CHAPTER-3
PIOUS NECTOR OF AYURVEDA
DIFFERENT TIMMINGS ASSIGNED TO TRIDOSHA:
Vata, Pitta and Kapha are the three energetic forces that govern the tides of your life, and if you understand these forces, you can tune into the natural rhythms of the world and can help steer your life into healthful, harmonious directions.
The doshas exert their influence upon us in four hour increments throughout the 24 hour day. Each four hour time period is dominated by one dosha, and thus influenced by the qualities of that dosha. In other words, there is a vata, pitta and kapha time in day and a vata, pitta and kapha time in night.
Understanding this allows you to choose activities and food choices according to the dominant energy at that time.
Let us begin with the KAPHA TIME of day, because time periods always begin with kapha dosha. Ayurveda teaches that it’s best to get up in the morning before 6:00 am. This is because at 6:00 am, kapha becomes dominant. Kapha is the energy of water and earth, and thus is heavy and sluggish. If you awaken during kapha time, which is between 6:00 am and 10:00 am, these qualities will increase within you - and you get that “I overslept and am having a hard time waking up” feeling. It’s best to get up before 6:00 am, and engage in some early morning activity to get your heart pumping and your day off to an energetic start.
Eat a light breakfast that is well spiced. Breakfast is NOT the time for a big meal, as this will only increase heaviness and sluggishness.
Lunch is actually the most important meal of the day, when the warmth of the natural world supports digestive fire. Kapha time flows into PITTA TIME, which begins at 10:00 am and continues until 2:00 pm. Pitta governs the time of productivity, the time that the sun is highest in the sky, and there is more heat in the natural world. Pitta is the dosha of heat, as it is made of fire and water. During this time of day, heat will naturally predominate in our bodies and minds. By harnessing this midday heat, we are propelled to be productive and accomplish our goals. However, it’s best to avoid spending time in the direct sun at this time of day, if you are predominantly pitta prakriti, As mentioned above, lunch is when you can most indulge in a big meal, as you are best able to digest it at this time, since digestion is a fiery process and will be supported by the heat in the natural world.
The Pitta time of day fades as the VATA TIME of day begins, at about 2:00 pm. Vata time continues until 6:00 pm as the day gives way to night. Vata, which is made of the elements air and space (ether), governs the time of transition. The naturally light, etheric qualities of this time of day allow creativity and expansive thinking to peak, making it a great time to engage in creative pursuits and problem solving. However, it can also be a time when those of a vata nature may feel agitation, so choose a calm environment in which you can work while minimizing excess sensory input such as bright lights and loud noises. Instead, ground yourself in a peaceful environment, and grab a cup of herbal tea and a warm blanket. Vata is the most delicate of the doshas, and the most likely to become imbalanced, as it is the dosha of movement. By keeping it pacified at this time of day, its creative gifts can be manifested and imbalances avoided.
As the cycle continues, and we move towards night, times ruled by the Doshas repeat. KAPHA becomes dominant again from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, when the water and earth elements accumulate once again. These heavy qualities tell you it is time to wind down, eat a light, early dinner (don’t overeat at dinner - avoid heavy food), and settle in for the night.
As you move towards 10:00 pm, begin your soothing preparations for sleep. By going to bed during the kapha time of day, the heavy quality of this time of day will help ensure that you drift off to sleep easily, naturally. During the last hour or two before bed (from about 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm), engage only in calming activities that nourish and soothe you. No agitation, no distressing conversations, no violent TV shows - or this can interfere with sleep! Instead, take a warm bath, sip tea by the fire, listen to soothing music, and enjoy light conversation with loved ones. Allow the natural kapha time of day ease you to sleep.
As 10:00 pm rolls around, hopefully you are snug in bed, sound asleep. This is important, because PITTA rules activity, and during your sleep is no exception. The pitta time of night is from 10:00 pm to 2:00 am, and it is important to be sleeping during this time, because the activity that now takes place is inside you; this is the time of internal cleansing. If you remain awake during this important time, you miss out on the benefit of this cleansing time of day. In fact, if you are still awake, you may find that the munchies kick in, and you find yourself at the refrigerator, reaching for ice cream or leftover pizza, since the digestive force will go looking for something to digest. Your body will thank you for skipping this, and being asleep instead!
VATA time returns from 2:00 am to 6:00 am, marking another time of transition. However, the early morning Vata time is not a time of creativity, but rather of receptivity. Yogis discovered long ago that this time of day, when air and ether dominate, is the best time of day for meditation, prayer, chanting and other spiritual practices. By arising prior to 6:00 am, you are able to maximize this experience, spending this peaceful time of day in spiritual pursuits. If you are still in bed, you may find that your sleep is light and disturbed, or that you awaken and have a hard time shutting off your mind. Meditation at this time can be a challenge for some, especially if you have a lot of vata in your nature or have a vata imbalance. Utilizing mantra or affirmations can be very helpful for quieting the mind, have a cup of warm milk in the evening before bed with a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg in it, engage in gentle yoga, or inhale some soothing essential oils, PIOUS OIL which is made up of lavender and Jatamansi to calm the mind. By listening to the cues of nature, and following her rhythms, she will reward you with optimal health, balance, and peace of mind.
IMPORTANT TIPS TO BALANCE ALL THREE DOSHAS:
Go to bed 10 pm (before Pitta time) and avoid mental stimulation, such as reading or over exciting TV serials after 9.30 pm.
Your main meal should be in middle of the day, Eat lighter food in the evening. Eat only when hungry, Finish when you are satisfied but not full, Leave 1/3 of your stomach empty for the easy circulation of food.
The three Doshas are fundamental principles in our body - which we all need
1. Structure (Kapha)
2. Energy (Pitta)
3. Movement (Vata)
But their relative amounts will differ from person to person. Some are placid and easy going (KAPHA), Other are sharp minded and hot natured (PITTA) and other are fast moving and energetic (VATA).
Whichever dosha is highest in you, that dosha will go out of balance more easily. The tables below give you an indication of which food categories balance which Dosha, you can follow them to stay healthy.
| Follow | Avoid | General Points To Be Remembered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRUITS | Apples, Pears, Coconut, Figs, Dates, Black Grapes, Watermelon, Plums, Pomegranate, Guava. | Bananas, Kiwi, Green mangoes, Tamarind, Green Grapes, Orange, All citrus Fruits except lime. | 1. Avoid heavy dinner; maintain at least 2 hrs gap between dinner and sleep. 2. Take out sometime for physical exercise daily. Go for morning & evening walks daily. 3. Replace cold drinks with coconut water, Vegetable soup or butter milk. 4. Drink at least 4-5 litres of water daily. 5. Never skip meals. 6. Avoid eating non vegetarian diet. 7. Have a glass of water half an hour before & after any meal. This aids in boosting metabolism. 8. Netra Vasti is beneficial in improving eyesight & nourishing the nervous system through eyes. 9. Nasya (Nasal Therapy) helps in curing sinusitis, cold, headache, nasal polyps, ear congestion. 10. Kati Vasti relieves low back pain & relaxes the waist & back. 11. Shirodhara cures mental tension, headache, depression, sleeplessness, anxiety and improves memory. 12. Sarvanga Abhyanga or patra panda sweda helps in curing arthritis, backache, muscular pain and stiffness. |
|
| VEGETABLES | Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Green Leafy Vegetables, Lady Finger. | Garlic, Onion, Olives, Peppers, Raw beets, Tomatoes. | ||
| GRAINS | Whole grains, Basmati rice, Wheat, Oats. | All refined grains, Corn, Millets, Brown rice. | ||
| DAIRY PRODUCTS | Milk(warmed with half teaspoonful turmeric), butter(unsalted), ghee. | Cold Milk, Butter(salted), Sour Cream, Curd, Ice Cream. | ||
| LEGUMES | Black Beans, Kidney Beans, Moong Dal, Split Peas, Black Eyed Peas(lobia). | Soya Sauce, Soya Beans, Urad Dal, Tur Dal. | ||
| NUTS & SEEDS | Soaked and peeled almonds, Coconut, Pumpkin seeds. | All dry fruits excep almonds. | ||
| OILS | Coconut, Ghee, Sunflower, Olive. | Sesame, Almond, Peanut, Vegetable oil. | ||
| SPICES | Elaichi, Fresh Ginger, Fresh Tulsi, Cloves, Coriander, Mint, Turmeric. | Dalchini, Oregano, Methi, Ginger, Garlic, Onion, Mustard seeds. | ||
| BEVERAGES | Fruit Juice, Squashes, Green tea, Honey. | Cold Drinks, Coffee, Tea. | ||
Disclaimer - Advice given here on this website is only for the purpose of information and is not a substitute for any medical advice. Please contact us personally for any information or your Doctor before making any lifestyle changes , As Nature (Prakriti) of every person is different. The visitor should assume that any and all links on this site are affiliate links. All the content here is from the CHARAK SAMHITA. It is somewhat made easy by Translating to an easy language to make every one understand.
