Understanding Sharad Rutu According to Ayurveda

Sharad Rutu is a vital season in the Ayurvedic calendar. This autumn season holds immense significance in Ayurveda, and it is crucial to understand the Ayurvedic perspective on Sharad Rutu. The human body and earth which are cooled due to rain in वर्षा (rainy season) will be heated again by sun rays, in Sharad Ritu causing vitiation of Pitta Dosha.

Sharad Rutu is a transitional season between summer (Grishma Rutu) and winter (Hemant Rutu). It marks the beginning of the harvest season when the earth is adorned with the bounties of nature. The duration of Sharad Rutu spans from mid-September to mid-November, making it a 2-month long period.

In this article, we will delve into the profound wisdom of Ayurveda and explore the significance of Sharad Rutu. Understanding this rutu can greatly impact our health and well-being.

Sharad Rutu’s Importance in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, Sharad Rutu is considered one of the six seasons, each with unique characteristics and impacts on the human body.

The Impact of Tridosha in the Sharad Rutu

According to Ayurveda, the human body is governed by three fundamental doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. In Ayurveda, Sharad Rutu is often referred to as the season of ‘Prakopa of Pitta.

Pitta is one of the three doshas in Ayurveda and is associated with fire and water elements. The hot and dry weather of Sharad Rutu aggravates the Agni or digestive fire, leading to a Pitta Dosha imbalance.

Effects of Pitta Imbalance

The imbalance of Pitta Dosha during Sharad Rutu can manifest in several ways. Some common issues include:

• Impaired  Digestion: The increased heat in the body may cause acidity, excess heat and pitta secretion, which in turn affects the rakta dhatu due to its excess heat
• Blood-related diseases: As rakta dhatu gets affected in this season, there is a major chance of rakta dosha diseases, which occur within health issues, infections, weakened immunity, etc
• Skin Problems: Pitta imbalance is often associated with skin issues, and during this season, pimples, rashes, itching, and acne problems may become more prevalent

Charya Sampurna SkinCare Combo is a gentle yet effective way to maintain the health of your skin. It’s perfect for daily use, especially during the Pitta-aggravating Sharad Rutu.

Sharad Ritu Dinacharya – Your  Lifestyle Adjustments in Your Daily Routine

The change of seasons, including the transition to Sharad Rutu (autumn), has a significant impact on our physical and mental well-being. Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of adjusting our daily routine, or Dinacharya, to align with the changing seasons.

Here are some key practices to consider for Sharad Ritu Dinacharya:

Wake Up Early: It’s advisable to wake up early at Brahmamuhurta, before sunrise. This allows you to make the most of the morning hours and connect with the natural rhythm of the day

Oral Care: Begin with brushing, tongue scraping and oil pulling for oral health

Oil Massage (Abhyanga): An oil massage is particularly beneficial to nourish the skin, promote relaxation, and balance Vata Dosha. Try Charya Face Oil – which can be used as a Body Oil as well – Perfect Nourishment For Skin and Charya Ubtan – an Ayurvedic skin cleanser that rejuvenates all 7 layers of your skin

Bathing: Take a warm shower after the oil massage. Try Charya Ubtan with a richness of herbal scrub that leaves the skin soft, smooth & refreshing

Breakfast: If hungry, have a nourishing freshly cooked breakfast. Avoid heavy or oily foods that can aggravate Pitta. It is advisable to add cooling foods like black raisins, gulkand, rock sugar, and milk.

Work and Routine: Engage in your work and daily activities. Take short breaks to rest your eyes and stretch your body throughout the day

Lunch: Opt for a freshly cooked well-balanced meal that includes seasonal vegetables, and grains. Include foods that have cooling effects. Prefer tastes like sweet, bitter and astringent in nature.

Evening Activities: Engage in calming activities in the evening, such as reading, gentle yoga or meditation. This can help you unwind and prepare for a restful night

Dinner:  Opt for freshly cooked light meals and have them a few hours before bedtime

SelfCare: Try face massage with oil, Padaabhyanga, and Navel oiling your body before bedtime

Sleep: Prioritize adequate sleep for overall well-being

Hydration: Throughout the day, stay well-hydrated by drinking water, herbal teas, or fresh fruit juices. Avoid excessive cold drinks or carbonated beverages.

Skincare: Use Ayurvedic skincare products, like Charya Sampurna Skincare Combo, to protect your skin from the effects of Sharad Rutu. Moisturizing and nourishing the skin is crucial during this season

Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness and gratitude practices into your daily routine to maintain social and mental well-being.

Sharad Rutu can be a time of transition, also known as Rutu Sandhi Kal. These practices can help you stay grounded. Try Shanti Charya – DIP & DRINK Kadha – to pacify your stress in your daily tea time routine

By following a well-balanced Sharad Ritu Dinacharya, you can harmonize your body and mind with the changing seasons, strengthen your immunity, and maintain good health during this transitional period.

Hansodaka Nakshatra in Sharad rutu

Sharad Rutu,is the time for “Hansodaka Nakshatra” in the sky. This is emphasized in tradition and Ayurveda due to the influence of the Agastya constellation. It is believed that the rays of the Agastya constellation have the ability to detoxify water and all the medicines on the earth.  Exposure to Hansodak nakshatra makes them more medicinal, pure, and better for consumption. Water exposed to the moon rays, and the rays of the Agastya constellation during the night is referred to as “Hansodaka” and is believed to possess beneficial medicinal properties.

To maintain balance during Sharad Ritu, when there is an aggravation of the pitta dosha, it is recommended to follow a specific lifestyle. This can help in controlling the aggravated pitta dosha:

• Practice relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga
• Use soothing fragrances, such as sandalwood and rose
• Spend time in nature
• Undergo Virechan (Pitta eliminating Panchakarma) to cleanse the body internally
• Wear light, cool-coloured clothing
• Use pitta-reducing herbs in skincare and haircare
• Absorb moon rays in the late evenings to calm the mind
• Avoid late nights to prevent Kapha aggravation and allergies

It’s important to understand the significance of adapting your diet and lifestyle to the changing seasons to maintain proper health and balance according to Ayurvedic principles.

Why does Ayurveda say – Sharad Rutu is crucial?

Sharad Rutu is considered to be the breeding period for all diseases.

Have you ever wondered about the meaning behind the Sanskrit phrase ‘जिवेत् शरदः शतम् ॥’

It’s actually a traditional way of saying ‘Happy Birthday.’ But there’s more to it than just a birthday greeting. Ayurveda considers Sharad Rutu a crucial period.

Tej Mahabhoot or Fire element dominates this rutu, energy and immunity are lowest during this season, so the diseases/ health issues occurring during this season are difficult to cure and thus need prompt care.

The diseases that manifest during this season can be particularly stubborn and challenging to treat. Hence, it’s essential to take immediate care and precautions to maintain good health during this time.

So “जिवेत् शरदः शत” means – ‘Live a long life, 100’s of Sharad Rutu,’ it’s not just a birthday wish; it’s a heartfelt desire for the person to lead a healthy and enduring life, free from the challenges that the Autumn season might bring. It’s a wish for lasting well-being and longevity, rooted in the wisdom of Ayurveda.

Festivals in Sharad Rutu

During Sharad Rutu, several festivals, including Navratri, Dussehra, Kojagiri etc are celebrated. These festivities are not just a part of tradition but also have scientific reasoning. The change in diet and lifestyle during these festivals is believed to help balance the body and mind. It’s also seen as an opportunity to balance the body’s doshas.

Navratri Festival from an Ayurveda Perspective

Ayurveda recognizes Navratri as a nine-day journey to eliminate inner imbalances and achieve holistic well-being. In Ayurveda, Navratri signifies a period of cleansing and rejuvenation. During these nine days, our ancestors recommended:

• Adopting a Sattvic (pure and balanced) diet
• Practicing mindfulness
• Incorporating herbal remedies to support physical and mental well-being

According to Ayurveda, it is considered an ideal opportunity to detoxify the body, balance doshas, and promote holistic health.

Kojagri Festival from an Ayurveda Perspective

The Kojagri festival falls during the Sharad Rutu on the Hansodak Nakshatra! It is believed that Hansodak nakshatra detoxifies/ purifies the environment and water(On this day, the rays of the moon are believed to have cooling, healing and nourishing properties.

The traditional ingredients like Milk, Ghee, and Sugar help to pacify pitta dosha, bringing balance to our holistic well-being. Also, milk is a mild purgative, and purgation also known as Virechan is the best treatment for pitta dosha

Hence, our ancestors incorporated this ritual so that we can follow the tradition of enjoying warm, delicious milk induced by the cooling effect of moonlight and the detoxifying action of the Hansodak nakshatra during this auspicious day.

Let’s not limit it to just Kojagri; include milk, ghee, and sugar in your daily diet throughout this entire Sharad Rutu for enhanced well-being!

Diet in Sharad Rutu

In Sharad Ritu, it’s essential to follow a diet that helps maintain the balance of the Pitta dosha, as an aggravated Pitta dosha can lead to digestive issues and various health problems.

Here are the dietary guidelines for this season, as per Ayurveda:

Foods to Include in Sharad Rutu:

• Pulses: Green gram (moong dal) and masoor dal(red lentil) can be preferred. Green gram is cooling in nature, easy to digest and pacifies pitta.
• Seasonally grown grains, vegetables and fruits. Dry fruits like figs, raisins, and dates can also be consumed
• Include milk, ghee, jaggery/honey in your diet
• Herbs: Consider using herbs like Amla, patol, Shatavari, Chandan, and ushira to pacify excess heat
• Consume buttermilk with cumin and coriander, which helps in cooling the body

Foods to Avoid in Sharad Rutu:

• Avoid hot, spicy, sour, and salty foods. Foods that are hot in potency should also be avoided
• Avoid heavy and hard-to-digest pulses like chana, rajma, and urad
• Stay away from frozen or refrigerated foods
• Avoid heavy-to-digest foods

Choose foods that are easy on the stomach and don’t generate excessive heat. Adhering to these dietary guidelines can help you maintain balance during Sharad Rutu and support your overall well-being.

Ayurvedic Treatments Recommended for Sharad Rutu

Ayurveda provides a range of treatments for Sharad Rutu, including Panchakarma therapies, herbal remedies, and rejuvenating massages. Panchkarma is the best option to detoxify your body in this season. Particularly undergo Raktamokshan (removing impure blood) and Virechan Karma (intestinal cleansing) to purify your body. These treatments aim to balance the doshas, cleanse the body, and promote overall health.

8 Tips to stay healthy in Sharad Rutu

Get practical tips on how to maintain your health, boost your immunity, and enjoy the autumn season to its fullest.

• Stay hydrated with warm herbal teas and practice Hansodaka, which involves storing water in a copper vessel for a day and night under the moonlight before consumption. Use a similar method for bathing water.
• Consume foods rich in antioxidants to boost immunity
• Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation and mindfulness
• Dress appropriately for the changing weather
• Maintain a regular sleep schedule and avoid Daytime Sleeping
• Avoid Acidic, Hot and Sweet Foods
• Avoid Overeating
• Include herbs like Shatavari, Chandan, rose and Amla to remove excess heat from your body

These tips can help you maintain your health and well-being during Sharad Rutu.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sharad Rutu holds a special place in Ayurveda as a season that offers a unique opportunity to align with the natural elements and promote physical and mental well-being. By following the principles of Ayurveda, individuals can enjoy the benefits of this season while maintaining good health.

FAQs

Q1  How can I balance the Vata dosha during Sharad Rutu?

Balancing the Vata dosha can be achieved through a warm and nourishing diet, regular oil massages, and maintaining a consistent daily routine.

Q2 What foods should I include in my diet during Sharad Rutu?

Ayurveda suggests incorporating seasonal vegetables, gulkanda, Amla murabba,  and grains into your diet while avoiding cold and raw foods.

Q3 How does Sharad Rutu affect mental health according to Ayurveda?

Sharad Rutu’s influence on the moon is believed to impact our emotions and mental state. Ayurveda advises mindfulness practices to maintain emotional balance.

Q4 What are the main characteristics of Sharad Rutu in Ayurveda?

Sharad Rutu is characterized by high temperatures, clear skies, and a combination of heat,, dry, and unstable qualities.

Q5 What dietary changes are recommended during Sharad Rutu in Ayurveda?

Ayurveda suggests consuming light, nourishing, and easily digestible foods, including seasonal fruits and vegetables, to prevent Vata imbalances.

Q6 How can one balance the doshas during Sharad Rutu?

Balancing the doshas during Sharad Rutu can be achieved through a combination of proper diet, lifestyle adjustments, and Ayurvedic treatments.

Q7 What is the significance of festivals in Sharad Rutu according to Ayurveda?

Festivals in Sharad Rutu have both traditional and scientific significance, as they help maintain mental and physical balance through various activities.