Dinacharya is derived by combining two words namely Dina meaning daily and Charya meaning routine or regimen. This has been mentioned in Ayurveda to help individuals to learn the physical and mental aspects of healthy well-being. It enumerates the regimen that one should follow in his/her daily life. Following are the excerpts taken from Ashtanga Hridaya Suthrasthana that details Dinacharya:

1. Prataruthana
Getting up in the morning

ब्राह्मे मुहूर्ते उत्तिष्ठेतु स्वस्थो रक्षार्थमायुष: ॥

A healthy person should wake up in Brahma Muhurtha which is 45minutes before the Sun rise time.

2. Shouch Vidhi
Body Cleansing

शरीरचिन्तां निर्वृत्य कृत शौचविधिस्तता ॥

Understanding the body’ condition, one should pass urine and faeces.

3. Dantadhavana
Teeth Cleansing

अर्क न्यग्रोध खदिर करञ्ज ककुभादिजम ।
प्रातर्भुक्त्वा च मृद्वग्रं कषाय कतुतिक्तकं ॥

For cleaning the teeth, twigs of Arka (Calotropis procera) or Nyagrodha (Ficus benghalensis) or Khadira (Acacia catechu) or Karanja (Pongamia pinnata) or Kakubha (Terminalia arjuna) can be used. The tip of the twig should be chewed a little to make it as brush. The twig should be of astringent, pungent and bitter in taste.

4. Anjana
Collyrium

सौवीरमन्जनं नित्यं हितमक्ष्णोस्ततो भजेत् ॥

Applying Sauveera Anjanam (collyrium) daily helps to cleanse the eye and improves the vision.

5. Navana
Nasal Instillation

ततो नावन गण्डूष धूम ताम्बूल भाग्भवेत् ।

After collyrium application, healthy person should do nasal instillation of drops (Navana). For this purpose, milk or herbal decoctions or herbal oils are usually used.

6. Gandusha
Gargling

After that, gargling (Gandusha) should be done using warm water or milk or herbal decoction or herbal oil.

7. Dhooma
Fumigation

Then inhalation of smoke (Dhooma) from herbs and spices should be done.

8. Tamboola
Betel Chewing

After that, betel leaves (Tamboola) should be chewed which promotes oral health, improves digestion, eases constipation and alleviates throat problems.

9. Abhyanga
Oil Massage

अभ्यङ्गं आचरेत् नित्यं, स जरा श्रमवातहा ।
दृष्टि प्रसाद पुष्टि आयुः सुस्वप्न सुत्वक् दार्ठ्यकृत् ॥
शिरः श्रवण पादेषु तं विशेषेण शीलयेत् ।

Massaging (Abhyanga) the whole body using herbal oil helps to delay ageing, relieves fatigue and alleviates Vata disorders such as pain and roughness. It also improves vision, nourishment, life span, sleep, skin texture and strength. Special attention is to be given for massaging head, ears and feet.

10. Vyayama
Exercise

लाघवम् कर्म सामर्थ्यं दीप्तो अग्नि: मेदस: क्षय: ।
विभक्त घन गात्रत्वं व्यायामात् उपजायते ॥

Exercise (Vyayama) helps in bringing lightness of the body, ability to do hard work, increases digestive power and depletion of excess fat. It also helps in attaining stable and distinct body physique.

11. Snana
Bath

दीपनं वृष्यं आयुष्यं स्नानं ऊर्जा बलप्रदम् ।
कण्डू मल श्रम स्वेद तन्द्रा तृट् दाह पाप्मजित् ॥

Bathing increases digestion, aphrodisiac power, life span, energy and strength. It also alleviates itching and fatigue, removes dirt and sweat, cures thirst, burning sensation and infections.

सुखार्थाः सर्वभूतानां मताः सर्वाः प्रवृत्तयः ।
सुखं च न विना धर्मात् तस्मात् धर्मपरो भवेत् ॥

All are in search of happiness and without righteousness there is no happiness.
Hence everyone should follow the path of righteousness.

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