Abstract

AN AYURVEDIC VISION ON THE PREVENTIVE AND CURATIVE ATTRIBUTES OF BATH

*Dr. Shalini, and Dr. M. B. Gaur

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Abstract

As treatment possess 2 aspects- one is preventive and other is curative. Keeping in mind the preventive concept of treatment, ancient acharya presents an idea of dincharya. Dincharya means per day routine, the lifestyle & diet that need to be followed daily to maintain physiological function in our body and to remain healthy. It comprises of different steps, starts from waking up in brahmmuhurat as per acharya vagbhatt which differ according to their era. Snan (bathing) as cardinal step after nasya, abhyanga, udavartan is also mentioned in dincharya. Snan not only removes dirt and sweat but also stimulates digestive fire, enhances ojas thus gives strength to body, stimulates sense organs etc. In India, snan (bathing) represents a cleansing not only for the physical body but also therapeutic and spiritual purposes. Benefits of performing snan on health has been mentioned that it affects not only physical, mental but also spiritual health. Snan with different type of water, at different times, according to different purposes as preventive or curative has been explained by ancient physicians. In present era of technology, people are only earning money to fulfil their family responsibilities but not following dietary schedule, sleep schedule etc, hence causing more and more lifestyle disorders. Study of snan with its health benefits i.e., preventive and curative aspects, according to ayurveda classical texts and contemporary science has been attempted in following review article.

Keywords: Dincharya, Brahmmuhurat, Snan, Nasya, Digestive fire, Physical health, Mental health, Spiritual health.