Prakṛti

Prakṛti (devanāgarī: प्रकृति) is a Sanskrit word that means "nature". It is used to refer to principle of matter (not only in its physical aspect) as opposed to that of spirit (Puruṣa). Prakriti is composed of three gunas, which are its tendencies or modes of operation, known as sattva (equilibrium), rajas (activity), and tamas (inertia).

H. P. Blavatsky wrote:

The Tibetan esoteric Buddhist doctrine teaches that Prakriti is cosmic matter, out of which all visible forms are produced; and Akâsa that same cosmic matter—but still more imponderable, its spirit, as it were, “Prakriti” being the body or substance, and Akâsa-Sakti its soul or energy.

Further reading

• Prakriti at Theosopedia