Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 33
योगप्रकारनिर्णयः
Classification and Definition of Yoga
जपं ध्यानं विनागर्भः सगर्भस्तत्समन्वयात् । अगर्भाद्गर्भसंयुक्तः प्राणायामःशताधिकः
japaṃ dhyānaṃ vināgarbhaḥ sagarbhastatsamanvayāt | agarbhādgarbhasaṃyuktaḥ prāṇāyāmaḥśatādhikaḥ
Japa and meditation are called “a-garbha” (without seed) when performed without inner support; but when united with that supporting principle they become “sa-garbha” (with seed). Compared with the seedless state, prāṇāyāma practiced together with the “seed” is superior by more than a hundredfold.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīya teaching to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Mantra: oṃ namaḥ śivāya
Type: panchakshara
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches a graded Shaiva yogic discipline: practices become far more transformative when they are anchored in a “seed”—a stable inner support such as Shiva-mantra, Shiva-tattva contemplation, or focused awareness—rather than being mechanically performed.
“Sa-garbha” practice aligns japa, dhyāna, and prāṇāyāma with a concrete support—such as Linga-dhyāna, Shiva’s form, or the Panchākṣarī—so the mind rests in Saguna Shiva and is led toward realization of Shiva as Pati.
Combine prāṇāyāma with mantra-japa and Shiva-focused meditation (e.g., mentally repeating Om Namaḥ Śivāya during regulated breathing), making the practice “with seed” rather than merely breath-control.