Prakṛti

Material nature, the primordial cause of manifestation. Prakṛti includes not only the physical world, but also mind, intellect, and ego — everything that can be observed.

In Sāṃkhya, prakṛti is composed of the three guṇa-s (sattva, rajas, tamas) in potential equilibrium; the disruption of that equilibrium generates creation. In its unmanifest state (avyakta), the guṇas are in equilibrium; upon manifestation, they create the 23 categories of existence.

Everything that has form, quality, or change is prakṛti, including mind and body. Only [[purusa|puruṣa]] — pure consciousness — transcends prakṛti. Yoga practice refines prakṛti, cultivating sattva until the mind becomes so transparent that puruṣa can recognize itself. See [[gunas]] and [[mahat]].