Talk:What shapes our Personality

By Vishal Agarwal

Personality is referred to by terms such as svabhāva, prakṛti, and pravṛtti in sacred Indic literature. Much like in modern psychology, these ancient texts present multiple, often complementary, views on what shapes an individual’s personality. One’s intrinsic nature is said to determine character traits such as aptitude, inner values, and preferences.

The Gītā declares that it is indeed very difficult to override one's innate disposition:

Even the man of knowledge acts according to his nature (prakṛti). All beings follow their nature. What can suppression achieve? — Gītā 3.33

This verse is traditionally interpreted as a hyperbole, emphasizing that although nature is powerful, it is not insurmountable. With determined effort, faith, and wisdom, it is possible to transform or refine one's natural inclinations. At the same time, the verse highlights the futility of trying to achieve total inaction—except in states of deep meditation—since the guṇa-s of prakṛti continually drive action in some form or another.

Śāstras enumerate four key factors that influence an individual’s nature or personality. Most of these determinants are also acknowledged in contemporary behavioral sciences