The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism (2 Vol Set)

adopts this general principle but con-
ceives of Ultimate Reality theistically,
as the god Shiva. For Trika Shaivism,
Shiva is the sole true reality, who is
both supreme god, and the source of
the material universe. For further
information see Jaideva Singh, Pratya-
bhijnanahrdayam, 1982.

Pratyahara

(“withdrawal [of the senses]”) In the
ashtanga(“eight-part”) yogafirst cod-
ified by Patanjali(1st c. C.E.?), pratya-
hara is the fifth of the eight
constituent elements of yoga practice.
Pratyahara occurs when one with-
draws the senses from the sense
objects they ordinarily perceive. It is
done after one has mastered the sit-
ting positions (asanas)—and thus can
sit comfortably for long periods—and
after one has gained control of
“breath” (pranayama), which allows
heightened command of one’s physio-
logical capacities. Having gained rela-
tive mastery over the body, one is then
ready to focus attention inward.

Pratyaksha

(“concerning the eye”) In Indian philos-

ophy, pratyaksha is the general term for

sense perception. All philosophical

schools accept perception as one of the

pramanas, the means by which human

beings can gain true and accurate

knowledge, and it is the only pramana

accepted by the materialist school.

Although the word’s literal meaning

implies only information from the eyes,

this pramana includes sense data from

the other four human senses, as well as

“perceptions” obtained through magical

cognition, yogic insight, or any other

supernormal abilities or phenomena.

Pravahana Jaivali

A character in the Chandogya Upanishad,

one of the speculative religious texts

that form the latest stratum of the

Vedas, the oldest Hindu religious texts.

In the text, Pravahana Jaivali is a mem-

ber of the warrior (kshatriya) class who

serves as teacher to members of the

scholarly-priestly (brahmin) class. His

first students are Silaka Shalavatya and

Caikitayana Dalbhya, then Shvetaketu

Aruneya and his father Gautama. This is

Pravahana Jaivali

Yoga asanas contribute to the development of pratyahara, or withdrawal from the senses.