Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 45
योगप्रकारनिर्णयः
Classification and Definition of Yoga
इन्द्रियाणि प्रसक्तानि यथास्वं विषयेष्विह । आहत्य यन्निगृह्णाति स प्रत्याहार उच्यते
indriyāṇi prasaktāni yathāsvaṃ viṣayeṣviha | āhatya yannigṛhṇāti sa pratyāhāra ucyate
Wenn die Sinne, die hier von Natur aus an ihre jeweiligen Gegenstände geheftet sind, mit Nachdruck zurückgesammelt und gezügelt werden, nennt man dies Pratyāhāra (Zurückziehen der Sinne).
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shaiva yoga teaching as preserved in the Vāyavīya Saṃhitā to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Role: teaching
FAQs
It defines pratyāhāra as the disciplined turning back of the outward-running senses so awareness can rest inwardly in Shiva-consciousness, loosening pāśa (bondage) and preparing the seeker for dhāraṇā and dhyāna leading toward mokṣa.
By withdrawing from distracting sense-objects, the devotee can hold the mind steadily on the Śiva-liṅga (saguṇa support) or on Shiva’s presence within; pratyāhāra makes external worship become inward, one-pointed upāsanā rather than mere ritual activity.
Practice sense-restraint before japa and meditation—sit facing the Śiva-liṅga or a clean altar with vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa, then gently but firmly draw attention away from sounds, sights, and cravings, anchoring it in the Pañcākṣarī mantra: “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”