Today in many ways people have greater opportunities of better life than ever before. Still it is clear that they need to evolve some new strategies or to follow the golden old rules, which are proved for milleniums, in each and every field of life. The dietetic field is one such most important field of life. The health is the supreme foundation for the achievements of life. Therefore Ayurveda aims to maintain the condition of health i.e., Swasthya Raksana. Health as well as diseases are dependent on various factors. Among these, Ahara is the most important one. Ahara is not only needed for the continuity of life, but for Bala, Varna, Upacaya etc. also.

Diet is considered as the basic most cause of life. Not only diet but also method of diet intake has important role in the continuity of healthy life. In The rules of diet intake are mentioned by Acarya Caraka in the first chapter of Vimana Sthana - 'Rasa Vimana'. the eight factors of diet responsible for health and diseases are described as "Ahara Vidhi Visesa Ayatanani".

Ahara Vidhi - A system, method, manner, way, arrangement, rule, law, command, conduct, condition or statement for diet intake. Visesa - Speciality, special property, distinguished effect (of Ahara Vidhi). Ayatana - Cause, support, Hetu, etc. Thus, Ahara Vidhi Visesa Ayatana means, the causative factors responsible for the wholesome and unwholesome effect of the methods for diet intake. These factors explore each and every aspect of Ahara. Among these, the seventh factor is Upayogasamstha.

These are the dietetic rules, i.e., Ahara - Vidhi - Vidhana. Thus, it can be said that, these rules are specified for 'How to eat?" This is Swasthya aspect. Secondly, there are many diseases, in which Ahara Vidhi Vidhana is mentioned as Hetu. So the advice of Pathyasevana and Nidana Parivarjana, in the form of Ahara Vidhi Vidhana, can also help for Vikarasamana.

The term Ahara Vidhi Vidhana is used first by Caraka in Vimanasthana 1st chapter. Though many other classics have elaborately mentioned the same rules, they have explained them under different headings like Bhojana Vidhi, Annavidhi etc

1. "USNAM ASNIYAT"
2. "SNIGDHAM ASNIYAT"
3. "MATRAVAT ASNIYAT"
4. "JIRNE ASNIYAT"
5. "VIRYA AVIRUDDHAM ASNIYAT"
6. "ISTE DESE, ISTA SARVA UPAKARANAM ASNIYAT"
7. "NA ATIDRUTAM ASNIYAT"
8. "NA ATIVILAMBITAM"
9. "AJALPAN”
10. “AHASAN”
11. “TANMANA BHUNJITA"

These are the dietetic rules, i.e., Ahara - Vidhi - Vidhana. Thus, it can be said that, these rules are specified for 'How to eat?" This is Swasthya aspect. Secondly, there are many diseases, in which Ahara Vidhi Vidhana is mentioned as Hetu. So the advice of Pathyasevana and Nidana Parivarjana, in the form of Ahara Vidhi Vidhana, can also help for Vikarasamana.

Ahara Vidhi Vidhana is a kind of Karma or method that is equally important as food. Hence it can be considered as Asamavayi Karana. Ahara is not only meant for maintenance of health but it is also very important part of curative aspect. So, Ahara Dravyas can be considered as Dravyabhuta Ausadhi and dietetic rules are Adravyabhuta Ausadhi.

All the terms of Ahara Vidhi Vidhana are relative factors that can change from person to person. The quantity of food is different for everyone. The statement 'Snigdha' can differ according to the Prakrti, seasons and Desa of the person. A person with Mandagni should avoid excess of Snigdha, while Tiksnagni person should not eat the food in less quantity.

All the rules of diet intake are dependent on each other and they should be considered collectively. By application of only one of these rules one can not achieve the expected results.

References:

1. Caraka Samhita Vi. 1, 2. Su. 26, 27 Chi. 15
2. Susruta Samhita Su. 46.
3. Astanga Samgraha Su. 10.
4. Astanga Hrdaya Su. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.
5. Kasyapa Samhita Khi. 16
6. Madhava Nidana 51.