RITU SODHANA

RITU-SODHANA

Ritu-Sodhana means seasonal purification (Shodhana) or elimination of the aggravated doshas accumulated in the body as per the seasonal influence.

• Each Ritu (season) aggravates a specific dosha and its accumulation, if not managed, leads to diseases in the subsequent seasons.

• Master Vagbhata has clearly instructed the proper time and method of dosha elimination to maintain health and prevent disease.

NEED FOR RITU-SODHANA

• Doshas are naturally accumulated, aggravated, and pacified in different seasons.

• If the aggravated dosha is not eliminated, it may cause disease when it gets further vitiated by nidana (causative factors).

• Hence, seasonal purification is a part of preventive therapy (Swasthasya Swasthya Rakshanam) in Ayurveda.

GENERAL PRINCIPLE QUOTED BY VAGBHATA

"ऋतूनां क्रियया दोषाः सङ्कुचितास्ते निवर्त्याः।
ते वर्धमानाः स्वेन कालेन व्याधिं जनयन्ति॥"

• Meaning: During the seasonal regimen, if the accumulated doshas are not eliminated, they get aggravated and cause disease in their natural time of aggravation.

DOSHA ACCUMULATION AND ELIMINATION ACCORDING TO SEASONS

• Kapha accumulates in Hemanta and Shishira Ritu (early and late winter), aggravates in Vasanta Ritu (spring).

• Pitta accumulates in Varsha Ritu (monsoon), aggravates in Sharad Ritu (autumn).

• Vata accumulates in Grishma Ritu (summer), aggravates in Varsha Ritu (monsoon).

RITU-SODHANA PLAN FOR DOSHA ELIMINATION

"प्राक्कुपितो हि स कुप्यत्यल्पहेतोः प्रशम्यति।
प्रशम्य प्रशमं याति क्लेशेनापि विपर्यये॥"

• Meaning: If the dosha is eliminated before aggravation, it settles easily; otherwise, after aggravation, even strong measures may fail to pacify it.

• Therefore, Ritu-Shodhana should be done before the dosha aggravates, i.e., immediately after accumulation, to prevent the disease.

KAPHA SHODHANA IN VASANTA RITU (SPRING)

"श्लेष्मा वसन्ते विरेच्यः स्वेदाभ्यङ्गवमनैः पूर्वम्।
प्राग्दोषाणां विकाराय योऽवकाशः स निगृह्यः॥"

• Meaning: In Vasanta, Kapha should be eliminated by:

  • Swedana (sudation)

  • Abhyanga (oil massage)

  • Vamana (emesis therapy)

• Explanation:

  • Vasanta season causes liquefaction of kapha accumulated in winter.

  • Without elimination, liquefied kapha clogs the srotas and causes diseases like cold, cough, heaviness, and allergies.

  • Vamana is the best shodhana for kapha.

PITTA SHODHANA IN SHARAD RITU (AUTUMN)

"शरदि पित्तं विरेच्यं रक्तं वाऽप्यथवा शुभैः।"

• Meaning: In Sharad Ritu, the aggravated Pitta should be eliminated by:

  • Virechana (purgation)

  • Raktamokshana (bloodletting), if indicated

• Explanation:

  • Pitta, accumulated during monsoon, becomes vitiated in autumn due to heat and exposure to sun.

  • Results in skin disorders, burning, gastritis, bleeding tendencies.

  • Virechana is the prime therapy to eliminate pitta via intestines.

VATA SHODHANA IN VARSHA RITU (MONSOON)

"वर्षासु वातः शम्येत् स्नेहस्वेदनबस्तिभिः।"

• Meaning: In Varsha Ritu, the aggravated Vata should be pacified by:

  • Sneha (unctuous substances – internal and external)

  • Swedana (fomentation)

  • Basti (enema) – especially Anuvasana and Niruha Basti

• Explanation:

  • Vata, which accumulates during summer, gets provoked in monsoon due to cold, dampness, irregular digestion.

  • Leads to joint pains, stiffness, bloating, constipation.

  • Basti is the most effective shodhana for Vata.

PREPARATORY AND FOLLOW-UP MEASURES FOR RITU-SODHANA

• Purvakarma (Preparatory procedures):

  • Snehana (oleation) and Swedana (sudation) should be performed before Vamana, Virechana, or Basti.

• Paschatkarma (Post-treatment regimen):

  • Samsarjana Krama (gradual diet schedule) after Shodhana

  • Avoid immediate exposure to dosha-aggravating factors

BENEFITS OF RITU-SODHANA

• Maintains doshic balance throughout the year

• Enhances agni (digestive power) and immunity (ojas)

• Prevents seasonal diseases like flu, gastritis, skin disorders, and arthritis

• Supports longevity and overall well-being

VAGBHATA’S CONCLUDING NOTE ON RITU SODHANA

"ऋतुकृतानां च व्याधीनां शमनं ऋतौ क्रियते।
न च बलं हिनस्त्येव शुद्धिरेव विशेषतः॥"

• Meaning: Diseases caused by seasonal doshic vitiation are treated effectively in the same season by shodhana therapy, and it doesn’t reduce the strength (bala); rather, purification strengthens the system.