SHISHIRA RITU

SHISHIRA RITU (LATE WINTER)

(Months – Magha and Phalguna | Mid-January to Mid-March)

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS (DESHA LAKSHANA)

• This season follows Hemanta and is a continuation of winter with increased intensity of cold.

• The sun begins to move northward (Uttarayana) and there is dry, cold wind in the atmosphere.

• Dryness increases due to strong winds and decreased moisture.

• The sky remains clear, and days are slightly longer than in Hemanta.

Shloka:

"माघफाल्गुनयोः शिशिरो हेमन्तश्च पूर्वयोः।"
(Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 3/1)

• The cold becomes harsher and persistent, often affecting skin, joints, and Vata-related systems.

STATUS OF DOSHA, AGNI, AND BALA

• Vata dosha:

  • Starts to accumulate due to cold and dry winds.

  • Though it doesn't yet aggravate, the accumulation can later lead to diseases if not managed.

• Kapha dosha:

  • Starts to accumulate slowly due to cold and moist environment, especially in sedentary individuals with heavy diet.

• Pitta dosha:

  • Remains balanced or pacified in this season.

• Agni (Digestive Fire):

  • Very strong (tikshna agni) due to the cold environment, which causes internal heat to increase.

  • The hunger is more because body’s heat is conserved internally due to constricted pores.

• Bala (Strength):

  • Good strength (uttama bala) is maintained.

  • This is one of the best seasons to nourish the body with heavy, rich food and build immunity.

Shloka:

"हेमन्तशिशिरौ प्रोक्तौ श्लेष्मवातप्रकोपिणौ।
स्निग्धोष्णाद्यैः सुखोष्णैश्च युक्तः स्यादन्नसेवनैः॥"
(Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 3/2)

APPROPRIATE FOOD (AHARA)

• Food qualities:

  • Should be snigdha (unctuous), guru (heavy), and ushna (warm).

  • Sweet (madhura), sour (amla), and salty (lavana) tastes are beneficial.

  • Avoid cold, dry, and light foods, which aggravate Vata.

• Recommended food items:

  • Wheat, rice, milk, ghee, meat soups (mamsa rasa), jaggery (guda), and freshly prepared warm meals.

  • Warmed honey, if required for kapha balancing, but never heated.

  • Old grains and fresh curd (when taken with caution) are also beneficial.

• Warm beverages such as herbal teas with dry ginger (shunthi) help maintain digestion.

APPROPRIATE REGIMEN (VIHAR)

• Daily oil massage (abhyanga) with warm medicated oils like sesame oil (tila taila) to pacify accumulating Vata.

• Warm water bath (ushna snana) helps reduce stiffness and maintain internal heat.

• Exercise (vyayama):

  • Regular but moderate intensity physical activity to prevent Kapha accumulation and improve digestion.

• Use of warm clothing to retain body heat.

• Avoid exposure to cold wind, sleeping during the day, and suppression of natural urges.

Shloka (Abhyanga and Vyayama relevance):
Though not mentioned directly in this section, contextually from Dinacharya and Ritucharya, these practices are always emphasized in cold seasons for Vata management.

AVOIDABLES (NISHEDHA)

• Avoid:

  • Cold, dry, raw food items.

  • Overexposure to wind, especially in early morning and night.

  • Cold water for bathing.

  • Excess fasting or light meals, as these weaken the already accumulated Vata.

• Activities such as day-sleep, lack of movement, and excessive cold exposure can disturb the balance of Kapha and Vata.

SHISHIRA RITU GUIDELINES