Essay name: The Nervous System in Yoga and Tantra (Study)
Author:
Ashok Majumdar
Affiliation: Banaras Hindu University / Department of Kayachikitsa
This study deals with the presentation of the Nervous System in Yoga, Tantra and Ayurveda. Yoga and Ayurveda are allied sciences dealing with science of man in depth. This study has revealed a number of hither to unknown facts about concept of nervous system and thought science of Hindus.
Chapter 2 - The Eight Components of Yoga
58 (of 85)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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59
asthmatic attacks.
The Indriyas, the organs of the senses, are acting
towards and coming in contact with the external objects.
Bringing them under the control of the will is what is
called Pratyahara or gathering towards oneself (Vivekananda
p. 99).
PRATYA HARA
Pratyahara is the restraint and subjection of the
senses to the mind, which is thereby steadied. The mind is
withdrawn from the objects of the senses. The mind is by
nature unsteady, for it is at every moment being affected
by the sight, sounds, and so forth, of external objects
which Manas through the agency of the senses (Indriyas)
perceives. It must therefore be detached from the objects
of the senses, withdrawn from whatsoever direction it may
happen to tend, freed from all distraction, and kep under
the control of the dominant self-steadiness (Dhainya)
therefore is the aim and result of Pratyahara ( SP-Woodroffe,
p.221).
The references on Pratyahara is available in
Gheranda-Samhita, Fourth Upadasa; Sandilya Up.,ch.1;
Amritananda up; Mandola-brahmana up., First Brahmana. The
Sarada Tilaka defines as, "The forcible obstruction of the
senses wandering over their objects. The Sandilya up.
speaks of five kinds of Pratyahara, the last of which is
Dharana on eighteen important points of the body.
