A review on Importance of Rajaswala Paricharya

Raihana Ahmed Choudhury; Yanbeni Humtsoe

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.21760/jaims.8.7.21

Women in the reproductive age group experience a variety of conditions related to the menstrual cycle, such as menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, irregular menses, PCOD, endometriosis, etc., which seriously affect their health and happiness as well as being extremely detrimental. It also increased the prevalence of infertility. As a result, there is a pressing need to educate the public, regarding the numerous Paricharyas (ways of living) recommended by Ayurveda to keep the Doshas in balance, which maintains health in turn. Ayurveda advises women to adhere to "Paricharyas" conduct that should be followed at various stages of life, such as Rajaswala, Garbhini, and Sootika, in order to improve their health and quality of life. The Rajaswala Paricharya is the one that receives the least attention. This subject was chosen because it was noted that modern science has described fatigue and lower abdomen pain as having an impact on the menstrual cycle and its related symptoms, although Ayurveda has not specified such symptoms.

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Raihana Ahmed Choudhury, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Prasuti Tantra & Stree Roga, Govt. Ayurvedic College, Guwahati, Assam, India.
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Raihana Ahmed Choudhury, Yanbeni Humtsoe, A review on Importance of Rajaswala Paricharya. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2023;8(7):117-120.
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Manuscript Received

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Review Round 2

Review Round 3

Accepted

2023-06-01

2023-06-03

2023-06-10

2023-06-17

2023-06-24

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Nil

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Introduction

Menstruation is a phenomenon unique to woman. Menstruating female is termed as Rajaswala. It is considered to be a mirror of reproductive health. A woman undergoes various physical, psychological and emotional changes throughout her life time. Ayurveda helps women in journey towards better health throughout different phases of life and add quality to her life by following ‘Paricharyas’- conducts to be followed like Garbhini Paricharya, Sootika Paricharya, Rajaswala Paricharya etc. The code of conduct mentioned for a Rajaswala Stree is termed as Rajaswala Paricharya and is most neglected part in the society. In present era, women are more career oriented. Along with their careers, they alone manage the household responsibilities. This demanding lifestyle has made it very difficult for them to pay attention to their own health and to follow Rajaswala Paricharya.

In the present era, a drastic rise in the number of menstrual problems and cases of infertility has been observed which had little existence in the past. Menstrual problems like lower back ache, lower abdominal pain, nausea etc. have become so common, now days there are termed as associated symptoms of menstruation. But in Ayurveda, it is mentioned that normal menstruation is devoid of pain, burning sensation, also the excreted blood should not be unctuous, very scanty or excessive in amount. It is already known that Rajaswala Paricharya was being followed by our ancestors as a routine practice which gives woman strength to fight against these physical and mental changes during menstrual cycle and give women a healthy life.

Aim and Objective

To review the literature of Rajaswala, Rajaswala Paricharya, Pathya Apathya and the importance of Rajaswala Paricharya from Ayurvedic Samhitas.

Materials and Methods

The literary study is done with the help of Ayurvedic texts as well as the internet in connection with Rajaswala Paricharya.

Rituchakra: In Ayurvedic classics, the duration of Rituchakra or menstrual cycle is mentioned as one month and this entire period is divided into three phases, they are-

Rajahsrava (menstruation): 3 to 5 days
Ritukala (proliferative phase including ovulation): 12 or 16 days
Ritu Vyatitakala (post ovulatory or secretory phase):9 or 13 days

The female in Rajahsrava Kala is called as Rajaswala Stree and the mode of life to be followed in this period as mentioned by different Acharyas is termed as Rajaswala Paricharya.

Rajaswala Paricharya: In Samhita’s specific Ahara and Vihara are mentioned which is to be followed by the Rajaswala (menstruating) women. Those are meant to improve her health and for her benefits.

Pathya

Ahara: Many menstruating females experience decrease in appetite during this period. Agni of an individual is reduced during or after any of the Shodhan Upakrama like Vamana and Virechan. As menstruation is a naturally occurring Shodhan process, so physiological decrease in digestive capacity (Agnimandya) is observed during menstruation.

Therefore, she should eat Havisya (meal made of ghee, Sali rice and milk) and Yawaka (meal made of barley and milk), Agni Deepaniya, Easily Digestable Laghu Ahar, in less quantity.

Vihara:

1. She should sleep over bed made up of Darbha (specific sacred leafy plant) spread over ground.

2. Follow Brahmacharya for first 3 days.

3. Always concentrate on thinking good or auspicious things.

Apathya

Ahara: She should avoid Tiksna (pungent), Katu (spicy), Lavana (salty) substances.

Vihara:

1. She should avoid sleeping in day time.

2. Avoid application of collyrium, crying, laughing, talking too much and excessive exercise.

3. Application of Anjana, use of Swedana, Nasya and Vamana Karma are contraindicated during this period.

Paricharyas

Principle

1. Having light diet, less quantity, avoid spicy, oily diet and junk food

Deepan, Pachan, Vata-Anulomana

2. Avoid excessive exercise, laughing and talking too much

To take rest, restore energy and to avoid Vata vitiation

3. No crying, good and virtual thoughts

To keep the mind calm and relaxed to avoid stress and anxiety

4. Sleep on Darbha mat, no bathing

Instigate aseptic thoughts, not to have complete bath but follow basic hygiene like cleaning genitalia, hands, legs and face

5. No listening to loud voice

To avoid Vata Prakopa

6. Swedan, Vaman, Nasya Karma are contraindicated

As it causes Dosha Prakopa

7. Coitus is contraindicated

To avoid infection and for the wellbeing of woman and future progeny

Restricted activities

Abnormalities in child

1. Divaswapna

Over sleepy

2. Anjana

Blind

3. Crying

Abnormalities in vision

4. Bathing and anointment

Miserable

5. Abhyanga

Kustha

6. Laughing

Discoloration of teeth, lips and tongue

7. Nasya

Menstrual abnormalities (female child)

Conclusion

From the above study about Rajakala and Rajaswala Paricharya, it is observed that Acharyas treated Rajasrava as natural Shodhan process leading to Agnimandya. So, it is necessary to follow Pathya and Apathya as mentioned by different Acharyas. After reviewing all the literature related to Rajaswala Paricharya, it can be said that major restrictions are directed towards isolation, less physical exertion, and celibacy. Main aim of these is to avoid vitiation of Vata and Kapha, prevent formation of Ama, restore energy and to get a healthy progeny from a healthy mother. Therefore, by following Rajaswala Paricharya, the woman responds healthily to the physiological and psychological changes by keeping Doshas, Agni and Bala in balanced condition.

Reference

1. Charakacharya, Charak Samhita, with Hindi commentary by Pt.Kashinatha Sastri and Dr. Gorakha Natha Chaturvedi; Chaukhambha Bharati Academy; Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter no.30,Verse no.225.

2. Astanga Hridayam of Srimad Vagbhata, edited with Nirmala Hindi Commentary by Dr. Brahmanand Tripathi, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan, Sharir Sthana, Chapter no.1, verse no.7

3. Charakacharya, Charak Samhita, with hindi commentary by Pt.Kashinatha Sastri and Dr. Gorakha Natha Chaturvedi; Chaukhambha Bharati Academy; Sharir Sthana, Chapter no.8,Verse no.5.

4. Acharya Sushruta, Sushruta Samhita, hindi commentary by Kaviraja Ambikadutta Shastri; Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan; Sharir Sthana, Chapter no.2-verse no.26.

5. Acharya Sushruta, Sushruta Samhita, hindi commentary by Kaviraja Ambikadutta Shastri; Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan; Sharir Sthana, Chapter no.2-verse no.27

6. Premvati Tiwari, Ayurvediya Prasuti Tantra Evum Stree Roga, second edition, Chaukhambha Orientalia.

7. Astanga Samgraha of Vagbhata, translated by Prof. K. R. Srikantha Murthy, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Sutra sthana, Chapter no.26, verse no.32.

8. Astanga Hridayam of Srimad Vagbhata, edited with Nirmala Hindi Commentary by Dr. Brahmanand Tripathi, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan, Sutra Sthana, Chapter no.17, verse no.24.

9. Kashyap Samhita, edited by Sree Satyapal Vishagacharya, Chaukhamba Samskrit Samsthan, Siddhi Sthana, Chapter no.4, verse no.5

10. Sushrura Samhita, edited by Kaviraj Ambikadutta Shastri, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, Sharir Sthana, Chapter no.2, verse no.27

11. Sushrura Samhita, edited by Kaviraj Ambikadutta Shastri, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, Sharir Sthana, Chapter no.2, verse no.26

Review Article

Rajaswala Paricharya

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences