Mental Constitution

According to Ayurveda, the heart is the seat of the mind. Manas prakruti is expressed during the third month of pregnancy when the heart is developing. At fertilization, sattva, rajas, and tamas — in a particular permutation and combination — yield into the consciousness of the fertilized ovum. Within that embryonic consciousness exist embryonic manas, smruti (memory), buddhi (intellect), and ahamkara (ego). In the embryonic smruti, we carry past life memory; in the embryonic buddhi, the embryo has the capacity to discriminate and digest thoughts.

Unlike janma prakruti (the genetic code at fertilization which does not change), manas prakruti is subject to transformation. A person born with predominantly rajasic quality can see their manas prakruti shift toward sattva through meditation, yoga, contemplation, or the guidance of a spiritual master. The purpose of manas prakruti is to serve as a springboard for a quantum leap into the cosmic order. Even a tamasic individual can initiate change simply through self-awareness — once one acknowledges the quality, transformation begins. As Lad writes: "A mad man does not know that he is mad. The moment he knows he is mad, in that moment his madness goes away."