Traditionally, Indian seasons– Ritus – are six, each of about two month’s duration. Ritu is a division of the year reflecting the change of seasons. The concept of Rtu occurs in Rig Veda also, where only three Ritus are mentioned: Varsha , Grishma and Sharad. Later, the year was further divided and two more Rtus were added. A hymn in Taittareya Brahmana has a beautiful graphic presentation of the Ritus in the image of a bird: Vasantha is the head of the bird called Samvathsara (year); Grishma its left wing; Sharad its right wing; Varsha its tail; and Hemanta its middle part. Now running a Rainey Seasion is the post monsoon season – Sharad Ritu, which is dearer to me. It is a season of festivals marked by benevolence, grace and beauty. As per the lunar calendar, Sharad Ritu follows the Varsha (monsoon) and precedes Hemantha (early winter). It comprises months of Ashwina and Karthika, which is September to November months in the Gregorian calendar. In the year 2007 , Sharad Ritu commenced from Oct 12, Sharad Ritu corresponds to early autumn in the West but it is not the same. The nature is at its benevolent best in Sharad Ritu. The oppressive heat of the summer is a distant memory and the chill of the winter is still on its way. The annoying downpour of the monsoon has just ended. The weather is mild, pleasant and refreshing. Sharad is a season of moderation, comfort and peace. It is the season of the middle path. It is a soothing delight, as its designated Raga Malkauns a pentatonic haunting melody. The rivers are neither dry as in summer nor flooded, muddy brown, twirling with orphaned twigs and overflowing menacingly as in monsoon. In Sharad Ritu, the rivers are moderately full, transparently clear; rippling down the gentle slopes in peals of temple bells. Sharad Ritu brings a blush to the countryside. The nature is bedecked as a bride with light green, decorated with profusion of colorful flowers and bountiful laden fruit trees with chirping birds. There is peace, joy and fulfillment abounding in the air. The days are sunny, yet pleasantly cool and comfortable. The skies are clear blue with white cotton clouds floating lazily. The nights mildly intoxicating are slightly chill, clear and cloudless. The splendid cloudless full moon night of Sharad Ritu is an idiom of glory, peace and joy in the Indian poetics. It is the delight of eager young lovers that long to be with their beloved. The ecstatic beauty of Sharad Purnima is etched in Indian psyche. Its glory, tenderness and joy are celebrated in songs, legends and poems of love. Our classical poets and epics sing lovingly the beauty and joy of the delightful moonlit nights of Sharad Ritu. Soundarya_lahari meaning waves of beauty, a tantric work in poetic form dedicated to the mother, in devotional ecstasy, calls her Saratchandra Vadana, one with a face as radiant and blissful as the moon in Sharat Ritu. It was under the resplendent full moon of Shard Ritu, amidst the mango and Kadamba groves along the banks of the gentle flowing Yamuna that Sri Krishna and Gopis enacted their celestial dance Rasa Leela. It was the night; the haunting melody of Krishna’s flute enraptured the hearts of Gopis. Srimamad Bhagavatham sings the glory and joy of Rasa Leela with love and divine ecstasy. Every region and every language in India cherishes at its heart in lyrical rapture the love, graceful beauty and bliss of that Sharad Purnima. Year after year the devotees throng at the Vraj_bhumi on the Sharad Purnima under the heavenly glow of the scar- less full moon , to re enact Rasa Leela with longing and elation as an act of devotion and humble tribute to the love of Krishna and the Gopis. Kalidasa the great poet of ancient India in his Ritu_Samhara (song of the seasons) sings of the “golden plentitudes” of Sharad Ritu in passages of high lyrical imagery. Sharad is the season of slenderness and grace; of the radiant moon; and of light, floating, soft colored silks. Kalidasa fondly talks of cheerful women dressed in lighthearted elegance of “silks dyed scarlet with mallow juice, delicate silks saffron dyed and shining pale gold veils”.
Helth Care in Sharad Ritu
Foods that are cold in potency, easily digestible, astringent, bitter and sweet . Butter, candied sugar, sathi, wheat, barley, moong, Parval, great pumpkin, sweet (white) gourd (petha), Ribbel Luffa (Torai), Amaranthus (Chaulai), petha i.e.white gourd-melon (Benincasa Cerifera), Lauki, spinach, carrots, Amla, figs, ripe bananas, rose apple, sweet lemon, apple, sugarcane, cumin, coriander and aniseeds are salubrious foods. Cow’s milk, ghee, kheer, raisins and black grapes are especially recommended foods in this season. One can consume Hansodak (mentioned above) – a water that is pure by both, rays of agsti star and sun rays. Herbs like Chandan , Ushir, Shatavari , Amla are beneficial to consume. Use pearl necklace for coolant effects on body Go for light walk in moonlight, particularly during Full moon(purnima) Eat in moderation as digestive fire is weak in this season. Save yourself from direct sunlight and eastern winds Cloths should be loose and light colored Panchkarma is best option to detoxify your body in this season. Perticularly do Raktamokshan and Virechan Karma to purify your body.
DON’TS in Sharad Ritu (Autumn Season) Fried, spicy, sour (yoghurt, buttermilk, etc.), salty, foods hot in potency, and heavy to digest, asafoetida, red-chillies, sesame seed-oil and mustard oil, millet, corn, ginger, garlic, onion, tamarind, mint leaves, cucumber, fenugreek seeds, ladies fingers, brinjals, urad dal, groundnuts are insalubrious foods in this season. One can have fresh buttermilk mixed with cumin, coriander, aniseeds and candied sugar. Over eating, sleeping during daytime, ice, oil and fried stuff, are especially prohibited. Don’t seat where eastern winds is blowing or sun rays are coming directly This 10 thigs are very very contraindicated in this season – morning dew, Alkali (kshar) base food, overeating, Curd, excessive oil intake, Fat /fatty food, Hard sun rays, Alcohol, Sleep during daytime, Eastern wind Consult your Ayurveda doctor and discuss with them about medication and herbs. One should not take herbs or any medication without advise of Ayurveda doctors. Follow this simple but very important advice of Ayurveda and stay healthy in autumn season.
.jpg "Lord Shiva's 108 Names and Meanings")
