Difference between revisions of "Prakriti"

From Charak Samhita
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
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>
 +
 +
==Etymology and derivation==
 +
 +
“Pra” prefix means “principal” and “Kriti” means “creation”. Thus the word convey the meaning “one that is principal factor for creation”. Some other derivations include: (b) “Pra” means “sattvik”, “Kru” means “rajasic” and “ta” means “tamasic” and the word “Prakriti” thus conveys the power of the three gunas. (c) “Pra” means “before” and “Kriti” means creation and so Prakriti means that which existed before creation.<ref>Available from https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/prakriti</ref>
 +
 +
==Contextual meanings==
 +
 +
The Prakriti is applied at various places with following different meanings:<ref>Available from https://www.sanskritdictionary.com/?edd=1&q=prak%E1%B9%9Bti&iencoding=iast&lang=sans&x=65&y=14</ref>
 +
*Cause
 +
*Origin or source
 +
*Nature, character, constitution, temper, disposition
 +
*Fundamental form, pattern, standard, model, rule (especially in ritual)
 +
 +
 +
== References in Charak Samhita ==
 +
 +
 +
 
Prakriti means basic constitution. The term is also used to indicate normalcy or natural state.  
 
Prakriti means basic constitution. The term is also used to indicate normalcy or natural state.  
 
It is of two types:
 
It is of two types:

Revision as of 06:20, 26 December 2019

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."[1]

Etymology and derivation

“Pra” prefix means “principal” and “Kriti” means “creation”. Thus the word convey the meaning “one that is principal factor for creation”. Some other derivations include: (b) “Pra” means “sattvik”, “Kru” means “rajasic” and “ta” means “tamasic” and the word “Prakriti” thus conveys the power of the three gunas. (c) “Pra” means “before” and “Kriti” means creation and so Prakriti means that which existed before creation.[2]

Contextual meanings

The Prakriti is applied at various places with following different meanings:[3]

  • Cause
  • Origin or source
  • Nature, character, constitution, temper, disposition
  • Fundamental form, pattern, standard, model, rule (especially in ritual)


References in Charak Samhita

Prakriti means basic constitution. The term is also used to indicate normalcy or natural state. It is of two types:

  1. Deha prakriti meaning body trait or constitution
  2. Manas prakriti meaning psychological constitution or trait

More information

  1. Naveganadharaniya Adhyaya
  2. Rogabhishagjitiya Vimana
This article needs your contribution. Kindly connect carakasamhita@gmail.com.
  1. Monier-Williams (1899), Monier William's Sanskrit-English Dictionary, 2nd Ed., Oxford University Press, Prakriti, page 654 available on Prakriti
  2. Available from https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/prakriti
  3. Available from https://www.sanskritdictionary.com/?edd=1&q=prak%E1%B9%9Bti&iencoding=iast&lang=sans&x=65&y=14