Prakṛti

[2] Prakriti has three different innate qualities (guṇas), whose equilibrium is the basis of all observed empirical reality as the five panchamahabhootas namely Akasha, Vayu, Agni, Jala, Pruthvi.

It is often mistranslated as 'matter' or 'nature' – in non-Sāṃkhyan usage it does mean 'essential nature' – but that distracts from the heavy Sāṃkhyan stress on prakṛti's cognitive, mental, psychological and sensorial activities.

[10][11][12] In the Sāṅkhya and Yoga philosophical literatures, it is contrasted with Purusha (spirit, consciousness), and Prakriti refers to "the material world, nature, matter, physical and psychological character, constitution, temper, disposition".

[17] In Jainism the term "Prakriti" is used in its theory of Karma, and is considered "that form of matter which covers the perfections of the soul (jiva) and prevents its liberation".

[18] According to Samkhya and the Bhagavad Gita Prakrti or Nature is composed of the three guṇas which are tendencies or modes of operation, known as rajas (creation), sattva (preservation), and tamas (destruction).

This view suggests that prakriti, though unconscious, serves to aid the liberation of the soul, similar to how milk nourishes a calf.

[22] The Bhagavad Gita emphasize the role of prakriti as the material energy of the universe, created and controlled by God (Krishna), and its distinction from purusha in different verses.

This is the element of life, O mighty one, the jiva bhuta, by means of which this world is held in place.In Chapter 13 verses 19–23, Krishna discusses the eternal nature of both prakriti and purusha, as well as their distinction.

You should also know that all transformations and the gunas have their origin in prakriti.In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, prakriti is described as encompassing the entire cosmos including its physical aspects.

Sattva, the purest guna, is associated with qualities like lucidity, tranquility, wisdom, discrimination, detachment, happiness, and peacefulness when expressed in the mind (citta).