Prakriti: Difference between revisions
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The term 'Prakriti' or 'Prakruti' (Sanskrit: प्रकृति) literally means "making or placing before or at first, the original or natural form or condition of anything, original or primary substance."<ref>Monier-Williams (1899), Monier William's Sanskrit-English Dictionary, 2nd Ed., Oxford University Press, Prakriti, page 654 available on [http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/mw/0600/mw__0687.html Prakriti]</ref> Phenomenon of prakriti is fundamental to understanding the human life and its surroundings, especially, the practice of Ayurveda. Ayurvedic physician must be able assess [[deha prakriti]] of the patient before he can proceed further. Balanced [[deha prakriti]] represents health and degree of imbalance determines disease. | The term 'Prakriti' or 'Prakruti' (Sanskrit: प्रकृति) literally means "making or placing before or at first, the original or natural form or condition of anything, original or primary substance."<ref>Monier-Williams (1899), Monier William's Sanskrit-English Dictionary, 2nd Ed., Oxford University Press, Prakriti, page 654 available on [http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/mw/0600/mw__0687.html Prakriti]</ref> Phenomenon of prakriti is fundamental to understanding the human life and its surroundings, especially, the practice of Ayurveda. Ayurvedic physician must be able assess [[deha prakriti]] of the patient before he can proceed further. Balanced [[deha prakriti]] represents health and degree of imbalance determines disease. | ||
{{Infobox | |||
|title = Contributors | |||
|label1 = Section/Chapter/topic | |||
|data1 = [[Sharira]] / [[Prakriti]] | |||
|label2 = Author | |||
|data2 = Deole Y.S. | |||
|label3 = Reviewed by | |||
|data3 = Basisht G. | |||
|label4 = Affiliations | |||
|data4 = [[Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre]], I.P.G.T.& R.A., Jamnagar | |||
|label5 = Correspondence email: | |||
|data5 = carakasamhita@gmail.com | |||
|label6 = Date of first publication: | |||
|data6 = January 12, 2020 | |||
}} | |||
==Etymology and derivation== | ==Etymology and derivation== | ||
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Prakriti means the source or origin or fundamental cause. The five subtle elements (viz. ''shabdatanmantra, sparshatanmantra, rupatanmantra, rasatanmatra'' and ''gandhatanmatra''), ''buddhi'' (intellect), ''avyakta'' (''prakriti'' or nature) and ''ahamkara'' (ego) are the eight sources of creation. | Prakriti means the source or origin or fundamental cause. The five subtle elements (viz. ''shabdatanmantra, sparshatanmantra, rupatanmantra, rasatanmatra'' and ''gandhatanmatra''), ''buddhi'' (intellect), ''avyakta'' (''prakriti'' or nature) and ''ahamkara'' (ego) are the eight sources of creation. | ||
The eight bhuta prakriti are known as basic source of creation. Sixteen transformed and bio-transformed elements (''vikara'') viz. five sense faculties, five motor faculties, mind and five ''mahabhutas'' are originated from bhuta prakriti. [Cha.Sharira Sthana 1/63] | The eight bhuta prakriti are known as basic source of creation. Sixteen transformed and bio-transformed elements (''vikara'') viz. five sense faculties, five motor faculties, mind and five ''mahabhutas'' are originated from bhuta prakriti. [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 1/63] | ||
=== Deha prakriti (constitution of human being based on dosha dominance)=== | === Deha prakriti (constitution of human being based on dosha dominance)=== | ||
[[File:Types of Prakriti.png|500px|'''Image 1: Types of Deha Prakriti'''|thumb]] | |||
Prakriti means basic constitution of human being depending upon dominance of dosha at the time of conception. This forms the deha prakriti meaning body constitution or trait . | Prakriti means basic constitution of human being depending upon dominance of dosha at the time of conception. This forms the deha prakriti meaning body constitution or trait . | ||
These are further categorized under four types. [Cha.Sutra Sthana 7/39-40] | These are further categorized under four types. [Cha. Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 7/39-40] | ||
These types of basic constitution are assessed upon specific characteristics shown by dominant dosha. [Cha. Sa. [[Vimana Sthana]]8/96-99] | |||
These types of basic constitution are assessed upon specific characteristics shown by dominant dosha. [Cha.Vimana Sthana 8/96-99] | |||
The constitution (prakriti) associated with fetus (garbha) is determined by following factors: | The constitution (prakriti) associated with fetus (garbha) is determined by following factors: | ||
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*the time (of conception) and status of health of uterus | *the time (of conception) and status of health of uterus | ||
*diet and lifestyle of mother (during pregnancy) and | *diet and lifestyle of mother (during pregnancy) and | ||
*interaction of mahabhutas. [Cha.Vimana Sthana 8/95] | *interaction of mahabhutas. [Cha. Sa. [[Vimana Sthana]] 8/95] | ||
The following factors also play important role in constitution of an individual. | The following factors also play important role in constitution of an individual. | ||
Jati (origin as per social structure), Kula (race), Desha (place), Kala (time and season), Vaya (age), Pratyatmaniyata (individual habits and habitat). The different variations seen in persons are based upon their caste, race, place of living, season, age and individual habits. [Cha.Indriya | Jati (origin as per social structure), Kula (race), Desha (place), Kala (time and season), Vaya (age), Pratyatmaniyata (individual habits and habitat). The different variations seen in persons are based upon their caste, race, place of living, season, age and individual habits. [Cha. Sa. [[Indriya Sthana]] 1/5] | ||
Thus the constitutional make-up is determined and influenced by above mentioned factors. | Thus the constitutional make-up is determined and influenced by above mentioned factors. | ||
=== Samya (equilibrium or normal state)=== | === Samya (equilibrium or normal state)=== | ||
The term prakriti is also used to denote normal state or equilibrium state of [[dosha]] and [[dhatu]] in the body. This balanced state determines health. [Cha. Sutra Sthana 9/4] The objective of all components of health care system is to restore status of equilibrium in body. Other references describing normal or balanced state of [[dosha]] are listed in table 1. | The term prakriti is also used to denote normal state or equilibrium state of [[dosha]] and [[dhatu]] in the body. This balanced state determines health. [Cha.Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 9/4] The objective of all components of health care system is to restore status of equilibrium in body. Other references describing normal or balanced state of [[dosha]] are listed in table 1. | ||
=== Swabhava (fundamental nature) === | === Swabhava (fundamental nature) === | ||
Prakriti is also used to denote fundamental nature of a substance or basic pattern of external environment or surroundings. Each substance in the surroundings has specific natural characteristics and functions that are performed according to it. This is termed as swabhava . | Prakriti is also used to denote fundamental nature of a substance or basic pattern of external environment or surroundings. Each substance in the surroundings has specific natural characteristics and functions that are performed according to it. This is termed as swabhava . | ||
Each sense and motor organ has its own specific constitution and action. The sense organs and motor organs are the tools to maintain equilibrium. The equilibrium of sense organs with mind leads the intellect to indulge in enhanced self-consciousness. | Each sense and motor organ has its own specific constitution and action. The sense organs and motor organs are the tools to maintain equilibrium. The equilibrium of sense organs with mind leads the intellect to indulge in enhanced self-consciousness. [Chakrapani on Cha. Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 8/15-16]. For the preservation of mental and intellectual health, it is important to maintain equilibrium in co-ordination with sense and motor organs, mind and intellect. [Chakrapani on Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 8/17] | ||
===Marana (death)=== | ===Marana (death)=== | ||
The term prakritistha is used to denote death of an individual. [Cha.Sutra Sthana 9/26] It means that the physical body merges with nature and the soul returns to its origin or source or creation. | The term prakritistha is used to denote death of an individual. [Cha.Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 9/26] It means that the physical body merges with nature and the soul returns to its origin or source or creation. | ||
== Relation between these meanings == | == Relation between these meanings == | ||
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=== Components of circle of life === | === Components of circle of life === | ||
[[File:Circle of life.png| | [[File:Circle of life.png|600px|'''Image 2:Circle of life in reference to prakriti'''|thumb]] | ||
'''Image 2: | |||
== Importance of knowledge of prakriti == | == Importance of knowledge of prakriti == | ||
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The researchers studied relation between clinical phenotype and predisposition of disease. The study was undertaken to determine the association of Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C with type 2 diabetes and prakriti. An extremely strong association between prakriti (kaphaja/kapha-pittaja) and type 2 diabetes (P < 0.00001) was detected in this study. <ref>Gupta A, Ali A, Tewari P, Agrawal NK, Patel R, Byadgi PS. Association of kaphaja and kapha-pittaja prakriti and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T allele with type 2 diabetes. AYU [serial online] 2018 [cited 2020 Jan 5];39:146-50. Available from: http://www.ayujournal.org/text.asp?2018/39/3/146/255251</ref> | The researchers studied relation between clinical phenotype and predisposition of disease. The study was undertaken to determine the association of Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C with type 2 diabetes and prakriti. An extremely strong association between prakriti (kaphaja/kapha-pittaja) and type 2 diabetes (P < 0.00001) was detected in this study. <ref>Gupta A, Ali A, Tewari P, Agrawal NK, Patel R, Byadgi PS. Association of kaphaja and kapha-pittaja prakriti and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T allele with type 2 diabetes. AYU [serial online] 2018 [cited 2020 Jan 5];39:146-50. Available from: http://www.ayujournal.org/text.asp?2018/39/3/146/255251</ref> | ||
== | == More information == | ||
# [[Naveganadharaniya Adhyaya]] | |||
# [[Rogabhishagjitiya Vimana]] | |||
== List of references in Charak Samhita == | |||
The list of references about prakriti in Charak Samhita can be seen | |||
[[File:Prakriti references.pdf|here]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||