Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 36
योगप्रकारनिर्णयः
Classification and Definition of Yoga
प्रयाणं कुरुते यस्मात्तस्मात्प्राणो ऽभिधीयते । अवाङ्नयत्यपानाख्यो यदाहारादि भुज्यते
prayāṇaṃ kurute yasmāttasmātprāṇo 'bhidhīyate | avāṅnayatyapānākhyo yadāhārādi bhujyate
যেহেতু তা ‘প্রয়াণ’ অর্থাৎ জীবনের অগ্রগতি ঘটায়, তাই তাকে ‘প্রাণ’ বলা হয়। আর যা নিম্নদিকে নিয়ে যায়, তা ‘অপান’ নামে পরিচিত; এর দ্বারাই আহারাদি গ্রহণ ও পরিপাক হয়।
Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva yogic doctrine to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
FAQs
It defines prāṇa and apāna as ordered movements of life-force; in Shaiva Siddhanta, mastering these currents supports inner purification (pāśa-śaithilya) so the soul (paśu) can turn toward Shiva (Pati) through disciplined practice.
Linga-worship is paired with inner worship: regulating prāṇa and apāna steadies the mind, making japa and dhyāna on Shiva’s saguna form (and the Linga as His mark) more concentrated and sattvic.
A practical takeaway is prāṇāyāma with awareness of upward prāṇa and downward apāna, used to stabilize breath before Panchākṣarī japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and silent meditation on the Shiva-Linga.