Ayurveda • Somatic Yoga • Contact
Prakruti ~ Vikruti
The search for Prakruti lets us trace back our ancestral roots to not only explore our physical makeup, but also our purpose (dharma) in this life. Prakruti translates to nature or origin. Dr. Vasant Lad makes the distinction between Janma Prakruti, the constitution developed at the time of conception which combines the parent’s predominant doshas, and Deha Pakruti, which reflects one’s karmic path. He states that “the physical/psychological makeup reflects the dharma that the individual has taken birth to perform, and the individual will possess abilities that make it possible to fulfill that dharma.” Therefore, understanding Prakruti requires reflecting on life’s deeper purpose and the unique abilities one possesses that when nurtured can lead to a refined sense of clarity and direction.
Discovering Prakruti is not a straightforward process. Despite the numerous quizzes out there that claim to be able to accurately calculate the Prakruti by distinguishing features such as hair texture and height, the true nature of Prakruti is buried under numerous layers of external influences and what we are actually determining is what is known in ayurveda as Vikruti or current state of imbalance. As Joshi asserts: “Innate doshic predominance is almost always hidden underneath the imbalances.” Sharma and Clark further explain the frenetic quality of Vikruti in their book Ayurvedic Healing: “These imbalances, which can result from diet, lifestyle, stress, etc., interact with the prakriti to produce the vikriti. The vikriti often masks the prakriti.”
The process of balancing the Vikruti is like peeling back the curtain to get a glipse of the Prakruti. The Ayurvedic principle of ‘like increases like’ can be an important clue in knowing one’s innate qualities. Persistent imbalances in one’s dosha can be a sign that this dosha is dominant in one’s Prakuti. Sharma and Clark state: “People with a predominance of a certain dosha are more likely to develop diseases related to that dosha. Because the dosha is present in such abundance, even a fairly small increase or vitiation is more likely to cause illness.”
Our most stubborn tendencies and the imbalances they cause help reveal our deeper nature. Dr. Svoboda notes for example that ‘P (pitta) people’ will often be drawn to hot substances like spices and meat which intensify their goal orientated nature. ‘K people’ by contrast can become complacent and unwilling to change negative habits due to their innate stable quality. David Frawley sees this tendancy reflected in one’s yoga practice as well:
“ Vatas tend toward Vata energy and love active and fast movements that produce more Vata. Pittas want to exert themselves pushing toward their goal. Kaphas would rather not exert themselves at all. The challenge for all doshas is to work against their natural tendencies.”
Due to this habitual attraction to reinforcing these natural tendencies, the Vikruti can manifest as the unbalanced, extreme version of the Prakruti. Bringing the vitiated dosha to a more balanced (sama dosha) state will align with the Prakruti and present a view from which to act in accordance with our truest nature and desires.
Sunil V. Joshi clarifies this process: “If it is so difficult to know our prakruti accurately, how do we treat it? The answer is simple. We never have to treat what is most natural to us. We only have to remove that which obscures our true nature.”
As Joshi states finding the Prakruti can be effortless if we know how to act from an instinctual place. A big part of Ayurvedic healing and beginning to align oneself with the Prakruti is letting go of the persistent need to fit the mould or succumb to societal expectations of who one should be. Introspection and going inward is the way to Prakruti and discovering our most natural responses often hidden under layers of societal expectations and pressures.
It should also be noted that being placed into a rigid “type” is not helpful or effective in connecting with the doshas. Multiple combinations are possible with varying degrees of each dosha. Reflecting on patterns is a personal journey that is nuanced and unique. The different types offer a framework but it is the process of connecting with the elements within in a way that respects the complexity of the individual’s experience which gives insight rather than an oversimplified label.
There is a joy in discovering this and engaging in this process little by little. A trial and error approach and even being wrong in the process is encouraged as your Prakruti shouldn’t be viewed as a diagnosis, but a gradual revelation.
Frawley, D.,Summerfield Koazak, S., & Farmer, A. (2001). Yoga for your type : An ayurvedic approach to your asana practice. Lotus Press.
Joshi, Sunil V. (1998). Ayurveda and Panchakarma: The Science Of Healing and Rejuvenation. Motilal Banarsidass Publisher.
Lad, V. (2002). Textbook of Ayurveda. Ayurvedic Press.
Sharma, H. M., & Clark, C. (2012). Ayurvedic Healing : Contemporary Maharishi Ayurveda medicine and science. Singing Dragon Press.
Svoboda, R. E. (1998). Prakriti. Lotus Press.
Tirtha, S. S., Uniyal, R. C., S Snadhu, & Chandhok, J. K. (2005). The Ayurveda Encyclopedia: Natural secrets to healing, prevention & longevity. Ayurveda Holistic Center Press.