Prakriti dr. m. sreedhar rao

1. Dr. Sreedhar Rao
M.D(Ay), M.Sc(Yoga), MBA(Hospital Management(
Clinical Specialist
ALL INDIA INSTITUTE OF AYURVEDA
Department of AYUSH
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Government of India
e-mail: [email protected]

2. Om sahanaa vavatu sahanau bhunaktu
Saha veeryam karavaavahai
Tejasvi naavadheetamastu maa vidvishaavahai
Om 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

4. 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!

5. 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’’..

6. 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.

7. “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’.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.
ELEMENTS PROPERTY APPEAR
AS
AAKAASAAAKAASA Non-Non-
ResistanceResistance
SPACESPACE
VAAYUVAAYU VibrationVibration AIRAIR
AGNIAGNI Heat / EnergyHeat / EnergyFIREFIRE
JALAJALA Fluidity / Fluidity /
CohesionCohesion
WATERWATER
PRITHVIPRITHVI Solidity / MassSolidity / MassEARTHEARTH

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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.

18. Vatala Prakruthi

19. Pittala Prakruthi

20. Sleshmala Prakruthi

21. Mental temperament & behaviourMental temperament & behaviour

22. Mental temperament & behaviourMental temperament & behaviour

23. 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.

24. 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??

25. 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 Kapha are said to be predominant
in certain regions.in certain regions.

26. Months RithuVitiation of DoshaSeason
Chaitra,
Vaishaka
March-April
April-May
Vasantha Kapha SPRING
Jeshta
Ashata
May - June
June- July
Greeshma SUMMER
Sravana
Bhadrapaada
July-August
August-
September
Varsha Vaatha RAINY
Aswini
Kartika
September-
October
December-
January
Sharad Pittha AUTUMN
Margashirsha
Pushya
November-
December
December-
January
Hemantha Early
WINTER
Maagha
Faalguna
January-
February
February-
March
Shisir Late WINTER
The effects of seasons on one's Prakruthi

27. 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

28. 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.

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

30. 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(