Prakriti or Prakruti (Sanskrit: प्रकृति IAST: prakṛti) is “the original or natural form or condition of anything, original or primary substance”

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

" Prakriti has three different innate qualities (guṇas), whose equilibrium is the basis of all observed empirical reality

Prakriti, in this school, contrasts with Puruṣa, which is pure awareness and metaphysical consciousness

The term is also found in the texts of other Indian religions such as Jainism, and Buddhism

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