The answer to these questions can help us to have proper choices regarding our diet and lifestyle and stay healthy. There are 30 questions in the prakriti test. There will be 3 options for every question. You are instructed to tick only one appropriate choice while answering. Submit your answers after answering the questions asked ( try to answer all the questions)
Prakriti Analysis
"Ayurveda Test to Identify Body Type"
Prakriti is your body constitution which is the total of one’s tri dosha percentage (vata, pitta, kapha) in a body. It is the key determinant of how one individual is different from another.
In detail, Prakriti has mentioned in Charak Samhita “Viman sthan” chapter 8. It is one of the most important investigations of ten investigations regarding patients (Dash vidh pareeksha). Prakriti is a very important diagnostic tool in Ayurveda.
Establishment of Prakriti
According to Ayurvedic texts, Prakriti is established at conception, at the time of the fusion of sperm and ovum. Prakriti remains the same throughout the life of an individual.
The formation of Prakriti is affected by the following factors:
- Prakriti of sperm
- Prakriti of ovum
- Prakriti of the uterine cavity
- Diet of a pregnant mother
- Time/season of conception
- Role of Panchmahabhuta
What is this "TRIDOSHA" and how to determine our Prakriti?
Actually, TRIDOSHA is the base of Ayurveda. It is the most important theory. The word TRIDOSHA is made by the combination of two words Tri + dosa. Tri = 3 Dosha = Energy so TRIDOSHA means a combination of three energies. These are biological or physiological and physical forces that are responsible for the metabolic functions and structural composition of our body. Kapha we can correlate to anabolism. Pitta to metabolism. Vata to catabolism. The balance of these tri-energies is known as a state of health and their imbalance is a state of disease. Anything which maintains this balance in our body is good for our health. So specific diet, exercise, behaviour or medicine can be recommended according to Prakriti to restore this balance and provide health. The tri-energies are-
Relationship Between Vata, Pitta, Kapha and the 5 Elements
In chapter 1:44 of the book Charak Samhita sutra sthan.
सर्वदा सर्व भावनां सामान्यं वृद्धिकारणम्
ह्रास हेतुः विशेष श च प्रवृति: उभय स्य तु
This means that all the tissues (sapta dhatu) in the body can be developed properly if these doshas are nourished by nutrients similar in nature to them e.g. shukra dhatu in the body is nourished by regular intake of milk and ghee. Our lifestyle also affects dosha in the body like by vigorous exercise vata increases in the body and by sitting for long hours kapha increases in the body. These are a few examples given to show you how we can co-relate doshas functions in our daily life.
The same principle applies to opposites like Tila oil massage (which has properties opposite to vata) in vataj disorder decreases vata. This is an example which shows how opposite things can balance other doshas. Don’t get confused keep reading forward things are going to be clear.
To increase any dosha/dhatu in the body we need to choose the same herbs/dietary regimens, while to decrease any dosha/dhatu in the body we need to choose the opposite herbs/dietary regimens.
Now the question can come to our mind that why we should know our Prakriti.
According to Ayurvedic texts, Prakriti tells us about the vulnerability of an individual to develop particular types of diseases throughout his lifetime. There is a beautiful example that if a vata-type person develops vataj disorder then its prediction is difficult. If a Kapha-type or pitta-type person develops a similar vataj disease then the prediction is better and the disease is likely to be cured easily.
Prakriti Analysis using Tridoshas or Trienergies of the body plays a very important role in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Not only this but this Diagnostic tool also helps you to know about particular dietary regimens and herbs to avoid or to prefer. Prakriti Analysis helps us to maintain a healthy lifestyle as well.
So we should know our Prakriti to understand -
- I am what? I’m a Vata person or a Pitta person or a kapha person? (Actually, who am I?)
- What food suits me?
- What foodstuff should I avoid?
- What foodstuff should I consume in moderation?
- Which food I can eat occasionally?
- How should be my lifestyle?
