Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 26

योगप्रकारनिर्णयः

Classification and Definition of Yoga

Devanagari script

स्वेच्छोत्क्रमणपर्यंतः प्रोक्तो योगानुशासने । कन्यकादिक्रमवशात्प्राणायामनिरोधनम्

Transliteration

svecchotkramaṇaparyaṃtaḥ prokto yogānuśāsane | kanyakādikramavaśātprāṇāyāmanirodhanam

Translation

In der Unterweisung des Yoga wird gelehrt, dass (die Meisterschaft des Yogin) bis zur freiwilligen Trennung (vom Körper) reicht. Entsprechend den abgestuften Stufen, beginnend mit der «kanyaka» und so weiter, ist die Zügelung des prāṇa durch prāṇāyāma der Reihe nach zu üben.

Word by Word

• स्वेच्छा-उत्क्रमण-पर्यन्तः: up to voluntary exit (of breath)
• स्वेच्छा-उत्क्रमण-पर्यन्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वेच्छा (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्क्रमण (प्रातिपदिक) + पर्यन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः (स्वेच्छया उत्क्रमणं यावत्)

• प्रोक्तः: is declared
• प्रोक्तः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + वच् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगः (said/declared)

• योग-अनुशासने: in the teaching of yoga
• योग-अनुशासने: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योग (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुशासन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (योगस्य अनुशासनम्)

• कन्यका-आदि-क्रम-वशात्: according to the sequence beginning with ‘kanyakā’
• कन्यका-आदि-क्रम-वशात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कन्यका (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक) + क्रम (प्रातिपदिक) + वश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पञ्चमी-एकवचनान्त रूपेण अव्ययीभाववत् हेत्वर्थे; समासः: (कन्यकादिक्रमस्य वशः) + तसिल् (वशात् = because of/according to)

• प्राणायाम-निरोधनम्: restraint/control of prāṇāyāma
• प्राणायाम-निरोधनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राणायाम (प्रातिपदिक) + निरोधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (प्राणायामस्य निरोधनम्)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a sthala-focused passage; the verse belongs to a yogic upadeśa section describing prāṇāyāma and mastery culminating in icchā-mṛtyu (voluntary exit), rather than a Jyotirliṅga origin narrative.

Significance: General Śaiva-yogic teaching: prāṇāyāma as an aid to purification and steadiness leading toward Śiva-anugraha (liberating grace).

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It presents yogic mastery as culminating in conscious freedom from bodily compulsion—self-controlled living leading to liberation—while emphasizing a disciplined, gradual method of inner restraint.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

In the Vayu Samhita’s Shaiva frame, yogic restraint is not separate from devotion: breath and mind are gathered inward so the seeker can abide in Shiva as Pati (the Lord), with Saguna worship supporting the steadiness needed for inner realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It specifically points to prāṇāyāma-nirodha—regulated breath restraint—practiced step-by-step; this can be paired with Shaiva japa such as the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) for focused meditation.