Determining your Ayurvedic Body Type- part 1

There are numerous factors which decide the prakriti of an individual. Prakriti is the expression of dominant doshas. But it is not the sole factor responsible for carving the whole personality of an individual. Gunas are equivalent contributors. Though, they are subtle in expression and are generally exhibited by their properties or qualities.

Doshas explain the physical attributes and vulnerability to various probable diseases of an individual. A regime to avoid these diseases and lead a healthy and contented life is also mentioned in the ayurvedic texts. But this is the half aspect of a wider view. The other aspect, the mind which governs all the physiological and psychological processes is comprehensively explained by gunas only. There are certain attributes of doshas that tend to define the probable mind set of the individual but gunas provide a detailed illustration of the same.
Doshas are made up of panchmahabhootas, the five basic elements of the nature: aakash (ether), vaayu (air), agni (fire), jal (water) and prithvi (earth). These panchmahabhootas further comprises of three gunas: sattva, rajas and tamas.

• Aakash/ ether is dominant in sattva guna.
  
• Vaayu/ air is dominant in rajas guna.
  
• Agni/ fire is dominant in sattva and rajas gunas.
  
• Jal/ water is dominant in sattva and tamas gunas.
  
• Prithvi/ earth is dominant in tamas guna.
  

This illustration clearly depicts the interaction and dependence of doshas and gunas.