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Pratyahara (प्रत्याहारः) (view source)
Revision as of 19:31, 7 December 2022
, 19:31, 7 December 2022Adding content with reference
Pratyahara (Samskrit: प्रत्याहारः) refers to the 5th stage in the path of [[Yoga Darshana (योगदर्शनम्)|Ashtanga Yoga]] propounded by [[Ancient Indian Scientists (शास्त्रज्ञाः महर्षयः)|Maharshi Patanjali]]. It is preceeded by [[Yama ( यमः )|Yamas]], [[Niyama (नियमः)|Niyamas]], [[Asanas (आसनानि)|Asanas]] and [[Pranayama (प्राणायामः)|Pranayama]] and is followed by Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. The article provides an introduction to the concept and practice of Pratyahara and its benefits.
Pratyahara (Samskrit: प्रत्याहारः) is the most important limb in Yoga Sadhana<ref name=":3">David Frawley (1999), [https://archive.org/details/yogaayurvedaselfhealingandselfrealizationdavidfrawley_757_/mode/2up Yoga & Ayurveda], Wisconsin: Lotus Press.</ref> and refers to the 5th stage in the path of [[Yoga Darshana (योगदर्शनम्)|Ashtanga Yoga]] propounded by [[Ancient Indian Scientists (शास्त्रज्ञाः महर्षयः)|Maharshi Patanjali]]. It is preceeded by [[Yama ( यमः )|Yamas]], [[Niyama (नियमः)|Niyamas]], [[Asanas (आसनानि)|Asanas]] and [[Pranayama (प्राणायामः)|Pranayama]] and is followed by Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. The article provides an introduction to the concept and practice of Pratyahara and its benefits.
== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
== प्रत्याहारः ॥ Pratyahara ==
== प्रत्याहारः ॥ Pratyahara ==
The term Pratyahara is derived from the Samskrit words 'Prati' meaning ‘away’ or ‘against’ and 'ahara' meaning ‘nourishment’ or ‘[[Ahara (आहारः)|food]]’. Therefore, the word literally denotes 'a withdrawal from what nourishes the [[Indriyas (इन्द्रियाणि)|senses]]'. In other words, Pratyahara means ‘withdrawal of the senses’.<ref name=":0" /> The Yoga Sutras describe Pratyahara as, <blockquote>स्वरूपानुकार इवेन्द्रियाणां प्रत्याहारः ॥५४॥<ref name=":1">Patanjala Yoga Darshana, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_-_%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8 Pada 2 (Sadhana Pada)]</ref> svarūpānukāra ivendriyāṇāṁ pratyāhāraḥ ॥54॥ </blockquote>Meaning: When the senses cease conjunction with the objects in their realm, they thereby become, as it were, assimilated with chitta's nature. And that is called Pratyahara.
The term Pratyahara is derived from the Samskrit words 'Prati' meaning ‘away’ or ‘against’ and 'ahara' meaning ‘nourishment’ or ‘[[Ahara (आहारः)|food]]’ or 'anything we take into ourselves from the outside'. Therefore, the word literally denotes 'a withdrawal from what nourishes the [[Indriyas (इन्द्रियाणि)|senses]]' or 'gaining mastery over external influences'. In other words, Pratyahara means ‘withdrawal of the senses’.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> The Yoga Sutras describe Pratyahara as, <blockquote>स्वरूपानुकार इवेन्द्रियाणां प्रत्याहारः ॥५४॥<ref name=":1">Patanjala Yoga Darshana, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_-_%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8 Pada 2 (Sadhana Pada)]</ref> svarūpānukāra ivendriyāṇāṁ pratyāhāraḥ ॥54॥ </blockquote>Meaning: When the senses cease conjunction with the objects in their realm, they thereby become, as it were, assimilated with chitta's nature. And that is called Pratyahara.
Explaining this further, when the senses are in the state of non-contact with their objects, they simply remain themselves in their own form and nature (ie. svarupa). And because the senses have broken contact with their objects, the chitta too can no longer contact the sense-objects. It now dwells as itself, in its own form and nature (svarupa). The senses then in non-contact with their objects turn towards such a stilled chitta and thereby somewhat resemble the state (svarupa) of the chitta. Such a control of senses together with that of the chitta is Pratyahara.
Explaining this further, when the senses are in the state of non-contact with their objects, they simply remain themselves in their own form and nature (ie. svarupa). And because the senses have broken contact with their objects, the chitta too can no longer contact the sense-objects. It now dwells as itself, in its own form and nature (svarupa). The senses then in non-contact with their objects turn towards such a stilled chitta and thereby somewhat resemble the state (svarupa) of the chitta. Such a control of senses together with that of the chitta is Pratyahara.
So, when Pratyahara is practised the senses come under control and they no longer produce Vrttis of their respective realm. Even if they are pulled outwards by the force of forms and so forth, they no longer proceed in that direction. And the controllability here means untremulousness (nishchalata), total and final withdrawal from extending oneself into the sense-realms. Because only such a control serves as the means of realizing the direct validation of reality.<ref name=":2" />
So, when Pratyahara is practised the senses come under control and they no longer produce Vrttis of their respective realm. Even if they are pulled outwards by the force of forms and so forth, they no longer proceed in that direction. And the controllability here means untremulousness (nishchalata), total and final withdrawal from extending oneself into the sense-realms. Because only such a control serves as the means of realizing the direct validation of reality.<ref name=":2" />
== प्रत्याहारस्य भेदाः ॥ Forms of Pratyahara ==
There are four main forms of Pratyahara.
# इन्द्रियप्रत्याहारः ॥ Indriya Pratyahara ie. control of the senses
# प्राणप्रत्याहारः ॥ Prana Pratyahara ie. control of prana
# कर्मप्रत्याहारः ॥ Karma Pratyahara ie. control of action
# मनोप्रत्याहारः ॥ Mano Pratyahara ie. withdrawal of mind from the senses.
=== इन्द्रियप्रत्याहारः ॥ Control of the Senses ===
As a result of constant bombardment from television, radio, computers, newspapers, magazines, books, etc. there is sensory overload. And the problem is, the senses have their own, largely instinctual, Will and they dictate the mind. Thus, people run after what is appealing to the senses and forget the higher goals of life. Therefore, Indriya-pratyahara, or control of the senses, is the most important form of pratyahara. It provides the tools to strengthen the spirit and reduce its dependency on the body. However, such control is not suppression that causes eventual revolt. It is rather proper coordination and motivation.
According to Ayurveda, sensory impressions are the main food for the mind. They bring in the subtle substances necessary to nourish the mind like the sensations of sound, touch, sight, taste and smell. They also build up the subconscious and strengthen the tendencies latent within it making people who they are. Therefore, trying to meditate without controlling the impressions prevents the development of inner peace and clarity. And control of sensory impressions frees the mind to move within.
'''Sensory Withdrawal techniques:'''
Pratyahara provides many tools for managing sensory impressions. The simplest being spending time away from all sensory inputs by sitting to meditate with eyes closed, taking a retreat away from sensory bombardments, observing a "media-fast". Just as the body benefits by fasting from food, so the mind benefits by fasting from impressions.
Yoni mudra is one of the most important pratyahara techniques for closing the senses. It involves using the fingers to block the sensory openings in the head the eyes, ears, nostrils, and mouth and allowing the attention and energy to move within. It is done for short periods of time when the prana is energized, such as immediately after practicing pranayama.
Another method of sense withdrawal is to keep the sense organs open but withdraw the attention from them. The most common method, shambhavi mudra, consists of sitting with the eyes open while directing the attention within. This redirection of the senses inward can be done with the other senses as well, particularly with the sense of hearing. It helps control the mind even when the senses are functioning.
Another way to cleanse the mind and control the senses is to put the attention on a source of uniform impressions, such as gazing at the ocean or the blue sky. This technique is often helpful after a period of fasting from impressions.
Another means of controlling the senses is to create positive, natural impressions by meditating upon aspects of nature such as trees, flowers, rocks, etc. or visiting temples or other places of pilgrimage which are repositories of positive impressions and thoughts. Positive impressions can also be created by using incense, flowers, ghee lamps, altars, statues, and other artifacts of devotional worship.
Another sensory withdrawal technique is to focus the mind on inner impressions that can be created through imagination thus removing attention from external impressions. Visualization is the simplest means of creating inner impressions. In fact, most yogic meditation practices begin with some type of visualization, such as "seeing" a deity, a guru, or a beautiful setting in nature. While more elaborate visualizations involve imagining deities and their worlds, or mentally performing rituals, such as offering imaginary flowers or gems to imagined deities. They clear the mental field off external impressions and create a positive inner impression to serve as the foundation of meditation.
Laya Yoga is the yoga of the inner sound and light current, in which the focus is on subtle senses inorder to withdraw from the gross senses. This withdrawal into inner sound and light is a means of transforming the mind and is another form of indriyapratyahara.<ref name=":3" />
== अभ्यासः ॥ The Practice ==
== अभ्यासः ॥ The Practice ==