GREESHMA RITU

GREESHMA RITU (SUMMER SEASON)

(Months: Jyeshtha and Ashadha — Mid-May to Mid-July)

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS (RITU LAKSHANA)

• The sun becomes extremely powerful and draws moisture from the earth and the living beings.

• The atmosphere becomes hot, dry, and rough.

• Waters dry up, winds become hot, and shade becomes desirable.

• Nights are comparatively cooler, but daytime heat is intense.

Shloka:
"ग्रीष्मेऽतितप्यमानोऽर्को रसं स्रावयति क्षितेः।
स्वेदं च तनुते प्रायः कालेऽस्मिन् कृशता नराः॥"
(Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 3/5)

HEALTH STATUS

1. BALA (STRENGTH)

• The body strength (bala) becomes weakened due to intense heat and dehydration.

• People may experience fatigue, low endurance, and thirst.

2. AGNI (DIGESTIVE FIRE)

• Agni (digestive power) becomes weakened.

• Due to the body’s efforts to cool itself, metabolism slows down, making digestion sluggish.

3. DOSHA

• Vata dosha gets slightly aggravated due to dryness and heat.

• Pitta begins to accumulate, although not yet aggravated.

• Kapha remains pacified as the heat counters its cold nature.

APPROPRIATE FOOD (AHARA)

Shloka:

"तत्राग्नेः क्षपणं शुष्कं शीतलं लघु चाशितम्।
शस्यते क्षीरसर्पीभिः पानं सिक्ताशनं हितम्॥"  (Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 3/6)

• Prefer foods that are:

  • Sweet (madhura rasa) in taste.

  • Cold (sheetala) in temperature.

  • Liquid-rich, unctuous (snigdha), and light (laghu) for digestion.

• Use milk, ghee, rice, sugar, and cooling herbs in moderation.

• Consume cool, sweet drinks like:

  • Sugarcane juice (ikshu rasa)

  • Sandalwood water (chandana udaka)

  • Lime water

• Eat moist foods (siktashana) – food items soaked in liquids or with gravy.

APPROPRIATE REGIMEN (VIHARA)

Shloka:

"स्नानं गन्धजलैः शीते पानं पुष्पविराजितैः।
गृहं हिमविपातेषु रक्षार्कात्पं च युक्तितः॥"   (Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 3/7)

• Bathing should be done with cool, fragrant water to counter the heat.

• Clothing should be light, loose, and made of cotton; colors like white and pastels are soothing.

• Stay in cool, shaded, or air-cooled places like:

  • Gardens, terraces at night, or rooms with water sprinkling.

• Use garlands, perfumes, and sandalwood paste for cooling and comfort.

• Day sleep (divaswapna) is permitted in this season to restore energy and prevent dryness.

• Avoid:

  • Exposure to direct sunlight

  • Heavy physical work or exercise

  • Spicy, salty, sour, and oily foods

  • Alcohol and fermented foods

SUMMARY OF GREESHMA RITU