Changing seasons has always mesmerized the human mind for centuries from the day of his very existence. With the passage of every season, mankind has absorbed memories & knowledge which time had passed on to him. In every season he saw bio-life changing around him like flowering in spring, leaf shedding in autumn, hibernation of animals in winter etc. Mankind always tried to explore more about Mother Nature so that he can adopt himself to the changes it brought along with her. Man’s curiosity towards knowing cosmic bodies & knowledge of Astronomy gave him the wisdom to divide the time to years, months, and days for his convenience. Man, even divided the year into various seasons based on changes he found around his surroundings like changing weather. Mankind as a whole evolved around this cycle which influenced his diet, clothing, festivals, cultivation, literature which literally influenced his culture.
Ayurveda, ‘Science of Life’ is not just any science which boasts only about treatment but it is a science which guides you to fulfil a healthy life. In the literature of Ayurveda, we get references on Dinacarya (daily regimen), Sadvrtta (good conduct), Rtucarya (Seasonal regimen) which when followed by an individual helps him to lead a healthy life. According to Ayurveda, a year is divided into two periods (Ayana) or solstice depending upon the direction of the movement of sun that is (Uttarayana) Northern solstice and (Dakshinanyana) Southern solstice. Each solstice consists of three seasons namely, Sisira (winter), Vasanta (spring) and Greeshma (summer) in Uttarayana and Varsha (rainy / monsoon), Sarat (autumn) and Hemantha (late autumn) in Dakshinayana. So according to Ayurveda there are six seasons and Acharya’s has advised to follow some strict diet and lifestyle modification according to the changing season by which one can maintain our equilibrium.
Northern Solstice is the period between mid-January to mid-July when sun and wind are powerful which take away the strength of people, while southern solstice is the period between mid-Julys to mid-January when moon becomes more powerful than sun. When winter (Sisira) sets in, environment will be cold along with cold winds which fall between mid-Januarys to mid-March. In this season strength of the individual declines so he has to feed on the cereals and pulses, wheat flour, new rice and corn, milk and milk products. Drugs which are sour in taste are advisable in this period with external oil massage. One has to avoid exposure to cold winds, excessive walking as well as late night sleep. As the time rolls over to spring (Vasanta) ranging from mid-March to mid-
Mays, flowers starts to blossom and new tender leaves emerge. Strength of the individual will be in medium degree and he must feed on easily digestible foods at this period of time. In spring, cereals like old barley, wheat, rice etc. and pulses like lentil and green gram are preferred. Foods which are hard to digest like meat, curd, cold drinks should be prohibited. It is advised to include honey in the diet. Apart from this, Day sleeping is strictly prohibited at this period of time.
When summer (Greeshma) creeps up between mid-May to mid-July, environment is prevalent with intense heat and hot winds. The water bodies will get dried up and plants will appear lifeless. The strength of persons declines considerably. So, one must take foods which are easy to digest having qualities of sweet, unctuous& cold potency. Drinking plenty of water and other liquids such as buttermilk, fruit juices, meat soups, milk will help to rejuvenate the body. Staying in cool places, wearing light dresses and sleeping at day time are helpful. One must prohibit alcoholic preparations, excessive sexual indulgence and excessive exercise during summer.
“Spring passes and one remember one’s Innocence
Summer passes and one remember one’s Exuberance
Autumn passes and one remember one’s Reverence
Winter passes and one remember one’s Perseverance”
As the clouds gather and when rain sets in, we step into Monsoon (Varsha) season which usually falls between mid-July to mid-September. The ponds, rivers are filled with water and greenery just spreads thick and fast. Strength of the persons is as low as in summer and hence he has to indulge in easily digestible foods. Old barley, rice and wheat are the appropriate pick in cereals while meat soup and vegetable soups are also advised. Drenching in rain, day sleep, exercise, hard work, sexual indulgence should be prohibited during this period. When rain withdraws & black clouds disappear with clear skies in the months of mid-September to mid-November, new season of Autumn (Sharath) arrives. People will attain strength compared to the previous seasons. Wheat, green gram, sugar candy, honey and bitter leafy vegetables are the preferred diet and have his food only when he feels hungry. People should avoid fats, oils, curd, meat of aquatic animals in their diet and do not indulge in day sleep, excessive eating during this period. As the season cycle just revolves with passage of time, late autumn (Hemantha) arrives with blow of chilled gush of winds in the period between mid-November to mid-January. Strength of individuals will be at its highest level in late autumn. Cereals and pulses like new rice, flour preparations , green gram, black gram, sugarcane products are the perfect choice of Hemantha. Exposures to strong cold winds, habit of day sleep are contra-indicated during this period.
The cycle of seasons will continue till the existence of this planet. With the global warming and variation in the advent of season importance of Rithucharya had became a query in this present scenario. Even though Ritus do not follow uniformity, to decide the regimen, knowledge on Ayurveda holds as a pathfinder.