Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 23
योगप्रकारनिर्णयः
Classification and Definition of Yoga
नासापुटेनापरेण पूरणात्पूरकं मतम् । न मुंचति न गृह्णाति वायुमंतर्बहिः स्थितम्
nāsāpuṭenāpareṇa pūraṇātpūrakaṃ matam | na muṃcati na gṛhṇāti vāyumaṃtarbahiḥ sthitam
Das Füllen (des Atems) durch das andere Nasenloch gilt als pūraka (Einatmung). Der Yogi lässt den Atem weder gewaltsam los noch zieht er ihn gewaltsam an; er festigt den prāṇa-vāyu, damit er innen wie außen ausgewogen verweilt.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shaiva yoga teaching as taught in the Vayu Samhita tradition)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Equanimous prāṇa (neither forced out nor pulled in) symbolizes loosening of pāśa through sattvic steadiness, preparing for Śiva-jñāna.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches disciplined prāṇāyāma: breath is not to be forced, but steadied. In Shaiva understanding, calming prāṇa supports inner stillness, making the mind fit for Shiva-realization and loosening the bonds (pāśa) that obscure the soul (paśu).
External worship of the Liṅga is complemented by internal worship: stabilizing prāṇa gathers attention inward, enabling steady dhyāna on Saguna Shiva (with form) and leading toward deeper contemplation of Shiva as the supreme Pati beyond agitation.
Alternate-nostril breathing (nāḍī-śodhana style) and gentle pūraka without strain, aiming to keep prāṇa balanced. This can be paired with japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and calm meditation.