Prakrti in Ayurveda (प्रकृतिः)

Prakrti refers to the the latent source and progenitor of all the material thing in this world. In the context of Shariram, Prakrti means the basic body type in Ayurveda. Tise term is also used in the sense of personality. Prakrti is said to be the unique body constitution of each individual which is formed on the basis of specific dosha levels in the body right at the time of conception. Thus, it is also called as Deha-prakrti or Dosha-prakrti and it remains unchanged throughout the life for that individual. Sushruta has also used the term Kaya Prakrti and Maha Prakrti in the same sense.

Introduction

Ayurveda has mentioned numerous attributes of doshas and how they affect individual's physiology based on the dominance of one or more doshas. This dominance of a dosha or a specific combination of doshas is responsible for one's structural and functional peculiarities, state of health and well-being and also for one's response to external stimuli. Although one of the 3 doshas might be dominant and displays major role in body functions, this is not considered as an abnormality. This state of doshas at the very beginning of life is believed to be the natural constitution for that particular individual and thus called as Prakrti or original body-mind type of that individual. The prakrti of a person is quite capable of providing a fair indication of physiological strengths and weaknesses, mental tendencies, and susceptibility to illnesses of various types. Therefore, understanding Prakrti is crucial while making healthcare choices for any person and his treating Vaidya.

Etymology

As per the etymology of the word Prakrti,

प्रक्रियते कार्यादिकमनयेति प्र+कृ+क्लिन् ।

Prakrti is that entity which intensifies. In this context, intensification of expression of original status of doshas at the time of origin or conception should be considered. Such an in depth and meticulous thinking behind the personality, health and well-being or even diseased state of an individual could be found only in Ayurveda! The nirukti of Prakrti can be found in commentaries of Ayurveda treatises. According to Chakrapani, Prakrti is nature.

प्रकृतिस्तु स्वभावः।

While, commentator Arundatta has opined that Prakrti is 'body type'.

प्रकृतिः शरीरस्वरुपम्।

In a nutshell, Prakrti refers to the specific body type/ nature/ constitution of the individual.

Definition

The term Prakrti is defined by Acharya Charaka and Acharya Sushruta on the basis of its relation with doshas and tie of its formation.

Acharya Charaka states that, the Prakrti is the expression of the result of close connection of body with doshas; while acharya Sushruta stated that, Prakrti is formed by the most profound dosha at the time of union of Shukra (sperm) and Shonita (Ova).

शुक्रशोणितसंयोगे यो भवेद्दोष उत्कटः | प्रकृतिर्जायते तेन.. (Sush. Samh. 4.63)

One more definition of Prakrti in literature provides basic insights about it.

प्रकृतिः नाम जन्ममरणान्तरकालभाविनी, गर्भावक्रान्तिसमये स्वकारणोद्रेकजनिता निर्विकारिणी दोषस्थितीः (Rasa. Samh. 1.6)

From these statements it is concluded that, Prakrti is the expression of the individual with reference to one's own specific body structure, function, behavior and relation to ecology.

Classification of human personality as met in Ayurveda

In Astanga Hrdya, the divisions of classification based on above mentioned two biases are called Dosamayi and Gunamayi Prakrti (A.H.II. 3.83/104) Charaka and Sushruta describe different typologies from humoral (physiological homeostasis) and Psychological (the Predominance of three Ansas of Sattva) point of view. Sushruta gives another typology of Bhautik Prakrti (S.S.III. 4.79). The bias of Bhautik Prakrti is based on physical considerations.

Types of Dosha Prakrti

Ayurveda described 7 basic types of Prakrti. These are decided on the basis of dominance of one or 2 doshas among 3 doshas. Thus total 7 types of Prakrti are listed below,

1. Vata dominant
2. Pitta dominant
3. Kapha dominant
4. Samadhatu (all 3 doshas in equilibrium)
5. Vata-pitta dominant
6. Vata-kapha dominant
7. Pitta-kapha dominant

In some individuals one dosha while in some individuals 2 doshas are dominant at the time of genesis of Prakrti. It is believed that, among these 7 types, Samadhatu i.e. Prakrti formed by all 3 doshas in equilibrium is the best one, however it is almost impossible to find such a constitution due to various factors beyond control of an individual. Vata predominant prakrti is called as Hina, Pitta prakrti is called as Madhyama while Kapha prakrti is believed to be Uttama. Rest of the prakrtis having 2 doshas dominant are considered contemptible owing the vulnerability of these individuals for falling sick.

Characteristics of 3 basic Prakrtis

Ancient Ayurveda scholars have stressed upon understanding constitutional, temperamental, psychological and emotional aspects of personality while discussing Prakrti. The dominant one or two doshas manifest their properties in the form of specific constitutional features, psychological aspects, behavior, emotions and all the body functions. Thus, all 7 types of prakrtis are different presenting specific charecteristics based on their dosha dominance. Some characteristics of Vat, pitta and kapha dominant prakrti are described below. For rest of the types where 2 doshas are dominant attributes of both of them are presented in that individual.

Kapha dominant Prakrti

Owing to the core properties of Kapha dosha which is dominant in this kind of Prakrti, one can find that, the person with Kapha prakrti has natural smoothness in body structures and functions. These individuals usually have compact and stable body. They are dull/ slow in activities, diet and speech. Their experience little hunger, thirst, heat and perspiration as compared to the other people around them. They usually possess well united and strong joint ligaments and stable steady gait. Clarity is the best quality of non-vitiated kapha dosha which imparts clarity to the eyes, complexion and voice as well. They are believed to have abundant strength of reproduction, libido and more progeny in turn. Because of presence of these qualities the kapha dominated personality i.e. shleshmala persons are strong, wealthy, learned, brave, calm and long lived.

Pitta dominant Prakrti

Pitta is hot and sharp by nature and affects body, mind and senses with these properties. As a result, individuals with Pitta dominant prakrti are intolerant to heat, excessive hunger and thirst. Due to the fast paced digestion and metabolism, they posses delicate body and features. They show excess perspiration, defecation, urination. The hot, sharp and liquid nature of dominant pitta in their bodies causes early signs of ageing like appearance of wrinkles, graying of hairs, plenty of moles, freckles etc. By nature, these individuals possess sharp intellect, sharply acting and valor, anger and lack of endurance. They consume plenty of food as well as water and are usually unable to suppress them since that causes quick imbalance and suffering in different ways. They are usually believed to have less semen, libido and few progeny; because of presence of these qualities persons having predominance of pitta are moderate in strength, lifespan, knowledge, understanding, wealth and means.

Vata dominant Prakrti

Vata dominant prakrti is considered to be the worst among vata, pitta and kapha dominant prakrtis. This naturally indicates that body, mind and behavior of individuals having this prakrti will show features and signs that are not very supreme in the context of surviving smoothly in this Ayu. Individuals with vata dominant prakrti usually have short or very tall but underdeveloped or abnormal and rough features. They are mostly intolerant to cold and continuously inflicted with cold, shivering and stiffness. Rough nature of vata imparts roughness to their body, voice, hair, skin, nails. Cracks in body parts are common in such people. They show fast paced movements but with unstable joints and gait. Sound in joints while making movements can be observed in them. One can find such individual making constant abnormal movements of extremities, eyes, lips and any other body part. They show hasty initiation, quick irritation and disorder. Vata dominant prakrti makes one quick in fear attachment and disenchantment, quick in acquisition but with a poor memory (retention). Because of presence of these qualities the persons having predominance of vata have mostly low degree of strength, life-span, progeny, means and wealth.

Types of Guna Prakrti

Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are considered as the 3 gunas of Manas (Mind). Each of them is responsible for display of specific characteristics. On the basis of their dominance Guna Prakrti is classified primarily into 3 heads as below.

1. Sattvik
2. Rajas
3. Tamas

Since this type of Prakrti is related to one's psychological status, emotions and instincts, it can be called as mind-type of an individual. Acharya Sushruta has further classified these 3 types into more subtypes as follows,

Sub-types of Sattvik Prakrti

1. Brhma
2. Mahendra
3. Varuna
4. Koubera
5. Gandharva
6. Yamya
7. Rshi

Sub-types of Rajas Prakrti

1. Asura
2. Sarpa
3. Shakuna
4. Rakshasa
5. Paishach
6. Preta

Sub-types of Tamas Prakrti

1. Pashava
2. Matsya
3. Vanaspatya

Significance of knowing one's Prakrti

Since prakriti is related to certain physical and mental tendencies that determine susceptibility to diseases, the ancient texts of Ayurveda also provide guidelines for maintaining lifestyles in accordance with one's prakriti for continued healthy living in a personalized manner.