Dr. Sreedhar RaoM.D(Ay), M.Sc(Yoga), MBA(Hospital Management)

Clinical Specialist ALL INDIA INSTITUTE OF AYURVEDA

Department of AYUSHMinistry of Health & Family Welfare

Government of Indiae-mail :sreeayush@gmail.com

Om sahanaa vavatu sahanau bhunaktuSaha veeryam karavaavahaiTejasvi naavadheetamastu maa vidvishaavahaiOm Shanti Shanti Shanti:

Meaning 

May He protect us

May He nourish us

May we work together

May our study be enlightening

May we never hate each other

Diversity

We see a great deal We see a great deal of diversity in the of diversity in the features, behaviour, features, behaviour, abilities, attitudes, abilities, attitudes, tastes, etc. among tastes, etc. among humans.humans.

Even identical twins Even identical twins are not similar in all are not similar in all respects!respects!

What is it that make an individual What is it that make an individual unique in his or her own way and unique in his or her own way and hence distinctly different from the hence distinctly different from the others?others?

It is the constitutionIt is the constitution

The way we are, the way we behave, the The way we are, the way we behave, the way our body reacts to certain things way our body reacts to certain things –– all these are to a great extent influenced all these are to a great extent influenced by our by our ‘‘constitutionconstitution’’ –– call it biological call it biological constitution, genetic constitution or constitution, genetic constitution or ‘‘PrakruthiPrakruthi’’..

In In AyurvedaAyurveda, the biological , the biological constitution or the genetic make constitution or the genetic make up of an individual, which up of an individual, which remains constant through oneremains constant through one’’s s life is called life is called PrakruthiPrakruthi..

The The PrakruthiPrakruthi of an individual of an individual manifests as the physical manifests as the physical attributes and physiological and attributes and physiological and psychological responses.psychological responses.

“Pra” refers to before, beginning, commencement or source of origin.

“Kruthi” means creation or to do.

Prakruthi, on the whole means ‘the first formed nature’ or ‘the original form of the being’.

Why should you know your Why should you know your PrakruthiPrakruthi It helps you understand your health It helps you understand your health

status and select an appropriate life style status and select an appropriate life style (daily and seasonal regimen) to suit your (daily and seasonal regimen) to suit your nature.nature.

It helps you understand your It helps you understand your attitudes/tastes, and live appropriately by attitudes/tastes, and live appropriately by adjusting with the environment.adjusting with the environment.

It helps you to take control over your It helps you to take control over your food habits. Selecting food items food habits. Selecting food items according to your according to your PrakruthiPrakruthi will keep you will keep you healthy.healthy.

Why should you know your Why should you know your PrakruthiPrakruthi

It helps you be aware about your It helps you be aware about your susceptibility to diseases and to become susceptibility to diseases and to become cautious about food and deeds.cautious about food and deeds.

By taking precautions suggested for a By taking precautions suggested for a PrakruthiPrakruthi, one can prevent diseases., one can prevent diseases.

It helps identify the nature of your It helps identify the nature of your family members or colleagues, thus family members or colleagues, thus helping you to interact appropriately helping you to interact appropriately with the family and society in harmony.with the family and society in harmony.

Formation of Formation of PrakruthiPrakruthi

The gross elements of this universe are The gross elements of this universe are known as known as Pancha mahaabhuthaaPancha mahaabhuthaa’’s.s.

ELEMENTSPROPERTYAPPEAR AS

AAKAASAAAKAASANon-Non-ResistanceResistance

SPACESPACE

VAAYUVAAYUVibrationVibrationAIRAIR

AGNIAGNIHeat / EnergyHeat / EnergyFIREFIRE

JALAJALAFluidity / Fluidity / CohesionCohesion

WATERWATER

PRITHVIPRITHVISolidity / MassSolidity / MassEARTHEARTH

Properties of Properties of Aakaasa & VaayuAakaasa & Vaayu are are represented as represented as VaataVaata in the body. in the body.

Properties of Properties of AgniAgni is referred as is referred as PittaPitta Properties of Properties of Jala and PrithviJala and Prithvi are are

represented in the body as represented in the body as KaphaKapha..

Thus the Thus the PrakruthiPrakruthi which is the which is the substratum of the Universe is in turn substratum of the Universe is in turn related to the related to the PrakruthiPrakruthi or the or the biological constitution of a person.biological constitution of a person.

How is Prakruthi formedHow is Prakruthi formed??

The state of Vaatha, Pittha and Kapha in the sperm and ovum and the mental faculties of the parents during the time of conception determine the Prakruthi or the biological constitution of the progeny.

Factors influencing the formation of PrakruthiFactors influencing the formation of Prakruthi

1. UTERINE CONDITION: 1. UTERINE CONDITION: At the Time of Conception the condition of the At the Time of Conception the condition of the

uterus influences the formation of Prakruthi. uterus influences the formation of Prakruthi. Any vitiation of Vaatha, Pittha, Kapha in the Any vitiation of Vaatha, Pittha, Kapha in the uterus at the time of conception affects the uterus at the time of conception affects the formation of Prakruthi.formation of Prakruthi.

Prakruthi is influenced by an excess or a deficiency Prakruthi is influenced by an excess or a deficiency of the properties of the doshas in the uterus.of the properties of the doshas in the uterus.

2. FOODS & DEEDS:2. FOODS & DEEDS:Factors related to food and deeds of the mother Factors related to food and deeds of the mother

will influence the formation of Prakruthi of the will influence the formation of Prakruthi of the growing foetus.growing foetus.

A particular dosha may increase or decrease A particular dosha may increase or decrease depending on what the mother eats or does. depending on what the mother eats or does. Thus Prakruthi is influenced by changes in the Thus Prakruthi is influenced by changes in the state of doshas in the uterus.state of doshas in the uterus.

3. SEASON / TIME:3. SEASON / TIME:In rainy season, vaatha dosha vitiates in the body In rainy season, vaatha dosha vitiates in the body

of the parents. Thus it indirectly affects the of the parents. Thus it indirectly affects the state of doshas in the reproductive tissues and in state of doshas in the reproductive tissues and in turn influences the formation of Prakruthi in turn influences the formation of Prakruthi in the foetus.the foetus.

4. DISEASE CONDITION: 4. DISEASE CONDITION: The formation of Prakruthi is also influenced by The formation of Prakruthi is also influenced by

the disease condition of the parents during the disease condition of the parents during conception.conception.

5. LIFESTYLE:5. LIFESTYLE:The lifestyle of parents, their food habits, The lifestyle of parents, their food habits,

behaviour, thoughts and even occupation have behaviour, thoughts and even occupation have some influence on the formation of Sukra and some influence on the formation of Sukra and Sonitha.Sonitha.

Factors influencing the formation of PrakruthiFactors influencing the formation of Prakruthi

Factors influencing the formation of PrakruthiFactors influencing the formation of Prakruthi

The state of mind of a pregnant woman The state of mind of a pregnant woman influences the Prakruthi, especially the influences the Prakruthi, especially the Manasika prakruthi or the mental type Manasika prakruthi or the mental type of the developing child.of the developing child.

6. GEOGRAPHY:6. GEOGRAPHY:In dry regions, predominance of Vaatha is In dry regions, predominance of Vaatha is

noticed. In wet regions, Kapha is seen to noticed. In wet regions, Kapha is seen to be predominant in individuals.be predominant in individuals.

Thus the geographical features of a region Thus the geographical features of a region –– water, wind, humidity etc. influence the water, wind, humidity etc. influence the Prakruthi of the parents. And this in Prakruthi of the parents. And this in turn is reflected in the offspring.turn is reflected in the offspring.

Factors influencing the formation of PrakruthiFactors influencing the formation of Prakruthi

7. RACE / COMMUNITY:7. RACE / COMMUNITY:

Genetic variations in races or communities Genetic variations in races or communities directly influence the formation of directly influence the formation of Prakruthi of the individuals. Prakruthi of the individuals.

Anthropological variations in human races Anthropological variations in human races are transmitted from generation to are transmitted from generation to generation.generation.

8. AGE:8. AGE:

The age of the parents at the time of The age of the parents at the time of conception has an impact on the conception has an impact on the formation of Prakruthi.formation of Prakruthi.

Vatala Prakruthi

Pittala Prakruthi

Sleshmala Prakruthi

Mental temperament & behaviourMental temperament & behaviour

Mental temperament & behaviourMental temperament & behaviour

How is the knowledge helpfulHow is the knowledge helpful??

Since Prakruthi encompasses the entire Since Prakruthi encompasses the entire physical, physiological and psychological physical, physiological and psychological featues of an individual, the day-to-day featues of an individual, the day-to-day life is influenced by onelife is influenced by one’’s Prakruthi.s Prakruthi.

Knowledge of the same will help to Knowledge of the same will help to choose the life style suited to onechoose the life style suited to one’’s s Prakruthi in terms of food habits, Prakruthi in terms of food habits, physical exercise, rest etc. physical exercise, rest etc.

Choosing the right lifestyle will in turn Choosing the right lifestyle will in turn counter react the ill effect of onecounter react the ill effect of one’’s s Prakruthi to a great extent.Prakruthi to a great extent.

The knowledge of oneThe knowledge of one’’s Prakruthi will s Prakruthi will help the physician in prognosis of help the physician in prognosis of diseases and selection of treatment diseases and selection of treatment procedures for best results.procedures for best results.

In a sociological context, dealing with a In a sociological context, dealing with a particular temperament of an individual particular temperament of an individual appropriately is also possible.appropriately is also possible.

For instance the knowledge of a childFor instance the knowledge of a child’’s s Prakruthi helps in better parenting.Prakruthi helps in better parenting.

How is the knowledge helpfulHow is the knowledge helpful??

Diseases and PrakruthiDiseases and Prakruthi

In Ayurveda, disease is described in In Ayurveda, disease is described in terms of imbalance in the tridoshas.terms of imbalance in the tridoshas.

Vaatha, Pittha and Kapha are said Vaatha, Pittha and Kapha are said to specifically affect certain parts of to specifically affect certain parts of the body.the body.

Based on the type of oneBased on the type of one’’s s Prakruthi, one can have a fair idea Prakruthi, one can have a fair idea as to what kinds of disorders one is as to what kinds of disorders one is more prone to. more prone to.

This is because Vaatha, Pittha and This is because Vaatha, Pittha and Kapha are said to be predominant in Kapha are said to be predominant in certain regions.certain regions.

MonthsRithuVitiation of DoshaSeasonChaitra, Vaishaka

March-AprilApril-May

VasanthaKaphaSPRING

JeshtaAshata

 May - JuneJune- July

GreeshmaSUMMER

SravanaBhadrapaada

July-AugustAugust-September

VarshaVaathaRAINY

AswiniKartika

September-October December-January

SharadPitthaAUTUMN

Margashirsha Pushya

November-DecemberDecember-January

HemanthaEarly WINTER

MaaghaFaalguna

January-FebruaryFebruary-March

ShisirLate WINTER

The effects of seasons on one's Prakruthi

Do you want to know your Do you want to know your PrakruthiPrakruthi??

It takes only 10-15 minutes

You will know your dosa prakriti for body and mind

You will get a food and behaviour advise for free for your prakriti

What am I taking home today?

Basic knowledge of the Prakrthi, a vital tool in

-helping one determine the most auspicious lifestyle factors that will ensure wellness and longevity

-choosing appropriate food, herbs, exercise, regimes, medicines, therapies, and even suitable

professions.

CONCLUSION

Knowing one’s Prakruthi holds the key to health, happiness, harmony, and ultimately self realization

Sarve bhavantu sukhinah

Sarve santu niraamayaah

Sarve bhadraani pashyantu

Maakaschit duhkha bhaag bhavet

Meaning

May all be happy! (sukhinah)

May all be free from disabilities (niraamayaah)

May all look (pashyantu) to the good of others

May none suffer from sorrow (duhkha)