Chapter 7
Pratyahara
Pratyahara is the forceful bringing back of the senses from their natural tendency of going after the objects of sensory pleasure.
Seeing all objects as Brahman with a well-controlled mind is Pratyahara. This is according to those who know Brahman.
All the actions until death, whether pure or impure, are attributed to Brahman. This is Pratyahara.
One should perform his daily duties of ceremonial observances and rites with the attitude of satisfying Brahman alone. This is Pratyahara.
Drawing in the Prana and confining it in place after place: Drawing from the root of the teeth and confining it at the throat. From throat to the chest. From chest to navel. Navel to the place of Kundalini. From the place of Kundalini to Muladhara. Then drawing the Apana to two hips. The hips to the thighs. Then to the knees. The knees to the Shanks. From the Shanks to big toes.
This is known as Pratyahara from the times of yore.
All the sins and diseases of worldly existence vanish altogether for him who has the practice of Pratyahara.
Being motionless and Assuming the Svastikasana, he should draw in Prana imagining the Prana is filled from the sole of the feet to head. Then he should draw in from the pair of the feet. Then Muladhara, navel, heart, throat, palate, eyebrow center, and then forehead. And finally, he should draw in from the head and retain it there.
Having the mind well under control, having the idea of Atman inside the body, he should confine the Atman in the indescribable non-dual Brahman. This the actual Pratyahara as known by those well versed in Vedanta.
For him who has resorted to practices like this, nothing is unattainable.