AIAPGET Points
Boiled and cooled water added with honey is indicated by Sushruta in Varsha Rtu.
In VARSHA Rtu – The person should make it a practice of sleeping on the terrace of the house in order to avoid exposure to the fumes / warmth of the earth.
AGURU should be applied as an unguent in Varsha Rtu.
Acharya Sushruta has indicated riding a female elephant in Varsha Rtu.
Wearing White Flower Garlands, Exposure to Moonlight and Wearing light dress in the Evenings – are indicated in Sharad Rtu.
All kinds of water are beneficial to be consumed in Sharad Rtu because water is very clear in this season.
To eliminate the accumulation of Pitta, Tikta Ghrta Pana, Raktamokshana and Virechan are indicated in Sharad Rtu.
Water which has been made NIRVISHA by exposure to the rising of Agastya star should be used in Sharad Rtu.
Drinks, in spite of being Tikshan in Nature, should be consumed along with Aguru in Hemanta. Ref – Su.Ut.64/24
In Vasanta Rtu – Vyayama, Anjana, Tikshna Dhuma and Kavalagraha are indicated.
KUSUMAGAMA is another name of Vasanta Rtu.
Grishma Rtu is also called as NIDAGHA.
TAPATYAYA is a word which describes the end of summer season and early rainy season. Tapatyaya is also called Pravrut
Grasantara Aushadha should be given to produce vomiting by inhaling their smoke.
Grasantara Aushadha should be given in Shwasa.
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The 64th chapter of Uttaratantra of Sushruta Samhita is named as Svasthavṛttaadhyaya. This chapter deals with ‘Regimen of Health’.
अथातः स्वस्थवृत्तमध्यायं व्याख्यास्यामः ||१||
यथोवाच भगवान् धन्वन्तरिः ||२||
We will expound the chapter on Svasthavŕtta – regimen for maintenance of health; as revealed by the venerable Dhanvantari.
सूत्रस्थाने समुद्दिष्टः स्वस्थो भवति यादृशः |
तस्य यद्रक्षणं तद्धि चिकित्सायाः प्रयोजनम् ||३||
तस्य यद्वृत्तमुक्तं हि रक्षणं च मयाऽऽदितः |
तस्मिन्नर्थाः समासोक्ता विस्तरेणेह वक्ष्यते ||४||
In Sutra Sthana section chapter 15, it was stated how a person is considered to be healthy, how he needs to be protected and the purpose of providing treatment for him. The methods of protection of health in a person has been said in brief in the beginning itself i.e. in Cikitsa Sthana chapter 24. Those methods shall be described in detail now.
Rtucaryā- seasonal regimen
यस्मिन् यस्मिन्नृतौ ये ये दोषाः कुप्यन्ति देहिनाम् |
तेषु तेषु प्रदातव्याः रसास्ते ते विजानता ||५||
The doshas would get aggravated in particular seasons meant for their aggravation. The doshas getting aggravated in their related seasons of aggravation should be treated with the herbs of those related tastes (which pacify particular doshas). This shall be done by the physician knowing them (doshas and tastes) well.
Varşa rtucarya – regimen of rainy season
प्रक्लिन्नत्वाच्छरीराणां वर्षासु भिषजा खलु |
मन्देऽग्नौ कोपमायान्ति सर्वेषां मारुतादयः ||६||
तस्मात् क्लेदविशुद्ध्यर्थं दोषसंहरणाय च |
कषायतिक्तकटुकै रसैर्युक्तमपद्रवम् ||७||
नातिस्निग्धं नातिरूक्षमुष्णं दीपनमेव च |
देयमन्नं नृपतये यज्जलं चोक्तमादितः ||८||
तप्तावरतमम्भो वा पिबेन्मधुसमायुतम् |
अह्नि मेघानिलाविष्टेऽत्यर्थशीताम्बुसङ्कुले ||९||
तरुणत्वाद्विदाहं च गच्छन्त्योषधयस्तदा |
मतिमांस्तन्निमित्तं च नातिव्यायाममाचरेत् ||१०||
अत्यम्बुपानावश्यायग्राम्यधर्मातपांस्त्यजेत् |
भूबाष्पपरिहारार्थं शयीत च विहायसि ||११||
शीते साग्नौ निवाते च गुरुप्रावरणे गृहे |
यायान्नागवधूभिश्च प्रशस्तागुरुभूषितः ||१२||
दिवास्वप्नमजीर्णं च वर्जयेत्तत्र यत्नतः |१३|
During Varsa Rtu i.e. rainy season,
– the bodies of people are very moist and
– their digestive fire will be weak
All the doshas would become aggravated.
Therefore, treatment should be done in order to lessen the moisture in the body and also to mitigate the aggravated doshas. For this, the physician shall use herbs predominant in astringent, bitter and pungent tastes.
The foods which are given to the king should neither be too unctuous nor too dry. In fact, they should be of hot potency and also should be potent enough to increase hunger. The foods should be devoid of liquids.
Drinking water (rain water) should be given as stated earlier in sutra sthana (chapter 45) in the context of jala varga (group of water). Alternatively, boiled and cooled water added with honey should be given.
In this season, there will be more clouds and breeze on most days. There will also be accumulation of cold water everywhere. As a result, the plants and corn being unripe, undergo inadequate digestion when consumed. This gives rise to a burning sensation.
Hence, an intelligent person should –
– not indulge in more physical exercises,
– avoid drinking more water and
– avoid exposure to snow, dew, mist and sunlight and
– should not indulge in more copulation
The person should make it a practice of sleeping on the terrace of the house in order to avoid exposure to the fumes (warmth) of the earth.
If there is more cold, he should be near the fire and take its warmth. He should stay in a house devoid of breeze and put on heavy coverings (clothings etc).
He should also –
– go out riding on a female elephant,
– adorn himself with unguent of good aguru,
– avoid day-time-sleeping and
– avoid consuming uncooked things
Sarad rtucarya – regimen of autumn season
सेव्याः शरदि यत्नेन कषायस्वादुतिक्तकाः ||१३||
क्षीरेक्षुविकृतिक्षौद्रशालिमुद्गादिजाङ्गलाः |
श्वेतस्रजश्चन्द्रपादाः प्रदोषे लघु चाम्बरम् ||१४||
सलिलं च प्रसन्नत्वात् सर्वमेव तदा हितम् |
सरःस्वाप्लवनं चैव कमलोत्पलशालिषु ||१५||
प्रदोषे शशिनः पादाश्चन्दनं चानुलेपनम् |
तिक्तस्य सर्पिषः पानैरसृक्स्रावैश्च युक्तितः ||१६||
वर्षासूपचितं पित्तं हरेच्चापि विरेचनैः |
नोपेयात्तीक्ष्णमम्लोष्णं क्षारं स्वप्नं दिवाऽऽतपम् ||१७||
रात्रौ जागरणं चैव मैथुनं चापि वर्जयेत् |
(स्वादुशीतजलं मेध्यं शुचिस्फटिकनिर्मलम् ||१८||
शरच्चन्द्रांशुनिर्धौतमगस्त्योदयनिर्विषम् |
प्रसन्नत्वाच्च सलिलं सर्वमेव तदा हितम् ||१९||
सचन्दनं सकर्पूरं वासश्चामलिनं लघु |
भजेच्च शारदं माल्यं सीधोः पानं च युक्तितः ||२०||
पित्तप्रशमनं यच्च तच्च सर्वं समाचरेत्) |२१|
During Sharad Rtu i.e. autumn season, the person should take herbs which are predominant in astringent, sweet and bitter (pitta pacifying) tastes with all efforts.
He should also consume –
– milk,
– products of sugarcane juice like molasses, treacle, honey etc.
– honey,
– sali rice,
– mudga – green gram and
– other corns and
– meat of animals living in arid lands
Below mentioned are also beneficial in this season –
– wearing garlands made of white flowers,
– exposure to moonlight and
– putting on light dress in the evening
All kinds of water are beneficial in this season because water is very clear in this season.
Below mentioned things may also be done –
– bathing in ponds having lotus and lily flowers,
– exposure to moonlight and
– anointing the body with paste of sandalwood in the evenings
Below mentioned treatments should be done to remove the pitta which has accumulated in the body during the previous season (varsa rtu – rainy season) –
– drinking ghee prepared with bitter tasting herbs,
– bloodletting and
– purgation – appropriately administered
People may also avoid the below mentioned things –
– consuming wines which are penetrating in nature, sour in taste and hot in potency,
– use of alkalis,
– sleeping during day time,
– exposure to sunlight,
– keeping awake during night time and
– copulation
All kinds of waters possessing the below mentioned features are healthy for use in this season. Water which is –
– sweet,
– cool,
– pleasing to the mind,
– pure like a rock crystal,
– exposed to the rays of the moon,
– free from dust,
– made anti-poisonous by exposure to the rising of Agastya (star Canopus) and hence being clear
Below mentioned kinds of clothes should be worn –
– those which have been treated with candana and karpura and hence made fragrant,
– which are clean and light
Garlands of lotus may be worn. Sidhu – boiled juice of sugarcane may be consumed in limited quantities. All other pitta-mitigating measures should also be adopted.
Hemanta rtucaryā – regimen of dewy / winter season
(हेमन्तः शीतलो रूक्षो मन्दसूर्योऽनिलाकुलः ||२१||
ततस्तु शीतमासाद्य वायुस्तत्र प्रकुप्यति |
कोष्ठस्थः शीतसंस्पर्शादन्तःपिण्डीकृतोऽनलः ||२२||
रसमुच्छोषयत्याशु तस्मात् स्निग्धं तदा हितम्) |
हेमन्ते लवणक्षारतिक्ताम्लकटुकोत्कटम् ||२३||
ससर्पिस्तैलमहिममशनं हितमुच्यते |
तीक्ष्णान्यपि च पानानि पिबेदगुरुभूषितः ||२४||
तैलाक्तस्य सुखोष्णे च वारिकोष्ठेऽवगाहनम् |
साङ्गारयाने महति कौशेयास्तरणास्तृते ||२५||
शयीत शयने तैस्तैर्वृतो गर्भगृहोदरे |
स्त्रीः श्लिष्ट्वाऽगुरुधूपाढ्याः पीनोरुजघनस्तनीः ||२६||
प्रकामं च निषेवेत मैथुनं तर्पितो नृपः |
(मधुरं तिक्तकटुकमम्लं लवणमेव च ||२७||
अन्नपानं तिलान् माषाञ्छाकानि च दधीनि च |
तथेक्षुविकृतीः शालीन् सुगन्धांश्च नवानपि ||२८||
प्रसहानूपमांसानि क्रव्यादबिलशायिनाम् |
औदकानां प्लवानां च पादिनां चोपसेवयेत् ||२९||
मद्यानि च प्रसन्नानि यच्च किञ्चित् बलप्रदम् |
कामतस्तन्निषेवेत पुष्टिमिच्छन् हिमागमे ||३०||
During Hemanta Rtu – winter season, it is cold and dry. The sun is mild. It is full of breeze. Vata in the body becomes aggravated due to the cold. Vata forms a mass inside the alimentary canal and dries up the rasa quickly. Hence, the use of fatty things is always beneficial in this season.
Below mentioned kinds of foods are beneficial during Hemanta Rtu (winter) –
– those which contain more of salt and alkali, and predominant in bitter, sour and pungent tastes and
– added with ghee or oil and
– drinks like wine etc which may be consumed along with aguru in spite of being penetrating in nature
After anointing his body with oil, the person should take a bath in a warm bathroom.
He should sleep on a broad bed. The bed should have been covered with silk and other kinds of bed coverings. The cot should be placed in the third inner apartment. The room should also be equipped with vessels containing burning coal contained in them.
Group of women with the below mentioned features should serve the king –
– they should have anointed their body with paste of aguru,
– they should have well developed thighs, buttocks and breasts and
– they should enjoy copulation as much as desired
Food should be taken with more of sweet, bitter, pungent, sour and salt.
Below mentioned foods or foods prepared from the same shall be consumed during Hemanta Rtu –
– sesame,
– black gram,
– leafy vegetables,
– curds,
– products of sugarcane juice,
– sali rice which is fragrant even though fresh,
– meat of animals of prasaha, anupa, kravyada, bileshaya, audaka, plava and padina categories (as explained in sutra sthana – chapter 46)
– wines which are clear and which bestow strength
With all efforts, one should avoid sleeping during day time and also not consume uncooked things.
Sisira rtucaryā – regimen of cold- dewy season
दिवास्वप्नमजीर्णं च वर्जयेत्तत्र यत्नतः |
एष एव विधिः कार्यः शिशिरे समुदाहृतः ||३१||
In Sisira Rtu, the same regimen described to be followed in Hemanta Rtu earlier should be followed.
Vasanta rtucarya – regimen of spring season
(हेमन्ते निचितः श्लेष्मा शैत्याच्छीतशरीरिणाम् |
औष्ण्याद्वसन्ते कुपितः कुरुते च गदान् बहून् ||३२||
ततोऽम्लमधुरस्निग्धलवणानि गुरूणि च |
वर्जयेद्वमनादीनि कर्माण्यपि च कारयेत् ||३३||
षष्टिकान्नं यवाञ्छीतान् मुद्गान् नीवारकोद्रवान् |
लावादिविष्किररसैर्दद्याद्यूषैश्च युक्तितः ||३४||
पटोलनिम्बवार्ताकतिक्तकैश्च हिमात्यये |
सेवेन्मध्वासवारिष्टान् सीधुमाध्वीकमाधवान् ||३५||
व्यायाममञ्जनं धूमं तीक्ष्णं च कवलग्रहम् |
सुखाम्बुना च सर्वार्थान् सेवेत कुसुमागमे) ||३६||
तीक्ष्णरूक्षकटुक्षारकषायं कोष्णमद्रवम् |
यवमुद्गमधुप्रायं वसन्ते भोजनं हितम् ||३७||
व्यायमोऽत्र नियुद्धाध्वशिलानिर्घातजो हितः |
उत्सादनं तथा स्नानं वनिताः काननानि च ||३८||
सेवेत निर्हरेच्चापि हेमन्तोपचितं कफम् |
शिरोविरेकवमननिरूहकवलादिभिः ||३९||
वर्जयेन्मधुरस्निग्धदिवास्वप्नगुरुद्रवान् |४०|
Due to the cold of Hemanta Rtu, the kapha would gradually increase in the body. It further gets aggravated by the effect of heat of the next season Vasanta Rtu (Spring season) and gives rise to many diseases. Therefore one should avoid consumption of foods which are sour, sweet, salty, unctuous and heavy to digest in this season. Emesis and other suitable therapies shall be adopted.
Foods prepared from Sastika, Yava, Mudga, Nivara or Kodrava may be consumed. These foods should be taken along with soup of meat of lava and viskira birds. They can also be taken with soup prepared with Patola, Nimba, Vartaka and bitter vegetables. Fermented liquors prepared from honey, asava, arista, sidhu, madhvika and madhava etc. shall be consumed.
One should adhere to the below mentioned –
– physical exercises,
– eye salves,
– inhalations of smoke,
– strong mouth gargles and
– comfortable warm water for all purposes
In this season, one should consume foods prepared from yava and mudga along with more quantity of honey.
Below mentioned physical exercises are suitable for this season –
– combat with arms (wrestling),
– long distance walking,
– lifting and throwing balls of stones,
– undergoing body massage,
– baths,
– being in the company of women,
– spending time in forests
Therapies like purgation to the head, emesis, decoction enema, mouth gargles etc. should be administered to expel out the kapha accumulated in the body.
One should avoid the below mentioned –
– sweet foods,
– foods which are unctuous (fatty) and heavy to digest,
– foods which have more liquids or taking too much of liquids and
– sleeping during the day time
Grīşma rtucarya – regimen of summer
व्यायाममुष्णमायासं मैथुनं परिशोषि च ||४०||
रसांश्चाग्निगुणोद्रिक्तान् निदाघे परिवर्जयेत् |४१|
सरांसि सरितो वापीर्वनानि रुचिराणि च ||४१||
चन्दनानि परार्ध्यानि स्रजः सकमलोत्पलाः |
तालवृन्तानिलाहारांस्तथा शीतगृहाणि च ||४२||
घर्मकाले निषेवेत वासांसि सुलघूनि च |
शर्कराखण्डदिग्धानि सुगन्धीनि हिमानि च ||४३||
पानकानि च सेवेत मन्थांश्चापि सशर्करान् |
भोजनं च हितं शीतं सघृतं मधुरद्रवम् ||४४||
शृतेन पयसा रात्रौ शर्करामधुरेण च |
प्रत्यग्रकुसुमाकीर्णे शयने हर्म्यसंस्थिते ||४५||
शयीत चन्दनार्द्राङ्गः स्पृश्यमानोऽनिलैः सुखैः |४६|
Below mentioned should be avoided during Nidagha / Grishma Rtu (summer) –
– physical activities,
– hot things,
– exertion,
– copulation,
– things and activities which create dryness and emaciation,
– tastes and things which have more fiery properties
During hot seasons, the persons should resort to the below mentioned things –
– remain near ponds, rivers, tanks and beautiful gardens,
– get an anointment of paste of candana on their body,
– wear garlands of kamala and utpala – varieties of lotus,
– get exposed to the air coming from the fan made of leaves of tala tree,
– reside in cold chambers and
– wear light dress
Drinks and foods –
– panaka i.e. sweet syrups which are sweet smelling and cold, added with sugar candy pieces should be used for drinking or
– mantha (solution of corn flour added with sugar, honey etc) or
– foods which are cold in potency and touch mixed with ghee,
– sweet liquids are beneficial during the day time and
– milk boiled with sugar and other sweet substances is beneficial to be consumed at night time
He should sleep on a bed covered with flowers. He should anoint himself with sandalwood paste and get exposed to comfortably cool air.
Pravrt rtucarya- regimen of early rainy season
तापात्यये हिता नित्यं रसा ये गुरवस्त्रयः ||४६||
पयो मांसरसाः कोष्णास्तैलानि च घृतानि च |
बृंहणं चापि यत्किञ्चिदभिष्यन्दि तथैव च ||४७||
निदाघोपचितं चैव प्रकुप्यन्तं समीरणम् |
निहन्यादनिलघ्नेन विधिना विधिकोविदः ||४८||
नदीजलं रूक्षमुष्णमुदमन्थं तथाऽऽतपम् |
व्यायामं च दिवास्वप्नं व्यवायं चात्र वर्जयेत् ||४९||
नवान्नरूक्षशीताम्बुसक्तूंश्चापि विवर्जयेत् |
यवषष्टिकगोधूमान् शालींश्चाप्यनवांस्तथा ||५०||
हर्म्यमध्ये निवाते च भजेच्छय्यां मृदूत्तराम् |
सविषप्राणिविण्मूत्रलालादिष्ठीवनादिभिः ||५१||
समाप्लुतं तदा तोयमान्तरीक्षं विषोपमम् |
वायुना विषदुष्टेन प्रावृषेण्येन दूषितम् ||५२||
तद्धि सर्वोपयोगेषु तस्मिन् काले विवर्जयेत् |
अरिष्टासवमैरेयान् सोपदंशांस्तु युक्तितः ||५३||
पिबेत् प्रावृषि जीर्णांस्तु रात्रौ तानपि वर्जयेत् |
निरूहैर्बस्तिभिश्चान्यैस्तभाऽन्यैर्मारुतापहैः ||५४||
कुपितं शमयेद्वायुं वार्षिकं चाचरेद्विधिम् |५५|
Tapatyaya means end of summer or early rainy season. During this time, things / foods predominant in three heavy tastes i.e. sweet, sour and salt are always beneficial and hence should be consumed.
Likewise, warm milk, meat soup, oil and ghee should also be consumed during this season.
To mitigate vata aggravated during summer, things which cause stoutness of the body and also increase the moisture within the body should be used.
The physician having good knowledge of the procedures and therapies should administer other useful therapies which would also mitigate vata.
Below mentioned should be avoided –
– river water,
– things which are dry and hot,
– dilute buttermilk,
– exposure to sunlight,
– physical activities,
– sleeping during day time and
– copulation,
– freshly harvested grains,
– dry and cold foods,
– cold water and
– flour of grains
Foods prepared from yava, shastika, godhuma and old sali should be consumed in this season. The person should reside inside a house devoid of breeze or in shade which is soft and comfortable.
Water is contaminated by excreta, urine, saliva and spittle of poisonous animals in this season. The water is also polluted with the poisonous breeze. Due to these reasons, the water is similar to poison. Hence, such water should be avoided for all kinds of use.
Fermented beverages like arista, asava and maireya may be consumed along with condiments, especially during day time. At night time, even these should be avoided.
Decoction enema should be administered to mitigate the aggravated vata. Other therapies beneficial for mitigating vata and the regimen of varsa rtu (rainy season) should also be adopted.
Acara phala – benefit of following seasonal regimen
ऋतावृतौ य एतेन विधिना वर्तते नरः ||५५||
घोरानृतुकृतान् रोगान्नाप्नोति स कदाचन |५६|
One who adheres to these seasonal regimens in and out of the seasons does not become a victim of dreadful seasonal diseases.
Aśanavicāra – regimen of food
अत ऊर्ध्वं द्वादशाशनप्रविचारान् वक्ष्यामः |
तत्र शीतोष्णस्निग्धरूक्षद्रवशुष्कैककालिकद्विकालिकौषधयुक्तमात्राहीनदोषप्रशमनवृत्त्यर्थाः ||५६||
Now, the below mentioned twelve kinds (qualities) of the foods shall be described –
– sita – cold,
– usna – hot,
– snigdha – unctuous,
– ruksa – dry, devoid of fat or unctuousness,
– drava – liquid,
– suska – dry, devoid of moisture,
– eka kala – consumed once a day,
– dvikala – consumed twice a day,
– aushadha yukta – ,mixed with medicine,
– matrahina – less in quantity,
– dosa prasamana – mitigating the doshas and
– vrtyartha – for protecting health
तृष्णोष्णमददाहार्तान् रक्तपित्तविषातुरान् |
मूर्च्छार्तान् स्त्रीषु च क्षीणान् शीतैरन्नैरुपाचरेत् ||५७||
Cold foods should be used for treatment in persons suffering from –
– thirst,
– heat,
– intoxication,
– burning sensation,
– bleeding diseases,
– poison,
– fainting and
– emaciation from excessive copulation
कफवातामयाविष्टान् विरिक्तान् स्नेहपायिनः |
अक्लिन्नकायांश्च नरानुष्णैरन्नैरुपाचरेत् ||५८||
Below mentioned kinds of persons should be treated with hot foods –
– those suffering from diseases produced by kapha and vata,
– those who have had purgation,
– those who are to be administered with oleation therapy and
– those whose body is free from moisture
वातिकान् रूक्षदेहांश्च व्यवायोपहतांस्तथा |
व्यायामिनश्चापि नरान् स्निग्धैरन्नैरुपाचरेत् ||५९||
Unctuous foods should be used to treat the persons –
– who are of vata prakriti,
– dry in their body,
– exhausted by copulation,
– indulged in excessive physical exercises (activities)
मेदसाऽभिपरीतांस्तु स्निग्धान्मेहातुरानपि |
कफाभिपन्नदेहांश्च रूक्षैरन्नैरुपाचरेत् ||६०||
Dry foods should be used to treat the persons –
– who have more fat accumulation in their bodies,
– who are unctuous,
– who are suffering from diabetes,
– who have excessive kapha in their body
शुष्कदेहान् पिपासार्तान् दुर्बलानपि च द्रवैः |
प्रक्लिन्नकायान् व्रणिनः शुष्कैर्मेहिन एव च ||६१||
Liquid foods should be used to treat the persons –
– who are having excessive dryness of the body,
– who are suffering from thirst and debility
Dry foods should be used to treat the persons –
– who have more moisture in their body,
– who are wounded and
– who are suffering from diabetes
एककालं भवेद्देयो दुर्बलाग्निविवृद्धये |
समाग्नये तथाऽऽहारो द्विकालमपि पूजितः ||६२||
Foods once in a day – To augment the weak digestive fire, food should be given once a day.
Foods twice a day – For those having normal digestive fire, food may be given twice a day.
औषधद्वेषिणे देयस्तथौषधसमायुतः |
मन्दाग्नये रोगिणे च मात्राहीनः प्रशस्यते ||६३||
Foods mixed with medicines – Foods should be mixed with medicines and administered to those who hate medicines.
Less quantity of food – It is always ideal to give food in less quantity for those who have weak digestive fire and who are sick.
यथर्तुदत्तस्त्वाहारो दोषप्रशमनः स्मृतः |
अतः परं तु स्वस्थानां वृत्त्यर्थं सर्व एव च |
प्रविचारानिमानेवं द्वादशात्र प्रयोजयेत् ||६४||
Dosa Prasamana – Dosha prashamana foods i.e. those which mitigate the aggravated doshas comprises foods consumed as suitable to the seasons (seasonal foods).
Health maintaining foods – All the foods which are consumed by the healthy persons are meant to maintain health and life.
Intake of food should be planned after considering these twelve aspects of food consumption.
Dasa Auşadha kala – times of administering medicines
अत ऊर्ध्वं दशौषधकालान् वक्ष्यामः |
तत्राभक्तं प्राग्भक्तमधोभक्तं मध्येभक्तमन्तराभक्तं सभक्तं सामुद्गं मुहुर्मुहुर्ग्रासं ग्रासान्तरं चेति दशौषधकालाः ||६५||
After this, the ten different periods of time for administration of medicines shall be described. They are –
– Abhakta,
– Pragbhakta,
– Adhobhakta,
– Madhyabhakta,
– Antarabhakta,
– Sabhakta,
– Samudga,
– Muhurmuhu,
– Grasa and
– Grasantara
तत्राभक्तं तु यत् केवलमेवौषधमुपयुज्यते ||६६||
वीर्याधिकं भवति भेषजमन्नहीनं हन्यात्तथाऽऽमयमसंशयमाशु चैव |
तद्बालवृद्धवनितामृदवस्तु पीत्वा ग्लानिं परां समुपयान्ति बलक्षयं च ||६७||
Abhakta – means taking food on an empty stomach.
In the absence of food, the medicine becomes very powerful and hence would cure the diseases without any doubt.
If medicines are consumed on an empty stomach by children, old aged persons, women and persons having soft (tender) bodies, they would become tired / exhausted and also lose their strength.
प्राग्भक्तं नाम यत् प्राग्भक्तस्योपयुज्यते ||६८||
शीघ्रं विपाकमुपयाति बलं न हिंस्यादन्नावृतं न च मुहुर्वदनान्निरेति |
प्राग्भक्तसेवितमथौषधमेतदेव दद्याच्च वृद्धशिशुभीरुकृशाङ्गनाभ्यः ||६९||
Prägbhakta – Administering medicines just before taking the meals is called Pragbhakta.
The medicine quickly gets digested when it is taken just before meals. It does not harm the strength of the body. The medicine will also not come out of the mouth since it is being enveloped by the food.
Medicines before food should be given to the aged persons, children fearful, emaciated and women.
अधोभक्तं नाम- यदधो भक्तस्येति ||७०||
Adhobhakta – Medicine administered immediately after meals is called Adhobhakta.
मध्येभक्तं नाम- यन्मध्ये भक्तस्य पीयते ||७१||
पीतं यदन्नमुपयुज्य तदूर्ध्वकाये हन्याद्गदान् बहुविधांश्च बलं ददाति |
मध्ये तु पीतमपहन्त्यविसारिभावाद्ये मध्यदेहमभिभूय भवन्ति रोगाः ||७२||
Madhyebhakta – Administering medicine in the middle of the meal is called Madhya Bhakta.
When the medicine is taken soon after the meals (adhobhakta) it cures different diseases affecting / occurring in the upper parts of the body i.e. in the head and neck. It also bestows strength.
The medicine cures the diseases of the middle portion (parts) of the body, by not spreading out of the middle part (kostha – alimentary tract) when it is consumed in the middle of the meal.
अन्तराभक्तं नाम – यदन्तरा पीयते पूर्वापरयोर्भक्तयोः ||७३||
Antarabhakta – When medicine is administered in between two meals, it is called Antarabhakta.
सभक्तं नाम – यत् सह भक्तेन ||७४||
Sabhakta – When medicine is administered mixed with food, it is called Sabhakta.
पथ्यं सभक्तमबलाबलयोर्हि नित्यं तद्द्वेषिणामपि तथा शिशुवृद्धयोश्च |
हृद्यं मनोबलकरं त्वथ दीपनं च पथ्यं सदा भवति चान्तरभक्तकं यत् ||७५||
Medicine mixed with food i.e. sabhakta is suitable for –
– women,
– weak persons,
– those who hate medicines,
– children and
– aged persons
Medicine consumed between two morsels is –
– cordial,
– bestows strength to the mind,
– kindles digestive fire and
– is always suitable
सामुद्गं नाम – यद्भक्तस्यादावन्ते च पीयते ||७६||
दोषे द्विधा प्रविसृते तु समुद्गसञ्ज्ञमाद्यन्तयोर्यदशनस्य निषेव्यते तु ||७७||
Samudga – When the medicine is administered both at the beginning and also at the end of the meals, it is called Samudga.
Medicine given in this way is said to be the best in mitigating the doshas which have spread both upwards and downwards in the body.
मुहुर्मुहुर्नाम – सभक्तमभक्तं वा यदौषधं मुहुर्मुहुरुपयुज्यते ||७८||
श्वासे मुहुर्मुहुरतिप्रसृते च कासे
हिक्कावमीषु स वदन्त्युपयोज्यमेतत् ||७९||
Muhurmuhu – When medicine is administered frequently i.e. again and again, either with food or without food, it is called Muhurmuhu.
Medicines should be repeatedly given in diseases having repeated bouts, as in dyspnoea, cough, hiccup and vomiting.
ग्रासं तु- यत्पिण्डव्यामिश्रम् ||८०||
Sagrāsa – Administering medicine mixed with each morsel of food is called Sagrasa.
ग्रासान्तरं तु यद्ग्रासान्तरेषु ||८१||
Grasãñtara – Administering medicine in between the morsels of food is known as Grasantara.
ग्रासेषु चूर्णमबलाग्निषु दीपनीयं वाजीकराण्यपि तु योजयितुं यतेत |
ग्रासान्तरेषु वितरेद्वमनीयधूमान् श्वासादिषु प्रथितदृष्टगुणांश्च लेहान् ||८२||
Medicine mixed with each morsel of food i.e. sagrasa should be administered –
– when medicines are to be administered in the form of powders,
– when medicines are to be given to persons having weak digestion with the purpose of increasing digestive power (digestive fire) and
– when administering aphrodisiac medicines
Medicine should be administered in between two morsels in the below mentioned conditions –
– medicines used to produce vomiting by inhaling their smoke,
– in diseases like dyspnoea etc. and
– confections (linctuaries) whose properties are clearly known
एवमेते दशौषधकालाः ||८३||
Thus, the ten periods of administering the medicines were described.
Prasasta ahārakāla – best time for partaking food
विसृष्टे विण्मूत्रे विशदकरणे देहे च सुलघौ
विशुद्धे चोद्गारे हृदि सुविमले वाते च सरति |
तथाऽन्नश्रद्धायां क्लमपरिगमे कुक्षौ च शिथिले
प्रदेयस्त्वाहारो भवति भिषजां कालः स तु मतः ||८४||
The others should be advised by the physicians to consume food only after voiding faeces and urine.
The ideal and best time to consume food is when –
– the sense organs are clear,
– the body is feeling light,
– the belching is pure,
– the heart / chest is clear,
– vata is moving downwards, in its normal path,
– there is desire for food,
– the fatigue is relieved and
– the abdomen is loose (soft, supple)
इति सुश्रुतसंहितायामुत्तरतन्त्रे तन्त्रभूषणाध्यायेषु स्वस्ववृत्ताध्यायो नाम(द्वितीयोऽध्यायः, आदितः) चतुःषष्टितमोऽध्यायः ||६४||
Thus ends the sixty fourth chapter by name Svasthavṛtta in Uttara Sthana of Suśruta Samhita.
