Concept of Rtu Sandhi(Seasonal junctions)

Everything in the nature has a systematic change, which is generally gentle. So, the seasonal changes too. Though we represent these changes annually based on some incidence like rainfall, snowfall, shedding of leaves and so on, it’s not just a momentary shift in the climate but a gradual transformation. There exists a time period in which both the consecutive season intermingle and interact. This duration is of great importance since it’s the gap junction for people to prepare themselves for the upcoming season by letting go with the preceding seasonal regimes. In Ayurveda, this time frame is called as Rtu sandhi. ( Rtu- season, Sandhi- Joint).

Ashtangahrudhaya sutrasthana, explains the concept of Rtu sandhi in a special chapter dedicated to seasonal regimes. It’s also mentioned about the significance of Rtu sandhis. “ The last seven days of a season and the first seven days of the next season is considered to be of period of climatic transition. In this period, one should taper the regimes of previous Rtu and practice those of the next rtu in a gradual phased manner. Immediate abandoning and adoption of regimens will cause various diseases due to improper adaptation.”

 Significance of Rtu sandhi between Sarat and Hemanta.

With the arrival of autumn, we begin to notice the beauty in the shifting leaves outside and the crisp chill that signifies the end of summer. But, as we shift from shorts and swimsuits to sweaters and scarves, it is important to recognize the ways in which our bodies adjust to the seasons internally. Bare branches and orange leaves scattered about the grass make the changes in our external environment obvious, but our physical response to the shift in seasons is often much more subtle.

The most common response to these seasons is drier skin. This can be attributed to the decrease in temperature and humidity in the atmosphere, which forces the skin to work harder to maintain hydration. This means that every seasonal change in weather acts like a shock to the system, disrupting the typical chemical balance of our skin and causing dryness and sometimes severe acne. . If we analyze these seasons in Ayurvedic perspective, the aggravated Pitta during Sarat rtu will come back to its normalcy during the course of Hemanta Rtu (Early winter). Vata dosha will back to its normalcy during Sarat and on the other hand Kapha dosha starts accumulating in the Hemanta(Early winter). When these twists and turns in the Doshic status occur, the Rtu sandhi between Sarat and Hemanta is greatly important.

Like many other mammals, humans are known to store fat during the winter months. In Ayurvedic aspect also both Hemantha and Sisira seasons are considered as the period for accumulation of Kapha. The body does this kind of metabolic effort to preserve body heat and to counter the aggressive agni not to cause further depletion of Dhatus(Body tissue).

At Psychological level.

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, can cause major depressive episodes, usually beginning in late autumn and early winter.(Rtu sandhi) The journal Archives of General Psychiatry found that SAD causes individuals to secrete the hormone melatonin for longer periods during winter nights than during summer nights. This implies that SAD drives people to sleep more during the winter even when their bodies are fully rested. Similarly, the Journal of Psychosomatic Research published a study in which participants slept nearly three hours more each day in October than any other time of year. They linked the results of this study to the fact that hypersomnia, the medical term for excessive daytime sleepiness, sometimes occurs when the air starts to crisp up as it does in the Autumn. So, during the transition period of Autumn(Sarat) and Hemanta( Early winter) , its quite challenging for the body to cop up with these change.

As the Sarat – Hemanta transition is represented as the interplay between decrease of aggravated Pitta on one hand and accumulation of Kapha on the other hand , this kapha will increase the Tamoguna properties that will make people more gloomy and depressed though the Pitta will try to make the digestive fire comparatively active.

The way of seasonal improvisations.

Intake of sweet substances is equally recommended in both Sarat and Hemanta Rtu. So, Rtu sandhi regimes no need to be altered in this regard. But, Taking Tikta(Bitter), and Kashaya(Astringent ) tastes has to be reduced by incorporating more Amla( Sour) and Lavana(Salty) tastes in the diet. Taking food items with Ruksha(dry) properties and are laghu(light) like Rice, Green gram, Gooseberry, snake gourd, Honey, and meat of animals living in arid land, are to be reduced. And Simultaneously, intake of more Snigha(Oily) substances has to be increased. People should start taking meat soups, Alcoholic beverages without getting addicted, blackgrams, sugarcane juice, Milk products, sesame oil etc judiciously. These food regimes mentioned in authentic texts may not be available in our daily diet plan. So, we have to understand the idea behind these sayings and to apply it suitably with respect to the Rasas (Tastes) mentioned. Tastes in this context is not just a palatable sensation. But it’s an ayurvedic way of expressing a substance based on its physiological impact in the body.

The application of oils and gentle body massage can be started during the time of this Rtu sandhi. Otherwise, subjecting oneself to high pressure body massages and exercises as a part of Hemanta rtu charya will lead to aggravation of Vata and that will cause further depletion of dhatus. Use of Hot water for toiletry purpose is also to be considered as a lifestyle modification during this period. People have to be prepared with thick cloths and other attires inorder to welcome the winter.

The concept of Rtu sandhi is a logical approach. The idea is in fact a safety valve to systematically incorporate the seasonal regimes without getting inflicted by the wrath of any season. As the global climate is getting more extreme year after year, its high time that we should follow the seasonal regimes properly in order to keep ourselves healthy.