Here is a complete presentation of the Dinacharya Shlokas from classical Ayurvedic texts:
दिनचर्या (Dinacharya) - Key Shlokas
Dinacharya = Dina (day) + Charya (regimen/conduct). It is Chapter 2 of Ashtanga Hridayam, Sutrasthana, by Vagbhata.
1. प्रातरुत्थान (Prataruttana) - Rising in the Morning
ब्राह्मे मुहूर्ते उत्तिष्ठेत् स्वस्थो रक्षार्थमायुषः।
Transliteration:
Brahme muhurte uttisthet svastho rakshaartham ayushah
Meaning: "A healthy person should rise at Brahma Muhurta (approx. 3-6 AM, before sunrise) to protect and preserve his lifespan."
(Ashtanga Hridayam, Sutrasthana 2.1)
2. मलविसर्जन (Malavisarjana) - Elimination
उत्थायाभ्यञ्जनं स्नानं भोजनं विधिवत् चरेत्।
मलमूत्रपुरीषाणां वेगान् धारयेन्न तु॥
Meaning: "After rising, one should attend to elimination of urine and feces. One should never suppress the natural urges (Vegas) of the body."
3. दन्तधावन (Dantadhavana) - Cleaning the Teeth
कषायतिक्तकटुकैः कल्कैः कनिष्ठाङ्गुलमात्रकैः।
द्वादशाङ्गुलमात्राणां मृदुग्राहि दन्तकाष्ठम्॥
Transliteration:
Kashaaya-tikta-katukaihi kalkaihi kanishtha-angula-matrakaihi|
Dwadasha-angula-matranam mrudu-grahi danta-kashtam||
Meaning: "The tooth-cleaning stick (danta-kashtha) should be 12 angulas (fingers) long, soft at the tip, and made from wood with astringent, bitter, or pungent taste (like neem, khadira, or karanja)."
(Ashtanga Hridayam, Su. 2.2)
4. जिह्वानिर्लेखन (Jihvanirlekhan) - Tongue Scraping
जिह्वायाः मलमपाकर्षेत् जिह्वालेखेन सुवर्णादिना।
Meaning: "The coating on the tongue should be scraped off with a tongue scraper made of gold, silver, or wood. This removes bad odour, improves taste perception, and clears the tongue of ama (toxins)."
(Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 5.74-75)
5. अञ्जन (Anjana) - Application of Collyrium
हिताय चक्षुषः नित्यं अञ्जनं हितमुच्यते।
सौवीराञ्जनं नित्यं रसाञ्जनं त्रिरत्रिकम्॥
Meaning: "Collyrium (Anjana) is beneficial to the eyes daily. Sauviranjana (antimony) should be applied every day and Rasanjana (berberine-based) should be applied every third night."
(Ashtanga Hridayam, Su. 2.8-10)
6. नस्य (Nasya) - Nasal Drops
नस्यं प्रतिदिनं कुर्यात् इन्द्रियाणां बलाय च।
अणुतैलेन नस्यं तु श्रेष्ठं प्रतिदिनं मतम्॥
Meaning: "Nasya (nasal instillation) should be done daily. Application of Anu Taila (medicated oil) into the nostrils every morning strengthens the sense organs, eyes, ears, and throat."
7. गण्डूष / कवल (Gandoosha / Kavala) - Oil Pulling / Gargling
गण्डूषं धारयेत् तैलं मुखे क्षणं तु वक्त्रशुद्धये।
मुखस्य बलं दन्तानां बृंहणार्थं सदा हितम्॥
Meaning: "Holding sesame oil or warm water in the mouth (Gandoosha) or swishing it (Kavala) purifies the mouth, strengthens the teeth and gums, and improves the voice."
8. अभ्यङ्ग (Abhyanga) - Oil Massage
अभ्यङ्गमाचरेत् नित्यं स जराश्रमवातहा।
दृष्टिप्रसादः पुष्टिश्च आयुष्यं च सुखप्रदम्॥
Transliteration:
Abhyangam acharet nityam sa jara-shrama-vata-ha|
Drushti-prasadah pushtishcha ayushyam cha sukha-pradam||
Meaning: "One should practice oil massage (Abhyanga) daily. It prevents ageing (Jara), removes fatigue (Shrama), and pacifies Vata. It promotes good vision, nourishment of the body, longevity, and happiness."
(Ashtanga Hridayam, Su. 2.8)
9. व्यायाम (Vyayama) - Exercise
लाघवं कर्मसामर्थ्यं दीप्तोऽग्निः मेदसः क्षयः।
विभक्तघनगात्रत्वं व्यायामाद् उपजायते॥
Transliteration:
Laghavam karma-samarthyam deepto-agnih medasah kshayah|
Vibhakta-ghana-gatratsvam vyayamat upajayate||
Meaning: "From exercise (Vyayama) one gains lightness of the body, capacity for work, a kindled digestive fire (Agni), reduction of fat (Medas), and a well-defined, firm body."
(Ashtanga Hridayam, Su. 2.11)
10. स्नान (Snana) - Bathing
स्नानं वर्ण्यं बलकरं आयुष्यं मलापहम्।
रतिदायकं वीर्यकरं ओजस्यं श्रमनाशनम्॥
Transliteration:
Snanam varnyam bala-karam ayushyam mala-apaham|
Rati-dayakam veerya-karam ojasyam shrama-nashanam||
Meaning: "Bathing improves complexion (Varna), strengthens the body, promotes longevity, removes impurities, increases enthusiasm, enhances virility, builds Ojas (vital essence), and destroys fatigue."
11. भोजन (Bhojana) - Eating Rules
हितं मितं च भुञ्जीयात् पक्वे पक्वे च पूर्वके।
नात्युष्णं नातिशीतं च लघु शुचि मनोरमम्॥
Meaning: "One should eat food that is wholesome (Hita), in moderate quantity (Mita), only after the previous meal is fully digested, neither too hot nor too cold, light, clean, and pleasing."
12. सदाचार (Sadachara) - Ethical Conduct (Closing Shloka)
काले ब्रूयात् हितं ब्रूयात् मितं ब्रूयात् च सत्यवत्।
पूर्वाभिभाषी सुमुखः सुशीलः करुणामृदुः॥
Meaning:
- Kale bruya - Speak at the right time
- Hitam bruya - Speak what is good for others
- Mitam bruya - Speak briefly and only what is necessary
- Satyavat bruya - Speak the truth
- Purva-abhibhashi - Be the first to greet others
- Sumukhaha - Maintain a smiling face
- Susheelaha - Have good character
- Karuna, Mrudu - Be compassionate and gentle
Complete Dinacharya Sequence at a Glance
| Step | Practice | Time |
|---|
| 1 | प्रातरुत्थान Brahma Muhurta wake-up | 3-6 AM |
| 2 | मलविसर्जन Elimination | Morning |
| 3 | दन्तधावन Teeth cleaning | Morning |
| 4 | जिह्वा निर्लेखन Tongue scraping | Morning |
| 5 | नस्य Nasal drops (Anu Taila) | Morning |
| 6 | गण्डूष / कवल Oil pulling | Morning |
| 7 | अञ्जन Collyrium to eyes | Morning |
| 8 | अभ्यङ्ग Oil self-massage | Before bath |
| 9 | व्यायाम Exercise | Morning |
| 10 | स्नान Bathing | After exercise |
| 11 | भोजन Eating with rules | As per hunger |
| 12 | सदाचार Ethical/social conduct | Throughout day |
Primary Source: Ashtanga Hridayam, Sutrasthana, Chapter 2 (Vagbhata) - Dinacharya Adhyaya
Supporting Sources: Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthana Ch. 5), Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Sangraha (Ch. 3)