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
Because it brings about the act of ‘going forth’—the forward movement of life—it is therefore called prāṇa. And that which is named apāna leads downward, through which food and the like are taken in and processed.
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.