PRAKRITI (Constitutional body type)

Introduction:-

 According to Ayurveda, every individual is unique. Not only each individual has different size and shape but also physiological and even psychological characters are different. Prakriti is nothing but the nature of an  individual .We can also define it as a quantitative, qualitative  and unchangeable predominance of dosha {bio-energy) from birth to death.

Prakriti is formed at time of union of male and female gamete.

Factors which determine the Prakriti :-

a. Nature of the season

b. conditions in side the uterus

c. food of mother during pregnancy

d. other regimens adopted by mother during pregnancy.

Tridosha  are present inside the body of individual at all time but, their proportion varies from person to person . If we consider according to dosha, there are seven constitutional body types.

1. Vata
2. Pitta
3. Kapha
4.  Vata- Pitta
5. Pitta-Kapha
6. Vata- Kapha
7. Vata- pitta -Kapha
   

{First three are monotypes. Next three are dual type. last one is Samadoshas (in equal proportion).

1.Vata

–Attributes and manifestations of Vata

1. Dry, Hard –  Unctouseness,emaciation, deafness of body type,   long -drawn, dry-low-broken-Obstructed & hoarse voice, always keeping awake or disturbed sleep.
2. Light– inconsistent gait and action .Food and movement(or talk).
3. Mobile – Unstable-joints, eye, lips, tongue, head shoulder, hands & legs.
4. Abundance—Talkative , abundance  in tendons and veins.
5. Quick – quick in  initiating  action, getting irritated & the  on set of morbid manifestations, quick with fear, quick in likes and dislikes, quick in understanding and forgetting.
6. Cold–  Intolerance for cold things, often gets afflicted with cold, shivering & stiffness.
7. Rough – Roughness in the hair of head , face, and other body, nails, teeth, face, hands,  face.

Because of above mentioned  qualities.

 Individual having vata types of constitution have lesser strength, lifespan ,procreation, capacity, accessories of life & wealth.

–Features of Vata Prakriti

A man of vata prakriti is wakeful, averse to bathing & cold contact, touch, calm, dishonest, find of music , the soles and palms have fissures, has often  gristle, moustaches nails, hairs,  with less less patient, and unsteady, in his friendship, ungrateful, lean rough, ,talkative, innocent in habits ,vacillating in his temper, eyes are always moving, and mind never steady, makes few friends. The  trait of character seem to resemble those of goat, jacket, mouse, camel, dog ,vulture, crow, ass.

2.Pitta

    Pitta is hot, sharp, liquid, having fleshy smell and is sour & pungent,

–Attributes and manifestations of pitta

1.Hot– Intolerance to hot things, excessive hunger, thirst, quick advent of thirst, graying of hair and baldness, presence of brown hair on face, head and other parts of body.

2-Sharp–  physical strength, strong digestive power, intake of food, drink in large quantity. Inability to face difficult situation and glutton habits .

3.Liquids-Looseness and softness of joints, muscles, voiding of sweat urine and faeces in urine.

4.Fleshy smell– Unpleasant smell of axilla, mouth ,head and body in excess.

5.Pungent and Sour-Insufficiency of semen, sexual desire, procreation.

Pitta constitution is endowered with moderate strength, moderate span of life, moderate spiritual material, moderate  Knowledge, wealth, accessories of life

–Features of pitta prakriti

      A man pitta constitution perspires copiously emitting an unpleasant smell.His  limbs are loosely shared finger, yellowish in color. The finger nails, palate, lips, soles and palms of  such a person are copper colored. Most of the Pitta constitution are good looking but when there are many wrinkles, baldness, and gray hairs then his look  are not so good. intelligent and possesses good tentative memory, and loved to be dominant in conversation, vigourous and irrestibls in battle, never fear before powerful opponents .He protects who surrender. The frequently success from  ulcer, stomatitis.  the traits of his character remember with serpent, an owl  gandharva (heaven musician), yaksha,cat, monkey, tiger, bear &mongoose.

3.Kapha

     Kapha is unctuous,smooth,soft,sweet, firm, dense, slow, stable, heavy, cold, viscous.

–Attributes and manifestation of Kapha

unctuous– Organs, skin and hair are oily .

Smooth – Organs, Skin, and hairs are smooth.

Sweet – Abundant quantity of semen, desire for sex act, number of procreation .

Soft– Pleasing appearance tenderness, clarity of complexion

Firm – firmness, compactness, stability of body.

Slow – slow in action, intake of food , movement

Stable – slowness in initiating action, getting irritated and morbid manifestations heavy – Stable gait with the entire sole of the feet presenting against the earth.

Cold– cold blooded Lack of intensity in hunger , thirst, hunger, perspiration

Clear-  Happiness in the look and face , happiness and softness of complexion and voice.

By virtue of above mentioned qualities Kapha type of constitution is endowed with excellence of strength ,wealth, knowledge ,energy peace and longevity.

–Features of Kapha prakriti

               Kapha prakriti constitution man is attractive and handsome. He/she is found of sweet taste,grateful, courageous, forbearing, non greedy and strong, He do does not hastily from any opinion and is fast in his enimity.His eyes are white, his hair are curly ,and Raven black. Prosperous in life, capable of sustaining pain stress, respectful towards superiors. He faith in religious texts. The traits of characteristics those of brahma,Rudra, Indra, Varuna, lion, horse, elephant ,cow, bull, eagle, swan of lower animal.

• Dual Constitution

     Individuals having constitution dominated by the combination of two dosha are characterised by the combination of the manifestation of respective dosha.

E.g. :- Vatta-pitta,. Pitta-Kapha, Vatta-Kapha

• Sama- doshaja constitution:-

      ‘सर्वगुणसमुदितास्तु समाधातव: ।‘       (C.Vi. 8.:100)

    Individual who has all the dosha in the state of equilibrium is endowed with the good qualities of all the three types.

                In this type good qualities of all three types of individual are manifested. Vibrate therefore, has described this to be the best of all types of constitution.

                 Above verse explains that except Sama Dosha  prakriti, all other types are prone to diseases. These people remain healthy for more over times.

Want to know your constitutional body type ?

• Generalised table  for identification of Prakriti given below :-

Now, we will see the relation between

• Dosha constitution and Mental State

       As this way, we may familiar with our own Prakriti (constitutional body type) via above generalized table.

Contributor- Medico Hrishikesh Gawali