PRAKRITI PARIKSHAN

Introduction: Ayurveda, the ancient Indian holistic medical science, practiced since 1500 B.C deals with body, mind, and spirit and aims at preservation-promotion of health and prevention-cure of diseases. It provides measures for a disciplined, disease-free, long life. Ayurveda defines health as a state of physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being and is based on the theory of Panchamahabhoota and Tridosha which are present in each and every cell of the body along with mind and spirit. The equilibrium of Dosha is called health and the imbalance is called disease. Together these three Dosha determine the physiological balance and constitution of the individual which is called as Prakruti in Ayurveda. The approach of Ayurveda on the subjects of determinants of Deha Prakriti (physical constitution) is quite detailed. With the knowledge of one’s Prakruti, it is possible to apply Ayurvedic fundamentals in the maintenance of health as well as the prevention and cure of diseases. Prakruti Parikshana is an important and unique aspect of Ayurveda in determining the nature of an individual.

Materials and Methods

References related to the proposed article are collected from classical texts of Ayurveda. Various publications, related books, research papers, and proceedings of seminars related to the topic are collected. Relevant ideas from allied sources on the subject are also supplemented. Etymologically Prakruti (pra = primary or first, kruti = formation or creation) stands for the prototype representing the basic formative distinction in the individual. Each one of us is born with a unique combination of Vata, pitta, and kapha dosha. That stays the same for the rest of our life. This is known as Prakruti which means the natural constitution of an individual. Acharya Charaka described Dasha vidha pariksha in Vimana sthana. Prakruti parikshana is one of them. Prakruti is believed to be determined at the time of conception and remain unaltered during the lifetime. Every individual can be categorized into various combinations of Vata, pitta, and kapha prakruti depending upon the predominance of each Dosha.

According to Acharya Charaka, it is determined by the following factors.

1. Shukra and Shonita prakruti

2. Kala and Garbhashaya prakruti

3. Ahara and Vihara prakruti

4. Mahabhuta vikar prakruti

Discussion

Importance of Prakruti The knowledge of Prakruti parikshana can be applied to different aspects of life. The basic principles, diagnosis of diseases, their treatment, severity of diseases, prognosis, life span, immunity, metabolic activity, and many more things are based on individual Prakruti. These can be summarised as follows.

1. In respect of health to maintain and promote the health of an individual we can suggest diet and behavioral regimen according to his or her Prakruti. If a person’s diet is suitable to his prakruti it will help to maintain his health. Likewise, in Vataja prakruti, one should take sweet, oily, hot-served meals and fresh food which is highly nutritious. His activities should include indoor games, nearby traveling, and a hot climate. In Pittaja prakruti, one should take cold, sweet, and moderate oily diet. His activities should include swimming and brain games in cool pleasant climate. In Kaphaja prakruti, one should take dry, light, and spicy food. He should take part in active types of sports, physical exercises.

2. To select careers and jobs. If a person selects his career according to his Prakruti, this will help him to choose a job according to his or her Prakruti so he or she can enjoy the job. Kaphaja prakruti-Cardiac exercise, physical training. Pittaja prakruti-Swimming, in research field. Vataja prakruti-Sedentary light work, indoor games, and instrumental music.

3. To know about the life span of an individual According to Charaka, kaphaja prakruti has maximum life span and people with Vataja prakruti have minimum life span.

4. About Agni and metabolic activities Vata, pitta, and KaphaPrakritii are found to have unique metabolic activities-Kapha is slow, Pitta is fast, and Vata is considered to have variable and unpredictable metabolism means in Vataja Prakriti, there is a tendency to have Vishmagni, in Pittaja there is Tikshnagni and in Kaphaja there is Mandagni.

5. About Immunity or Bala Charaka has described that person having Kaphaja Prakriti, there is good Bala or immunity and in Vataja prakruti there will be low or bad immunity or Bala.

6. It means the person of Vataja prakruti will be susceptible to any disease very easily. About Koshtha In Vataja Prakriti, there is Krura koshtha means there will not be easy purgation. In Pittaja, there is Mridu Koshtha and in Kaphaja, there is Madhyam kosha. It means if we know about an individual’s Prakruti we can decide that which type of purgation should be given to which person.

7. Clinical aspect by observing the Prakruti of the patient, one can decide psychosomatic

nature. This knowledge can be suitably applied in respect of etiopathology, diagnosis, prescription of medicines, drug doses, severity of diseases, prognosis aspects, drug selection, interaction of medicine, and type of treatment. The three Dosha are responsible for the health and ill health of any individual. Each part of the body comes under the influence of all three Dosha. But there are predominant areas of each Dosha. Kapha occupies the upper part of the body (i.e., sinus, nostril, throat, bronchi, lungs, etc.). That’s why Kapha prakriti purusha are more prone to diseases of the upper parts of the body e.g. respiratory ailments, mucous congestion, allergies, etc. than the persons of different Prakruti types. Pitta occupies the middle parts of the body (i.e. stomach, liver, spleen, gall bladder, pancreas, duodenum, etc.). So, the Pitta prakruti purush are more prone to diseases of its respective parts e.g. peptic ulcer, gastritis, agitation, etc.