Seasonal Regimen according to Ayurveda

• KALA (TIME):

* Käla is divinity and it has neither a beginning nor an end, Time follows the accumulated effect of actions of the past. 

* Basing on the time only, the movement of the sun, the moon and other planets and also the transformation of five basic elements take place. 

* It is also the causative factor for the birth and the death of all the creatures. 

* Similarly, the increase and decrease of the seasons, tastes and potency of the substances. strength of the doşas and the body depends upon the time only. 

• KALA BHEDA (DIVISION OF TIME):

-MP Kala is divided into the following 12 divisions: 

1. Mäträ (= time taken for blinking the eyelid)

2. Kastha (= 15 Matra)

3. Kala (= 30 Kastha)

4. Nädikä (= 24min.)

5. Muhūrta (= 2 Nadika)

6. Yäma (= 3 hours)

7. Ahorātra (= 4 Yama = 1 day/1 night)

8. Paksa (= 15 Ahoratra)

9. Mäsa (= 2 Paksa)

10. Rtu (= 2 Masa)

11. Ayana (= 3 Rtu)

12. Varsa (= 2 Ayana)

• SADRTU (SIX SEASONS):

- The months starting with mägha, in combination of two, two succeeding months constitute the 6 seasons as śisira, vasanta, grisma, varsä, sarad hemanta respectively.

*  Sišira - Mägha-phalguna - Jan 22nd to Mar 21st - Cool in nature 

* Vasanta - Caitra vaišakha - Mar 22nd to May 21st - Flowering season

* Grisma - Jyestha-asadha - May 22nd to July 21st - Heat is high

* Varşa - Śrävana-bhädrapada - July 22nd to Sept 21st - Rains are heavy

* Sarad - Asvayuja-kärtika - Sept 22nd to Nov21st - Moonlight

* Hemanta - Märgaširsa-pasya - Nov 22nd to Jan 21st Snow falls

• ADANA KALA (DEBILITATING PERIOD):

* Since the northward movement of the sun naturally increases the heat of the places it approaches, the cooling properties are weakened. * During this period the sun with his severe hot rays and the winds with their sharp velocity and dryness absorb the moisture from the earth. * Due to the progressive dryness in the atmosphere during the seasons of śiśira, vasanta and grīşma, which ènhances tikta, kaşäya and kațu rasas respectively and results in the human beings become weak. Therefore ādāna (āgneya) is sweltering by nature.

• VISARGA KALA (STRENGTHENING PERIOD):

- The remaining three seasons commencing from varşa rtu (i.e. varşā, śarad and hemanta) are characterized by the southern movement of the sun (dakşinäyana) and is also called visarga 45 kāla. 

* All the living beings gains strength during this period. 

* Visarga is saumya. Moon is dominating in this period and the power of the sun is becoming weak. 

* Due to clouds, cold breeze and rain, the power of the sun reduces and moon occupies the driving seat.

* Due to the power of moon with its cold rays unctuousness increases gradually in the nature during the seasons of varşa, śarad and hemanta, which enhances amla, lavaņa and madhura rasasrespectively and results in the human beings become strong and potent.