Ritucarya, Ṛtucaryā, Ritu-carya: 9 definitions
Introduction:
Ritucarya means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit term Ṛtucaryā can be transliterated into English as Rtucarya or Ritucarya, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
Alternative spellings of this word include Ritucharya.
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)
Ṛtucaryā (ऋतुचर्या) refers to one of the topics discussed in the Madhumatī, a Sanskrit manuscript ascribed to Nṛsiṃha Kavirāja collected in volume 12 of the catalogue “Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (second series)” by Mahamahopadhyaya Haraprasad Shastri.—The Madhumatī manuscript, consisting of 5,586 ślokas (metrical verses), is housed in Dhaka with Babu Bhagavancandra Dasa Kaviraja. It seemingly addresses topics related to Medicinal, Herbal, and Iatrochemical preparations. The catalogue includes the term—Ṛtucaryā in its ‘subject-matter list’ or Viṣaya (which lists topics, chapters and technical terms). The complete entry reads—atha ṛtucaryyā.
Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)
Ṛtucaryā (ऋतुचर्या) refers to the “seasonal regimen of elephants”, according to the 15th century Mātaṅgalīlā composed by Nīlakaṇṭha in 263 Sanskrit verses, dealing with elephantology in ancient India, focusing on the science of management and treatment of elephants.—[Cf. chapter 11, “37. Cultivation of (exposure to) the morning sun, (broth of the flesh of) fierce water and marsh animals (as food), and veśavāra (a strong spicy condiment); and experts approve also a single plunge of elephants in deep water; and anointing with oil on the head is to be performed constantly—this is the regimen for winter. Thus in turn the sages have set forth the tending of elephants in all seasons (sarva-rtucaryā) [syādevaṃ sarvartucaryā kramaśa iti budhairderśitā vāraṇānām]”.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Ṛtucaryā (ऋतुचर्या) refers to one of the topics dealt with in the Rudradatta, as mentioned in A. Rahman’s Science and Technology in Medievel India: A bibliography of source materials in Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian.—Ancient and medieval India produced a wide range of scientific manuscripts and major contributions lie in the field of medicine, astronomy and mathematics, besides covering encyclopedic glossaries and technical dictionaries.—Ṛtucaryā and other topics of the the Rudradatta deal with medicine.
Ṛtucaryā (ऋतुचर्या):—Two months together are called a Rtu. Rtucharya denotes the work or duties which are to be carried out during each Rtu, it includes seasonal food intake, seasonal activities and Seasonal cleansing process(Rtu Anusara Shodhana)
Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]
Ṛtucaryā (ऋतुचर्या) refers to the “seasonal conduct (for Vaiṣṇavas)” (performed with majestic attention and care), according to the Haribhaktivilāsa—a revered smṛti text in the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition, composed by Sanātana Gosvāmī.—The twelfth chapter is dedicated to delineating the procedures, qualifications, and regulations surrounding Vaiṣṇava Dīkṣā (initiation) and other related rites, including the duties, observances, and behaviors expected of initiated devotees. The term “sarva-rtucaryā” appears in a list of auspicious and regulative practices that are recommended for Vaiṣṇavas as ongoing daily or seasonal standards. The following phrase, “mahārāja-upacāra” (“majestic/kingly service”) gives additional context—indicating the standard or manner in which the sarva-ṛtucaryā or seasonal practices (along with all listed observances) should be performed: “with royal or majestic attention and care”.
Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Ṛtucaryā (ऋतुचर्या).—f. seasonal proceeding; अथातः संप्रवक्ष्यामि ऋतुचर्यास्तु वाजिनाम् (athātaḥ saṃpravakṣyāmi ṛtucaryāstu vājinām) Bhoja's Śālihotra 92.
Ṛtucaryā is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms ṛtu and caryā (चर्या).
1) Ṛtucaryā (ऋतुचर्या) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—med. B. 4, 220.
—by Sundaradeva, son of Govindadeva. Io. 57.
2) Ṛtucaryā (ऋतुचर्या):—med. by Sundaradeva. See Bhūpavallabha.
Ṛtucaryā (ऋतुचर्या):—[=ṛtu-caryā] [from ṛtu > ṛ] f. Name of [work]
Ṛtucaryā (ऋतुचर्या):—f. Titel eines Werkes.
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text: Sundaradeva, Hygiene, Dinacarya.
Relevant text
Search found 17 books and stories containing Ritucarya, Ritu-carya, Ṛtu-caryā, Rtu-carya, Ṛtucaryā, Rtucarya; (plurals include: Ritucaryas, caryas, caryās, Ṛtucaryās, Rtucaryas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
History of Indian Medicine (and Ayurveda) (by Shree Gulabkunverba Ayurvedic Society)
Chapter 14 - The Individual and Medicine < [Part 2-3 - Medical Institutions in Ancient India]
Kshemakutuhala by Kshemasharma (critical study) (by Hiteshbhai Vrajalal Bhuptani)
Introduction—Classification of seasons (Ritucarya) < [Chapter 3 - Preservation of Health]
Prevention of common diseases in india by ayurvedic principles < [Volume 1 (issue 3), Jan-Mar 1982]
Concept of Chronopharmacology in Ayurveda < [Volume 19 (issue 3-4), Jan-Jun 2000]
Perseverance and Resources: Keys to Success in Ayurveda Research < [Volume 36 (issue 4), Apr-Jun 2017]
Atharvaveda and Charaka Samhita (by Laxmi Maji)
Bhāvaprakāśa (Āyurveda book) < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
Hārīta (Āyurveda scholar) < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
Physician as depicted in Manasollasa (by Sri B. S. Hebballi)
4. Environmental factors and the body’s capacity for resistance < [Chapter 4 - Ancient treatises on Indian medicine]
Appendix: Glossary of Selected Sanskrit Words
9. Ritucarya (conduct during different seasons) < [Chapter 4 - Ancient treatises on Indian medicine]