what is the meaning of the word "PRATYAHARA" IN ASTANGA YOGA.?

Answer 1

Yama , Niyam, Aasan, Pranayaam, Pratyahara,
Dharna, Dhyan, Samadhi.
These all are eight sutras of Patanjali.

It 's like that,
first control ur thoughts,
through YAMA,
which, Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya,Brahmcharya,
Aparigraha. Basics of Virtues

now u can control ur mind,
and u need it to practice regularly
so make it NIYAMA to better level,
Saucha, Santosh, Tapas, Svadhyay,
Ishvarpranidhan. surrender to God.

now u 've totally controlled ur mind,
so control on ur body, with ASANA
that is body control .

then, control ur breath ,
doing PRANAYAM.

now comes,
PRATYAHAR,
that is totally removing urself from senses,
control on ur Indriyas,

DHARANA is starting of meditation,
just start concentration on a single object

then start MEDITATION,
totally keep urself away from the world.

now u ready for the last & eternal stage,
SAMADHI ----- united with God.

these 8 are basic principles
for achieving main goal of human life
to achieve God.

Answer 2

Withdrawal of the senses from outer material objects, so that one's concentration can be turned inwards.

Answer 3

switching off the five sense telephones from their connexion to physical world

Answer 4

THE 'ANTIDOTE'