Prakriti, in Hindu philosophy, refers to the primal material substance or nature from which all physical and mental forms arise, existing in a state of dynamic interplay with Purusha, the pure consciousness or spirit. Central to the Sankhya and Yoga traditions, Prakriti is considered the source of the physical world, encompassing everything from the elements and mind to the subtle energies that govern existence. Comprised of the three Gunas—Sattva (balance), Rajas (activity), and Tamas (inertia)—Prakriti manifests the diversity of the universe, driving the processes of creation, preservation, and destruction, while remaining distinct from Purusha, which is the unchanging witness to these transformations.