Ashtanga Hrudaya Sutra Sthana Chapter 2: Dinacharya Adhyayam (Ayurvedic Daily Routine)

This is the second Chapter of Ahstanga Hrudaya Sutrasthana called Dinacharya – Ayurvedic daily routine. Dina means daily, Charya means regimen/routine. This chapter covers mental, speech and physical aspects of well being, that you should follow every day.

अथातो दिनचर्याध्यायं व्याख्यास्यामः| इति ह स्माहुरात्रेयादयो महर्षयः| (गद्यसूत्रे)||२||
As advised by Maharshi Atreya, henceforth is described the chapter named ‘Dinacharya Adhyaya’.
This chapter covers the daily routine which is to be followed by a healthy person.

Sauviramanjanam – Daily collyrium application

सौवीरमञ्जनं नित्यं हितमक्ष्णोस्ततो भजेत्|
चक्षुस्तेजोमयं तस्य विशेषात् श्लेष्मतो भयम्||५||
योजयेत्सप्तरात्रेऽस्मात्स्रावणार्थं रसाञ्जनम्|
Sauvira anjanam is considered Hita (good) for the eyes and hence can be used daily.
The use of Sauvira anjana makes the Pakshma (eyelashes) snigdha (unctuous, shining) and ghana (thick). The eyes with well defined tricolours (black, white and red in appropriate areas), becomes Vimala (clean), Manojna (beautiful) and Sookshma darshana (vision becomes sharp).

Rasanjanam – Weekly collyrium application

चक्षुस्तेजोमयं तस्य विशेषात् श्लेष्मतो भयम्||५||
योजयेत्सप्तरात्रेऽस्मात्स्रावणार्थं रसाञ्जनम्|
Vision is a function of Agni/Tejo Mahabhuta, and hence the eye is especially prone to diseases caused by Kapha dosha. To prevent this, Rasanjana (aqueous extract of Berberis aristata), should be applied once in a week, to drain out Kapha (secretions) from the eyes.

Procedures done following Anjana (collyrium) application

ततो नावनगण्डूषधूमताम्बूलभाग्भवेत्||६||
Thereafter,
Navana (Nasya) – Nasal instillation of medicine,
Gandusha – holding of liquid medicine orally,
Dhuma – inhalation of herbal smoke,
Tambula sevana – chewing betel leaves with condiments should be done.

Contra-indications of Tambula Sevana (Chewing betel leaves)

ताम्बूलं क्षतपित्तास्ररूक्षोत्कुपितचक्षुषाम्| विषमूर्च्छामदार्तानामपथ्यं शोषिणामपि||७||
Chewing of betel leaves is contraindicated in those suffering from
Kshata – wounds,
Pittasra – bleeding diseases,
Roukshya – dryness,
Utkupita chakshu – inflammation of eye,
Visha – poisoning,
Murcha – unconsciousness,
Mada – intoxication and
Shosha – emaciation.

Abhyanga – Oil Massage

अभ्यङ्गमाचरेन्नित्यं, स जराश्रमवातहा|
दृष्टिप्रसादपुष्ट्यायुःस्वप्नसुत्वक्त्वदार्ढ्यकृत्||८||
शिरःश्रवणपादेषु तं विशेषेण शीलयेत्|
Abhyanga means oil massage.
It should be done daily (Nitya).
​​​​Benefits of Abhyanga:
It delays Jara (aging),
Relieves Srama (tiredness),
Relieves excess of Vata (aches and pains).
Drishti Prasada – It improves vision,
Pushti – nourishes body tissues,
Ayu – prolongs lifespan,
Swapna – induces good sleep,
Sutvaktva – improves skin tone and complexion and
Dardyakrit – helps maintain a good physique.
Massage should be specially done on shira (head), sravana (ears) and pada (legs).

Abhyanga Conta-indications

वर्ज्योऽभ्यङ्गः कफग्रस्तकृतसंशुद्ध्यजीर्णिभिः||९||
Massage should be avoided when –

• ​There is increase of Kapha in the body,
• Soon after Shodhana (Panchakarma procedure) and
• During Ajeerna (indigestion).

Vyayama – Physical exercise

लाघवं कर्मसामर्थ्यं दीप्तोऽग्निर्मेदसः क्षयः|
विभक्तघनगात्रत्वं व्यायामादुपजायते||१०||
Exercise brings about
Laghavam – lightness of the body,
Karma Samarthyam – it improves work capacity,
Deepto Agni – increases digestion power,
Medasa Kshaya – wanes obesity,
Vibhakta Ghana Gatra – Renders a consistent body structure.

Vyayama Conrta-indications

वातपित्तामयी बालो वृद्धोऽजीर्णो च तं त्यजेत्|
Vata Pitta Amayi – People with diseases originating from Vata and Pitta,
Bala – Children,
Vriddha – Elders,
Ajeerna – People suffering from indigestion,
​​​​​should not do exercise.

Strength upto which exercise should be done

अर्धशक्त्या निषेव्यस्तु बलिभिः स्निग्धभोजिभिः||११||
शीतकाले वसन्ते च, मन्दमेव ततोऽन्यदा|
तं कृत्वाऽनुसुखं देहं मर्दयेच्च समन्ततः||१२||
Strong individuals, who consume fat rich diet, should regularly practice exercise in winter and spring, using only half the strength one can gather.
In other seasons, exercise should be done using lesser strength.
At the end of the exercise, one should undergo mild massage (pressing the body parts with mild to moderate pressure).

Complications due to Ati Vyayama (excessive exercise)

तृष्णा क्षयः प्रतमको रक्तपित्तं श्रमः क्लमः| अतिव्यायामतः कासो ज्वरश्छर्दिश्च जायते||१३||
Trishna – excessive thirst,
Kshaya – emaciation,
Pratamaka – severe dyspnoea (difficulty in breathing),
Raktapitta – bleeding disorders,
Srama – exhaustion,
Klama – feeling of debility (even without any work),
Kasa – cough,
Jwara – fever and
Chardi – vomiting
are caused as a result of excessive exercise.

Ill effects of excessive indulgence

व्यायामजागराध्वस्त्रीहास्यभाष्यादि साहसम्| गजं सिंह इवाकर्षन् भजन्नति विनश्यति||१४||
If indulged in excess in –
Vyayama – exercise,
Jagara – keeping awake at night,
Adhva – walking,
Stri – sexual activities,
Hasya – laughter and
Bhashya – talk
would destroy an individual like a lion perishing while attacking an elephant.

Udvartana – Dry powder Massage

उद्वर्तनं कफहरं मेदसः प्रविलायनम्|
स्थिरीकरणमङ्गानां त्वक्प्रसादकरं परम्||१५||
Udvartana is a method of using medicated powders for massage.

Benefits of Udvartana 

• Kaphahara – It helps to calm down aggravated Kapha,
• Medasa pravilayanam – helps to dissolve fat,
• Sthirikaranam Anganam – brings about stability to body parts and
• Twak prasadakaram param – improves skin complexion.

Benefits of Snana (Bathing)

दीपनं वृष्यमायुष्यं स्नानमूर्जाबलप्रदम्|
कण्डूमलश्रमस्वेदतन्द्रातृड्दाहपाप्मजित्||१६||
Bathing has the following benefits –
Deepana – improves digestion,
Vrishyam – acts as aphrodisiac,
Ayushyam – prolongs life,
Urja – increases enthusiasm,
Balapradam – improves strength.
It helps to get rid of –
Kandu – dirt,
Mala – waste products,
Srama – tiredness,
Sweda – sweat,
Tandra – lethargy,
Trit – excessive thirst,
Daha – burning sensation,
Papma – ill feeling.

Use of Hot water for bath

उष्णाम्बुनाऽधःकायस्य परिषेको बलावहः|
तेनैव तूत्तमाङ्गस्य बलहृत्केशचक्षुषाम्||१७||
Pouring warm (hot) water below the neck bestows strength, but the same over the head, results in loss of strength of Kesha (hair) and Chakshu (eyes).

Snana (bath) contra-indications

स्नानमर्दितनेत्रास्यकर्णरोगातिसारिषु|
आध्मानपीनसाजीर्णभुक्तवत्सु च गर्हितम्||१८||
Bathing is contra- indicated in those suffering from –
Arditha – facial paralysis,
Netra, Asya, Karna roga – diseases of the eyes, mouth and ears,
Atisara – diarrhoea,
Adhmana – flatulence,
Pinasa – rhinitis,
Ajeerna – indigestion and
Bhuktavat – who has just taken food.

Sadvritta – Code of right conduct

जीर्णो हितं मितं चाद्यान्न वेगानीरयेद्बलात्|
न वेगितोऽन्यकार्यः स्यान्नाजित्वा साध्यमामयम्||१९||
Jeerne hitam mitam chaadyat – One should always eat, only after digestion of previous food, in limited quantity,
Na vegan neerayet – one should not induce natural urges forcefully,
Na Vegito anya kaaryaha – one should immediately attend to natural urges, whenever they occur, prior to
other involvements.
Na ajitva sadhyam amayam – A curable disease should be treated before anything else.

सुखार्थाः सर्वभूतानां मताः सर्वाः प्रवृत्तयः|
सुखं च न विना धर्मात्तस्माद्धर्मपरो भवेत्||२०||
भक्त्या कल्याणमित्राणि सेवेतेतरदूरगः|
Sukhartha sarvabhutanam – All the creatures in the universe aim towards comfort.
Mataha sarva pravrittaya – All their activities are also aimed at happiness and comforts.
Sukham ca na vina dharmat – There is no happiness, without Dharma (righteousness).
Tasmat dharmaparo bhavet – Hence all should follow the path of Dharma (righteousness).
Bhaktya kalyana mitrani seveta – Good friends shall be served with affection,
Itara dooragaha – Whereas the others (wicked) should be kept at a distance.

Dasha Vidha Paapa Karma (Ten Sins)

हिंसास्तेयान्यथाकामं पैशुन्यं परुषानृते||२१||

\सम्भिन्नालापं व्यापादमभिध्यां दृग्विपर्ययम्|
पापं कर्मेति दशधा कायवाङ्मनसैस्त्यजेत्||२२||
The following are the ten sins that should not be committed by the body, speech or the mind –

1. Himsa – violence, injury, torture etc.
2. Steya – theft,
3. Anyathakama – unlawful sexual activity, infidelity,
4. Paisunya – abusive, false speech,
5. Parusha vachana – harsh speech,
6. Anruta vacana – speaking untruth,
7. Sambhinna alapa – speech causing separation, breaking of company,
8. Vyapada – quarrel, intention of harming,
9. Abhidya – jealousy, longing for others belongings
10. Drgviparyaya – finding fault, misunderstanding, faithlessness etc. with scriptures, elders etc.

These ten sins pertaining to the body, speech and mind should be avoided.Of these ten,
The first three – are related to the body,
The next four- are related to speech and
The last three – are related to the mind.

People who should be helped

अवृत्तिव्याधिशोकार्ताननुवर्तेत शक्तितः|
आत्मवत्सततं पश्येदपि कीटपिपीलिकम्||२३||
One should lend as much help to
Avritti – those who have no means of livelihood,
Vyadhi – who are suffering from diseases and
Shoka – who are afflicted with grief.
Even the keeta (insects) and pipilika (ants) should be seen with respect.

Respected persons​​​​

​अर्चयेद्देवगोविप्रवृद्धवैद्यनृपातिथीन्|
One should worship –
Deva – God, Go – Cow,
Vipra – Scholars, Vaidya – Physicians,
Vridha – Old people, Nripa – Rulers and
Atithi – Guests.

विमुखान्नार्थिनः कुर्यान्नावमन्येत नाक्षिपेत्||२४||
A wealthy person should not send back someone who approached for help, empty handed, insulted or abused.
​​​उपकारप्रधानः स्यादपकारपरेऽप्यरौ|
One should be willing to help even his foes, even though they are not helpful.
One should maintain Eka Mana (balanced mind) both during calamity and prosperity.
One should not be jealous of other’s wealth and happiness.

सम्पद्विपत्स्वेकमना, हेतावीर्ष्येत्फले न तु||२५||
काले हितं मितं ब्रूयादविसंवादि पेशलम्|
पूर्वाभिभाषी, सुमुखः सुशीलः करुणामृदुः||२६|||
नैकः सुखी, न सर्वत्र विश्रब्धो, न च शङ्कितः|
Kale bruyat – speak only on the right occasion.
Hitam bruyat – speak good words, be pleasant.
Mitam bruyat – speak little, as per necessity.
Avisamvadi peshalam – speak without giving a chance for arguments.
Purva abhibhashi – be the first to greet, to start a conversation.
Sumukhaha – have a smiling face.
Susheelaha – have a good character.
Karuna – be courteous.
Mrudu – be soft in speech and activity.
Na Eka sukhee – Do not be a person who likes to be alone always.
Na sarvatah vishrabdo – do not believe everything around you.
Na shankhitaha – do not suspect everything around you.

न कञ्चिदात्मनः शत्रुं नात्मानं कस्यचिद्रिपुम्||२७|| प्रकाशयेन्नापमानं न च निःस्नेहतां प्रभोः|
Na kanchit atmanaha shatrum – Do not instantly consider someone as your foe.
Na aatmanam kasyachit ripum – Do not consider anybody’s hostility toward self.
Prakashayet na apamanam – Do not publicly talk about insults that you faced.
Na cha nisnehata prabho – Do not publicly talk about disaffection towards your king.

जनस्याशयमालक्ष्य यो यथा परितुष्यति||२८|| तं तथैवानुवर्तेत पराराधनपण्डितः|
One who is skilled in pleasing others, should keep in mind the nature of people, should deal with them in a manner best pleasing to them, and become well-versed in the art of adoring others.

न पीडयेदिन्द्रियाणि न चैतान्यति लालयेत् ॥ २९ ॥
त्रिवर्गशून्यं नारम्भं भजेत्तं चाविरोधयन्|
Na peedayet indriyani – Never induce much strain over the Indriyas (sense organs).
Na chaythanyatilalayet – Never let the Indriyas (sense organs) remain inert.
Do not engage yourself in deeds that are devoid of Trivarga (The three objects of worldly existence) –
Dharma (righteousness),
Artha (wealth) and
Kama (desire)
One should carry out his deeds without going contrary to the Trivargas.

अनुयायात्प्रतिपदं सर्वधर्मेषु मध्यमाम्||३०||
In Sarva Dharma (all dealings/activities) one should adopt the Madhyama (middle) Pratipadam (means) only.

Personal hygiene

नीचरोमनखश्मश्रुर्निर्मलाङ्घ्रिमलायनः|
स्नानशीलः सुसुरभिः सुवेषोऽनुल्बणोज्ज्वलः||३१||
धारयेत्सततं रत्नसिद्धमन्त्रमहौषधीः|
One should cut his Roma (hair), Nakha (nails), and Smashru (moustache/beard) regularly.
Keep the feet and excretory orifices (ears, nose, eyes, urethra and anus) clean.
Snatha sheela – One should take bath regularly,
Susurabhi – use substances with pleasant fragrance,
Suvesha – be well dressed,
Anuthbanojwala – dress should not be superfluous but should be pleasant to look at.
Dharayet ratna – wear precious stones,
Siddha mantra and oushadhi – wear potent hymns and herbs (kept inside amulets) on the body.

सातपत्रपदत्राणो विचरेद्युगमात्रदृक्||३२||
निशि चात्ययिके कार्ये दण्डी मौली सहायवान्|
Walk holding an umbrella, putting on foot wear and looking straight to a distance of 3 yuga (i.e. four arms length) in front of you while walking.
In case of urgent travel at nights, one should go equipped with a danda (baton), mouli (head-dress) and sahayavan (an assistant).

Places that should not be trespassed

चैत्यपूज्यध्वजाशस्तच्छायाभस्मतुषाशुचीन्||३३||
नाक्रामेच्छर्करालोष्टबलिस्नानभुवो न च|
One should not trespass the shadows of
Chaitya – a holy tree on which deities reside (or a Buddhist shrine),
Pujya – materials (or men) of worship,
Dvaja – flag posts,
Ashasta – unholy things,
One should not tread upon
Bhasma – heap of ash,
Tusha – husk,
Ashuchi – dirt,
Sarkara – sand dunes,
Loshta – lumps of earth,
Places of Bali (offering sacrifices to Gods, demons etc.) and Snana (bathing).

नदीं तरेन्न बाहुभ्यां, नाग्निस्कन्धमभिव्रजेत्||३४||
सन्दिग्धनावं वृक्षं च नारोहेद्दुष्टयानवत्|
Nadi taret na bahubyam – One should not swim across rivers using arms,
Na agni skandham abhivrajet – One should not walk facing a huge fire,
One should not travel in a risky boat (Navam), not climb a tree (vriksham) doubtful of strength; or ride on a vehicle (yana), which is in bad condition (dushta).

नासंवृतमुखः कुर्यात्क्षुतिहास्यविजृम्भणम्||३५||
नासिकां न विकुष्णीयान्नाकस्माद्विलिखेद्भुवम्|
नाङ्गैश्चेष्टेत विगुणं, नासीतोत्कटकश्चिरम्||३६||
Without covering the mouth, one should not sneeze (kshuti), laugh (hasya) or yawn (vijrimbanam).
One should not blow his nose (nasika), except for forcing out the excretions,
One should not dig the ground (bhumi) without any reason,
One should not move the body parts (anga) in an awkward manner (vigunam),
Sitting on one’s own heels (utkutika) for a long time should be avoided.

देहवाक्चेतसां चेष्टाः प्राक् श्रमाद्विनिवर्तयेत्|
नोर्ध्वजानुश्चिरं तिष्ठेत् नक्तं सेवेत न द्रुमम्||३७||
तथा चत्वरचैत्यान्तश्चतुष्पथसुरालयान्|
सूनाटवीशून्यगृहश्मशानानि दिवाऽपि न||३८||
One should stop the activities of the body (deha), speech (vak) and the mind (chetas) before getting exhausted;
One should not keep his knees (janu) raised (urdhva) or flexed for a long period.
​​​One should not reside at night (nakta) –
On trees – druma,
At the meeting place of three roads – chatvara,
Chaityanta – vicinity of a holy tree (or a Buddhist shrine),
Chatushpada – meeting place of four roads and
Suralaya – temple (house of God).
One should not reside even during daytime in –
Suna – a place of slaughter,
Atavi – lonely places,
Shunya griha – a haunted house and
Shmashaana – burial grounds.

सर्वथेक्षेत नादित्यं, न भारं शिरसा वहेत्|
नेक्षेत प्रततं सूक्ष्मं दीप्तामेध्याप्रियाणि च||३९||
मद्यविक्रयसन्धानदानादानानि नाचरेत्|
Sarvatha iksheta na adityam – Never gaze at the sun (aditya) for a long time,
Na bharam shirasa vahet – One should not carry heavy weight (bhara) on his head (shiras), One should not see continuously, objects which are minute (sukshma), shining (deepta), dirty (amedhya) or unpleasant (apriya).
One should not engage in selling (vikriya), brewing (sandhana), free distributing (daana), or receiving (paana) of wine (madya).

The following should be avoided

पुरोवातातपरजस्तुषारपरुषानिलान्||४०||

Exposure to the following should be avoided –
Purovata – eastern wind,
Atapa – heat,
Raja – dust,
Tushara – frost,
Parusha anila – storm.
अनृजुः क्षवथूद्गारकासस्वप्नान्नमैथुनम्|

Indulgence in the following while adopting an awkward posture should be avoided –
​​​​Kshavathu – sneezing, Udgara – belching,
Kasa – cough, Swapna – sleep,
Anna – taking food and Maithunam – Sexual intercourse.

The following are to be avoided

कूलछायां नृपद्विष्टं व्यालदंष्ट्रिविषाणिनः||४१||
Koola chaya – shadows of a barricade, Nripa dvishta – adversaries of rulers,
Vyala – wild animals, Damshtri – venomous animals,
Vishani – animals with horns.

हीनानार्यातिनिपुणसेवां विग्रहमुत्तमैः|
सन्ध्यास्वभ्यवहारस्त्रीस्वप्नाध्ययनचिन्तनम्||४२||
Dependence on those who are socially inferior (heena) and crooked should be avoided.
Quarrel with people of excellent (uttama) conduct should be avoided.
The following activities should be avoided at the time of meeting of night and sunrise –
Abhyavahara – intake of food,
Stri – sexual intercourse,
Swapna – sleep,
Adhyayana – learning,
Chintanam – thinking.

Foods to be avoided

शत्रुसत्रगणाकीर्णगणिकापणिकाशनम्|
​​​​​Food of the following types should be avoided –
Shatru – offered by enemies,
Satra – served during sacrificial ceremony, or food served to a gathering,
Ganika – offered by merchants,
Panika – offered by prostitutes.

गात्रवक्त्रनखैर्वाद्यं हस्तकेशावधूननम्||४३||
One should not make sound with the body parts (gatra), mouth (vaktra) and nails (nakha).
One should not flicker his hands (hastha) or hair (kesha).

तोयाग्निपूज्यमध्येन यानं धूमं शवाश्रयम्|
मद्यातिसक्तिं विश्रम्भस्वातन्त्र्ये स्त्रीषु च त्यजेत्||४४||
The following should be avoided –
Toya madhyena yanam – Walking amidst water,
Agni madhyena yanam – Walking amidst fire,
Poojya madhyena yanam – Walking between respectable personalities,
Dhumam shavashrayam – Inhalation of smoke of funeral pyre,
Madya atisaktim – Alcohol addiction,
Strishu visrambha – Over trust in (wicked) females,
Strishu svathantrye – Freedom in (wicked) females.

The world as a teacher

आचार्यः सर्वचेष्टासु लोक एव हि धीमतः|
अनुकुर्यात्तमेवातो लौकिकेऽर्थे परीक्षकः||४५||
For an intelligent person the world (loka) is a teacher, hence one should imitate the world after carefully considering their meaning and effects of such actions.

Ethics to follow

आर्द्रसन्तानता त्यागः कायवाक्चेतसां दमः|
स्वार्थबुद्धिः परार्थेषु पर्याप्तमिति सद्व्रतम्||४६||
Ardrasanthanata – Compassion towards all living beings,
Tyaga – charity,
Kaya, vak, chetasam damaha – controlling the activities of the body, speech and mind,
Parartheshu svarthabuddhi – showing selfless devotion to the cause of others (looking after their interests as if it is his own).
These are sufficient rules of good conduct.
नक्तंदिनानि मे यान्ति कथम्भूतस्य सम्प्रति|
दुःखभाङ्न भवत्येवं नित्यं सन्निहितस्मृतिः||४७||
He, who is constantly involved in how his nights (nakta) and days (dina) are passing and adopts the right way, will never become a victim of sorrow (dukha).
इत्याचारः समासेन, यं प्राप्नोति समाचरन्|
आयुरारोग्यमैश्वर्यं यशो लोकांश्च शाश्वतान्||४८||
Thus was enumerated, in brief the rules of good conduct; he who adopts it will attain
Ayu – A long life, Arogya – Health,
Aishwaryam – Wealth, Yashaha – Reputation, fame and
Shaashvata loka – The eternal world.

इति श्रीवैद्यपतिसिंहगुप्तसूनु श्रीमद्वाग्भटविरचितायामष्टाङ्गहृदयसंहितायां सूत्रस्थाने दिनचर्या नाम द्वितीयोऽध्यायः||२||
Thus ends the chapter called Dinacarya, the second in Sutrasthana of Astanga Hrudaya composed by Srimad Vaghata, son of Sri Vaidyapati Simhagupta.