioned separately. In the Gangetic plains (Eastern U.P. and Bihar), all the seasons can be found since it is the belt of [[Sadharana desha]]. |
| </div> | | </div> |
− | Thus in Ayurveda, a year is divided in two ways on the basis of the following: | + | Thus in [[Ayurveda]], a year is divided in two ways on the basis of the following: |
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| ===== Division of year, [[ayana]], months, [[rashi]] ===== | | ===== Division of year, [[ayana]], months, [[rashi]] ===== |
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| ====Common diseases due to non-observance of [[ritucharya]]==== | | ====Common diseases due to non-observance of [[ritucharya]]==== |
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− | Many diseases described in Ayurveda have their own peculiar causes to develop in particular season, like [[jwara]], [[tamaka shvasa]], [[pratishyaya]], [[amlapitta]], [[shirahshula]], [[sandhi-shula]], [[atisara]], [[sheetapitta]], [[kushtha]] etc. | + | Many diseases described in [[Ayurveda]] have their own peculiar causes to develop in particular season, like [[jwara]], [[tamaka shvasa]], [[pratishyaya]], [[amlapitta]], [[shirahshula]], [[sandhi-shula]], [[atisara]], [[sheetapitta]], [[kushtha]] etc. |
| #[[Jwara]] (fever) is of two types, viz., [[prakrita]] (natural) and [[vaikrita]] (unnatural) based on prognosis. On the basis of [[prakriti]] (basic constitution) of time the fever is termed as [[prakrita]] (natural). [[Kaphaja jwara]] occurs in [[vasanta]] and [[pitta]] dominant in [[sharada]] (autumn), are known as [[prakrita'' (normal) and are easily curable, while [[vata]] dominant [[jwara]] in [[prakrita]] season ([[pravrita]]) is not easily curable. Fever occurs in seasons other than that responsible for vitiation of the concerned [[dosha]] is known as [[Vaikrita]] (unnatural) which is troublesome. (Cha.Chi. 3/42) | | #[[Jwara]] (fever) is of two types, viz., [[prakrita]] (natural) and [[vaikrita]] (unnatural) based on prognosis. On the basis of [[prakriti]] (basic constitution) of time the fever is termed as [[prakrita]] (natural). [[Kaphaja jwara]] occurs in [[vasanta]] and [[pitta]] dominant in [[sharada]] (autumn), are known as [[prakrita'' (normal) and are easily curable, while [[vata]] dominant [[jwara]] in [[prakrita]] season ([[pravrita]]) is not easily curable. Fever occurs in seasons other than that responsible for vitiation of the concerned [[dosha]] is known as [[Vaikrita]] (unnatural) which is troublesome. (Cha.Chi. 3/42) |
| #[[Tamaka shvasa]] (bronchial asthma) is aggravated by cloudy, cold, rainy weather and easterly wind and [[kapha]] increasing factors. On the other hand warmth relieves the symptoms. | | #[[Tamaka shvasa]] (bronchial asthma) is aggravated by cloudy, cold, rainy weather and easterly wind and [[kapha]] increasing factors. On the other hand warmth relieves the symptoms. |