Prakriti

Prakriti (Sanskrit प्रकृति, prakṛti — "primordial nature", "first matter") is the innate constitution of a person in Ayurvedic medicine (#19).

Fixity. It is determined by the ratio of the three doshas (त्रिदोष) at the moment of conception and remains unchanged throughout life. It is the "genetic passport" of Ayurveda.

The Three Doshas and Their Qualities

Ayurveda describes three fundamental bio-energies whose combinations give rise to the entire variety of bodies and characters:

• Vata (वात, vāta) — air + ether. Movement, creativity, changeability.
• Pitta (पित्त, pitta) — fire + water. Transformation, intellect, drive.
• Kapha (कफ, kapha) — water + earth. Stability, endurance, devotion.

Seven Types of Prakriti

There are 7 main types of Prakriti:

• Three "pure" types (ekadosha) — one dominant dosha
• Three "dual" types (dvidosha) — two dominant doshas
• One "triple" type (samadosha) — balance of all three; rare

Practical Significance

The first step of diagnosis. Determining Prakriti is the first step of Ayurvedic diagnosis (#19): all recommendations for nutrition, lifestyle and treatment are adapted to the individual constitution.

Prakriti vs Vikriti. Deviation from Prakriti is called Vikriti (विकृति) — the current imbalanced state. Prakriti is what you are from birth, Vikriti is what you have become now. The aim of Ayurvedic therapy is to bring Vikriti back to Prakriti.