5 Ways to Restrain Senses

The Five Methods of Restraint

Pāli Term	Sanskrit (Devanagari)	Definition & Functional Role
Sīlasaṃvara	शीलसंवर	Restraint by Morality: Observing precepts and codes of conduct to prevent bodily and vocal transgressions.
Satisaṃvara	स्मृतिसंवर	Restraint by Mindfulness: Guarding the sense-doors (eyes, ears, etc.) to prevent the entry of greed and grief.
Ñāṇasaṃvara	ज्ञानसंवर	Restraint by Wisdom: Using insight and path-knowledge to “cut the current” of dormant defilements.
Khantisaṃvara	क्षान्तिसंवर	Restraint by Forbearance: Enduring physical pain, harsh weather, and verbal insults with non-aversion (Adosa).
Vīriyasaṃvara	वीर्यसंवर	Restraint by Effort: Actively striving to abandon unwholesome thoughts and maintain pure livelihood.

The Cognitive Process (Citta-Vīthi / चित्तवीथि)

Pāli Term	Sanskrit (Devanagari)	Functional Definition
Āvajjana	आवर्जन	Advertence: The “turning” of the mind-stream toward the object stimulating the sense-door.
Cakkhuviññāṇa	चक्षुर्विज्ञान	Eye-Consciousness: The raw, non-conceptual act of “seeing” the visible form.
Sampaṭicchana	सम्प्रतीच्छन	Reception: The passive moment where the mind “receives” or accepts the sensory data.
Santīraṇa	सन्तीरण	Investigation: The momentary “examining” or scanning of the received sensory input.
Votthapana	व्यवस्थापन	Determination: Defining and “structuring” the object; deciding what the object is.
Javana	जवन	Impulsion: The stage of “Full Perception” where the mind “runs” with either restraint or reaction (Karma-forming).

Reference: Chapter 1 of Mahasi Sayadaw’s Manual of Insight