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Ayurvedic Codes For Healthy Lifestyle

Acharya Charaka described Achara Rasayana in the classical text of ayurveda “Charak Samhita” in Rasayana Adhyaya of Chikitsa Sthana.

Ayurveda has three main goals: preserving the health of a healthy person, preventing diseases and promoting longevity by improving the quality of life in mind, body and spirit.
In Ayurveda, Acharya Charak has mentioned 30 Codes of Conduct by the name of Achara Rasayana in the classical text of ayurveda “Charak Samhita” in Rasayana Chapter 4th Part of Chikitsa Sthana.
The word Achara Rasayana comprises of two words - Achara & Rasayana, where Achara means “Positive Behaviour” and the word Rasyana means “Rejuvenation”. So, Achara Rasayan refers to positive behavioural therapy for rejuvenation. It is evident that practices aimed at nourishing or enhancing the strength of the dhatus are classified as Rasayana.
Achara Rasayana is a special concept in Ayurveda that focuses on good moral behaviour. It includes being truthful, practising nonviolence, keeping personal and public spaces clean, maintaining mental and personal hygiene, being devoted, showing compassion and following a yogic lifestyle. These behaviours contribute to rejuvenating the body and mind. Someone who adopts such conduct gains the benefits of rejuvenating therapy without needing to consume any physical rejuvenating remedy or recipe. This concept suggests that changing our behaviours can reverse the disease process and maintain balance in our lives.
The exploration and examination of Achara Rasayana reveal its paramount role in promoting longevity, emphasising a set of ethical principles and behaviours. According to Ayurveda, adherence to these good conducts obviates the necessity for other rejuvenating drugs, as the optimal benefits of rejuvenation are not realized without concurrent observance of ethical conduct.
How Positive Codes of Conduct help us
1. Be Truthful
Being truthful is vital for one's moral character. Ayurveda recognizes the integral connection between the mind and body. Telling lies creates stress, which can lead to disease in the body. Living in truth helps the body find harmony and balance aiding in healing underlying imbalances.
2.    Avoid Anger
Anger disrupts the metabolic system at the cellular level. It increases blood pressure and heart rate, leading to physiological imbalances that make the body susceptible to disease. Avoid anger to maintain peace and tranquillity, necessary for mental health and healing.
3.    Avoid Alcohol
Ayurveda views alcohol as a toxin, and Charaka Samhita emphasises strict rules for its consumption. Alcohol possesses qualities opposite to Ojas, affecting our Sattva. Even in small amounts, alcohol depresses the central nervous system with increased risks of alcohol-related diseases such as cardiovascular issues, liver disease and cancer.
4.    Celibacy & Mindful Sex
Celibacy here doesn't mean a lifelong vow of abstinence. It suggests being sexually active with one partner instead of multiple partners. In Ayurveda, it is recommended to engage in sex once or twice a week, depending on the constitution of both partners. To preserve Ojas, it is best to engage in sexual activity when both partners are well-nourished and in good health.
5.    Non-Violence
Non-violence involves physical, verbal and mental aspects. Physical non-violence means avoiding harm to oneself and others. Pleasant speech and non-violent communication constitute verbal non-violence, while mental non-violence involves cultivating thoughts and feelings without harm. Maintaining a non-violent body and mind is essential for the body's natural healing processes.
6.    Avoid Overexertion
Overexertion is discouraged in Ayurveda as it aggravates Vata, the air quality in our body. The recommended exercise level is up to fifty percent of maximum capacity to prevent harm. Physical exercise is crucial for preventive health care, rejuvenation and longevity.
7.    Calmness and Peace
Peace of mind is an inner condition, independent of external circumstances. When the mind is at peace, one remains composed and clear-headed in all situations. Inner peace is considered healthy, opposite to stress or anxiety. A tranquil mind contributes to precise decision-making, benefiting oneself and others.
8.    Speaking Pleasant
The "do no harm" principle also applies to words. Avoid physical, emotional, or verbal abuse to maintain harmony with oneself and others. Words have consequences so speaking pleasantly reflects the true character and can offer healing and comfort.
9.    God Connection
Maintaining a connection with the creator develops a focused mind,  centeredness and grounding. Recognizing the beauty generated by almighty in all things enriches life, bridging the separation gap created by self-centeredness. Meditation and yoga can foster this connection.
10.    Personal Hygiene
Personal hygiene and cleanliness indicate good health. Both internal and external body impurities can disrupt healthy metabolism. Staying clean and pure can prevent external sources of germs, promoting overall health and happiness.
11.    Patience
Victory of the mind leads to victory in life. Being courageous for a good purpose involves giving up habits that no longer serve well-being and adopting those that contribute to overall health.
12.    Living Virtuously
Human civilisation has experienced religious conflicts, but just like a garden with many flowers living in harmony, there is no one ideal religion or belief system for all. In our diverse society, every religious view has its essence and pitfalls. The best approach is to understand our own beliefs and live virtuously. Imposing our beliefs on others can be harmful.
13.    Respect All
Knowledge and wisdom come from parents, teachers, elders and gurus. No one is born enlightened. There is always a process of training or teaching in our evolutionary journey. Respecting peers and elders is a fundamental aspect of a healthy society.
14.    Generosity
The act of giving is reciprocal; the more you give, the more you receive. The world would certainly be a better place if people show generosity to others. 
15. Sharing
Brings up the sense of care for others and in turn, it nurtures self-care. Sharing fosters harmony within families, friends, neighbourhoods and workplaces.
16.    Charity
Accumulating things we don't really need or excessive consumption creates physical clutter in our living space and reflects the lack of clarity in our minds. We should keep only what we truly need, just like we engage in activities that uplift our spirits. The blessings and grace from giving are priceless. Opening our hearts to selfless service is the essence of selfless living.
17.    Empathy
Cruelty breeds hatred and disturbs our hearts and minds. If we strive to live in harmony with nature and embody unconditional love, there is no reason to be cruel to anyone, be it animals, birds or fellow humans. Choosing joy through kindness and generosity creates positive ripples, embodying the principle of "what goes around comes around."
18.    Moderate Intake of Milk & Ghee
Include milk and ghee in the diet but in moderation. Warm milk is easily digestible. It nourishes deep tissues and promotes body toning. Combining a pinch of nutmeg with milk is suggested for insomnia. Ghee or clarified butter lubricates tissues.
19.    Sympathy
The poor, sick and vulnerable always need a helping hand in society. Self-centred individuals often have fewer friends and struggle to build good relationships with neighbours. Human beings have the capacity to rise to the occasion and assist those in need. Sympathy is crucial in our personal growth and evolutionary process.
20.    Proper Sleeping
Maintaining a balance between waking and sleeping is essential. Avoid staying up excessively late at night and refrain from sleeping during the daytime. According to modern science, different organs in our body are active at specific times. Being awake at odd hours disrupts the effectiveness of these processes.
21.    Adapt to Environment
Understanding the climate and adapting to weather conditions is crucial for body's well-being. Living in harmony with nature and the seasons improves physical, mental and spiritual health.
22.    Define Goals
Planning is key to success. Without a clear path, reaching to the goals becomes challenging. Practices like meditation and yoga aid in gaining clarity to the  plans for the future. Without a well-thought-out plan of action, life can feel overwhelming.
23.    Avoid  Ego
Reducing ego is crucial in today's world. Acting from the heart instead of ego-driven motives aligns the body, mind, and soul. This alignment leads to the manifestation of the best deeds and actions from one's soul.
24.    Good Behaviour
Sages have established that good behaviour results from the disciplines that helps in navigating life's ups and downs. Following their guidance can be a compass for maintaining positive behaviour in society.
25.    Honor & Serve Elders
Elders have given us numerous blessings, granting us life, raising us and are sharing their knowledge and wisdom to help us navigate life gracefully. They merit not just our respect and reverence but also our service. Serving them is akin to serving your own soul.
26.    Respect Saints
Individuals in roles like priests, sages and saints have embraced lives of moral excellence. Valuable lessons can be gleaned from their virtuous paths. One way to assimilate their goodness is by offering service to them and showing respect for their paths of excellence.
27.    Mindfulness
Regardless of how small an action may be, when performed with genuine awareness, it leads to optimal outcomes. A mindful mind is a pure and sattvic mind. Sattva represents the inclination to evolve, progress and move forward in a positive manner.
28.    Regulate Mind
Our desires for health, wealth and power often lead us in various directions, driven by our senses. While some desires are healthy, we often find ourselves indulging excessively, resorting to unethical means of earning and causing harm to others to fulfil our desires. Those who have conquered their senses have achieved mastery over their own existence.
29.    Be Religious
Regardless of your belief, devotion and faith are crucial. Engaging in religious activities gives us a meditative mind, bringing clarity and precision. A focused mind can overcome any hurdle in our lives.
30.    Keep on Learning
Understanding both traditional and modern sciences is vital for maintaining good health and treating diseases. Combining all practices and new research can lead to a healthier society.
In the fast-paced and stressful modern lifestyle, the prevalence of stress is escalating. While conventional medicines offer short-term solutions, they have unwanted side effects and limitations. Ayurveda when incorporated into daily routine, provides both preventive and curative benefits. The principles of positive behaviour for rejuvenation hold even more significance in today's highly mobile society than when initially introduced by ancient Acharyas.
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