HITHA AHARA-VIHARA

HEALTH RULES REGARDING VEGADHARANA AND HITA AHARA-VIHARA

(Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana – Chapter 4: Roganutpadaniya Adhyaya)

• The primary focus of this chapter is prevention of diseases.

• Describes:

  • Effects of suppressing natural urges (vegadharana)

  • Importance of ideal diet (hita ahara) and ideal regimen (hita vihara)

GENERAL ADVICE ON NATURAL URGES (VEGADHARANA)

• Master Vagbhata explains:

"स्वभावोपरतान् रोगान् वेगधारणजांस्तथा।
प्रवक्ष्याम्युपशान्त्यर्थं यथावत्साधनं क्रमात्॥"

• Meaning: Diseases arising due to the suppression of natural urges and by not following nature's rhythm are now described for proper management and prevention.

• Key Takeaways:

  • Never suppress natural bodily urges.

  • Suppression leads to dosha imbalance, srotorodha, and disease formation.

  • If suppression happens, treat accordingly with dosha-pacifying therapies.

RULES REGARDING HITA AHARA (WHOLESOME DIET)

"हितं प्रमेयं मितमेव खाद्यं
सम्यक् च पिष्टं परिदृष्टदेशे।
देशानुरूपं च भवेत् प्रयोज्यं
रुच्यानुरूपं च यथाविकारम्॥"

• Meaning: Food should be:

  • Hita (wholesome)

  • Mita (moderate in quantity)

  • Prameya (measurable)

  • Samyak pishta (well-cooked)

  • Paridrishṭa deshe (eaten in a clean area)

  • Desha-anuroopa (in accordance with climate/geography)

  • Ruchi-anuroopa (palatable)

  • Vikara-anuroopa (according to individual's condition or disorder)

• Key Guidelines:

  • Wholesome (Hita): Choose foods that support health, balance doshas, are digestible and nutritious.

  • Moderate Quantity (Mita): Avoid overeating or undereating.

  • Well-cooked (Samyak Pishta): Increases digestibility and nourishes body tissues (dhatus).

  • Clean Setting (Paridrishṭa Deshe): Prevents contamination and supports mindful eating.

  • Geographically Suitable (Deshanuroopa): Adapt to local climate and season—e.g., light food in summer, nourishing food in winter.

  • According to Taste (Ruchyanuroopa): Should appeal to senses to stimulate agni.

  • According to Disorder (Vikaranuroopa): Adjust based on individual's current health state (e.g., avoid sweets in kapha disorders).

ADVICE ON TIMING AND MANNER OF EATING

"कालानुरूपं च हितं मृद्वन्नं
स्वल्पं कफघ्नं लघु दीपनीयम्।
स्नेहात्मतां गच्छति तत् प्रयुक्तं
दोषप्रशान्त्यै परमो हि मार्गः॥"

• Meaning:

  • Eat light, warm, digestible food according to season.

  • Use kaphagna (kapha-reducing) and deepaniya (digestive-stimulating) items.

  • When such food is taken properly, it turns into snehatmaka (nourishing like sneha) and balances the doshas.

• Key Points:

  • Warm and light food helps maintain proper agni and prevents ama formation.

  • Eating as per Ritucharya prevents seasonal diseases.

  • Deepaniya dravyas like ginger, black pepper improve digestion.

  • Avoid heavy, cold, uncooked, or incompatible food (viruddha ahara).

ADVICE ON MITA AHARA (MODERATE EATING)

"मात्रावदन्नं न हि शोचनीयम्
विशुद्धमग्निं हि करोति तत्तत्।
सुखं च तस्मात् सुतरां विजानन्
यथामलं देहमथो प्रपद्येत्॥"

• Meaning:

  • Moderate and pure food enhances digestive fire (agni).

  • Brings health, comfort, and strength to the body.

• Key Guidelines:

  • Matravat Bhojana (eating till ¾ of hunger is satisfied) is ideal.

  • It prevents indigestion and bloating.

  • Supports longevity and clarity of mind.

RULES FOR VYAYAMA (EXERCISE) AND VIHARA (LIFESTYLE)

"नित्यं हिताहारविहारसेवी
समिक्ष्यकारी विषयेष्वसक्तः।
दाता समः सत्यपरः क्षमावान्
आप्तोपसेवी च भवत्यरोगः॥"

• Meaning:

  • One who follows wholesome diet and conduct,

  • Makes decisions with reflection,

  • Is not addicted to sensory pleasures,

  • Is generous, truthful, forgiving,

  • Respects the wise—

  • Such a person remains free from disease.

• Key Health Rules:

  • Hita Ahara and Vihara: Balanced food and disciplined routine are essential.

  • Samikshya Karī: Be mindful and evaluative before taking action or making decisions.

  • Vishayeshva Asaktaḥ: Avoid indulgence in excessive sensual pleasures.

  • Satyapara, Kshamavan: Truthfulness and forgiveness reduce mental stress and promote psychological well-being.

  • Aptopasevi: Respect the guidance of elders, teachers, and scriptures for holistic health.

DAILY HABITS TO AVOID DISEASE

• Avoid Vegadharana – never suppress natural urges.

• Take meals regularly at the right time.

• Avoid Adhyashana (eating again without digesting the previous meal).

• Sleep and wake up on time (follow Dinacharya and Ritucharya).

• Maintain physical activity with moderate exercise.

• Use seasonal routines (Ritucharya) to balance doshas and resist seasonal diseases.