Rutu Charya for Sharad

Rutu Charya Details

  • Sharad: Kartika, Ashwin

    Sharad Ritu – Ayurveda’s Complete Seasonal Regimen (Ritucharya of Autumn)

    (Approximately Mid-October to Mid-December in India – Hemanta begins after this window)

    Ayurveda views every season (Ritu) as a physiological force that influences the state of doshas, dhatus, agni, and ojas. Sharad Ritu, the post-monsoon autumn season, is the time of maximum Pitta aggravation (Prakopa) and Kapha reduction (Kshaya).
    To remain healthy, one must adapt diet, lifestyle, and mindset to neutralize seasonal changes.

    1. Classical References About Sharad Ritu

    1.1 Charaka Saṃhitā

    “शरदि पित्तप्रकोपः स्यात् पवनं संप्रसीदति ।
    क्षयेत् कफमेदश्च पित्तं रक्तं च पीड्यते ॥    ”
    — Caraka Saṃhitā, Sūtrasthāna 6.46

    Meaning:

    • Pitta increases in Sharad

    • Vata stabilizes

    • Kapha and Meda decrease

    • Rakta becomes susceptible to vitiation

    1.2 Suśruta Saṃhitā

    “शरदि शीतलाः खाद्यान्नाः पित्तहराणि सेवेत ।
    उष्णं तीक्ष्णं लवणाम्लं त्यजेच्चैव विशेषतः ॥    ”
    — Suśruta Saṃhitā, Sūtrasthāna 6

    Meaning:

    • One should take cooling, sweet, bitter foods

    • Avoid foods that are hot, sharp, salty, and sour

    1.3 Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya (Vāgbhaṭa)

    “विधूमे नभसि स्वच्छे शरदि दग्धमेदसा ।
    पीतं सविस्फुलिङ्गं तु वह्निज्वालमिवोदयेत् ॥    ”
    — Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya, Sūtrasthāna 3.7

    Meaning:

    • Sharad sky is clean and smokeless

    • The sun appears sharp like a flaming fire

    • This sharp sunlight aggravates Pitta already accumulated in Varsha

    1.4 Bhāvaprakāśa

    “शरत्कालः पित्तकृच्छ्रः। शीतलं मधुरं हितम्।
    पद्मानि प्रस्फुटन्त्यत्र, हंसानि रमयन्ति च॥    ”

    Meaning:

    • Sharad is Pitta-provoking

    • Cooling and sweet foods pacify it

    • Nature blossoms with lotuses and swans

    2. Characteristics of Sharad Ritu

    2.1 Seasonal Qualities (Guna)

    • Uṣṇa (warm) – sun’s rays sharpen

    • Rūkṣa (dry air) – low humidity

    • Laghu (lightness) – atmosphere becomes clearer

    • Alpa Jala (less moisture) – less rainfall

    Impact: Pitta (uṣṇa + tikshṇa) is provoked; Rakta, which shares Pitta qualities, also vitiates.

    3. Doshic Influence During Sharad

    Pitta – Prakopa (Aggravation)

    Due to heat and sharp sunlight.

    Vata – Shamana (Stabilization)

    Cold monsoon winds settle.

    Kapha – Kshaya (Reduction)

    Dryness & heat reduce Kapha.

    Rakta – Vishuddha Yet Suffering Heat

    Blood becomes clear after monsoon but remains highly sensitive to Pitta heat, causing:

    • acne

    • hives

    • burning eyes

    • nosebleed

    • acidity

    • migraines

    4. Natural Environment in Sharad (Classical Depictions)

    Based on Charaka, Sushruta, Vāgbhaṭa:

    • Lotus flowers bloom (Padma Udgama Kāla)

    • The sky is clear with white clouds

    • Water bodies become pure

    • The sun appears bright and sharp (Pitta provoking)

    • Hamsa (swans) and Chakravāka birds dominate the landscape

    • Rice fields (Shāli) flourish

    • Nights are cool; days are warm

    5. Ayurvedic Diet (Āhāra) in Sharad Ritu

    Classical rule from Charaka:

    “तत्रोपयोगी शरदि मधुरः शीतलः सितः,
    टिक्तः कषायः च रसं पित्तहरं हितम्॥”
    — C.S. 6.47

    Recommended Tastes (Rasa)

    ✔ Madhura (sweet)
    ✔ Tikta (bitter)
    ✔ Kashāya (astringent)

    Avoid

    ✘ Amla (sour)
    ✘ Lavana (salty)
    ✘ Katu (pungent)
    ✘ Uṣṇa (hot), Vidāhi (acidic), Snigdha (oily) foods

    5.1 Recommended Foods List

    Grains

    • Shāli rice

    • Yava (barley)

    • Godhuma (wheat)

    • Sathi rice

    (Said by Charaka as Pitta-shamana grains)

    Pulses

    • Mung dal

    • Masoor green (in moderation)

    Vegetables

    • Patola (pointed gourd)

    • Lauki

    • Pumpkin

    • Spinach (in moderation due to Pitta)

    Fruits

    • Amla (best Rasāyana for Pitta)

    • Drāksha (sweet grapes)

    • Pomegranate

    • Pear

    • Banana

    • Sweet ripe papaya

    Fluids

    • Hansodaka (water exposed to moonlight)

    • Gulkand water

    • Coriander infused water

    • Sugar water

    • Honey water (not heated)

    Milk & Ghee

    • Cow ghee – the best Pitta pacifier

    • Boiled cooled cow milk

    • Milk with Shatavari

    Foods to Avoid (Vidāhi & Pitta-Vardhak)

    • Curd

    • Sour pickles

    • Spicy fried items

    • Excess oil

    • Tomatoes

    • Tamarind

    • Alcohol

    • Fermented foods

    • Red meat

    • Mustard oil

    6. Ayurvedic Lifestyle (Vihāra) During Sharad

    Daily Routine (Dinacharya)

    6.1 Morning

    • Wake up early (Brahmamuhurta)

    • Walk in fresh cool air

    • Practice cooling pranayama:

      • Sheetali

      • Sheetkari

    • Lukewarm bath with cooling herbs

    6.2 Clothing

    Suśruta recommends:

    “शुक्लवस्त्रधारणम्” — wear clean, light-colored, white garments.

    Also:

    • Wear pearl ornaments (cooling effect on Pitta)

    • Avoid dark, heat-absorbing clothes

    6.3 Body Care

    Apply these pastes (Lepa):

    • Sandalwood (Chandana)

    • Vetiver (Ushira)

    • Camphor (Karpura)

    • Padmaka

    Massage with:

    • Coconut oil

    • Chandana-bala-lakshadi oil

    • Ushira taila

    Avoid:

    • Heavy exercise

    • Sun exposure between 11 AM – 4 PM

    • Hot water baths

    6.4 Night Routine

    • Walk under moonlight

    • Listen to calming music

    • Massage feet with ghee

    • Go to bed early

    7. Panchakarma for Sharad Ritu

    Classical recommendation:

    7.1 Virechana – THE main therapy

    Charaka clearly states that Pitta should be removed through purgation in Sharad.

    Virechana drugs:

    • Trivrit

    • Aragvadha

    • Draksha

    • Avipattikar churna

    • Castor oil with milk

    7.2 Raktamokshana (Bloodletting)

    Recommended for:

    • Urticaria

    • Acne

    • Allergies

    • Migraines

    • Hypertension due to Pitta

    • Skin diseases

    Methods:

    • Siravyadha

    • Jalaukavacharana (leech therapy – best for Pitta disorders)

    7.3 Other Therapies

    • Shirodhara

    • Takra-dhara (for headaches & burning sensations)

    • Cooling Abhyanga

    • Netra tarpana (eye nourishment)

    8. Common Diseases in Sharad Ritu

    Classically mentioned Pitta disorders:

    8.1 Digestive

    • Amlapitta (acidity)

    • Pittaja grahani

    • Burning indigestion

    8.2 Skin

    • Pityriasis

    • Fungal infections

    • Acne & pustules

    • Hives

    8.3 Blood & Heat Disorders

    • Epistaxis (nosebleed)

    • Burning palms/soles

    • Yellowish discoloration

    8.4 Eye Disorders

    • Photophobia

    • Burning sensation

    • Conjunctivitis

    9. Preventive Care During Sharad

    9.1 For Skin

    • Chandana–Ushira pastes

    • Aloe vera gel

    • Neem water wash

    • Rose hydrosol

    9.2 Eye Care (Netra Paricharya)

    • Triphala water wash

    • Rose water (pure)

    • Cooling eye pack (cucumber or vetiver water)

    9.3 Mental Health

    Pitta increases irritability.
    Recommended:

    • Meditation

    • Brahmari pranayama

    • Cooling mantras: “Om Shreem Somaye Namah”

    10. Daily Schedule for Sharad Ritu (Sample)

    Time Activity Purpose
    5:00 AM Wake up in Brahmamuhurta Calms Pitta, stabilizes Vata
    5:30 AM Sheetali / Sheetkari Reduces internal heat
    6:00 AM Gentle stretching / walking Avoid strenuous exercise
    7:00 AM Breakfast – sweet fruits + ghee Nourishes agni without heat
    12:30 PM Lunch – light grains + vegetables Main meal of day
    4:00 PM Cooling drinks / herbal tea Stabilizes Pitta
    6:00 PM Walk in cool evening Improves digestion
    8:00 PM Light dinner Prevents acidity
    9:30 PM Feet massage with ghee Improves sleep & calms Pitta

    11. Summary of Sharad Ritu Regimen

    Diet

    • Sweet, bitter, astringent

    • Avoid sour, salty, pungent

    • Use Ghee, Amla, Barley

    Lifestyle

    • Avoid heat

    • Use cooling herbs

    • Moonlight exposure

    • Wear light, white clothes

    Therapies

    • Virechana (main)

    • Raktamokshana

    • Shirodhara

    • Cooling Abhyanga

    Health Focus

    • Pitta control

    • Skin health

    • Digestion

    • Cooling of body & mind

Follow the Rutu Charya guidelines to maintain your health and balance according to Ayurveda during this season.

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