Understanding Prakruti and Vikruti

Ayurveda, the science of life revolves around wellness from a deep spiritual level. It is a five-thousand-year-old science that strives to know and live the word “health”. The primary aim of Ayurveda is to keep the health of a healthy individual intact.  The Ayurvedic system analyzes the human body on the basis of the existence of five great elements and advocates that the knowledge of these elements is essential to understand the interrelation of the mind, body, and spirit in the language of the Doshas- the three dynamic energies.  The Doshas have a powerful influence on our physical and mental health. They form the basic framework and biology of our body for its smooth functioning. When in a state of balance, they control, sustain and maintain the mind-body and spiritual equilibrium, whereas when in a state of disbalance they can equally cause havoc.  In this article, we understand the concept of Prakruti, which is a unique permanent amalgamation or combination of the doshas in the body and Vikruti, which happens to be the current state of your doshic constitution.

Understanding Prakruti

The Doshas are the blend of specific elements that decide our psyche. The Bio-energies are known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha in Sanskrit. These three fundamental bio-energies are derived from the five great elements that decide our composition, our unique blueprint, our Prakruti.  Each one of us is a unique balance of the Tridoshas. This means we’re all composed of all the three doshas just in variable amounts and different combinations where one dosha may be dominant over the other two.  This blend of doshas, the Dominant ones that govern our psyche and form our unique blueprint is called Prakruti. Prakruti is something that makes us different and exclusive, it is a unique code of stable factors that stays the same throughout our life. Prakruti is something that shapes us right from our birth, or we might as well consider for it to be shaping us right from our embryonic development.  In-fact , in all of us, Prakruti is determined during those crucial pregnancy months. Factors that majorly take part in determining one’s prakruti are,

• Quality and constitution or Beeja/ Seed ( The sperm and ovum )
• Time of conception. 
• The season during which conception occurs. 
• Quality of the maternal environment in which the fetus grows.
• Quality of maternal diet and emotions and so many other factors. 

Ayurveda identifies a total of seven types of doshic Prakruti, they are 

• Vata Prakriti
• Pitta Prakriti
• Kapha Prakriti
• Vata-Pitta/ Pitta - Vata Prakriti
• Pitta-Kapha/ Kapha- Pitta Prakriti
• Vata- Kapha/ Kapha- Vata Prakriti 
• Sama Dhatu Prakriti ( Tridoshic in equal amounts )

Prakruti can be identified from the stable, deeper characteristics of an individual. The basic physique, the thickness of skin, Quality of voice, complexion, and appetite when in a state of balance can be taken into consideration while identifying one’s prakruti.  For example, A person with heavy built, strong bones, thick hair, moderate appetite, good sleeping patterns, and great emotional quotient is said to be Kapha dominant, his Prakruti being Kapha. A very important point to note here is that this only means that Kapha dosha is dominant with a certain percentage over Vata and Pitta, and it doesn’t indicate the absence of the latter two doshas.  The same goes with Vata and Pitta Dominants.  A fun fact here is the probability of someone having Sama Dhatu Prakruti, i.e Where all of the three doshas are in perfect combination and express themselves equally and Ek doshic ( one dosha dominant) is actually very rare and generally, all of us are a combination of dual doshas. And even with so many similarities, we all are very much different and unique from each other.  While Prakruti is given so much importance in general, It becomes very much important to understand the difference between Prakruti and Vikruti. 

Understanding Vikruti

Prakruti is a unique code of stable factors that stays the same throughout our life, whereas Vikruti is the current state of unbalanced doshas expressing themselves in the body. It is a change from the equilibrium expressing itself in the form of various diseases, conditions, or feelings of uneasiness, a sense of something wrong.  Vikruti translating to deformation in Sanskrit is simply a shift from your prakruti due to external factors. It is to be understood that in an optimal environment, with ideally no external influence, Vikruti, and Prakruti are basically the same.  But, the change in our lifestyle, hectic schedules, lack of exercise, extreme global warming, food adulterations, stress, and various other factors lead to shifting from the ideal doshic composition leading to the manifestation of pathologies. Our body gives out signals of the same in the form of signs and symptoms which can help us identify one’s vikruti.  Imbalances can be identified by taking into consideration one’s appetite, sleeping patterns, emotional stability, etc. The outside environment plays a major role in manifesting imbalances, so it becomes very important to have knowledge of the external environment for an individual with specific vikruti to bring back balance.  An Ayurvedic doctor always tries to put an emphasis on Vikruti rather than Prakruti in order to address the existing underlying imbalance. This becomes way more practical and accessible for the doctor to carry out a well-suited treatment plan for the patient.  A deeper understanding of our mind and body helps us to notice discomfort and recognize an imbalance. A deeper understanding of the doshas helps us to bring back the lost balance and become whole.  Want to know your Dosha dominance and discover your Prakruti? Click here and take the dosha quiz Now!  Join us to read more of such articles and support our mission of mindful living for the modern world by subscribing to our blog and hitting us a follow on Instagram and Facebook @sarvedalife.