Sutar 6), where the guidelines have been laid down to adopt food habits and lifestyle

in each of the six different Ritus of the year. In the western classification, there are

four seasons in a calendar year, i.e., winter, spring, summer, and autumn, but in

Hindu mythology the calendar of the year divided into six Ritus. Each Ritu has

2 months (dyumasa). These six Ritus are:

Sishira

Later winter

Vasanta

Spring

Grishma

Summer

Varsha

Rainy season

Sharad

Autumn

Hemant

Early winter

The first three Ritus are together called as Adan Kala (Uttarayana, northern

solstice tilt of the northern hemisphere of the earth away from the sun) and next

three together called as Visarga Kala (Daksinayana, southern solstice tilt of the

southern hemisphere of the earth away from the sun). Adan Kala is the period from

mid-December to mid-June. During this period, the immune system of the body

declines. Visarga Kala is the period from mid-June to mid-December. During this

period, the strength and vigor remain enhanced. So food and regimen should be

controlled to prevent diseases due to over nutrition. The diet and routine activities

should be aimed at increasing strength and vigor. There is gradual decrease of balam

(physical strength or immunity due to the effect of season) during Uttarayana and

gradual increase of balam during Daksinayana. There occurs some special changes

in environment and humans in every Ritu, and hence certain foods and exercises are

specially told for each Ritu; this process is called as Ritucharya (source: Arunadatta,

commentary on Astang Haridya Sutra 3/1).

There are certain seasonal changes in Doshas which are mainly as:

1. Chaya—accumulation of deranged Doshas in its main site like Vata Dosha in the

intestine.

2. Prakopa—accumulation of deranged Doshas in other main seats in the body like

Vata Dosha in the low back region.

3. Prasama—Doshas coming back to normalcy after derangement.

4. As stated above, in every Ritu, the food habits and lifestyles have been indicated

in detail in the Ayurvedic classic, the Ashtanga Hridaya for adaptation to live a

healthy and disease-free life. It enhances the immunity of the individuals to fight

against various infectious ailments. The period in between two Ritus when the

season of one Ritu is almost over, and it is just the starting time of the next Ritu, is

prone to many diseases due to change in the climatic conditions. This period is

called Sandhikala.

5. At this juncture precaution is required to be taken in the food habits and lifestyle.

In these six Ritus what is to be taken/performed, i.e., Pathya (dos), and what is not

to be taken/performed, i.e., Apathya (don’ts), are advocated in Ashtanga Hridaya.

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D. R. Nag and A. Nag