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Prakṛti

April 08, 2024

Prakriti (Sanskrit: प्रकृति IAST: Prakṛti) is "the original or natural form or condition of anything, original or primary substance".[1] It is a key concept in Hinduism, formulated by its Sāṅkhya school, where it does not refer to matter or nature, but "includes all the cognitive, moral, psychological, emotional, sensorial and physical aspects of reality", stressing "Prakṛti's cognitive, mental, psychological and sensorial activities".[2] Prakriti has three different innate qualities (guṇas), whose equilibrium is the basis of all observed empirical reality as the five panchamahabhootas namely Akasha, Vayu, Agni, Jala, Pruthvi.[3][4] Prakriti, in this school, contrasts with Puruṣa, which is pure awareness and metaphysical consciousness.[3] The term is also found in the texts of other Indian religions such as Veda & Jainism[5] and Buddhism.[6]

Etymology and meaning edit

Prakriti (Sanskrit: प्रकृति) is an early Indic concept, which means "making or placing before or at first, the original or natural form or condition of anything, original or primary substance".[7] The term is discussed by Yāska (~600 BCE) in Nirukta, and found in numerous Hindu texts.[7] It connotes "nature, body, matter, phenomenal universe" in Hindu texts.[8][9]

According to Dan Lusthaus,

In Sāṃkhya puruṣa signifies the observer, the 'witness'. Prakṛti includes all the cognitive, moral, psychological, emotional, sensorial and physical aspects of reality. It is often mistranslated as 'matter' or 'nature' – in non-Sāṃkhyan usage it does mean 'essential nature' – but that distracts from the heavy Sāṃkhyan stress on prakṛti's cognitive, mental, psychological and sensorial activities. Moreover, subtle and gross matter are its most derivative byproducts, not its core. Only prakṛti acts.[2]

Pancha Prakriti edit

In Indian languages derived from Sanskrit roots, Prakriti refers to the feminine aspect of all life forms, and more specifically a woman is seen as a symbol of Prakriti.[8]

In Hinduism, the concept of Prakriti is thoroughly mentioned. According to Sanskrit scriptures, Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Devi Mahatmya and Devi Bhagavata Purana, five Hindu goddesses are considered as the complete feminine personification of Prakriti – Saraswati, Lakshmi, Parvati/Durga, Gayatri and Radha. Together these five goddesses are worshiped as Pancha Prakriti.[10][11]

Application in Indian philosophy edit

 
Elements in Samkhya philosophy

In the Sāṅkhya and Yoga philosophical literatures, it is contrasted with Purusha (spirit, consciousness), and Prakriti refers to "the material world, nature, matter, physical and psychological character, constitution, temper, disposition". According to Knut Jacobsen, in the dualistic system of the Samkhya school, "Purusha is the principle of pure consciousness, while Prakriti is the principle of matter", where Purusha is the conscious witness in every living being, while Prakriti is the manifest world.

In Hindu cosmology, Prakṛti is the feminine aspect of existence, the personified will and energy of the Supreme (Brahman); while in Shaktism, the Goddess is presented as both the Brahman and the Prakṛti. In Samkhya-Yoga texts, Prakriti is the potency that brings about evolution and change in the empirical universe. It is described in Bhagavad Gita as the "primal motive force".[12] It is the essential constituent of the universe and is at the basis of all the activity of the creation.[13]

In Vishishtadvaita Vedanta, Prakṛti is one of the six substances (dravya). The guṇas (qualities) are the attributes of primordial Nature (Prakṛti), and not its constituents, unlike Sāṅkhya.[14] These qualities are inseparable from Prakṛti, but not identical with it and inextricably related to Ishvara. Prakṛti in Vishishtadvaita Vedanta is limited above by the eternal manifestation (nityavibhuti) whereas it's infinite in Sāṅkhya.[15]

According to Dvaita Vedanta, Prakṛti is the material cause (Satkaryavada) of the world.[14]

Prakriti is closely associated with the concept of Maya within Hindu texts.[16]

In Jainism the term "Prakriti" is used in its theory of Karma, and is considered "that form of matter which covers the perfections of the soul (jiva) and prevents its liberation".[17]

According to Samkhya and the Bhagavad Gita Prakrti or Nature is composed of the three guṇas which are tendencies or modes of operation, known as rajas (creation), sattva (preservation), and tamas (destruction). Sattva encompasses qualities of goodness, light, and harmony.[18] Rajas is associated with concepts of energy, activity, and passion; so that, depending on how it is used, it can either have a supportive or hindering effect on the evolution of the soul.[19] Tamas is commonly associated with inertia, darkness, insensitivity. Souls who are more Tamasic are considered imbued in darkness and take the longest to reach liberation.[20]

Bhagavad Gita edit

The Bhagavad Gita emphasize the role of prakriti as the material energy of the universe, created and controlled by God (Krishna), and its distinction from purusha in different verses.[21] In Chapter 4 verse 6, Krishna describes prakriti as His own power, through which He manifests in the world.[22] In Chapter 7 verse 4 and 5, Krishna mentions two types of prakriti:

Earth, water, fire, air, space, mind, intellect, and the sense of ego comprise the eight component parts of my energy known as prakriti. This is the inferior prakriti, but you should also know about my higher prakriti, which is distinct from it. This is the element of life, O mighty one, the jiva bhuta, by means of which this world is held in place.

— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 7, verse 4-5[23]

In Chapter 13 verses 19-23, Krishna discusses the eternal nature of both prakriti and purusha, as well as their distinction.

You should understand that both prakriti (matter) and purusha (spirit) have no beginning. You should also know that all transformations and the gunas have their origin in prakriti.

— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 13, verse 19[24]

See also edit

References edit

Citations edit

  1. ^ Monier-Williams, Monier (1899). A Sanskrit-English dictionary: with special reference to cognate Indo-European languages. Ocford, England: Oxford. OCLC 704040338.
  2. ^ a b Dan Lusthaus, Samkhya
  3. ^ a b James G. Lochtefeld (2001), The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M, Rosen Publishing, ISBN 978-0823931798, Pages 224, 265, 520
  4. ^ Prakriti: Indian philosophy, Encyclopædia Britannica
  5. ^ J Jaini (1940). Outlines Of Jainism. Cambridge University Press. pp. 32–33. GGKEY:B0FNE81JRLY.
  6. ^ Paul Williams (2005). Buddhism: Yogācāra, the epistemological tradition and Tathāgatagarbha. Routledge. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-415-33231-6.
  7. ^ a b Monier Monier-Williams (1899), Monier William's Sanskrit-English Dictionary, 2nd Ed., Oxford University Press, Prakriti प्रकृति, page 654
  8. ^ a b Knut A. Jacobsen (2008). Bron Taylor (ed.). Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature. Bloomsbury Academic. pp. 1299–1300. ISBN 978-1-4411-2278-0.
  9. ^ Constance Jones; James D. Ryan (2006). Encyclopedia of Hinduism. Infobase Publishing. pp. 332–333. ISBN 978-0-8160-7564-5.
  10. ^ Smith, John D. (1988). "Ludo Rocher: The Purā as. (A History of Indian Literature. Vol. ii, fasc. 3.) [vii], 282 pp. Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz, 1986. DM 120". Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies. 51 (2): 355. doi:10.1017/S0041977X00114958. ISSN 0041-977X. S2CID 161845090.
  11. ^ Chaturvedi, B. K. (1900). "Prakriti Khanda". Brahmavaivarta Purana. Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd. ISBN 978-93-5296-763-6.
  12. ^ Charles Johnston. The Bhagavad Gita: Songs of the Master. pp. 159 footnote 36.
  13. ^ Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad-Gita, a New Translation and Commentary, Chapter 1-6. Penguin Books, 1969, p. 220
  14. ^ a b Grimes 1996, p. 236.
  15. ^ Grimes 1996, p. 236-237.
  16. ^ Preceptos de Perfección. p. 40. ISBN 9789501701463.
  17. ^ Knut A. Jacobsen (1999). Prakr̥ti in Samkhya-yoga: Material Principle, Religious Experience, Ethical Implications. Peter Lang. pp. 151–162. ISBN 978-0-8204-3465-0.
  18. ^ Eknath Easwaran (2007). The Bhagavad Gita. Nilgiri Press. pp. 221–. ISBN 978-1-58638-023-6.
  19. ^ Easwaran, Eknath (2007). The Bhagavad Gita. p. 221. ISBN 9781586380236.
  20. ^ The Concise Yoga Vāsiṣṭha, Swami Venkatesananda, 1984, p.94
  21. ^ Sutton 2016, pp. 70, 114, 201.
  22. ^ Sutton 2016, p. 70.
  23. ^ Sutton 2016, p. 114.
  24. ^ Sutton 2016, p. 201.

Works Cited edit

  • Grimes, John A. (1996). A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy: Sanskrit Terms Defined in English. State University of New York Press. ISBN 0791430677.
  • Sutton, Nicholas (2016). Bhagavad-Gita. Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. ISBN 978-1-366-61059-1.

External links edit

 
Wikiquote has quotations related to Prakṛti.
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  • Prakrti and Ayurveda

April 08, 2024
prakṛti, prakriti, sanskrit, रक, iast, original, natural, form, condition, anything, original, primary, substance, concept, hinduism, formulated, sāṅkhya, school, where, does, refer, matter, nature, includes, cognitive, moral, psychological, emotional, sensori. Prakriti Sanskrit प रक त IAST Prakṛti is the original or natural form or condition of anything original or primary substance 1 It is a key concept in Hinduism formulated by its Saṅkhya school where it does not refer to matter or nature but includes all the cognitive moral psychological emotional sensorial and physical aspects of reality stressing Prakṛti s cognitive mental psychological and sensorial activities 2 Prakriti has three different innate qualities guṇas whose equilibrium is the basis of all observed empirical reality as the five panchamahabhootas namely Akasha Vayu Agni Jala Pruthvi 3 4 Prakriti in this school contrasts with Puruṣa which is pure awareness and metaphysical consciousness 3 The term is also found in the texts of other Indian religions such as Veda amp Jainism 5 and Buddhism 6 Contents 1 Etymology and meaning 2 Pancha Prakriti 3 Application in Indian philosophy 4 Bhagavad Gita 5 See also 6 References 6 1 Citations 6 2 Works Cited 7 External linksEtymology and meaning editPrakriti Sanskrit प रक त is an early Indic concept which means making or placing before or at first the original or natural form or condition of anything original or primary substance 7 The term is discussed by Yaska 600 BCE in Nirukta and found in numerous Hindu texts 7 It connotes nature body matter phenomenal universe in Hindu texts 8 9 According to Dan Lusthaus In Saṃkhya puruṣa signifies the observer the witness Prakṛti includes all the cognitive moral psychological emotional sensorial and physical aspects of reality It is often mistranslated as matter or nature in non Saṃkhyan usage it does mean essential nature but that distracts from the heavy Saṃkhyan stress on prakṛti s cognitive mental psychological and sensorial activities Moreover subtle and gross matter are its most derivative byproducts not its core Only prakṛti acts 2 Pancha Prakriti editIn Indian languages derived from Sanskrit roots Prakriti refers to the feminine aspect of all life forms and more specifically a woman is seen as a symbol of Prakriti 8 In Hinduism the concept of Prakriti is thoroughly mentioned According to Sanskrit scriptures Brahma Vaivarta Purana Devi Mahatmya and Devi Bhagavata Purana five Hindu goddesses are considered as the complete feminine personification of Prakriti Saraswati Lakshmi Parvati Durga Gayatri and Radha Together these five goddesses are worshiped as Pancha Prakriti 10 11 Application in Indian philosophy edit nbsp Elements in Samkhya philosophyIn the Saṅkhya and Yoga philosophical literatures it is contrasted with Purusha spirit consciousness and Prakriti refers to the material world nature matter physical and psychological character constitution temper disposition According to Knut Jacobsen in the dualistic system of the Samkhya school Purusha is the principle of pure consciousness while Prakriti is the principle of matter where Purusha is the conscious witness in every living being while Prakriti is the manifest world In Hindu cosmology Prakṛti is the feminine aspect of existence the personified will and energy of the Supreme Brahman while in Shaktism the Goddess is presented as both the Brahman and the Prakṛti In Samkhya Yoga texts Prakriti is the potency that brings about evolution and change in the empirical universe It is described in Bhagavad Gita as the primal motive force 12 It is the essential constituent of the universe and is at the basis of all the activity of the creation 13 In Vishishtadvaita Vedanta Prakṛti is one of the six substances dravya The guṇas qualities are the attributes of primordial Nature Prakṛti and not its constituents unlike Saṅkhya 14 These qualities are inseparable from Prakṛti but not identical with it and inextricably related to Ishvara Prakṛti in Vishishtadvaita Vedanta is limited above by the eternal manifestation nityavibhuti whereas it s infinite in Saṅkhya 15 According to Dvaita Vedanta Prakṛti is the material cause Satkaryavada of the world 14 Prakriti is closely associated with the concept of Maya within Hindu texts 16 In Jainism the term Prakriti is used in its theory of Karma and is considered that form of matter which covers the perfections of the soul jiva and prevents its liberation 17 According to Samkhya and the Bhagavad Gita Prakrti or Nature is composed of the three guṇas which are tendencies or modes of operation known as rajas creation sattva preservation and tamas destruction Sattva encompasses qualities of goodness light and harmony 18 Rajas is associated with concepts of energy activity and passion so that depending on how it is used it can either have a supportive or hindering effect on the evolution of the soul 19 Tamas is commonly associated with inertia darkness insensitivity Souls who are more Tamasic are considered imbued in darkness and take the longest to reach liberation 20 Bhagavad Gita editThe Bhagavad Gita emphasize the role of prakriti as the material energy of the universe created and controlled by God Krishna and its distinction from purusha in different verses 21 In Chapter 4 verse 6 Krishna describes prakriti as His own power through which He manifests in the world 22 In Chapter 7 verse 4 and 5 Krishna mentions two types of prakriti Earth water fire air space mind intellect and the sense of ego comprise the eight component parts of my energy known as prakriti This is the inferior prakriti but you should also know about my higher prakriti which is distinct from it This is the element of life O mighty one the jiva bhuta by means of which this world is held in place Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 verse 4 5 23 In Chapter 13 verses 19 23 Krishna discusses the eternal nature of both prakriti and purusha as well as their distinction You should understand that both prakriti matter and purusha spirit have no beginning You should also know that all transformations and the gunas have their origin in prakriti Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13 verse 19 24 See also editPurusha Akasha Dvaita Vedanta Shakti AmmavaruReferences editCitations edit Monier Williams Monier 1899 A Sanskrit English dictionary with special reference to cognate Indo European languages Ocford England Oxford OCLC 704040338 a b Dan Lusthaus Samkhya a b James G Lochtefeld 2001 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism A M Rosen Publishing ISBN 978 0823931798 Pages 224 265 520 Prakriti Indian philosophy Encyclopaedia Britannica J Jaini 1940 Outlines Of Jainism Cambridge University Press pp 32 33 GGKEY B0FNE81JRLY Paul Williams 2005 Buddhism Yogacara the epistemological tradition and Tathagatagarbha Routledge p 20 ISBN 978 0 415 33231 6 a b Monier Monier Williams 1899 Monier William s Sanskrit English Dictionary 2nd Ed Oxford University Press Prakriti प रक त page 654 a b Knut A Jacobsen 2008 Bron Taylor ed Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature Bloomsbury Academic pp 1299 1300 ISBN 978 1 4411 2278 0 Constance Jones James D Ryan 2006 Encyclopedia of Hinduism Infobase Publishing pp 332 333 ISBN 978 0 8160 7564 5 Smith John D 1988 Ludo Rocher The Pura as A History of Indian Literature Vol ii fasc 3 vii 282 pp Wiesbaden Otto Harrassowitz 1986 DM 120 Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies 51 2 355 doi 10 1017 S0041977X00114958 ISSN 0041 977X S2CID 161845090 Chaturvedi B K 1900 Prakriti Khanda Brahmavaivarta Purana Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd ISBN 978 93 5296 763 6 Charles Johnston The Bhagavad Gita Songs of the Master pp 159 footnote 36 Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad Gita a New Translation and Commentary Chapter 1 6 Penguin Books 1969 p 220 a b Grimes 1996 p 236 Grimes 1996 p 236 237 Preceptos de Perfeccion p 40 ISBN 9789501701463 Knut A Jacobsen 1999 Prakr ti in Samkhya yoga Material Principle Religious Experience Ethical Implications Peter Lang pp 151 162 ISBN 978 0 8204 3465 0 Eknath Easwaran 2007 The Bhagavad Gita Nilgiri Press pp 221 ISBN 978 1 58638 023 6 Easwaran Eknath 2007 The Bhagavad Gita p 221 ISBN 9781586380236 The Concise Yoga Vasiṣṭha Swami Venkatesananda 1984 p 94 Sutton 2016 pp 70 114 201 Sutton 2016 p 70 Sutton 2016 p 114 Sutton 2016 p 201 Works Cited edit Grimes John A 1996 A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy Sanskrit Terms Defined in English State University of New York Press ISBN 0791430677 Sutton Nicholas 2016 Bhagavad Gita Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies ISBN 978 1 366 61059 1 External links edit nbsp Wikiquote has quotations related to Prakṛti Bhagavad Gita 13 1 2 bhagavadgitaasitis com Prakrti and Ayurveda Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Prakṛti amp oldid 1216073628, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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