Prakṛti — The Primordial Material Energy
Prakṛti (Sanskrit: pra = forth + kṛ = to make; 'that which creates forth') is the primordial material energy — the root substance (mūla prakṛti) from which the entire physical universe evolves under Bhagavān's sovereign will and direction.
The Viśiṣṭādvaita Framework — Three Reals: Rāmānuja's Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta holds that reality consists of three eternal categories (tattva-traya):
- Prakṛti — unconscious matter (achit)
- Jīvātmā — conscious individual souls (chit)
- Bhagavān (Īśvara) — the supreme, all-pervading, all-knowing God
Prakṛti and jīvātmā are both eternally real but are the śarīra (body) of Bhagavān — He is the śarīri (soul/inner controller). 'As the soul pervades and controls the body, Bhagavān pervades and controls both prakṛti and jīvātmā.'
Evolution of Prakṛti: From the undifferentiated mūla prakṛti, the universe evolves through a 24-fold expansion (Sāṅkhya system): Mahat (cosmic intelligence) → Ahankāra → five tanmātras (subtle elements) → five mahābhūtas (gross elements) → five jñānendriyas + five karmendriyas + manas.
Prakṛti and the Three Guṇas: Prakṛti consists of the three guṇas (sattva, rajas, tamas) in perfect equilibrium. The universe's diversity arises from the different proportions in which these guṇas combine.
Achit Category: In Viśiṣṭādvaita, prakṛti is part of the achit (non-conscious) category — it has no self-awareness, no knowledge, no will. All direction comes from Bhagavān through the jīvātmā's choices within His framework.