During the rainy season, nature changes its entire appearance. It seems like nature has been reborn. The earth seems to have been laid out with green carpets or our mother nature is dressed in a green saree like a new bride. The incessant rain of July and August slowly decreases in September. The Sun, which was rarely seen during the rainy season, is now slowly showing his presence daily. In early September we normally see the bright yellow sunlight, sometimes cloudy skies along with the occasional mild showers. This hide and seek of sunlight and rains continues for a few days. As the days progress, the rain decreases and the heat in the environment increases. The intensity of heat is felt more during the entire day. By now, the month of October has started. Due to the scorching heat of October, it is known as “October heat”! During this season, even though the days are very hot, at night nature showers us with the beautiful moonlight. We call this type of weather as “Sharad Rutu”.
During Sharad rutu, the chill of the rainy season reduces and the sun starts to shine brightly, which in turn increases the heat in the atmosphere. This increased heat impacts our body. During the rainy season, along with the Vaat Prakop(Outburst), the Pitta dosha also starts accumulating. We have already seen this in the description of Varsha Rutucharya. During Sharad rutu, the increased heat in the atmosphere pacifies the Vaat dosha. However, it causes eruption of the Pitta dosha resulting in the Pitta Prakop(outburst). Therefore, Pitta related diseases are more likely to occur during this season.
It creates diseases such as burning sensation in the hands and feet, feeling heat in the stomach, acidity, bleeding from hemorrhoids, nose bleeds and Jaundice. Therefore, the main strategy in Sharad Rutu is to prevent Pitta Prakop from occurring.
With this background, our ancestors have chosen plants like Marigold and Apta for Navaratri. There are numerous festivals and poojas throughout the year, but these plants are not as important during those festivals. However, we cannot celebrate Navaratra without them. Our cultures have beautifully combined our body condition during this season with the properties of these plant. These plants play an important role in our health as they are Pitta shamak(Pitta reducing).The juice/extract of the Marigold flower is an excellent remedy for problems like intense body heat, heat in the stomach and acidity. It also immediately stops heat induced bleeding, occurring from any part of the body. The extract of Marigold flower can be used in case of bleeding due to hemorrhoids or nose bleeding. The churna(powder) of Marigold flower is also equally beneficial.
Pure ghee is also an excellent remedy for Pitta related problems. Therefore, extracts or churn(powder) of Marigold flower with pure ghee provides more benefits. The Marigold flower blooms during this period and therefore they are fresh, and their beneficial properties are at their best. This is the main purpose for choosing the Marigold flowers for Navaratra. Like Marigold, the Apta plant used to give as gold during Dasara, is also a Pitta shamak(reducing) plant. It is also useful to stop heat related bleeding. For this reason, both these plants are highly beneficial during the October heat. We bring these plants home for Navaratri. If anyone in the house is affected due to these diseases in Sharas rutu, these plants can be used to control the disease immediately.
Friends, our ancestors have not created these traditions just as a ritual or for promoting superstitions. On the contrary, they have used the “scientific” base of Ayurveda for celebrating such festivals without any problems. Our traditions have survived for years because they are completely scientific.
Dr Mayuresh Aagte
Note : Please use all the medications mentioned in this article after consultation with your doctor.