IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY DIET & REGIMEN

IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY DIET AND REGIMEN

(from Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana Chapter 4 – Roganutpadaniya Adhyaya)

AYURVEDIC PRINCIPLE: PREVENTION OVER CURE

• Ayurveda gives primary importance to “Swasthasya Swasthya Rakshanam” – preserving the health of a healthy person.

• This is possible by following proper Ahara (diet) and Vihara (lifestyle/regimen).

• Master Vagbhata emphasizes daily conduct, food habits, and seasonal behavior to prevent diseases and maintain balance of doshas.

HEALTHY PERSON IS DEFINED BY BALANCED DOSHAS AND DIGESTION

"समदोषः समाग्निश्च समधातुमलक्रियः।
प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रियमनः स्वस्थ इत्यभिधीयते॥"
(Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 1/20)

• A healthy individual has:

  • Balanced doshas

  • Balanced digestion and metabolism (Agni)

  • Balanced tissues (Dhatus) and proper elimination (Malas)

  • Cheerful mind, sharp senses, and a calm soul

ROLE OF DIET (AHARA) IN MAINTAINING HEALTH

"आहारसम्भवो भावो यः कश्चिदिह देहिनाम्।
स प्रत्याक्षः प्रयोक्तव्यो हित्वा तं न विनिर्गमः॥"
(AH Sutrasthana 4/3)

• The body, mind, and immunity all arise from ahara (food).

• No one can survive without food; it is the primary source of strength.

IMPORTANCE:

• Ahara is the foundation of life, energy, and immunity.

• Balanced diet maintains dosha balance, strengthens dhatus, and prevents disease.

• Improper diet is the root cause of most diseases (roga).

IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING APPROPRIATE DIETARY RULES (AHARA VIDHI VIDHANA)

"हिताहितं सुखं दुःखं आयुस्तस्य हिताहितम्।
मानं च तच्च यत्रोक्तमाहारः स उदाहृतः॥"
(AH Sutrasthana 1/6)

• Wholesome (hitakara) and unwholesome (ahita) food is the cause of health and disease.

• Diet that is suitable to individual prakriti, season, digestion capacity must be taken.

EFFECTS OF IMPROPER FOOD HABITS

"यथोक्तमश्नन् रतिमेति पुष्टिं
बलं च मेधां सुतरां प्रयाति।
विपर्ययाद्व्याधिभिरेव दुःखं
प्राप्नोत्यशुद्धाशन एव लोकः॥"
(AH Sutrasthana 4/23)

• Person who follows proper dietary rules:

  • Enjoys pleasure, strength, memory, and nourishment.

• Person who eats improperly:

  • Suffers from diseases and distress.

EXPLANATION:

• Improper food (quantity, quality, timing) leads to:

  • Agni mandya (low digestive fire)

  • Ama formation (toxic accumulation)

  • Vitiation of doshas, leading to disease

DAILY REGIMEN (DINACHARYA) IS CRUCIAL FOR HEALTH

"आत्मज्ञः सन्मतो दान्तः सत्यशीलः समाहितः।
आशुचिः शुचिकृत्यात्मा नित्यं योगोऽनुवर्तते॥"
(AH Sutrasthana 4/2)

• The ideal person for health is:

  • Self-aware, restrained, truthful, clean in thoughts and actions

  • Regular in following wholesome conduct (nitya yoga)

PRACTICES TO FOLLOW:

• Wake up early (Brahma Muhurta)

• Elimination of wastes

• Oral hygiene (tongue cleaning, dantadhavana)

• Regular abhyanga (oil massage), vyayama (exercise), and snana (bathing)

• Mindful eating and timely meals

• Avoid suppression of natural urges

HEALTHY REGIMEN (VIHARA) AIDS MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING

• Proper lifestyle ensures balance of:

  • Sharirika doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)

  • Manasika doshas (Rajas and Tamas)

• Promotes Ojas (essence of immunity and vitality)

• Prevents stress-induced disorders, digestive issues, fatigue

WHOLESOME REGIMEN PROMOTES LONGEVITY

"हिताहितं सुखं दुःखं आयुस्तस्य हिताहितम्।
मानं च तच्च यत्रोक्तं आयुःकामः तदाचरेत्॥"
(AH Sutrasthana 4/24)

• A person desiring longevity should:

  • Follow what is beneficial (hitam) to life

  • Avoid what is harmful (ahitam)