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