ayurveda - prakrithi

7/30/2019 Ayurveda - Prakrithi

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PRAKRITI

Prakriti means individual human constitution. Prakriti is decided in the womb of amother; sperm and ovum carry with them, the constituents of both the parents. So constitution is

primarily genetic in origin, ie there should be a peculiar combination of three doshas. Each

dosha is having a specific effect on mental, anatomical and physiological activities of an

individual.

In ayurveda, the term prakriti is used often to denote dehaprakriti of the patient.

Samaprakriti is ideal and ekadoshaja prakriti is nindya. Sama prakriti is of anatura and others are

called sadatura.

(C.S.SOO 7)

Nirukthi

mi-m+-MiU im (EmSlMUh)Its literal meaning in feminine gender is prakarothi i.e mMwh MUi

Ci mi l1) mi Ci xupuq CS Vi 8 / 98 Chakrapani

Natural condition or state of anything; Temper

2) mi Ci zUU mqAH Su 1/10 ArunadattaConstitution; Make; Figure

3) mi elq mpi: u uiSCS Su17/62 ChakrapaniThe bodily constitution is nothing but a specific dosha congenitally aggravated

4)milq elq qUh AliUs pul

apuli MsxuMUhM eli luMUMUhxji:R Vai Su

At the time of conception, the enhanced doshas, present in sukra and arthava,which is responsible for the production of garbha, continues to remain throughout lifefrom birth to death without causing any disease.


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5) z zhi xra r pui SwEiMO: mieriSu Sa 4/63

Prakriti of a person is determined by the praadhanyatha of dosha, which ispresent at the time of union of ovum and semen.

According to Ashtanga Hridayam soothrasthana first chapter

Prakriti is caused by the doshas inherent in the sukra and arthava, immediately before the

conception, analogy to the production of visha in vishakrimi. The prakriti caused by vayu, pitta

and kapha are inferior, medium and superior respectively. Prakriti caused by the equilibrium of

all the three dosha is best among all and that caused by any of the two dosha is nindya.

According to Susrutha samhitha sareerasthana, 4/61

Whichever dosha predominates at the time of union of sukra and sonitha, the doshika

constitution is determined accordingly.

According to Susrutha samhitha sareerasthana, 4

According to Athreya, the insect produced inside a poisonous substance does not die by

the effect of the poison. Similarily prakriti- which is manifested at the time of conception- are

incapable of afflicting the individual.

According to Chakradatta,

The sukra and sonitha along with kaala, desa etc factors make the constitution.

MsSrxi z zhiqu Muli: mi elM puliCi A AukUhrqFactors influencing the formation of prakriti


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The various constituents and qualities of body and mind are derived from

1. Pitrujam

2. Matrujam

3. Athmajam

4. Satvajam

5. Rasajam (Food/ Nutritional)

6. Sathmyajam (Getting habituated or adopted to the environmental factors)

(C.S.Sa 4/4)

According to Charaka samhitha vimanasthana 8/15 (Rogabhishakjiteeyam)

Prakriti of foetus is determined by following factors.

1. Sperms and ovum

2. Season and condition of uterus

3. Food and regimens of mother

4. Nature of mahabhootha comprising the foetus

Doshas play a significant role in deciding the prakriti of an individual. The nature of any

individual may also be moulded or nurtured by the following factors.(C.S.Vi 1/5)

1. Jatiprasaktha

2. Kulaprasaktha

3. Desa anupatheeni (Locality)

4. Kala anupatheeni (Time or planetary position at the time of conception)

5. Vayo anupatheeni ( Age of parents)6. Prathyaatma niyatha (Individual characteristic features)

Synonyms


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1. Ch. Soo 5- Vatadi doshanam rasadi dhathoonam cha samyaavastha2. Ch.Soo 9- Dhathu saathmyam

3. Ch. Sa 1- Saamkhya tatva, Avyaktha4. Ch.Sa 3- Atma, Swabhava

5. Ch. Sa 4- Prakritha sthithi

6. Ch.Vi 6- Arogyam

7. Ch. Vi 8- Swabhavam

8. Su. Sa 1- Avyaktham

9. A.S.Ni 4(Indu)- Swaroopam

Prakriti bhedam

1. Broadly prakriti can be classified into

Prakriti

Sareera prakriti Satva prakriti

8 bheda according to Sara Saatvika- 7

(Dhathu prakriti) Raajasika- 6

7 bheda according to dosha Taamasika- 3

(Doshaja prakriti)

5 bhedam according to mahabhootha

(Panchabouthika prakriti)

I. Shareera prakriti

A. Sara are explained in Charaka Samhitha Vimanasthana 8 and Susrutha Samhitha

Soothrasthana 35

B. Dosha prakriti


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Prakriti in ayurveda implies doshaja prakriti ie deha prakriti. All acharyas

explained doshaja prakriti in detail.

Bhedam-

Seven type

1. Vata

2. Pitta

3. Kapha

4. Vatapitta

5. Vatakapha

6. Pittakapha

7. Samaprakriti

Same opinion, ie seven bheda by all acharyas except Kasyapa.

According to Kasyapa, there are only three prakritis.

1. Vata 2. Pitta 3. Kapha

According to Charaka, ekadoshaja prakriti is sadatura and samaprakriti is anatura.

1. Vata prakriti

C.S Vi 8/98

i) Aharam

Laghu, Chapala

ii) Viharam


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Res

Resembles aja, gomayu (Jackal), shasha, aakhu(Mouse), Ushtra, Sunaka, Gridhra

(Vulture), Kaaka, Khara

iii) Sareeram

According to Charaka According to Susrutha


Nidra Jaagarooka Sthena (Thief)

Gati Laghu, Chapala Matsaryam

Bahupralapa Dantakhaadi

Seeghra samarambham- Kshobha Drutagathi

Seeghra vikaraha Anaarya

Seeghra thrasa, Seeghra raaga viraaga Kraathi (Irritable)

Srutha grahi Gandharva chittha (Loves music)

Alpa smrithi Adruda souhridam

Seetha asahishnutha Kruthaghnan

Alpa dhanam Atanasheelam

Alpa saadhanam Anavasthitha atma

Alpa apathy Adhruti (Impatient)

Viyathi cha gachati sambhramena suptha

(Wanders in sky in hisdreams)


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Rooksha,Apachitha (Slim) Durbhaga (Ugly)

Alpasareera Dantakhadi (Bites teeth)

Swaram- Kshama, Rooksha,

Jarjara, Sanna( Low)

Anavasthitha (Improper)- Sandhi-

Akshi- Bhroo- Hanu- Oshtam-

Jihwa- Shira- Skandha-Paani-

Paada

Seetha deha- Sthambha

Parusha kesa- Shmashru- Roma-

Nakha- Dashana-

Vadana- Paani Paada

Sphutitha anga avayava- Sandhi

sabda on gamana

Alpa balam, alpa ayu

Bahu kandaraa- Siraa pradhaana

1. Pitta prakriti

C

S Vi 8/97


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i. Aharam

Prabhootha ashana paanam

ii. Viharam


Ushna asaham Anateshu amridu (Enemity

Ati parakrama towards unliked ones)

Theekshna agni Pranateshu saantvanavanta

Klesa asahishnutha (Helping to liked ones)

Alpa vyavayam- apathyam Kshipra kopam

Madya balam- madya aayu- madya

jnana vijnana

Kshipra prasada

-Vittopakarana vantam Vigrihya vaktha (Penetrating or sharp

words)

Thejaswi

Samitishu durnivaarya veeryam

(Cannot be defeated in assemblies)

Kanaka Palasa- Karnikara Hutaasha

Vidyu are seen in dreams

Bhujanga _ Ulooka Gandharva

Yaksha Maarjara- Vaanara

Vyaakhra _ Riksha(Bear) - Nakula like

character

iii. Sareera


Sukumara avadaata gathram Peetha sareeram


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Ushna mukham Taamra nakha- Nayana- Talu- Jihwa

Oshta- Paani- Paada tala

Prabhootha pipasa- Kshuth Medhaavi

Prabhootha vyanga- Pidaka- Tilakalaka Nipuna

Kshipra vali- Palitha- Khalithya Sada vyadhita asya(Mukharoga)

Mridu- Alpa- Kapila Shmashru-

Roma- Kesa

Durbhaga

Sidhila- Mridu- Sandhi and Mamsa

Prabhootha- Srishta sweda- Moothra-

Pureesha

Prabhootha Poothi kaksha asya shira-

Sareera gandham

Alpa sukram

1. Kapha prakriti

CS Vi 8/96

i. Aharam


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Manda ahara (Consumption) Madhura priya

Alpa kshuth

Alpa thrishna

ii. Viharam


Prabhoota vyavayata Kritagna

Prabhoota apatya Sahishnu

Manda cheshta Alolupa

Aseeghra aramba Drudha vyra (Concealed enemity)

Akshoubha vikaram (mild emotional

upset)

Lakshmeevan

Anavasthita gati (Slow movement) Satva gunopapanna

Adhistita gati (Steady movement) Drudha shaastramati (Intense faith in

religious books)

Vidyavantam Sthiramithram

Ojaswi Pariganya chirat pradadati (Does a lot

of charity after thinking well)

Shanta Gurumaanakara (Respect to elders)

Ayushmanta Kamala-Hamsa-Chakravaaka-

jalaashaya are seen in dreams

Brahma-Rudra-Indra-Varuna-Simha-

Ashwa-Gaja-Govrisha (Bullock)-Hamsa like character

iii. Sareeram


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Snigdhanga Durva-Indeevara-Nistrimsha (Sword)-

Aardra arishtaka-shara kaanda Varnato body

Acha-Slakshna Drishti Subhaga

Sukha sukumara avadaata gaatra Priyadarshana

Prabhoota sukra Dhritivan

Saara-samhata-sthira sareera Chiragrahi

Paripoorna sarvanga Balavaan

Alpa santaapa Shukla aksham

Alpa sweda Raktaanta netram (Reddish margin)

Suslashta sara-sandhi bandhana Sthira-Kutila-Anila kesham

Prasanna darshana Jalada (Clouds)- Mridamga-Simha

khoshaPrasanna aanana

Prasanna snigdha varna

Prasanna snigdha swara

4,5,6. Dwandwa prakriti

ll Swe AS Su 1If the characteristics of any two prakriti are predominant in an individual,

it is known as dwandwa prakriti and is nindya.1. Sama prakriti

xqki xqxix

AS Su 1

A. Constitutions according to pancha mahabhootas

Susrutha had referred prakriti according to pancha mahabhoota. There are

three constitutions according to vayu, agni and jala which has been already

described as vatika, paittika and slaishmika.


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Other two prakriti are parthiva, in which man is strong with large body and is

forgiving.

Naabhasa prakriti- Man is pure, long lived and possesses large openings.

SU Sh 4/80

I. Maanasika prakriti

Mind is the connecting link between soul and physical body. Mind also

transmigrates when the soul transmigrates.

According to Charaka samhitha sareerasthana 8/16, the following factors determine

the state of the mental faculty of the child.

1. The mental faculty of parents

2. The sounds (Music etc) heard repeatedly by the pregnant woman

3. Actions performed by the embryo in his previous life4. And frequent desires for a particular type of mental faculty by the progeny in hisprevious life

Different levels of mind constitute the disposition of the individual. These levels are

tempered by three attributes of the mind- Satva, Rajas and Tamas.

Saatvika quality of mind is superior to the other two types. It is auspicious, pure and

pious.

Raajasika type symbolizes royal dignity and is dynamic in nature, active.

Taamasika type suffers from ignorance

Prakriti is divided into sixteen types, according to these three mahaagunas and this

system is given importance in the context of treatment of mental disorders.

According to Chandogya Upanishad-


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Diet is a source of supply of satva, rajas and tamas.

Example : - Milk, fruit, ghee, butter etc are abundant in saatvika guna.

Pungent, sour and hot food items are rich in rajas particles.

Putrified foods are rich in tamas particles.

According to Kasyapa samhitha Lakshana adhyaya

Dhatri should be with samaana satva to baala. That kind of dhatri can only give

pushti-Ayu-bala-sukha to the child. If it is not so, she may induce udvega and vitraasa;

the child will not live for long or lives with certain malformation.

So dhatri of opposite satva should be avoided.

Ka Su 28

Maanasika prakriti bheda :

CS Sa 4

Ka Su 28Manasika prakriti is of three bheda

1. Suddha (Saatvika)

2. Raajasa

3. Taamasa

Saatvika prakriti bheda (Charaka and Susrutha - Seven)


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1. Brahma

2. Aarsha

3. Aindra4. Yaamya

5. Varuna

6. Koubera

7. Gandharva

According to Kasyapa Eight bheda

Above seven + Prajapati satva

Raajasa prakriti bheda (Charaka and Susrutha - Six)

1. Aasura

2. Raakshasa

3. Paisaacha

4. Sarpa

5. Preta

6. Saakuna

According to Kasyapa Seven Bheda i.e, Above six + Yaksha satva

Asura satva is renamed as Aarsha satva

Taamasa satva bheda

According to all acharyas Three bheda

1. Pashu

2. Matsya

3. Vaanaspatya

A. Saatvika prakriti

Compassion, tendency to proper destruction (of food etc), forgiveness, truthfulness,

righteousness, faith, knowledge, intellect, retentive faculty of mind, restrained and non-

attachment These are saatvika qualities.

CS Vi

Suddha satva is sreshta due to kalyanamsha.


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i. Brahma Satva lakshanam

Su Sh 4

According to Susrutha According to Charaka

They are Pure Love for truth xirpxlk

Aesthetic Self controlled ()

Learns veda Power of discrimination ()

Worships elders With jnana-vijnana-vachana-

prativachana-smrithi

Is a good host Without kaama-krodha-lobha-maana-

moha-irshya-amarsha

Performs Yajnas Favourable disposition equally for all

creatures ( )

NB #

Praajaapatya satva-

Ka Su 28

After Brahma satva, Praajaapatya satva is told by Kasyapa.

Having good number of children, engaged in work, religious minded, universally loved,

without envy and without deceit (Froud, Cheat) and clean is said to be of Praajaapatya satva.


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ii. Aindra satva

Su Sh 4


Man has greatness Aiswarya vantam (Lordship)

Chivelries (Honourable) Authoritative speech ( )

Commanding habits Do religious rituals ()

Behaves according to religious

teachings

Strength ()

Looks after his servants well Splendor ()

Free from mean acts ( )

Farsightedness ()

Devotion to virtuous acts, earning of

wealth and proper satisfaction of

desires ()

iii. Varuna satva

Su Sh 4


Man has liking for cold

things

Bravery ()

Has grey eyes Patience ()

Tolerance Purity and dislike for impurity ( )


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Brown hairs Observing religious rituals ()

Sweet voice Free from mean acts ( )

Anger and pleasure in proper place( )

iv. Koubera satva

Su Sh 4


Impartial Possession of station, honour, luxuries

and attendant ( )

Tolerant Constant liking of dharma, artha and

kama ()

Earns wealth and collects wealth Purity ()

Highly fertile Liking for pleasures of recreation

()

Strong anger and pleasures ( )

v. Gandharva satva

Su Sh 4


Liking towards perfumes and garlands Expertness in poetry,stories,historical

narrations and epics ( )

Passion for dancing and music Constant fondness in association with


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women,and passion ( )

Always roams about Without envy. ()

vi. Yaamya satva

Su Sh 4


Fearless,has good memory,clean. Non-violability. ()

Free from attachments-infatuation-

vanity and jealousy.

Lordship. ()

Perfoms right things with indefetable

energy.

Observance of the propriety of actions.

()

vii. Rishi satva

Su Sh 4

According to Susrutha According to Charaka-(aarsha satva)

Perfoms japa-havana and fasting Hospitable disposition (

)

Practice celibacy Free from pride-ego-attachment-

hatred-ignorance-greed and anger

(Free from ------)

Is devoted to studies Intellectual excellence ( )


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And possesses knowledge (of self and

other things)

Power to understand and retention

( )

NB#

suddha satva saamanya lakshana.(told by kasyapa samhita sootrastaana-

28)

Just after explaining all eight saatvika types,kasyapa

explains,

Ka su 24

Freedom from disease, peacefulness, beauty, knowledge, critical understanding,

respectability, prolonged life and attainment of happiness are the general features of pure

satva (or saatvika type).

A. Raajasa prakriti

C.S Sa 4

Due to roshamsa, raajasa satvas are with dosha.:: :

Unhappiness, roaming about, impatience, ego, falsehood, cruelty, fraudulence,

laughtiness, exhileration, lust and anger are the characteristic features of Raajasa purusha.

i. Aasura satva


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Su Sh 4


Wealthy, fierce looking, brave Movement in disguise ()

Full of anger Ruthlessness ()

Calumnious Indulgence in self praise ()

Eats everything without giving toothers,

Greedy of foods

ii. Sarpa satva

Su Sh 4


Man is sharp, laborious, cowardly Bravery in aggressive condition ( )

Full of anger, shrewdCowardice when not in aggressive

disposition ()

Quick in action and behaviour Walking, taking food and restoring to

other regimens with a fearful disposition

(- )

iii. Shaakuna satva

Su Sh 4


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Over sexy Unacquisitiveness ()

Eats incessantly

Intolerant

Unsteady mind

iv. Raakshasa satva

Su Sh 4


Prefers loneliness Intolerance ()

Terrifying, intolerant of others

progress

Constant anger ( )

Irreligious Violence at weak points ()

Absolutely ignorant Cruel, gluttonous habit (- )

Meat lover ( )

Excessive sleep and indolence ( )

v. Preta satva

Su Sh 4


Does not like to give his things to others Excessive desire for food ( )


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Lazy, unhappy, jealous and greedy Excessively painful disposition in

character and past times (:

in )Does not offer money etc.. to charity Inaction ()

Actions without discrimination

()

vi. Paishacha satva

Su Sh 4


Eats food left by others Excessive eating ()

Has anger, liking for adventure Coward ()

Fondness for woman Feminine ()

Shameless -,

Terrifying disposition ()

NB-#

Kasyapa has told another satva to Raajasa kaya called Yaksha satva.

Ka Su 28

Always indulged in charity, sleeping, excess adornment, drinking, eating and sexual acts, happy

and gluttonous.


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A. Taamasa satva

CS ViTaamasa satva too is with dosha as it is from moha or ajnana.

Sadness, nihilistic attitude, tendency to unrighteousness, blocking of intellect,

ignorance, wickedness, inactivity and sleepiness.

i. Pashava satva

Su Sh 4


Dull grasping power Excessive sexual indulgence ()

Unintelligent Excessive sleep ()

Dreams of intercourse daily Hateful conduct and food habit()

Indecisive

ii. Matsya satva

Su Sh 4


Fickle (Not stable) Lack of intelligence ()

Foolish Greediness for food ()


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Cowardly Constant passionate and wrathful

disposition ()

Has affinity for water

Tendency to fight with people of similar type

iii. Vaanaspatya satva

su Sh 4


Loves to be static Lazy ()

Devoted to eating and drinking Indulgence in food only

()

No taste for saatvika deeds-religion-

passion and wealth

Deficiency of all the intellectual

faculties ( )

Significance of prakriti in treatment

Su Sh 4/98

The physician should first know the constitution of the patient and then treat accordingly.

To identify gatayusha or arishta

Su Sh 4/78


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Aggravation, change or diminution of a particular constitution does not happen naturally.

However, if it so happens, the person should be understand to be nearing the end of his life.

To identify gatayusha according to Agnivesha.

Aixu Ai u u: miuumrr:mhlqrw h iu csi

rq

When the span of life, is coming to an end, there will be less manifestation of excessive

manifestation or irregular manifestation of prakriti and the shree of the person will disappear.

To identify saatmya or asaatmya.

Su Sh 4/79

As an insect born in poisonous surrounding does not suffer from that poison, similarly

the constitution formed at the time of birth doesnt naturally harm the person.

Madhava nidana (Madhukosha) also explains similarly

mi Uarr uzw: - miUmjrmxur

lirli oki(M.N.Madhukosa/ Panchanidana)

To understand saadhya asaadhyata


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Ah Su 1

The sloka implies that, although prakriti is not afflicting like visha to vishakrimi

in a person; the rogas originating in same doshic constitution will definitely harm the

patient or is difficult to cure

Eg: A vata disease, arising at varsha ritu, in a person of vata prakriti and in jangala desha

all being of same nature is difficult to cure or incurable. For diagnosing of disease, treatment and fixing dose of medicine

Ah Su 12/66-67In dashavidha pareeksha according to Ashtanga Hridaya,

Prakriti is told as one, among ten points studied in a patient.

Ah Su 12/65

Upakrama should be done considering vikara prakriti (ie. Nature of disease, its

relation with body); adhishtana (Site of lesion) and hetu visesha (Specific hetu).

For doing swaasthya rakshana

A person should induge in food items, which should have opposite in guna with

his prakriti

CS Su 7/41

In sama dosha prakriti, sama sarva rasa aahara is beneficial.


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According to dashavidha pareekshyam told by Charaka samhita vimanasthana 8/85

The bhishak which is the kaarana should examine the prakriti of the patient ie.

Prakritijnata is one of his qualities

Charakaacharya has mentioned in dashavidha pareeksha,

Patient should be examined with reference to his prakriti (Physical constitution),

vikriti (morbidity), sara (Excellence of dhatus), samhanana (compactness of organs),pramana (measurement of the organs of the body), saatmya (Homologation), satva

(psychic conditions), aahaara sakthi (power of intake and digestion of food), vyaayaama

sakthi (power of performing exercise) and vayas (age); in order to ascertain his strength

and the intensity of the illness.

Knowledge about assessment of prakriti thorough knowledge is the foremost skill

a physician should achieve for success. Thorough knowledge about the prakriti is highly

essential for the examination of the patient. By knowing the prakriti, physician should

confirm the disease very easily and to give proper treatment. Physicians primary duty

then, is to rearrange the dosha in the body to keep them in his praakrita avastha. Subtlervariations of individual prakriti of each is the core cause for diversity of drug selection

and procedures. Becauseprakriti sthapana (Charaka samhitha chikitsasthana 1/1/3-4) is

the synonym of bheshaja; and the word prakriti implies normal condition.

Personality

Personality is the total quality of the individuals behavior; as it is shown in his

habits of thinking, in his attitude, interests, his manner of acting and his personal

philosophy of life. It is expressed through his behavior.

(But character reflects the part of the personality related to ones value system. Character

means a judgement of individual based upon certain qualities; character is of good andbad. And temparement is the hereditary emotional aspect of personality like irritable and

fuzzy, moody or sensitive).

Factors affecting the development of personality1. Genetic factors- Along with family and cultural environment

2. Early life experiences- At home, poverty, school, at adolescence etc


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3. The psychological factors including the physique of the individual- his size, strength,

look, constitution etc

This can be compared to the six factors like jaati prasakta etc told in Charaka

samhita vimanasthana 1/5.

Structure of personalitySigmund freud developed the best known theory called psycho analytical theory

for explaining the structure of personality.

According to this personality is based upon a structure of three parts

1. The id (Pleasure principle)

2. The Ego (Reality principle) and

3. The Super ego (Morality principle)

And also, these three are in constant conflict with one another. The part which wins

mostly will show its nature through the persons deed.

The id is composed of biological instincts including the drives of sex and aggression. It

is self centered, impulsive and unconscious. All the drives of a person towards pleasure and self

satisfaction are coming from the id. An infant is all id, as it demands immediate satisfaction of

its basic needs like hunger, thirst, relief from discomfort etc without concern for, how it will

be done immediately.

All the three taamasa prakriti can be compared to id, due to mohamsha.

The ego called self, gets energy from the id, but serves as a control for the id. Many

demands of id are not realistic and hence, will be controlled by the ego.

Rajo niyaamakam vidhi from the above explanation, we can safely compare ego with raajasika

satvaas.

The super ego is developed through the cultural environment and learning, from social

contacts such as parents, family members and authority figures. Super ego is made of conscience

and ego ideal. It judges the thoughts and actions of ego.

Super ego is thus with Saatvika kaaya like characters.

Theories of personality

1. Developmental approach

2. Type approach

3. Trait approach

4. Type cum trait approach


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Psycho sexual stages

All humans pass through a series of five psychosexual stages.

1. The oral stage- usually from birth to one year

2. The anal stage- usually at second year

3. The phallic stage- usually from three to six years

4. A latency period- usually from six to twelve years

5. Genital period- adolescence

1. The oral stage

Pleasure is obtained through stimulation of the mouth, as in nursing or thumb

sucking

2. The anal stage

At second year, gratification is obtained through holding or expelling faeces. Toilet

training is attained at this stage.

3. The phallic stage

Pleasure is obtained by fondling the genitals

4. A latency period

Sexual interests repressed and lie dormant till puberty. It is the period of gang

formation and fierce gang loyalties.

5. Genital period

Begin experiencing romantic infactuation and emotional unheavals.

Problems encountered at any one stage, either of deprivation or over indulgence may

produce fixation at that stage.

Eg.

i) A person fixed at the oral stage- As an adult be excessively dependent to

others and overly fond of such oral pleasures as eating, drinking etc

Persons with aasura satva, saakuna satva, raakshasa satva, pretha satva,

paishacha satva and vaanaspatya satva can be of this; stucked in oral phase.

ii) A person fixed at anal stage may be abnormally concerned with cleanliness

and orderliness as in the case of paisacha satva.

Type approach

Human personalities can be classified into a few clearly defined types and each person

can be put in one or the other type, depending upon his behavioural characteristics, somatic


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structure, blood types, fluids in the body or personality traits. This may be the base of ayurveda,

which had classified all the human beings into three types.

1. Vata

2. Pitta

3. Kapha

Hippocrates in 400 B.C, classified people into four groups taking the base of the

classification from the east (ie..Ayurveda). They are

SL

NO.TYPE PREDOMINANT OF NATURE

1 Sanguine Blood Cheerful

2 Phlegmatic Phlegm Calm

3 Choleric Yellow bile Irritable

4 Melancholic Black bile Depressed

Classification by psychological types

On the basis of sociability, Dr.Karl.G.Jung, classified people into two groups.

1. Extroverts2. Introverts

1. Extroverts

They are people who take more interest in others, and like to move with people.

Friendly, sociable and not easily upset by difficulties. They are realistic and face the

problems of life objectively.

2. Introverts

Interested in themselves, their own feelings, emotions and reactions. Busy in their

own thought and self centered. Reserved and like to work alone. They are very

sensitive and are unable to adjust easily to social situations.

There are very few people who are pure extroverts or introverts. Majority are ambiverts

(Combined); having the qualities of extroverts and introverts in different proportions.

In my opinion, satvaas told in our classics are also of ambivert in nature, mostly; but on a

wide aspect saatvika satvaas are of extrovert and raajasika and taamasika are somewhat introvert

in nature. Raajasika as ambivert and taamasikas as introvert in their full extent.


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William Sheldons classification

SL

NO.

TYPE PHYSIC PSYCHE COMPARED

TO

1 Endomorphic Highly developed viscera

with weak somatic

structure, soft, fat, round

Easy going, sociable and

affectionate

Kapha prakriti

2 Mesomorphic Balanced development of

viscera with somatic

structure, heavy, muscular

Craving for muscular

activity, loves risk and

adventure, noisy and self

assertive

Pitta prakriti

3 Ectomorphic Weak and undeveloped,tall, thin, flat chested

Pessimistic, unsociable,and reserved, self

conscious Vata prakriti

Kretschmers classification

SL

NO.

TYPE PHYSIC PERSONALITY

CHARACTER

COMPARED

TO

1 Pyknic Fat body Sociable, jolly, easy

going, good natured

Kapha prakriti

2 Athletic Balanced body Energetic, optimistic,

adjustable

Pitta prakriti

3 Leptosomatic Lean and thin body Unsociable, reserved,

shy, sensitive, pessimistic

Vata prakriti

Trait approach

Here, personality is viewed in terms of traits. In our day to day conversation, we labelour friends and near ones with traits such as being honest, shy, aggressive, lazy, dull, dependent

etc

Therefore qualities present in a person are termed as personality traits.

A group of such personality traits is known as personality factors or dimensions of personality.


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ayurveda - prakrithi

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