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
เมื่ออินทรีย์ทั้งหลายที่ติดข้องอยู่กับอารมณ์ของตนในโลกนี้ ถูกดึงกลับมารวบรวมและสำรวมอย่างเด็ดขาด นั่นเรียกว่า ‘ปรัตยาหาร’
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.”