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
60 (of 85)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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61 4
th
Pratyahara is known as the forcible abstraction of
the senses wandering over their objects (Saradatilaka,
upadesa).
Pratyahara follow in the path of the other four
processes which deal with subjugation of the body. There are
then three interior (yoganga) menthods for the subjugation
of the mind namely, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.
PRATYAKSA: DHYANA
Through Dhyana or meditation is gained the third
quality of realization or Pratyaksa.
Before Dhyana, Dharana (YS: III:1) is essential which
is the sixth component. Here one's thought is fixed on a
single point (yoga sutra III:1). The word Dharana is derived
from the Sanskrit root 'dhar', meaning to hold fast. The
point of fixing mind or the single point on which thought
is fixed may be on any of the psychic chakras or any other
point inside the body or may be an outside object.
Dharana, attention, steadying of the mind, the
fixing of the internal organ(citta) in the particular
manner is indicated in the works of yoga.
When the mind has been trained to remain fixed on a
certain internal or external location, there comes to if
the power of flowing in an unbroken current, as it were,
towards that point. This state is called. Dhyana (Vivekananda -
Rajayoga, p.92).
