Sadvritta

Ayurveda describes health as a balance of body, mind, social and spiritual well-being. In order to achieve this, Ayurveda prescribes certain codes of conduct and this is known as Sadvritta. The root ‘Sad’ means good and ‘vritta’ means regimen. Sadvrittas are applicable to people of all age groups, at all times and at all places. Practicing the codes constantly brings inner peace and happiness, and violating them makes a person angry and agitated.[i] 

The codes of conduct can be divided as - Ethical or Vyavaharika sadvritta, Social or Samajika sadvritta, Mental or Manasika sadvritta, Moral or Dharmika sadvritta, and Physical or Sharirika sadvritta. Ayurveda covers the physical and mental codes of conduct to be followed ubder the aegis of Achar Rasayana.² 

Let us try and understand the principles of each of the sadvrittas:[ii]^{, [iii]}

1. Ethical conduct: One must always be truthful, should have control over his/her emotions, should have self-control, do no harm to anyone, behave according to time and place where you are residing, be virtuous, courageous, positive, and free from anger, jealousy and anxiety. 

2. Social conduct: This reflects behaviour and social mannerisms. One must speak a few words, listen carefully, talk in soft pleasing tone, put up a smile even in tough situations, respect parents, elders, teachers and other learned intelligent people, and learn to be tolerant. 

3. Mental conduct: This involves keeping a check on one-self, trying to understand who you are, what is the purpose of your existence, being self-aware, learning the art of detached attachment, and attaining inner peace. 

4. Moral Conduct: This means doing good social deeds, helping the poor and needy, being with a friend or relative in their difficult times, attending to social duties, donating blood or organs, and following the path of righteousness or dharma. 

5. Physical Conduct: Personal hygiene and cleanliness is part of this regimen. It includes brushing everyday both times, having a bath, wearing clean clothes, smelling good, cutting hair and nails regularly (3 times in a fortnight), avoiding sexual intercourse during periods, washing hand and mouth after eating, offering prayers to God every day, eating on time and in right quantity, and avoiding sleeping during the day, etc.

Practising sadvrittas will improve the overall health and well-being of individuals. It will also allow a person to respond flexibly to experience of life and will instil in everyone a sense of purpose.

References

1. Tiwari M. The Tenets of Mental health in Ayurveda. 2015. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. V 4 (9), 549-555. Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana. Chaukhambha Bharati Academy. Varanasi. 221001.
2. Thorat Vidhyashree J., Role of Code of Conducts of Life (Sadvritta) in Prevention of Crimes, Int. J. Ayu. Alt. Med., 2015; 3(4):194-198
3. Narayanan RV, Sadvritta: A Key For The Stress Management, Punarnav Feb-March 2015: Vol: 2 Issues: 5, 1-7