Month: June 2024

As we come to the end of Summer and move on to the rainy season, we are going to take a slightly different turn, that is ‘VatPournima’. On this day, married women fast for the entire day. They pray for the longevity of their husband and to be blessed with the same husband in every birth. All married women (Saubhagyavati) perform the rituals by worshiping and winding threads around the Banyan tree. We are now going to discuss this ‘Saubhagyavati special’ tradition which has been observed for many years.

I deliberately referred to it as ‘Saubhagyavati Special’. This is because we have not seen or heard of any husband has done such a fast. Is there any law that only women should perform Vatpournima? We hear and read about gender equality every day. The wife contributes as much as the husband in building the house. They share an equal part in the family’s matters, sorrows and joys. The intensity of love is the same between them. Then why is it that only women pray for the long life of the husband, even wishing for the same husband in next birth? Why doesn’t the husband do the same thing for the wife?

If the husband has an unhealthy addiction or is irresponsible towards his family duties, then does the wife feel love or pain while fasting? Is there any relation between the Banyan tree and the husband’s life? Our tradition has placed the entire responsibility on the shoulders of the woman under the name of ‘Pativrata’. Don’t you think in today’s world, the 21^st century wife is equally capable like her husband? Isn’t there an intellectual, as well as emotionally apparent contradiction that she alone must follow these ritual displays?

Friends, I just wanted to share all my thoughts on the occasion of Vat Paurnima. Maybe you have also thought of the same questions that I have raised. You might think that this topic is not on Ayurveda, but on ‘gender equality’. However, that is not the case. I am still writing about Ayurveda. How many people know that the science of Ayurveda stands behind this ritual followed by women only? Be it the Satyawan-Savitri era thousand years ago or the current computer time, everyone will agree that even today, the entire house is totally dependent on the woman. A woman holds all the small and old elements together, takes care of everything with love and affection during all situations. The family’s happiness is dependent on her smiling and contented face. Hence, it is very important that she should be happy and content. One of the important aspects is her good health. Nature has bestowed the supernatural gift of creation on women. This creation and the organs associated with this ability, such as the Uterus, are considered to be the ‘special organs’ of the female body. The natural condition of the Uterus is very important for women.

With this background, we are going to think about this green tree, the ‘Vad’(Banyan). Ayurveda has already described all the medicinal properties of the ‘Vad’.  They help to deal with diseases such as loose motion, vomiting and skin diseases. Apart from these, the ‘Vad’ is also useful in maintaining the health of female organs such as the Uterus. The outer peel of the Banyan’s bark is used for making Kadha (extract), which is useful in treating diseases such as irregular bleeding and white discharge from Uterus. It helps to reduce the swelling in the Uterus. It is also useful in stopping recurrent miscarriages. Banyan Komb(sprout) is useful to sustain the fetus in the Uterus.

‘Beauty’ is another gift given to women by nature! The roots(Parambya in Marathi) of the Banyan tree are useful for this. The oil prepared using the roots of the Banyan is helpful in hair growth. Banyan tree is helpful for the health of the Uterus, conceiving, growth of the fetus and enhancing beauty. Therefore, considering all these benefits, the Banyan tree is very important and close to women for their health.

There are many plants with such properties. Then why has the Banyan tree been chosen? This is the next question that comes to our mind. There is a complete thought behind this tradition. The Banyan tree has existed for many years and is beneficial throughout the year. Moreover, it is available in abundance across India. Therefore, women from any region of the country can be benefitted easily. This is another practical thought behind it. The properties of the Banyan tree and it’s location in the village should be known to women and she should be able to readily use it for protecting her health anytime. This was the motive behind ‘VatPournima’ that Ayurveda has fulfilled through this tradition. Protecting women’s health does not only benefit her husband but also contributes to the longevity of all the family members. Hence, following ‘VatPournima’ by women, which seems one-sided, is actually a science.

When a doctor or Vaidya(Ayurvedic doctor) advice or prescribes any pathya (things good for health), very few people follow it perfectly. However, when the same thing comes under the label of religion, culture or tradition, everyone practices it perfectly. Ayurveda has recognized this Indian mentality and therefore, for the welfare of people, this ‘Veda’ has seamlessly been integrated into our lives in the form of religion, tradition and culture like ‘VatPournima’.

Dr Mayuresh Aagte

The entire earth gets heated in the scorching heat of Vaishakh. In Greeshma Rutu, trees get leafless, all the animals get restless, and the entire nature is in a sad state due to the intense heat of summer. We also endure the days with various problems such as a heating sensation in our body, constant thirst and fatigue caused by the intense heat of the sun. The earth is waiting for rejuvenation. Hence, after the month of May, everyone’s eyes are on the sky. Just like the Chatak bird, we eagerly await the rain. Finally, the wait ends and the “Meghadoot” who sends a message to the lover of Kalidas, looks like an angel to us. The environment  is absolutely refreshed upon the arrival of the rainy season. The weather changes drastically and the entire earth looks green after shedding  it’s summer look. This mild summer drizzle changes the environment completely . How can the human body be an exception to this?

Our strength is reduced due to the intense heat of summer. The dryness in our body has already increased. We feel tired and fatigued. Due to this, Vaat dosha starts to accumulate in the body. During the rainy season, cold winds start to blow. The amount of moisture in the atmosphere begins to increase. This cold environment increases the Vaat dosha even more, which has already accumulated in the summer. In Ayurveda, we call this situation ‘Vaat Prakop’. This adds to the weakness which has increased in the summer months. The other contributor to weakness is slow digestive power. The cold weather and moist air outside affect our digestive power and slows down the process. Therefore, the food we eat is not digested properly. This also affects the nourishment the body acquires. Hence, we feel weak. In the rainy season, with Vaat Prakop , pitta(acidity) also starts to accumulate. Therefore, Varsha Rutucharyaa is recommended considering all these factors such as Vaat Prakop, accumulation of Pitta(acidity), slow digestive power and weakness caused due to all this.

In this regard, we should first consider our diet. We must consume more energy-giving foods to reduce this weakness. However, this is not easy as the digestive system is slow during the rainy season. Since such foods are generally heavy to digest, consuming them  can put additional stress on our digestion system. Therefore, we should include foods like Jowar, Bajra, Rice and Wheat. We must use Garlic, Mint leaves, Asafoetida, Black paper, Cumin seeds, Coriander and Curry leaves freely in our cooking to increase appetite and digestion power. Garlic, especially, is very useful in this season. We can include this in the form of Garlic chutney, fried Garlic or Garlic in vegetables and dal. Spices such as Asafoetida and black Pepper should be used in more quantities. Spices such as  Cinnamon and Bay leaf are useful in increasing appetite. They also help in strengthening the digestive power. In this season, it is better to use old harvested grains as the newly harvested ones are heavy to digest. Old harvested means grains which have been harvested more than a year ago. It is easier if we have a storage space at home, for these grains such as wheat and rice. If you still want to use newly harvested grains, roast them before using. We should consume vegetables like Bottle gourd(dudhi), Ridge gourd(Dodka), Snake gourd(Padval), Okra, Smooth gourd(Luffa, Ghosavale). Legumes should be consumed roasted, rather than in sprout form. We should include leafy vegetables like Carrot and Chakwat. Subji or bhaji made from Drumstick leaves is beneficial in this season. We should include Milk, pure ghee, fresh and sweet buttermilk in our diet.

Just like our diet, we must consider our drinking water as well. All the rivers and streams are overflowing in this season. The soil, foliage, dead creatures and animals get mixed with these water bodies as they flow along, making them muddy and impure. For this reason, it is better to avoid using water directly from rivers and streams. This is not a problem for people living in cities like Mumbai and Pune. It is better to boil and filter the water before drinking. Water can be purified using modern tools like filters. ‘Divyambu’ means directly collecting rainwater. It is mentioned in the old books of Ayurveda(Granth) that this water is pure. However, in today’s time, the air is polluted with harmful chemicals that come in contact with the rain and pollute this ‘Divyambu’ as well. Therefore, such water should also be purified. Nowadays we have to make such changes in Rutucharya.

Oh! We’ve covered a lot of distance in this rainy season trip. So let’s take a little rest at this turn so that we can refresh you for the next journey. And yes, in the next journey, considering Varsha Rutucharya, we are going to visit the fasts and rituals followed in the month of Shravan. Till then enjoy the rain.

Dr Mayuresh Aagte