Prakriti-Purusha (प्रकृति-पुरुष)

This is the core dualistic philosophy of the Sankhya school, which heavily influences Ayurveda. Purusha is pure, eternal.

Ayurvedic Principles (Siddhanta Kosha) 1 min read
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Sanskrit Verse

मूलप्रकृतिरविकृतिर्महदाद्याः प्रकृतिविकृतयः सप्त। षोडशकस्तु विकारो न प्रकृतिर्न विकृतिः पुरुषः॥

— (Sankhya Karika 3)

Explanation

This is the core dualistic philosophy of the Sankhya school, which heavily influences Ayurveda. Purusha is pure, eternal, unchanging consciousness—the silent witness. Prakriti is the primordial, unmanifest creative energy or matter. The entire universe, including our mind and body, is an evolution of Prakriti. Life and suffering arise from the mistaken identification of Purusha (consciousness) with the manifestations of Prakriti (mind/body).

Clinical Importance

This philosophy provides the ultimate context for health and liberation (Moksha). The goal of spiritual practices in Ayurveda is to help the individual discriminate between the true Self (Purusha) and the transient mind-body complex (Prakriti), leading to lasting peace.