SAV VISHAYA ASAMPROYOGE CHITASAY PRATAHAR,SAWRUPNUKAR EVEINDRIYANAM PRATAYAHARA
Means when our senses (indriya) do not crave for worldly possessions then they follow their own true instincts. Pranayam being related to Prana make body free from diseases and becomes a very important subject. Hence, it is very essential to know this. Explanation: Pratayahara means to be aloof from vices, worldly possessions. In this the (senses) leave the external influence and becomes internal, that is why it is called Pratayahar. As Honey Bees follow the queen, similarly, senses (indriya) work under mind. When mind becomes indifferent from external world by following Yama, Niyama, Paranayama etc, and becomes stable, the senses (indriya) follow the mind. This is their Pratayahar. Mind leaves external world and encounter self, whereas senses (indriya) only leave the external world, but do not encounter self. That is why it is said the senses (indriya) just imitate mind. So after mind becoming indifferent, there is no other way needed to control senses (indriya).
PRANCHI KHANI VAYATRINAT SAWMAMBHUSATSAMAT PRAD PASHYANTI NANTRATMAN,KAKSHIDWIR PRATAGYATAMAN MAIKSHADAVRITCHKSHUR MRITWAMICHHAN (Kathopnishad 2/4/1)
The sensing (indriya) holes are facing outside, that is why these see the external world. Rare great souls close the eyes of sensing (indriya) and see the internal world.
BENEFITS OF PRATAYAHAR:“ TATA PARMA VASHYATEINDRIYANAM” (2/55)
Means: Pratayahar fully control senses (indriya).Explanation:In Sutra, it is said that Pratayahar control Senses (indriya) fully. It is said as under in terms of Vayasa:
- Some say not to indulge in worldly thins is winning senses (indriya).
- Others say, to consume things recommended by legend Veda Shashtras and to abandon others is winning the senses (indriya).
- Third opinion is to have control on senses (indriya) while consuming worldly possessions is winning the senses (indriya).
- Fourth opinion is without ego or envy, happiness or sorrow, have knowledge of universe is winning the senses (indriya).
In all above explanations there is always a relationship of worldly possessions and the senses (indriya). There is always a fear of senses (indriya) surrendering to worldly affairs. Hence, it is extremely important to control the senses (indriya).There is one more opinion that because of concentration of mind, sensing (indriya) not surrendering to worldly affairs is winning the senses (indriya). With this concentration, mind becomes healthy and there is no need of any further effort to control these.