VARSHA RITU

VARSHA RITU (RAINY SEASON)

(Mid-July to Mid-September – Months: Shravana and Bhadrapada)

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS (DESHA LAKSHANA)

• The atmosphere remains cloudy, humid, and moist.

• Cold winds blow intermittently with rainfall.

• Sky is covered with clouds, and the sunlight is weak.

• Contamination of water bodies and general unhygienic environment is common.

• Overall, there is a reduction in environmental cleanliness and vitality.

Shloka:

"म्लानगन्धिरसं द्रव्यं मन्दोष्णं गुरु चाम्बु च।
दोषा मूढा बलं चापि ह्रियमाणं विशिष्यते॥"
(Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 3/7)

HEALTH STATUS (BALA, AGNI, DOSHA)

• Agni (digestive fire) becomes weak (manda) due to constant moisture and coldness.

• Bala (body strength) is also reduced significantly.

• The doshas are aggravated:

  • Vata dosha gets vitiated due to cold, dryness, and rain.

  • Pitta dosha is in a state of mild aggravation due to humid conditions.

  • Kapha dosha may remain stable or mildly increased.

• There is high susceptibility to diseases, especially digestive and joint disorders.

Shloka:

"दुष्टं जलं भवेत्तस्मात् सर्वं दोषैरुपद्रुतम्।
स्निग्धोष्णाद्यं पचनीयं लघुयुक्तं हितं मतम्॥"
(Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 3/8)

APPROPRIATE FOOD (AHARA)

• Diet should be light (laghu), easily digestible, and slightly oily (snigdha).

• Food must be warm (ushna) and prepared fresh.

• One should avoid raw, stale, cold, and heavy (guru) foods.

• Roasted grains, old rice, barley (yava), wheat, and mung dal are preferred.

• Drink boiled and medicated water (with dry ginger, cumin, etc.) to avoid waterborne infections.

• Avoid curd (dahi) and excessive intake of ghee and oils.

Shloka:

"सिद्धां पायसमांसेषु सूपेष्वपि च लङ्घनम्।
तर्पणं च हितं सर्वं न तु किञ्चित् प्रयोजयेत्॥"
(Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 3/9)

• One may take light soups (yusha) made from legumes and meat, but in limited quantities.

• Avoid overindulgence even in healthy foods.

APPROPRIATE REGIMEN (VIHAR)

• Protect oneself from rain, dampness, and cold wind exposure.

• Apply medicated oil for body massage (abhyanga) to pacify Vata.

• Use of fumigation (dhupana) to prevent infections and maintain hygiene is advised.

• Wear clean and dry clothes.

• Avoid sleeping during daytime, strenuous physical activity, and exposure to dew and dampness.

• Keep surroundings dry, clean, and free of insects.

• Use of perfumes, wearing garlands, and keeping the body clean is recommended.

Shloka:

"धूपनं च पयः शुद्धं क्षारोदकं च पानकम्।
स्वयं कर्तुं ततः स्नानं लघ्वाहारं विशुद्धये॥"
(Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 3/10)

• Use alkaline or medicated decoctions for cleaning.

• Prefer lukewarm water for bathing.

RECOMMENDED SHODHANA (PURIFICATORY THERAPIES)

• Basti chikitsa (medicated enema) is highly beneficial to pacify aggravated Vata.

• Avoid strong purgatives or emetics, as the body is in a state of low strength.

• Mild detoxification methods can be adopted under supervision.

SUMMARY OF VARSHA RITU GUIDELINES