The routine that has to be followed daily is DINACHARYA. 

Often, we have a question – What is good for us? How do we decide this?

AYURVEDA the science of life may not be for us, as it is a science around 3000 years old. The best part is though the great Acharyas (scholars) wrote it thousands of years ago it holds a good even today and will continue forever. The reason behind it is it has a very strong parampara (history). The principles of Ayurveda are good not only when one is living in this world but also when one leaves this world.

Ayurveda is the science that when followed gives a long life and when we follow Dinacharya we can see that we have a healthy long life.

There are two parts in this

• Aahar (food)
• Vihar

Brahmamuhurtha is for both – Swastha ( one who is healthy), Atur ( one who is diseased)

Now our ancient acharya Susruta says  

samdosha samagnishcha  samadhatu malakriya

prasanna atma indriya mana swastha itya bhidhiyate

This means, when 3 doshas (vata, pitta and kapha), agni( digestive fire) dhatu (all the body tissues),  malakriya( excretory functions) should be proper, also our atma,(soul), indriya(senses) and manas(mind) should be prasanna that is happy , then only we call a person a healthy person.

So to protect one’s ayu (lifespan) all the above functions should be proper. To have that proper Dinacharya should be followed and if one is diseased, to get the balance of all Dinacharya has to be followed.

So in both healthy and diseased persons Dinacharya has to be followed.

BRAHME MURTHA

When can a person get up in Brahmi Muhurtha daily and when he gets up what should be his feeling?

The answer is

When the person gets up, he should have a very good feeling he should feel very fresh, energetic, and zeal for the whole day.

This can happen when he had good sleep. Only when he has good sleep he will be getting up in the morning with freshness. For that one has to sleep early. we can say 10 pm. He should stop watching his television or mobile. He should have his food maximum before 8pm. Earlier the better as before going to bed half of his food is well digested.

SHAREERA CHINTA NIRVATYA

Shareera includes our body, soul, senses, and mind.

Now shareera chinta is atmavalokana. That is looking inwards.

From morning till late night, we are busy thinking about so many factors in our daily routine. So morning as soon as we get up we can spend some time in silence.                                                   

The environment both outside and inside is absolutely calm. We have to enjoy the silence. Slowly observe how we had spent the previous day. Also our journey of our life so far. The purpose of our life has to be thought of. What are the goals of our life? How have we progressed? What has to be done for our future?

We thank the almighty god for all the gifts we have received in our entire life journey.

Then slowly we have to observe our organs. Can be done systematically from our feet to head. Experiencing the calmness within and outside we can decide what is needed.  What is good for me and so on.

As he gets up he should observe his dhatu and mala kriya when one is happy when he gets up in the morning it indicates his dhatu and malakriya is good.

So for the protection of our lifespan, we should always keep our shareera(body), atma(soul), indriya(senses) and manah(mind) in proper condition

Then eliminating urine and faeces has to be done.

Now first is dantadhawan (brushing our teeth)

DANTADHAWAN

Ayurveda in Dinacharya clearly emphasizes the preventive aspect of oral diseases. So self-oral care is very necessary for optimal oral health.  So achieving good oral health requires the self-care of his oral cavity and teeth through preventive measures. When one is committed to preventive care on a daily basis, he can have good oral and dental health.

In this era, we see that the present lifestyle is creating many health issues. Junk food, fast food, lots of chocolates, bakery sweets, ice creams and addiction to tobacco, smoking, gutkhka, etc have increased oral diseases.

The great acharyas have guided us towards following routine dental and oral hygiene that will prevent oral and dental health.

How does oral hygiene help in oral and dental health?

The daily regimen of practicing oral hygiene will help keep the mouth and teeth clean by preventing gingivitis, cavities in teeth, bad breath, etc.

Dental diseases can be seen as discoloration of teeth, cavities in teeth due to lack of oral hygiene methods which is a breeding ground for microorganisms that further leads to the decaying of tooth.

What has to be used to brush the teeth?

Toothbrush cleans the dental area.

In India in rural areas, we can see vendors selling neem sticks to brush their teeth. As there are medicinal properties in neem it is widely used.

There are some medicinal twigs mentioned. They are

• Kukubha , or arjuna
• Nyagrodha
• Khadira
• Malati
• Kranja

How should be the twigs?

• The twig should have the thickness of one’s little finger, approximately 22.6 cm
• The stem should be healthy, straight, without any knots,and picked from trees growing in clean place. 

How to do?

• The edge of the twig should be chewed  It will be converted into bristles like. It is then used to brush.  Without causing any damage to our gums. Slowly and properly should brush the teeth ina vertical direction from bottom to top and in the lower jaw and top to bottom in the upper jaw.
• The rasa(the taste) should be katu( pungent), tikta(bitter)and kashaya( astringent). According to our acharya Sushruta the mention of madhura (sweet) is also there.
• Neem –good in tikta rasa
• Khadira –good in kashaya rasa
• Karanja-good in katu rasa.
• Madhuka-good in madhura rasa

Time for dantadhawan

In the morning after passing the urine and feces, attend to ablutions and clean the teeth. One should clean the teeth after having breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

How it helps?

• It removes the impurity of the tongue, teeth, and mouth.
• It takes away bad odors and brings freshness to the mouth.
• It removes food particles and cleans the oral cavity.
• It has kriminashaka ( antimicrobial properties).
• It removes tastelessness. (the viscid mucous secretion is cleared)
• It flushes out the toxins
• It helps to heel the gums

Now in and around Bangalore, we can see thousands of karanja trees. Brushing with twigs of karanja trees or even the leaves will be very useful. Nicely chew the leaves and spit out. Then gargle the mouth.

TOOTH POWDER

Equal quantity of sunti maricha and pippali, amalaki bibhitaki and haritaki, twak, lavanga,tamalpatra,khadira and very little saindhava mixed with til taila , a fine paste can be made to brush the teeth. 

Who should not brush

• A person who has indigestion
• swasa( dysponea)
• kasa( cough)
• jwara(fever)
• arditha( facial paralysis)
• trishna(excessive thirst)
• hridroga(heart diseases)
• netraroga(diseases of the eye)

ANJANA(application of eye collyrium)

After brushing the teeth, one should apply collyrium to one’s eye. 

TAMBULA

In Ayurveda the next daily regime that has to be followed is tambula

This regime is for oral hygiene and good taste. It acts as an aphrodisiac, and digestive, and increases physical and mental stamina. It relaxes the mind.

BETAL LEAF

It is the main ingredient in tambula.

In India, it is closely related to Indian rituals. Betal leaves and areca nuts are used in traditional ceremonies like marriage, pooja, etc.