3. RITUCHARYA ADHYAYA / ऋतुचर्या - SEASONAL REGIMEN

3. RITUCHARYA  ADHYAYA / ऋतुचर्या - SEASONAL REGIMEN 



The word Ritucharya is made of two words –

a) Ritu means seasons
b)  Charya means dos and don’ts (regimen).

SHADRTUS / SIX SEASONS OF INDIA – THE HINDU CALENDAR -


मासैर्द्विसंख्यैर्माघाध्यैः क्रमात् षट् ऋतवः स्मृताः
शिशिरो अथ वसन्तश्च ग्रीष्मो वर्षशरद्हिमाः
शिशिराद्यास्त्रिभिस्तैस्तु विध्यादयनमुत्तरम्
आदानं च, तदादत्ते नृणां प्रतिदिनं बलम्

A season (Ritu) is comprised of two months (two Masa).

1.   Shishira Ritu (winter, dewy season) –

·      Magha and Phalguna  (Mid January – Mid March)


2.  Vasanta Ritu (Spring season)
·      Chaitra and Vaishakha (Mid March – Mid May)


3.  Greeshma Ritu (Summer season) –

·      Jyeshta and Ashadha (Mid May to Mid July)
The above three Ritus form Uttarayana – Northern solstice.  
·      Here, fire is dominant
·      . It is also called as Adana Kala,
·      wherein the human strength is relatively low.

4.  Varsha Ritu (Rainy Season) –

·      Shravana and Bhadrapada – Mid July – mid September


5.  Sharath Ritu (Autumn season) –

·      Ashvayuja and Karthika – Mid September to Mid November


6.  Hemantha Ritu (Winter season) –

·      Margashira and Pushya  - Mid November to Mid-January

·      These three seasons form Dakshinayana – Southern solstice.

·      It is also called as Visarga Kala,

·      wherein the human strength will be relatively high.


UTTARAYANA – ADANA KALA – NORTHERN SOLSTICE – MID JANUARY – MID JULY


तस्मिन्ह्यत्यर्थतीक्ष्णोष्णरूक्षा मार्गस्वभावतः
आदित्यपवनाः सौम्यान् क्षपयन्ति गुणान् भुवः
तिक्तः कषायः कटुको बलिनो अत्र रसा क्रमात्
तस्मादादानमाग्नेयम्


·      Because of the nature of the path, both the Sun and wind become very strong, powerful and dry during this half of the year.
·      It takes away all the cooling qualities of the earth.
·      Bitter, Astringent and Pungent tastes (Tikta, kashaya and Katu Rasas) will be more powerful, respectively, in the successive Ritus.
·      Hence Adana Kala is dominated by fire.


DAKSHINAYANA – VISARGA KALA – SOUTHERN SOLSTICE – MID JULY – MID JANUARY


ऋतवो दक्षिणायनम्
वर्षादयो विसर्गश्च यद्बलं विसृजात्ययम्
सौम्यत्वादत्र सोमो हि बलवान् हीयते रविः
मेघवृष्ट्यनिलैः शीतैः शान्ततापे महीतले
स्निग्धाश्चेहाम्ललवणमधुरा बलिनो रसाः

·      During this period, the Sun releases strength of the people.
·      Here moon is more powerful, earth is cooled down due to clouds, rain and cold wind.
·      Sour, Salt and sweet (Amla, Lavana and Madhura)  tastes are dominant respectively during the three seasons of this period.



VARIATION IN STRENGTH AS PER SEASON –

शीते अग्र्यं, वृष्ति घर्मे अल्पं बलं, मध्यं तु शेषयो: 


a) Winter – Hemantha and Shishira – mid November – mid March – Highest strength


b) Summer and rainy seasons – mid May – mid September – Lowest strength


c)  Spring and Autumn – Medium strength.


1. HEMANTA RITUCHARYA – AYURVEDA WINTER REGIMEN: MID NOVEMBER – MID JANUARY

बलिनः शीतसंरोधाद्धेमन्ते प्रबलो अनलः
भवत्यल्पेन्धनो धातून् स पचेत्वायुनेरितः
अतो हिमे अस्मिन्सेवेत स्वाद्वम्ललवणात्रसान्

During Hemantha,

·      the people are strong,
·      digestive fire becomes powerful,
·      because it gets obstructed from flowing outward due to external winter
·      Like fuel consumes the things that it comes into contact, digestive fire may cause emaciation of body tissues.
·      Hence, in this period, one should consume food predominant with sweet sour and salt tastes.



दैर्घ्यानिशानामेतर्हि प्रातरेव बुभुक्षितः
अवश्यकार्यं सम्भाव्य यथोक्तं शीलयेदनु
वातघ्नतैलैरभ्यङ्गं मूर्ध्निं तैलं विमर्दनम्
नियुद्धं कुशलैः सार्धं पादाघातं च युक्तितः


·      As the nights are longer, person feels hungry early in the morning.
·      So, after attending to oblutions,
·      one should resort to Abhaynga (oil massage) with oils that have Vata balancing properties.
·      Massage should be done especially to scalp and forehead.
·      Mild massaging,
·      wrestling till one’s half strength and
·      trampling of the body is recommended.


कषायपहृतस्नेहस्ततः स्नातो यथाविधि
कुङ्कुमेन सदर्पेण प्रदिग्धो अगुरुधूपितः
रसान् स्निग्धं पलं पुष्टं गौडमच्छसुरां सुराम्
गोधूमपिष्टमाषेक्षुक्षीरोत्थविकृतीः शुभाः
नवमन्नं वसां तैलं, शौचकार्ये सुखोदकम्
प्रावराजिनकौशेयप्रवेणीकौचवास्तृतम्
उष्णस्वभावैर्लघुभिः प्रावृतः शयनं भजेत्
युक्त्या अर्ककिरणान् स्वेदं पादत्राणं च सर्वदा

After this,

·      oil is washed off with astringent powders and bathing.
·      Then fine powder of Saffron and kasthuri (musk) is applied.
·      The body is exposed to the fumes of aguru (Aquilaria agallocha)



·      Since the digestion power is high, heavy-to-digest food such as

a.  meat soup mixed with fats,
b. meat of well nourished animals,
c.  wine prepared with jaggery,
d. supernatant part of wine (Sura) should be had more.


·      Food prepared with

a.  wheat flour,
b. black gram products of sugarcane and of milk,
c.  food prepared from freshly harvested corn,
d. muscles,
e.  fat and
f.    edible oils should be partaken as food.



·      Warm water should be used for oblutions,
·      thick sheet made of

a.  cotton,
b. leather,
c.  silk,
d. wool or
e.  bark of trees that are light in weight should be used during sleep.

·      Exposure to sunlight and fire should be resorted to, judiciously.
·            Foot wear should be worn always.



पीवरोरुस्तानश्रोण्यः समदाः प्रमदाः प्रियाः
हरन्ति शीतमुष्णाङ्ग्यो धूपकुङ्कुमयौवनैः

Women who have

·      well developed thighs
·      Breasts
·      Buttocks
·      Who are   enchanting


·      And exhilarated by the use of

a.  Fragrant fumes
b. Scents
c.     Youthfulness

·   And thus made warm in their body
·   Who are liked
·   Drive away the cold by their embrace


अङ्गारतापसन्तप्तगर्भभूवेश्मचारिणः
शीतपारुष्यजनितो न दोषो जातु जायते


·      Persons who spend their time residing in houses kept warm by fire,
·      in inner most apartment encircled with others,
·      or in underground chambers,
    Will not be affected by diseases due to cold and dryness.

overall,

·      in Hemantha Ritu, the strength and digestion power are more.
·      Hence one can

a.  exercise,
b. undergo oil massage,
c.  eat heavy foods and
d. may have sex.

                              

2. SISIRA RUTU CHARYA – AYURVEDA WINTER REGIMEN – MID JANUARY – MID MARCH:

अयमेव विधि: कार्य: श्शिरेऽपि विशेषत:
तदा हि शीतमधिकं रौक्ष्यं चादानकालजम्

Even in shishira Ritu,  the same regimen, as described above should be adopted with more intensity. During this period cold is severe and dryness more.



3. VASANTA RUTUCHARYA (AYURVEDA SPRING REGIMEN) – MID MARCH – MID MAY

कफश्चितो हि शिशिरे वसन्ते अर्काशुतापितः
हत्वा अग्निं कुरुते रोगानतस्तं त्वरया जयेत्
तीक्ष्णैर्वमननस्याद्यैर्लघुरूक्षैश्च भोजनैः
व्यायामोद्वर्तनाघातैर्जित्वा श्लेश्माणमुल्बणम्
स्नातो अनुलिप्तः कर्पूरचन्दनागुरुकुङ्कुमैः
पुराणयवगोधूमक्षौद्रजाङ्गलशूल्यभुक्
सहकाररसोन्मिश्रानास्वाद्य प्रियया अर्पितान्
प्रियास्यसङ्गसुरभीन् प्रियनेत्रोत्पलाङ्कितान्
सौमनस्यकृतो हृद्यान्त्रयस्यैः सहितः पिबेत्
निर्गदानासवारिष्टसीधुमार्द्वीकमाधवान्
शृङ्गबेराम्बु साराम्बु मध्वम्बु जलदाम्बु च


1.   Kapha which has undergone increase in Shishira (cold season) becomes liquefied by the heat of the Sun in Vasanta (spring).

2.   It diminishes the digestive fire (Agni) and gives rise to many diseases.

3.    Hence Kapha should be controlled quickly, by resorting to strong emesis therapy (Vamana Panchakarma procedure),  Nasya (nasal medication) and other therapies.

4.    Food should also be chosen to mitigate Kapha, that are easily digestible and dry ( moisture-free, fat-free).


5. Physical exercises,
6.  dry massage and
7.   mild trampling should be done.



·      Having thus mitigated the kapha, the person should   

1.take bath

2. anoint the body with the paste of

• karpura (camphor),
• candana (sandalwood),
• aguru (Aquilaria agallocha), and
• kumkuma (saffron).

3. Have

·      one year old barley,
·      wheat and
·      honey,
·      meat of animals of desert-like land,
·      and meat roasted in fire as food;


4. Drink the juice of mango fruit

·      mixed with fragrant substances,
·      in the company of friends,
·      getting it served by the beloved;
·      the drink, thereby producing satisfaction.


5. Beverages such as

·      asava (fermented infusion),
·      arista ( fermented decoction),
·      sidhu (fermented infusion), 
·      mardvika (fermented grape juice),
·      or sarambu (extract of trees such as asana, candana etc.)
·      or water mixed with honey,
·      or water boiled with jalada( musta – Nut grass).


दक्षिणानिलशीतेषु परितो जलवाहिषु
अद्रुष्टनष्टसूर्येषु मणिकुट्टिमकान्तिषु
परपुष्टविघुष्टेषु कामकर्मान्तभूमिषु
विचित्रपुष्पवृक्षेषु काननेषु सुगन्धिषु
गोष्ठीकथाभिश्चत्राभिर्मध्यहनं गमयेत्सुखी


1. The  person should spend his midday  in the company of friends
2. engaged in pleasant games, 
3. pastimes,
4. story telling etc.,
5. in forests (or gardens).
6. The gardens should have cool breeze from south direction
7.  with plenty of reservoirs of water all around,
8.  invisible or poor  sunlight,
9.  the land  covered  with shining crystals
10. with  the  cuckoo everywhere making pleasant  sounds and
11. engaged in love-play, with trees and different kinds of beautiful  and sweet smelling flowers.


गुरुशीतदिवास्वप्नस्निग्धाम्लमधुरांस्त्येजेत्


1. Avoid  foods that are hard to-digest
2. and cold,
3. sleeping at day time,
4. foods which are fatty, sour  and sweet. 

Because, all these will increase Kapha.



4. GREESHMA RITUCHARYA ( AYURVEDA SUMMER REGIMEN) MID MAY – MID JULY:

तीक्ष्णांशुरतितीक्ष्णांशुर्ग्रीष्मे संक्षिपतीव यत्
प्रत्यहं क्षीयते श्लेष्मा तेन वायुश्च वर्धते
अतो अस्मिन्पटुकट्वम्लव्यायामार्करांस्त्यजेत्


In Greesma (summer)

·      the sun rays become powerful
·      and appear to be destructive.
·      Kapha decreases day by day and
·      Vata  increases consequently,
·      hence avoid use of salt, pungent and sour foods,
·      heavy physical exercises and
·      exposure to sunlight, during this season.

भजेन्मधुरसेवान्नं लघु स्निग्धं हिमं द्रवम्
सुशीततोयसिक्ताङ्गो लिह्यात्सक्तून् सशर्करान्


1.Food which are sweet,
2.light (easy to digest),
3.fatty,
4.cold and
5.liquid should be taken,
6.take cornflour  mixed  with  cold water and  sugar after taking bath in cold water.



INDICATION FOR LIMITED USE OF WINE DURING SUMMER:

मद्यं न पेयं, पेयं वा स्वल्पं, सुबहुवारि वा
अन्यथा शोफ शैथिल्य दाह मोहान् करोति तत्

1.   Madya (wine) should not  be taken;

·      If very necessary, taken in very little quantity or diluted with more quantity of water;
·      If wine is taken in large doses,

a.    it will cause inflammatory conditions,
b.   it will make the body fragile and weak,
c.    increases burning sensation and
d.   causes delusion.


कुन्देन्दुधवलं शालीमश्नीयाज्जाङ्गलैः पलैः
पिबेद्रसं नातिघनं रसालां रागखाण्डवौ
पानकं पञ्चसारं वा नवमृद्भाजने स्थितम्
मोचचोचदलैर्युक्तं साम्लं मृन्मयशुक्तिभिः
पाटलावासितं चाम्भः सकर्पूरं सुशीतलम्

During summer,

1.  Boiled rice, which is white in colour, (like full moon) should be eaten along with meat of animals of desert.
2.  Meat juice (Mamsarasa) which is not very thick,
3.  Rasala (curds churned and mixed with pepper powder and sugar),
4.   Raga (syrup which is sweet, sour and salty) and
5.   Khandava (syrup which has all the tastes, prepared  with many substances)
6.    Panaka panchasara, (syrup prepared with

a.  raisins (draksha),
b.  madhuka,
c.  dates (karjura),
d.  kasmarya, and
e.  parushaka

•   fruits all in equal quantities,
•   cooled and added with powder of cinnamon leaves, cinnamon and cardamom etc) and
•   kept inside a fresh mud pot,
•   along with leaves of plantain and coconut trees,
•   and  made sour (fermented)
•   should be drunk in mugs of mud or shell;

7.  Very cool water kept in mud pot along with flowers of patala and karpura (camphor) should be used for drinking.



शशाङ्ककिरणान् भक्ष्यान् रजन्यां भक्षयन् पिबेत्
ससितं माहिषं क्षीरं चन्द्रनक्षत्रशीतलम्

1.  Food articles like sasanka  kirana (hollow, finger-like, fried pastry made of corn  flour) should be taken  at night;


2 Buffalo milk mixed with sugar and cooled by moonlight and the stars should be used for drinking.



अभ्रङ्कषमहाशालतालरुद्धोष्णरश्मिषु
वनेषु माधवीश्लिष्टद्राक्षास्तवकशालिषु
सुगन्धिहिमपानीयसिच्यमानपटालिके
कायमाने चिते चूतप्रवालफललुम्बिभिः
कदलीदलकह्लारमृणालकमालोत्पलैः
कोमलैः कल्पिते तल्पे हसत्कुसुमपल्लवे
मध्यंदिनेअर्कतापार्तः स्वप्याद्धारागृहे अथवा
पुस्तस्त्रीस्तनहस्तास्यप्रवृत्तोशीरवारिणि



·      Day time should be spent in 

a.  forests having tall trees reaching  the sky  such  as shala (shorea robusta, Tala – Borassus flabellifera  etc,

b. which obstruct the hot  rays  of the sun,

c.  or in houses  around  which bunches of flowers  and grapes are hanging from their creepers.

·      Sheets of cloth spreading sweet scented water, are arranged (to fan the air) , all  around.
·      Sleep on soft bed prepared with flowers of  banana, kalbara, lotus etc. with fully blossomed flowers place all over.
·      Spend  the day remaining inside  the house cooled by water fountains,
·      water being scented with usheera (Cus Cus grass),  and thereby relieve yourself from the heat of the sun.

NIGHT REGIMEN: 

निशाकरकराकीर्ण सौधपृष्ठे निरासु च
आसना स्वस्थचित्तस्य चन्दनार्द्रस्य मालिनः
निवृत्तकामतन्त्रस्य सुसूक्ष्मतनुवाससः
जलार्द्रतालवृन्तानि विस्तृताः पद्मिनीपुटाः
उत्क्षेपाश्च मृदूत्क्षेपा जलवर्षिहिमानिलाः
कर्पूरमल्लिकामाला हाराः सहरिचन्दनाः
मनोहरकलालापाः शिशवः सारिकाः शुकाः
मृणालवलयाः कान्ताः प्रोत्प्फुल्लकमलोज्ज्वलाः
जङ्गमा इव पद्मिन्यो हरन्ति दयिताः क्लमम्

At nights,

a.  one should sleep on the terrace, facing moonlight.
b. Exhaustion due to heat of the day is relieved by,

·      anointing the body  with paste of sandalwood,
·      wearing garlands,
·      avoidance of  sexual activities,
·      wearing of very light and thin dress,
·      by  fanning with fans made of leaves of Tala or large leaves of  padmini (lily) made wet;
·      syringes sprinkling cool water softly,
·      garlands of flowers of camphor, jasmine and of pearls and beads of white sandal paste,
·      children, sarika (mynah bird) and shuka (parrot) talking pleasantly;
·      beautiful woman wearing bangles of soft lotus stalk, blossoms of lotus  in their hair, moving about nearby.



5. VARSHA RITU CARYA- (AYURVEDA SEASONAL REGIMEN FOR RAINY SEASON) – MID JULY – MID SEPTEMBER:


आदानग्लानवपुषामग्नि सन्नो अपि सीदति
वर्षासु दोषैर्दुष्यन्ति ते अम्बुलम्बाम्बुदे अम्बरे
सतुषारेण मरुता सहसा शीतलेन च
भूबाष्पेणअम्लपाकेन मलिनेन च वारिणा
वह्निनैव च मन्देन, तेष्वित्यन्यो अन्यदूषिषु
भजेत्साधारणं सर्वमूष्मणस्तेजनं च यत्

In rainy season,

a.  the agni (digestive activity) is weak.
b. It is already debilitated by summer,
c.  it undergoes further decrease and gets  vitiated by the Doshas.
d. The Doshas get aggravated by the effect of thick clouds full of water, cold wind having snow, dirty water because of rain, warmth of the earth and sourness.


e.  The poor strength  of digestive  activity the Doshas start vitiating one another and cause many diseases.


f.    Hence all general measures to mitigate imbalanced Doshas and to improve digestive activity should be adopted.  

आस्थापनं शुद्धतनुर्जीर्णं धान्यं रसान् कृतान्
जाङ्गलं पिशितं यूषान् मध्वरिष्टं चिरन्तनम्
मस्तु सौवर्चलाढ्यं वा पञ्चकोलावचूर्णितम्
दिव्यं कौपं शृतं चाम्भो भोजनं त्वतिदुर्दिने
व्यक्ताम्ललवणास्नेहं संशुष्कं क्षौद्रवल्लघु

·      One should undergo Panchakarma therapies.


·      After that the person should also be administered asthapana basti (decoction enema therapy).


·      He should use

a.   old grains for food,
b.  meat juice processed with spices etc.
c.   Meat of animals of desert-like lands,
d.   soup of pulses ,
e.   wine prepared from grapes and
f.    fermented decoctions, which are old or
g.  mastu (whey, thin water or curds) processed with more of Sochal salt and powder ofpanchakola, should be used.

·      Rain water or water from  deep wells, well boiled should be used for drinking.
·      On days of no sunlight at all,


a.    the food should predominantly sour, salty and unctuous,
b.  dry,
c.    mixed with honey
d.   and easily digestible.


अपादचारी सुरभिः सततं धूपिताम्बरः
हर्म्यपृष्ठे वसेद्बाष्पशीतशीकरवर्जिते

·           Person should not  move about on foot (move only on vehicles)
·           should use perfumes,
·            expose his clothes to fragrant fumes,
·           dwell in upper stories of the house, devoid of heat, cold and snow.

नदीजलोदमन्थाहःस्वप्नायासातपांस्त्यजेत्

     Avoid – 

·      River water,
·      udamantha( beverage prepared with flour of corns mixed with ghee),
·      sleeping at daytime,
·      exertion and
·      exposure to Sun.



6.SHARATH RITUCHARYA – (AYURVEDA AUTUMN REGIMEN) – MID SEPTEMBER – MID NOVEMBER:

वर्षाशीतोचिताङ्गानां सहसैवार्करश्मिभिः
तप्तानां सञ्चितं वृष्टौ पित्तं शरदि कुप्यति
तज्जयाय घृतं तिक्तं विरेको रक्तमोक्षणम्

1.      The person becomes  accustomed to the cold of rainy season.
2.      When he gets suddenly exposed to the warm rays of Sun, the Pitta, which has undergone increase in Varsha (rainy season) becomes greatly aggravated during sharath (autumn).
3.       In order to get over it, Tikta ghrita (medicated ghee recipe described in the treatment of kustha chapter 19 of Chikitsa sthana),
4.      purgation therapy
5.      and blood letting should be resorted to.


तिक्तं स्वादु कषायं च क्षुधितो अन्नं भजेल्लघु
शालिमुद्ग सिताधात्रीपटोलमधुजाङ्गलम्

When hungry,

The person should take foods which are of

a.  bitter, sweet and astringent tastes, and
b. easily digestible such as
·        Rice,
·        green gram,
·        sugar,
·        Amla,
·        Patola,
·        honey and
·       meat of animals of desert-like lands


HAMSODAKA -

तप्तं तप्तांशुकिरणै: शीतं शीतांशु रश्मिभि: समन्तात् अप्यहोरात्रं अगस्त्योदय निर्विषम् 
शुचि हंसोदकं नाम निर्मलं मलजिज्जलम् नाभिष्यन्दि न वा रूक्षं पानादिषु अमृतोपमम्

1.    The water which gets heated by the hot rays of the sun during day
2. cooled by the cool rays  of the moon  during night,
3. for many days continuously,
4.  which has been de-poisoned (detoxicated) by the rise of the star Agatya,
5.  which is pure,
6.  uncontaminated and
7.  capable of mitigating the malas (dosas) is known as Hamsodaka.
8.   It is neither abhisyandi (producing more secretion  or moisture inside the  minute channels so as to block them) nor dry,
9.  such water is like Amrita (nector) for drinking and other purpose.

चन्दनोशीरकर्पूरमुक्तास्रग्वसनोज्ज्वलः
सौधेषु सौधधवलां चन्द्रिकां रजनीमुखे

Evening should be spent

·     on the terraces of houses which are white (by painting),
·     anointing the body with the paste of Sandalwood, Cus Cus grass, Camphor,
·     wearing garlands of pearls and
·     shining dress and
·     enjoying the moonlight.


तुषारक्षारसौहित्यदधितैलवसातपान्
तीक्ष्णमद्यदिवास्वप्नपुरोवातान् परित्यजेत्

         Avoid 
·                     exposure to snow (mist),
·                     indulgence in alkaline substances,
·                     satiation with hearty meal,
·                     use of curds, oil, muscle fat,
·                     exposure  to sunlight,
·                     strong liquors,
·                     sleeping at day time and
·                     the  eastern breeze.



USE OF TASTE AS PER SEASON:

शीते वर्षासु चाध्यांस्त्रीन् वसन्ते अन्त्यान् रसान्भजेत्
स्वादुं निदाघे, शरदि स्वादुतिक्तकषायकान्
शरद्वसन्तयो रूक्षं शीतं घर्मघनान्तयोः
अन्नपानं समासेन विपरीतमतो अन्यथा

1.   During winters,  (Hemanta and Shishira) and varsa (rainy season),
·      Sweet, Sour and salt tastes should be especially used.

2.  Bitter, pungent  and astringent tastes should be used more during vasanta (spring season),


3.  Sweet taste should be used more during Nidagha (summer); and


4.  Sweet, bitter and astringent tastes should be used during Sharath (autumn).


QUALITIES OF FOOD AS PER SEASON:


1.   The food and drink should be dry (moisture less, fat-less) during Sharat and Vasanta (autumn and spring) and


2.  Food should be cold during gharma (summer) and ghnanta (end of rainy season) and
should be hot in other seasons.


नित्यं सर्वरसाभ्यास: स्वस्वाधिक्यमृतावृतौ

· The habit of using all the six tastes every day is ideal for maintenance of health. However, during particular seasons, the particular tastes should be given special emphasis


RITUSANDHI- (INTER-SEASONAL PERIOD) :-

ऋत्वो: अन्त्यादि सप्ताहौ ऋतुसन्धिरिति स्मृत:  तत्र पूर्वो विधिस्त्याज्य: सेवनीयो अपरः क्रमात् 
असात्म्यजा हि रोगा: स्यु: सहसा त्यागशीलनात्

The seven days at the end and commencement of a season is known as Rtusandhi (inter seasonal period).

During this period,

·            the regimen of the preceding season should be discontinued gradually and that of the succeeding season should be gradually adopted;

·            sudden discontinuance or sudden adoption gives rise to diseases caused by asatmya (non-habituation)