The Sanskrit word ‘Prakriti’ denotes "nature". It’s the "natural tendency" of a person's constitution. Ayurveda system defined ‘deha prakriti’ as the somatic constitution (Code:VA-2888).[1] It makes each person unique in terms of anatomical, physiological, and psychological characteristics. It is determined not just by an individual's genetic composition received from parents. But additional elements(epigenetic factors) also play significant role. These factors are dietary and lifestyle habits of the mother during pregnancy (matuaahara-vihara), time scale(kala), health status of uterus(garbhashaya), and basic elements(mahabhutavikara).
In Ayurveda, people are classified based on the presence of three elements known as "dosha." These are biological, functional units that help to understand both normalcy (prakriti) and abnormalities (vikriti) in an individual. The three dosha are vata, the source of kinetic or movements; pitta represents the body's metabolism and transformation; and kapha as a source of potential energy represents the body's growth and maintenance.[2] These physiological principles are closely related to the phenotype of an individual. This article describes the concept and practical utility of deha prakriti (somatic constitution) in healthcare.
| Section/Chapter/topic | Concepts / Pramana |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bhojani M.K.1, TanwarAnkurkumar1 |
| Reviewer | Basisht G.2 |
| Editor | Deole Y.S.2 |
| Affiliations |
1 Department of Sharir Kriya, A.I.I.A. , New Delhi, India 2 Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar,India |
| Correspondence email | carakasamhita@gmail.com, meera.samhita@aiia.gov.in |
| Date of first publication: | December 17, 2021 |
| DOI | under process |
Importance
Prakriti is the concept of individuality. It is accepted by all ancient scholars to make it Universal theory (sarvtantrasiddhanta). In one of the assessment factors (parikshya bhava), [Cha.Sa.Vimana sthana.8/94], prakriti is crucial for the development of the body, its appearance, behavior, and resistance power, such as immunity, health, and reproductive ability. The diet (ahara), should be taken by each individual according to his prakriti. Individual's digestion (agni) and gut pattern (koshtha) are influenced by prakriti. The knowledge of prakriti is also beneficial in choosing a suitable job, the field of work, friends, and the ideal life mate. This prakriti-based individualized health maintenance system of Ayurveda encapsulates the concept of new personalized medicine.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many
Prakriti is the most important component that affects an individual's vulnerability to many diseases, as well as their prognosis, course, and consequences. Severe illness is caused by similar dosha in prakriti and samprapti (pathology). Individuals with a vata, pitta, or kapha dominance in prakriti are susceptible for vata, pitta, or kapha dominant illness, respectively. Individuals with vata prakriti have dry skin and hair, lean phenotypes, and are prone to fatigue, nervous system diseases, and insomnia, among other things. Pitta prakriti people have strong personalities and are prone to inflammatory ailments such as ulcers. Whereas kapha prakriti people have heavy bones, muscle, and fat and are more susceptible to respiratory disorders and obesity-related comorbid conditions.[3] A physician must have a strong understanding of prakriti for successful healthcare management. Prakriti assessment is a component of the ten fold examination of the patient (dashavidhapariksha). Physicians diagnose the patient's state, which serves as the foundation for treatment.
Etymological derivation
The word prakriti is made up of three words. Prakriti = Pra+ Kri+Ti.[4] The word ‘Pra’ is a prefix meaning “origin”; ‘Kri’ means to “to do” and ‘Ti’ denotes the root “klina” means “ to intensify”. Thus, prakriti is defined as the entity, which manifests at the time of origin. Prakriti is the amplified expression of dosha as seen in anatomical, physiological, or functional responses of the body's various subsystems.
Prakriti is the natural state or condition of anything, cause, and origin.
Prakriti is an expression of one’s constitution that is individual specific. It is the enumeration of both internal and exterior body features.
Synonyms
Swabhava [Chakrapani on Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/95], Pradhana, Shariraswarupa [Arunadatta on A.Hr. Sutra Sthana. 1/9-10][5], Mijaja, Lingam, Yoni, Amatya, Durgam, Guhye, Swarupa, Stri, natural disposition, temper, temperament, constitution, personality, nature, behavior, somatotype, phenotype, traits, supreme.
Definition
Prakriti is a set of characteristics that an individual develops from the embryological stage as a result of the effect of physiologically normal dosha, which then persists and appears as behavior throughout one's life [Rasa vaiseshika sutra 8]. Due to specific reasons, dosha becomes more intense during embryogenesis. This naturally amplified state of dosha is referred to as prakriti, and it lasts from birth to death.
People are born with different proportions of dosha which results in deha prakriti. This leads to a distinct psychosomatic manifestation. Each kind of prakriti has its own set of physical, physiological, behavioral, social, and mental traits. These features distinguish one person from another, causing individuality among living organisms.
Classification of Deha Prakriti
Dosha Prakriti
Vata, pitta, kapha, vata-kapha, vata-pitta, kapha-pitta, and samadoshajaprakriti (all three, i.e. vata-pitta-kapha) are the seven forms of prakriti. [Cha.Sa.Vimana sthana 8/95] Among these, three kinds have single dosha preponderance, three have two dosha predominance, and one has all three dosha balance. Vata, pitta, and kapha are the three phenotypic extremes among the seven constitution types, with varying illness susceptibilities. The doshaja prakriti is divided into the following categories.
01: Vatala (Code: VA-2889) or Vata dosha dominant prakriti: When the vata dosha is predominant in the constitution it is vatala. Vatala prakriti characteristics include a poorly developed body built, erratic appetite, irregular food, and bowel habits, quick physical activity, quick memory but low retention, dryness of skin and hair, and cold temperature intolerance. [Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana.8/98]; [Su.Sa.Sharira Sthana 4/64][6]; [A.S.Sharira Sthana 8/7][7]; [A.Hr.Sharira Sthana 3/86][5]
02. Pittala (Code: VA-2890) or Pitta dosha dominant prakriti: When the pitta dosha is predominant in the constitution it is pittala. Attributes of pitta-specific characters in the body of pittala type of constitution are high frequency and intensity of appetite and thirst, a high tendency for perspiration, prominence of pimples, freckles and moles, easy irritation, early graying and falling of hair, and a high tolerance for cold temperatures. [Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/97]; [Su.Sa.Sharira sthana 4/68][6]; [A.S.Sharira Sthana 8/11][7]; [A.Hr.Sharira sthana 3/93][5]
03. Shleshma (Code: VA-2891) or kapha dosha dominant prakriti: When the kapha dosha is predominant in the constitution it is shleshmala. The characteristic features of shleshmala constitution are low appetite and digestion, are less mobile, have a good memory, oily skin, a fair complexion, have good disease resistance, and have a calm attitude.[Cha.Sa.Vimana sthana8/96; [Su.Sa.Sharira sthana 4/72][6]; [A.S.Sharira sthana 8/12][7]; [A.Hr.Sharira sthana 3/97].[5]
04. Dwidoshaja Prakriti: When two dominant dosha combines to determine prakriti, the characteristics of both dosha are visible in the constitution.
05.Sama doshaja prakriti: Prakriti is sama when the three dosha are in proportion to each other. These individuals are healthy and continue to be so.
See more information on prakriti
- ↑ National AYUSH Morbidity and Standardized Terminologies Electronic Portal by Ministry of AYUSH Available on http://namstp.ayush.gov.in/#/Ayurveda
- ↑ Prasher B, Aggarwal S, Mandal AK, Sethi TP, Deshmukh SR, Purohit SG, Sengupta S, Khanna S, et al. Whole genome expression and biochemical correlates of extreme constitutional types defined in Ayurveda. J. Transl. Med.2008:6. 1–12.
- ↑ Valiathan M. The Legacy of Vagbhata. 1st ed ed. Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Private Limited; 2009.
- ↑ Shabdakalpadruma, Radhakantdev R, editors.Delhi: Amar Publication;2018.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Vagbhata. Ashtanga Hridayam. Edited by Harishastri Paradkar Vaidya. 1st ed. Varanasi: Krishnadas Academy;2000.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Sushruta. Sushruta Samhita. Edited by Jadavaji Trikamji Aacharya. 8th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia;2005.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Vridha Vagbhata, Ashtanga Sangraha. Edited by Shivaprasad Sharma. 3rd ed. Varanasi: Chaukhamba sanskrit series office;2012.