Prakruti
“Yatha pinde tatha brahmande” is a Sanskrit verse from the Yajurveda that means “As is the human body, so is the Cosmic Body, as is the cosmic body so is the human body”. It is one of the most ancient verses in the Yajurveda.
The verse conveys the idea that everything in the universe is also within ourselves, and vice versa. It suggests that we should look within ourselves for answers, rather than looking outside. It also implies that our inner state reflects in the world around us, and that the cosmos echoes our inherent essence.
Sankhya Darshana holds that the human body is a miniature universe, and that the five fundamental elements panch mahabhootas of the cosmos (ether, air, fire, water, and earth) exist in the human body.
The word “pinda” means microcosm, while the word “Brahmanda” means macrocosm.
The verse can be applied to many aspects of life, such as:
The structure of atoms and galaxies: The structure of an atom is similar to the structure of a galaxy, and every atom is a galaxy in itself.
The qualities we see in others: The qualities we admire in others, such as compassion, service, and dynamism, are also present in ourselves.
The law of nature: Whatever we see outside of ourselves is also present inside of us.
Prakriti is a Sanskrit word that means “original nature” or “the original or natural form or condition of anything”. It has multiple meanings in Hindu texts and in the Samkhya system of Indian philosophy:
Cosmic energy
In Sankhya philosophy, Prakriti is the unmanifested cosmic energy or potential matter that is made up of three gunas. When Prakriti comes into contact with the spirit, Purusha, the gunas become unbalanced and the manifested world is produced.
Nature
In Hindu texts, Prakriti can mean “nature, body, matter, phenomenal universe”.
Material nature
In the Samkhya system, Prakriti is the material nature in its germinal state, which is eternal and beyond perception.
1)Unmanifested cosmic energy or potential matter that in Sankhya philosophy is constituted of the three gunas and that in contact with purusha produces a disequilibrium among the gunas which in turn results in the production of the manifested world.
2) the phenomenal world : matter, nature.
The concept of prakruti is unique in terms of its psychosomatic approach. Prakriti of an individual is determined by the predominance of Dosha (vata, pitta &Kaha) in ones body. There are seven types of Prakriti based on predominance of one dosha, two doshas or all the doshas in equilibrium. The predominance of dosha gives rise to a peculiar type of physical constitution and psychic temperament, which remains so throughout the life of an individual.Prakriti determines ones susceptibility to various diseases. For example, a person of Vataprakriti is more prone to diseases arising from aggravation of vatadosha viz. arthritis, cracked feet, numbness in body, paraplegia, tachycardia, insomnia, anxiety disorders etc. Pitta prakriti individual may contract diseases arising due to aggravation of Pitta Dosha viz. psoriasis, jaundice, stomatitis, hyperacidity, conjunctivitis etc. Similarly KaphaPrakriti individuals are susceptible to diseases like- anorexia, excessive sleep, indigestion, atherosclerosis, obesity, urticaria etc.
The knowledge of prakriti also enables one to design individualistic lifestyle that will prevent origin of diseases in the body. For example, a Vataprakriti personal should not take Vata aggravating dietetics. Parkriti also tells about prognosis of diseases and the most suited treatment modalities leading to enhanced level of drug efficacy.
Dosha dominanance also changes according to Geographic diiversions, type of land/soil, type of water( Soft water – lakes, rivers etc. Hard water- well water, borewell water etc., climatic conditions.
Prakriti is an inherent nature of an individual determined at the time of your birth, which can not be changed during your lifetime. Ayurveda broadly classifies human nature in two types – Mental and Physical Nature.
There are 7 types of Sharirika Prakriti:
Vata Prakriti
Pitta Prakriti
Kapha Prakriti
Vata Pitta Prakriti
Pitta Kapha Prakriti
Kapha Vata Prakriti
Tridosha
Each Prakriti has different characteristic features. The concept of Prakriti makes Ayurveda unique from other medical systems. Selection of treatment, medicine is different for each individual depending upon their Prakriti. Ayurveda also suggest about food which is conductive, foods which need to
be avoided according to Prakriti. Assessment of Prakriti analysis will not only help in understanding the physical and mental constitution of patient, but also plays a vital role in prognosis, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of many diseases
Food According to Different Prakriti:-
A) Vata Prakriti:
Beneficial Foods
The food which are beneficial to Vata Prakriti are those that are sweet and hot in properties. Since Vata Prakriti people have variable digestive capacity, it is recommended to them to follow an appropriate dietary routine. Food should be consumed in small quantities. Ginger and garlic shall be used to maintain proper digestive abilities. Cereals such as wheat, sesame.
Pulses such as black gram, green gram. Milk products such as curd, ghee, butter, cheese. Oils such as sesame oil, castor oil, cod liver oil. Vegetable such as white gourd, drumstick, onion, asparagus, radish. Fruits such as mango, coconut, grapes, dates, pineapple, almonds, figs.
Non-Beneficial Foods
Food which are not beneficial to Vata which are dry, cold and astringent in properties.
Cereals such as barely, horse gram.
Pulses such as sprouted pulses, peas, masur, chana.
Vegetables such as dry leafy vegetables, potato, bitter gourd.
Fruit such as jamun, cucumber, watermelon.
Spices such as chillies, pepper.
Honey and sugarcane juice are not beneficial.
B) Pitta Prakriti:
Beneficial Foods
Food which are cold , dry, sweet and bitter are beneficial to Pitta Prakriti. Cereals such as wheat, barley.
Pulses masur, greengram, channa.
Ghee, butter, fresh buttermilk.
Vegetables such as snake gourd, white gourd, carrot, beetroot.
Fruits such as dried grapes, apple, pomegranate, ripe bananas.
Old jaggery.
Spices such as coriander, rock salt.
Meat of deer or goat.
Non-Beneficial Foods
Food which are hot, pungent and sharp (teekshna) in properties are not beneficial to Pitta Prakriti.
Pulses such as blackgram, horsegram, sprouted pulses.
Sour curds and butter milk.
Beef, mutton, sea fish.
Vegetables such as bringal, drumstick, green leafy vegetables.
Fruits such as oranges, lime, tamrind, unripe mango.
Spices such as garlic, pepper, chillies, asafoetida.
C) Kapha Prakriti:
Beneficial Foods
Food which are light, hot, dry, pungent in properties are beneficial to Kapha Prakriti.
Cereals such barley.
Pulses such as masur, horse gram, green gram.
Oil such as mustard oil, sesame oil.
Vegetables such as bitter gourd, drumstick, snake gourd, onions.
Fruits such as pomegranates, lemon.
Spices such as dry ginger, black cumin seeds, garlic, pepper.
Meat of deer.
Old wine and substances such as honey.
Non-Beneficial Foods
Food which are sweet, cold, heavy in property are not beneficial to Kapha Prakriti.
Cereals such as fresh rice.
Pulses such as black gram.
Buffalo’s milk, curd, ghee, butter.
Oils from animal fat.
Vegetables such as sweet potato, cabbage.
Fruits such as banana, guava, grapes, coconut, jack fruit.
Mutton, egg, fresh water fish.
Sugarcane juice, jaggery.
Freshly prepared beverages.
Spices such as coriander.
Let us see the characteristic features according to the respective dosha
Vata :
Body frame of a vata person is thin, thin build up with low body weight. Skin and Skin texture is dry, rough, cracked. Hair is dry thin and prone to break easily. Dental formulation teeth are produced big, Gums are emaciated, have cavities. Eyes small, dull & dry. Nails are brittle, dry, cracked.
Tongue appears cracked. Food habits are variable, frequent eater. Thirst is variable. Bowel movements are dry, hard, constipated. According to the physical activities what the persons are very active.Intolerant to the cold weather conditions. What dominant people are very talkative and the communication is very quick and responsive. If we speak about the memory of a Vaat Pradhan personality then they are quick in grasping but poor in retention. Emotional temperament of Vaat Pradhan people, they are very moody and unpredictable and fearful. Nadi of Vat Pradhan person has sarp( snake) gati, Feeble & fast.
Features of Pitta Pradhan person :
body frame is generally medium with medium- moderate weight. Pitta pradhan people have tendency develop acne. Skin is soft & thin. Hair is soft & has tendency of early greying.Size of teeth is moderate, colour is bit yellowish & have soft gums. Eyes are shiny, clear. Colour of the tongue is pinkish-red.Nails are soft & pink. Pitta prakruti person has habit of excessive food intake. Eating late night. Thirst is excessive. Bowel habit is fine with soft & loose bowel movements. Physically moderately active. Pitta dominent people are very intolerant to heat and hot climatic conditions. Tgey are very sharp in talking. Incisive communication with analytical abilities are high in pitta prakruti. Response to communication is moderate & well understood conversation.Memory of a pitta dominent person is moderate in grasping as well as retention. Pitta person is very aggressive, impatient in emotional temperment. Pulse is distinguished as a moderate speed with manduka(frog) gati.
Kapha
Kapha Prakriti person as a broad body frame with heavy weight. Skin of a cough a person is Shiny, clear, thick,oily and cold to touch. Hair is thick and oily. Dental formulation is very strong with white Teeths. Eyes are big, watery,attractive with thick eyelashes.Nails are thick,strong and shiny. Tongue is mildly light pinkish softed coated with white saliva. They have moderate stable food habits. Has Scanty thirst. Bowel movements is fine with thick and oily stools. Kapha dominent people are bit lazy and lethargic to physical activities. As compared to the tolerance of vatta & Pitta prakruti persons to cold & hot climatic conditions….., kapha prakruti people are more tolerant to heat as well as cold. They have good communication skill but Less talkative and slow in speech. Memory is slow gasping but good retention. Emotional temperament of a kapaha Prakriti person is calm & likable personality. Pulse is slow, calm moves like a hamsa(swan) gati.