An ancient Ayurvedic concept comes alive to fix your Circadian rhythm and restore your internal balance. Aparna Shivapura shares the secrets with you!
You stay awake most of the night, you suffer neurological illnesses, you are being treated for acute gastritis, you cannot concentrate on anything for too long, you are completely stressed and burned out, you have an erratic temperament, you are getting obese and perhaps moody and depressed all the time? Well, then, you should know that you are not in tune with your Circadian rhythm. Research now says that the human genes are now out of tune with the Circadian rhythms of Nature.
An ancient Ayurvedic concept as old as 200 BC has the answers. The concept is more relevant and highly significant today than perhaps, in the yesteryears. The sacred trilogy of Ayurveda, the Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana (400 – 200 BC), the Sushruta Samhita Sutrasthana (300 BC) and the Ashtanga Hridayam Sutrasthana (200 BC) introduce the concept of DINACHARYA to balance and harmonize the Circadian rhythms which has a direct bearing and impact on our health.
Balance your VATHA, PITTA, KAPHA!
The human being is a microcosmic representation of the universe, or the macrocosm. Any change in the macro affects the micro and the macro operates on an established rhythm. A circadian rhythm is a roughly 24-hour cycle in the physiological processes of living beings and to attain good health, it is important that this rhythm is maintained, balanced and optimized.
Ayurveda primarily divides the human constitution into the Vatha, Pitha and Kapha elements. Depending on the predominant element of each or all of these, Ayurveda provides the necessary treatment and care. It is said that if either of the elements is not harmonized and balanced, it can lead to health disorders, some of which is given below.
| KAPHA imbalance | VATHA imbalance | PITTA imbalance |
| Obesity | Gastric disorders | Joint Pains |
| Cold, Running nose | Hyperacidity | Neurological Imbalance |
| Lethargy, Inactivity | Stomatitis, Piles, Fissures | Constipation |
| Depression | Temperamental behavior | Erratic Temperament |
The Ayurvedic Daily Routine prescribed in DINACHARYA prescribes a way of life, down to the minutest details including lifestyle & discipline, eating habits, methods and types, mental outlook and attitude all of them aligned to the Vatha, Pitta and Kapha constitution in your body.
Dinacharya for Morning
Braahmi Muhurthe Uthishte, wake up two hours before sunrise, calls out the ancient text. At this time, the mind is very calm, highly receptive and energetic. Hence rising early and doing any activity that requires focus is recommended – studying, meditating, working on a new concept, singing, writing, painting, thinking deeply about a subject and so on! This is to be followed by Malotsarga or cleansing which includes – cleansing every part of your body in a particular manner, using specific ingredients. It is interesting to note that such an ancient treatise cited use of water, astringents, cleansers called tripahalas (gooseberry, betel nut) and so on, much of which is in vogue today. The text prescribes methods to cleanse eyes (washing with cold water, applying natural kajal), nose (cleanse with sesame oil), Oil pulling techniques in the oral cavity, Abhyanga - oiling the body to keep aging at bay, Vyayama, which is to exercise and finally, Snana, which is to bathe. Some of these techniques have the power to help brain functions and all sensory organs.
Dinacharya for Noon
The prescriptions for the meal at noon is so insightful and offers a combination of best practices including the type of food to be consumed, the method of preparation and the manner it is being served. The food should be cooked at home, with love and served with dedication! The food served should be seasonal and conducive to the body type. There is a detailed description and chart available on the type of seasonal foods, the foods that suit Vatha, Pitta and Kapha.
Dinacharya for Evening and Night
The text recommends that you should have an early and light dinner, preferably by 7 PM. It is also recommended that you do activities that calm and relax the mind completely like being with the ones you love, listening to music and so on. And just before you sleep, reflect on the day that went by and how you can do better the next day.
Did I just sound like a modern dietician or a psychologist? Well, you had all these and more combined in a text that goes back thousands of years.
“Today, we see lot of patients suffering from the imbalance of the Circadian rhythms, It is intriguing to read about the lifestyle and health recommendations that the text offers in great detail. If you practice it with determination and discipline, you will experience a huge positive transformation,” says Dr. Sandhya Kumar, Senior Consulting Ayurvedic Physician, Sarvahita Ayurvedalaya, a keen researcher and follower of Dinacharya. To learn more, you can reach her at 99001 35851.
Remember that the DINACHARYA is enabling you to find your own axis to good health, depending on the type of body and personality you have. It is saying everything possible to ensure that the you get the best of the energy, vibrations and positive elements from the galaxy. And guess what, this concept is more than thousands of years old and highly relevant and significant today. It’s all up to you - Get started now!