DINACHARYA - DAILY REGIME

Nowadays all over India, intense efforts are made on personal, social & national levels for the promotion of good health. But these efforts are only towards bringing relief to the sick. They don’t aim to destroy the devil roots behind all these diseases. Contrary to other health sciences. Ayurveda not only by suggesting measures to prevent the basic occurrence of these diseases but still if they occur, to cure them has done a great favor towards the entire human being.

What is Dinacharya Daily Regime?

The time interval between two consecutive sunrises is known as a day. Our behavior in one whole day daily routine which goes according to certain rules & is beneficial for good health is known as the regime in scientific terms.

1. PRATARUTHANA / GETTING UP EARLY IN THE MORNING

A healthy person should get up from bed at brahmmuhurtha, to protect his life. That is, before dawn, or around 45 minutes before sun rise. Waking up from sleep is the beginning of our daily routine. brahmmuhurtha in the early morning is known as Grace according to Ayurveda. The atmosphere of this time is healthy so if one studies at this time then it is remembered for lifetime, hence a healthy person for continuing with his good health should wake up at BrahmaMuhurta.

2. DEFECATION or finish up with normal calls

According to nature a healthy person gets the feeling of emptying his bowels as soon as he wakes up in the morning. A person should never try to empty his bowels forcefully or it may lead to painful illnesses such as piles, fissures, etc.

3. DANTADHAVANA / BRUSHING / CLEANING OF TEETH

Keeping in view, the condition of his body, the individual should attend to ablutions- after eliminating urine and feces, then clean teeth. To keep our teeth clean & strong, one should get rid of the food particles which get stuck near the teeth-roots and should also rinse his mouth properly. For this use of auaa or zatsa is done. Herbal powders tasting pungent, bitter are appropriated for this purpose.

Useful herbs-Neem, Arjun, Aghada, Khadir, Karanj, Rui, Vat, Babbul, etc. or Ayurvedic tooth powder

Everyone can’t get these herbs everywhere so usually Triphala powder mixed with honey should be used. Dantdhavan should be done after every meal or at least in the morning & at the bed time.

4. CLEANING OF TONGUE

After brushing teeth the stickiness on the tongue should be tightly scraped off with a tongue cleaner or index fingers as the tongue is the mirror of bowels. The tongue-scraper should be curved without a sharp edge and be made of gold, silver, copper, tin or brass. The impurities, deposited at the root of the tongue obstruct inhalation, causing halitosis. The tongue, therefore, should be scraped properly.

5. ANJAN / COLLYRIUM

One should daily apply the collyrium of sauviranjana (antimony sulphide), which is beneficial to the eyes. One should use rasanjana (aqueous extract of Berberis aristata) once in every fifth or eighth night for cleansing drainage of the eyes. For healthy eyes, Anjan made from white or black surma should be applied like Kajal. It should be used once a week. It is good to apply a special type of collyrium called sauveera anjana to the eyes. It should be applied daily.

The eye is the element of Agni. So, it is susceptible to vitiated Kapha. Therefore, measures that pacify kapha are beneficial for keeping the vision clear. Strong collyrium shall not be applied to the eyes during daytime as the eyes already weakened by drainage will get impaired further on exposure to sunshine. Therefore, the collyrium meant for cleansing drainage is indicated exclusively at night.

rasanjana (aqueous extract of berberis aristata) it should be applied once in a week, to drain out Kapha (secretions) from the eyes. One should daily apply the collyrium of sauviranjana (antimony sulphide), which is beneficial to the eyes. One should use rasanjana (aqueous extract of Berberis aristata) once in every fifth or eighth night for cleansing drainage of the eyes.

6. NASYA

For cleansing of eyes, ears, nose one should lie down on his back in head low position; close his one nostril and put 2-3 drops of Lukewarm oil in his other nostrils, repeat the process for another nostril. Now a day’s droppers are used for this purpose. One should take a course of anu taila every year, during three seasons, of the pre-rainy season, the autumn and the spring, when the sky is free from clouds. One, who practices Nasya, per the prescribed method, at the proper time, will keep his sight, smell and hearing unimpaired. His hair and beard will never become white or grey; his hair will not fall off, rather will grow in abundance. Torticolis, head-ache, facial paralysis, lock-jaw, rhinitis, hemicranias and tremors of the head will be alleviated thereby. The nasya will nourish the blood vessels, joints, ligaments and tendons of the cranium, giving them greater strength. The face will become cheerful and plump, the voice will become mellow, firm and stentorian, and all the senses will become clearer and strengthened considerably. Diseases related to head and neck would not attack him all of a sudden even though he might be aging. The effects of senility would not affect the head.

7. NAVANA AND GANDUSHA / GARGAL

Oil-gargling imparts strength to the jaws, strength to the voice and excellent plumpness/flabbiness to the face, excellent gustatory sensation and good taste for food. One does not suffer from the dryness of the throat, or from the fear of the lips getting chafed. One’s teeth do not become carious, instead they become firmly rooted and do not ache nor are they set on edge by sour intake but become strong enough to chew even the hardest eatables.

While cleaning the throat gargling is important. Clean with lukewarm water 1/2 liter added with sesame oil 2-8 spoons. This mixture should be used for gargling. Consequently teeth roots become stronger and throat becomes clean.

8. MEDICATED DHUPAN

Dhumpan does not mean smoking of bidi, cigarette or pipe. It is a route of medication. Tobacco is not used in dhumpan, instead Nagarmotha, Guggul, Vala, Agaru, Gandha biroja, Shilajeet, Dalchini, Yashtimadhu, Chandan, Bel, Rai, Kesar is used. It is useful in vitiated kapham, useful in respiratory tract infection.

It is indicated in complaints of heaviness in the head, headache, rhinitis, migraine, ear-ache, pain in eyes, cough, hiccup, dyspnea, obstruction of the throat, weakness of the teeth, discharge from the ear, nose, and eyes due to morbid condition, nasal fetor, halitosis, odontalgia, anorexia, lock-jaw, torticollis, pruritus, worms, pallor of the face, mucous discharge from the mouth, impaired voice, galashundi (uvulitis), upajihvika (ranula), alopecia, graying of hair, and falling of hair. Medicated smoke inhalation alleviates sternutation, excessive drowsiness, loss of consciousness and hypersomnia. It augments the strength of the scalp hair roots, the senses and voice. Moreover, those who resort to smoke inhalation by the oral route are not afflicted by vata and kapha dosha affecting the upper part of the body or head, howsoever strong the disease may be.

Considering the time of aggravation of Vata and Kapha dosha in body, eight specific times of administration of medicated smoke have been prescribed for daily use. The self-controlled man should resort to inhalation of smoke after taking bath, after scraping the tongue, after sneezing, after brushing the teeth, after Nasya, after the use of eye-salve/collyrium and at the end of sleep. Thereby, vata and kapha borne diseases affecting the body parts above the clavicle do not afflict him. In these conditions, inhalation should be done thrice, in three puffs each time. A wise man should practice habitual smoking twice a day only, the unctuous smoking once a day and the purgative smoking thrice or four times a day.

Feeling of well-being and clarity in hridaya (cardiac region), throat and senses, lightness of the head and pacification of the vitiated dosha are the signs of proper dhumapana.

Untimely or excessive smoking causes complications like deafness, blindness, dumbness, raktapitta (hemorrhagic disorder – bleeding from nose), and giddiness. In such conditions intake of ghee is desirable. In the event of complications arising due to vata following pitta, one shall apply nasal drops, collyrium and tarpana (keeping medicated ghee in the eye) prepared using unctuous articles. In case of raktapitta, these shall be prepared with cooling drugs and in the case of complications arising out of an aggravated kapha, they shall be prepared with ruksha drugs (causing dryness).

Contraindications of dhumapana

Now I will explain the persons in whom smoking is contra-indicated: One who has followed virechana (therapeutic purgation), basti (therapeutic enema), a person who has disorders of rakta, who is afflicted with poison, one who is in grief, during pregnancy, one who is fatigued, one who is intoxicated, one suffering from disorders of ama or pitta, one who has had a sleepless night, one suffering from fainting, giddiness, thirst, emaciation or trauma, one who has just taken wine, milk, unctuous beverage or honey, one who has taken food along with curd, one who is afflicted with dryness, anger, dryness of the palate, timira, head-injury, shankhaka, rohini, meha(obstinate urinary disorders) or alcoholism. If a person, out of ignorance, smokes in these instances or in an untimely condition, his disorders will aggravate dreadfully due to complications of dhumapana.

When the chest, throat and head feel light and the kapha is liquefied, it is said to be a correct smoking. If the voice is not clear, the throat is filled with kapha and the head feels heavy, it is said to be an insufficient smoking. If the palate, head and throat feel parched and become hot and the person feels thirsty, stupefied and unconscious, or if the person bleeds profusely and the head feels light and dizzy or if the person becomes unconscious or his senses feel agitated, it should be known that the smoking has been done in excess.

9. TAMBUL / MOUTH FRESHENERS

A thin betel leaf is beneficial for digestion. Supari, Kasturi, Camphor, Cardamom, Chuna, Khadir, Jaiphal, Jaipatri, slight pungent, bitter and fragrant substances should be used in a betel leaf. Sit silently for some time or napping on the left side. One who is desirous of securing cleanliness, taste and fragrance should keep tambul regularly.

10. ABHYANGA – OIL MASSAGE

Because of exertion the external muscles of our body become weak & tired. To make them fresh & healthy all over again they should be gently massaged. As a result tire oleation Circulation in these area increases.

Rubbing of oil & massaging all over the body is known as अभ्यंग. People usually practice this on Diwali, Dassera or any auspicious day. This is not practiced every day. For ana, the oil should be rubbed in the direction towards the heart so that blood circulation increases. If rubbing of oil to the entire body is not possible then it should be followed at least for the hands and legs, head and ears, etc One who has got his head daily well oleated alleviates head-ache, premature graying, and alopecia, while strengthening the cranial bones significantly. Hair roots become stronger, senses become clearer, the facial skin becomes smoother and the person gets sound sleep and happiness.

By filling the ears with oil daily, there will be no ear diseases of the vata type, no stiffness of the neck or jaws, no difficulty in hearing and reduced chances of deafness.

Just as a pitcher by smearing with oil, a hide by soaking in oil or an axle by lubricating with oil become firm, so does the human body when oleated with oil. The skin becomes beautiful, vata disorders are relieved, and tolerance to hardship and physical strain is enhanced. vayu predominates in the tactile sense faculty and the tactile sense faculty resides in the skin. Massage is exceedingly beneficial to the skin. Therefore, a person should practice it regularly. A person’s body accustomed to oil massage is not liable to be afflicted with injury due to external trauma or strenuous physical exertion. A person, by applying daily oil massage, becomes smooth and plump, strong and good looking, while slowing his ageing process.

The roughness, stiffness, dryness, fatigue and numbness of feet are alleviated by massaging the legs. The legs attain gentleness, strength, firmness, the eyes attain brightness, and the vata is pacified. Foot massage also prevents grudhrasi (sciatica), fissures in the feet, contraction of the muscles, and blood vessels of legs.

Abhyanga / OIL massage should be done daily,

It delays ageing, relieves exertion and excess of vata (aches and pains), it improves vision,nourishes body tissues, prolongs age, induces good sleep and improves skin tone and complexion. Massage should be specially done on Ears, head and feet

Massage should be avoided when there is increase of kapha in the body, who have undergone shodhana (purificatory therapies) and who are suffering from indigestion.

11. VYAYAMA – EXERCISE

Exercise is important for proper digestion of food we eat. Healthy persons should be exercises half their body strength.

Exercise brings about lightness of the body, it improves ability to do work, increases digestion power, burns excess fat, it brings body into good shape.

THOSE WHO SHOULD NOT DO EXERCISE.

People with diseases of vata and pitta, children, the aged, people with indigestion problem

Exercise should be done by those having full strength and who take fatty food daily, in cold seasons, spring till one’s half strength. While others and in other seasons, exercise should be done mildly

ADVERSE EFFECTS OF OVER-EXERCISE:

Excessive thirst, emaciation, severe dyspnea (difficulty in breathing), bleeding disorders, exhaustion, feeling of debility (even without any work), cough, fever and vomiting.

At the end of the exercise, all parts of the body should be massaged comfortably

12. UDVARTANA – (POWDER MASSAGE)

Application of medicated powders made from the mixture of Jatamansi, Til, Upalsari, lotus petals, Vala, Kachora, Nagarmotha, Chandan. Gram flour or Triphala powder can also be used before having a bath.

For getting rid of the oily feeling & specific odor of the body gets after snan and also the skin effects such as pimples, marks, acne, etc. udvartan is applied to the skin.

It reduces kapha, decreases fats & makes body stiff & beautiful. Mitigates kapha, helps to burn fat, brings stability of the body parts, improves strength and skin complexion.

13. SNANA – BATHING

There is no any other solution such as bath for tiredness due to exertion. According to Ayurveda one should take lukewarm water on his body below the neck but should not pour on head as it diminishes strength of eyes.

Wiping of body removes body fetor, heaviness, fatigue, itching, dirt, anorexia and loathsomeness due to sweating. Bathing is purifying, promote of virility and longevity, remover of fatigue, sweat and dirt, brings about physical strength and enhances oja to the highest degree.

Bathing improves digestion, acts as aphrodisiac, prolongs life, increases enthusiasm and strength .removes itching

Helps to get rid of dirt, exhaustion, sweat, stupor / tiredness, excessive thirst, burning sensation and sins.

Pouring warm water over the body bestows strength, but the same over the head, makes for loss of strength of the hair and eyes.

Bath is contra- indicated for those suffering from facial paralysis, diseases of the eyes, mouth and ears, diarrhea, flatulence, rhinitis, indigestion and who have just taken food.

14. BHOJAN / MEAL

Having food is prime important for maintenance of life. But one should eat only when he is really hungry. Easy defecation, enthusiasm, feeling hungry & thirsty again, feeling emptiness are some of the signs which indicate complete digestion of food. Light food is digested easily and earlier. One should eat willingly and by sitting steadily in one place with keeping silence.

Order of having food

One should eat a small grated piece of ginger and jiggery before starting his meals.

First sweet should be taken followed by sour, salty and lastly pungent and bitter foods.

After finishing meal one should consume butter milk. Now a day’s sweet dish is followed at the end which is a wrong habit. One should sit straight while taking food. Even the plate should be placed at a higher level.

Drink water while having food

Depending on what extent the food is dry, spicy, salty, etc. one should drink sufficient water.

If one drinks water before having food he becomes thin, if water taken after having food, he become fat: so water should be drunk while having food.

How much to be eaten?

lf our stomach is divided in 4 equal parts then 2 parts food, 1 part water, 1 part empty. After having food one should rinse his mouth with water.

15. ROUTINE WORK

Do the routine work as service or business.

In Ayurveda you will find a good co-ordination between daily routine behaviors its rules and use of herbal medicines. During this modern life all this described sequential programme given in Ayurveda is not fully possible and practicable. But for healthy and prosperous life as far as possible above programme should be followed.

SAD VRITTA – GOOD. HEALTHY CONDUCT:

One should always eat, only after digestion of previous food, in limited quantity. One should not induce natural urges forcefully.one should immediately attend to natural urges, whenever they come, without being busy in other activities.

One should eat proper quantity of food according to strength of agni.

The ideal quantity of food is which gets digested in due time without disturbing the normalcy.

The food items that ar predominant in vayu and agni mahabhuta are naturally light for digestion and can be taken regularly to maintain health. Those predominantly of prithvi and jala mahabhuta are naturally heavy to digest and shall be taken in small quantity always. If the heavy to digest items are taken, then strong physical exercise shall be followed to help agni to digest this heavy food.

There should be a right combination of light and heavy food articles in one’s diet regimen. The heavy-to-digest food articles can be one third or one half of total food consumed, while the remaining should be light-to-digest food. In every composition, the digestive capacity of agni is to be followed.

If the food is taken in proper quantity, it provides strength, complexion, happiness and longevity to the person.

Virtues of proper attire

· The wearing of clean apparel enhances charm and personality of an individual, is promotive of longevity, preventive of bad-luck/inauspiciousness, brings about pleasure, is decorative, makes competent to participate in conferences and is commendable. The use of fragrant articles and garlands enhances virility, promotes longevity, charm, plumpness and strength, is pleasing to the mind, and averts penury.

· The wearing of jewel-ornaments brings prosperity, is auspicious, promotes longevity, is decorative, is dispersive of worries, is exhilarative, is attractive and is enhancing of ojas.

· The frequent ablution of feet and excretory orifices is promotive of intelligence, is purifying, promotes longevity, and dispels of misfortunes and sin.

· The trimming and grooming of body hair and nails (manicure and pedicure) is promotive of plumpness, virility, longevity, cleanliness and beauty.

· The donning of footwear is pleasing to the eyes, conducive to the skin of the sole, mitigative of foot-discomfort, promotive of strength, facilitative of easy gait and promotive of virility.

· The carrying of umbrella is avertive of calamities, is promotive of strength, affords protection, cover and comfort, and serves as a shield against sun, wind, dust and rain. The carrying of the staff serves as a prop against stumbling, is dispersive of enemies, serves as a support, promotes longevity, and dispels fear.

Everyone should follow all the daily regimens to attain a happy and healthy life and ultimately fulfill purpose of life.

Ayurvedic Dinacharya Ayurvedic Dinacharya
Dinacharya- Healthy Daily Routine