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
sreeayush@gmail.com: e-mail
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
3.
4. We see a great deal
of diversity in the
features, behaviour,
abilities, attitudes,
tastes, etc. among
humans.
Even identical twins
are not similar in all
respects!
Diversity
5. What is it that make an individual
unique in his or her own way and
hence distinctly different from the
others?
It is the constitution
The way we are, the way we behave, the
way our body reacts to certain things –
all these are to a great extent influenced
by our ‘constitution’ – call it biological
constitution, genetic constitution or
‘Prakruthi’.
6. In Ayurveda, the biological
constitution or the genetic make
up of an individual, which
remains constant through one’s
life is called Prakruthi.
The Prakruthi of an individual
manifests as the physical
attributes and physiological and
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 Prakruthi
It helps you understand your health
status and select an appropriate life style
(daily and seasonal regimen) to suit your
nature.
It helps you understand your
attitudes/tastes, and live appropriately by
adjusting with the environment.
It helps you to take control over your
food habits. Selecting food items
according to your Prakruthi will keep you
healthy.
9. Why should you know your Prakruthi
It helps you be aware about your
susceptibility to diseases and to become
cautious about food and deeds.
By taking precautions suggested for a
Prakruthi, one can prevent diseases.
It helps identify the nature of your
family members or colleagues, thus
helping you to interact appropriately
with the family and society in harmony.
10. Formation of Prakruthi
The gross elements of this universe are
known as Pancha mahaabhuthaa’s.
ELEMENTS PROPERTY APPEAR
AS
AAKAASA Non- SPACE
Resistance
VAAYU Vibration AIR
AGNI Heat / Energy FIRE
JALA Fluidity / WATER
Cohesion
PRITHVI Solidity / Mass EARTH
11. Properties of Aakaasa & Vaayu are
represented as Vaata in the body.
Properties of Agni is referred as Pitta
Properties of Jala and Prithvi are
represented in the body as Kapha.
Thus the Prakruthi which is the
substratum of the Universe is in turn
related to the Prakruthi or the
biological constitution of a person.
12. ?How 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 Prakruthi
1. UTERINE CONDITION:
At the Time of Conception the condition of the
uterus influences the formation of Prakruthi.
Any vitiation of Vaatha, Pittha, Kapha in the
uterus at the time of conception affects the
formation of Prakruthi.
Prakruthi is influenced by an excess or a deficiency
of the properties of the doshas in the uterus.
2. FOODS & DEEDS:
Factors related to food and deeds of the mother
will influence the formation of Prakruthi of the
growing foetus.
A particular dosha may increase or decrease
depending on what the mother eats or does.
Thus Prakruthi is influenced by changes in the
state of doshas in the uterus.
14. Factors influencing the formation of Prakruthi
3. SEASON / TIME:
In rainy season, vaatha dosha vitiates in the body
of the parents. Thus it indirectly affects the
state of doshas in the reproductive tissues and in
turn influences the formation of Prakruthi in
the foetus.
4. DISEASE CONDITION:
The formation of Prakruthi is also influenced by
the disease condition of the parents during
conception.
5. LIFESTYLE:
The lifestyle of parents, their food habits,
behaviour, thoughts and even occupation have
some influence on the formation of Sukra and
Sonitha.
15. Factors influencing the formation of Prakruthi
The state of mind of a pregnant woman
influences the Prakruthi, especially the
Manasika prakruthi or the mental type
of the developing child.
6. GEOGRAPHY:
In dry regions, predominance of Vaatha is
noticed. In wet regions, Kapha is seen to
be predominant in individuals.
Thus the geographical features of a region
– water, wind, humidity etc. influence the
Prakruthi of the parents. And this in
turn is reflected in the offspring.
16. Factors influencing the formation of Prakruthi
7. RACE / COMMUNITY:
Genetic variations in races or communities
directly influence the formation of
Prakruthi of the individuals.
Anthropological variations in human races
are transmitted from generation to
generation.
8. AGE:
The age of the parents at the time of
conception has an impact on the
formation of Prakruthi.
23. ?How is the knowledge helpful
Since Prakruthi encompasses the entire
physical, physiological and psychological
featues of an individual, the day-to-day
life is influenced by one’s Prakruthi.
Knowledge of the same will help to
choose the life style suited to one’s
Prakruthi in terms of food habits,
physical exercise, rest etc.
Choosing the right lifestyle will in turn
counter react the ill effect of one’s
Prakruthi to a great extent.
24. ?How is the knowledge helpful
The knowledge of one’s Prakruthi will
help the physician in prognosis of
diseases and selection of treatment
procedures for best results.
In a sociological context, dealing with a
particular temperament of an individual
appropriately is also possible.
For instance the knowledge of a child’s
Prakruthi helps in better parenting.
25. Diseases and Prakruthi
In Ayurveda, disease is described in
terms of imbalance in the tridoshas.
Vaatha, Pittha and Kapha are said
to specifically affect certain parts of
the body.
Based on the type of one’s
Prakruthi, one can have a fair idea
as to what kinds of disorders one is
more prone to.
This is because Vaatha, Pittha and
Kapha are said to be predominant
in certain regions.
26. The effects of seasons on one's Prakruthi
Months Rithu Vitiation of Dosha Season
Chaitra, March-April Vasantha Kapha SPRING
Vaishaka April-May
Jeshta May - June Greeshma SUMMER
Ashata June- July
Sravana July-August Varsha Vaatha RAINY
Bhadrapaada August-
September
Aswini September- Sharad Pittha AUTUMN
Kartika October
December-
January
Margashirsha November- Hemantha Early
Pushya December
December- WINTER
January
Maagha January- Shisir Late WINTER
Faalguna February
February-
March
27. Do you want to know your
?Prakruthi
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
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