Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 80
पाशुपतव्रतविधिः | The Procedure of the Supreme Pāśupata Vow
देशिकेनाप्यनुज्ञातः प्राङ्मुखो वाप्युदङ्मुखः । दर्भासनो दर्भपाणिः प्राणापानौ नियम्य च
deśikenāpyanujñātaḥ prāṅmukho vāpyudaṅmukhaḥ | darbhāsano darbhapāṇiḥ prāṇāpānau niyamya ca
Ayant reçu l’autorisation du précepteur, tourné vers l’est ou vers le nord, assis sur un siège d’herbe kuśa et tenant du kuśa en main, on doit maîtriser et régler l’inspiration et l’expiration (prāṇa et apāna).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Highlights disciplined preparation (guru-permission, orientation, kuśa-seat, prāṇāyāma) that purifies the bound soul for mantra and dhyāna.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva-worship and inner realization begin with discipline: the guru’s sanction, a purified posture, and regulation of prāṇa-apāna to steady the mind so the soul (paśu) can turn toward Pati (Shiva) beyond bonds (pāśa).
Before external Linga-pūjā, the practitioner prepares the inner instrument (antaḥkaraṇa) through correct orientation, ritual purity (kuśa seat), and breath-restraint, making the offering to Saguna Shiva focused rather than distracted.
A preparatory practice: sit facing east or north on kuśa (darbha), hold kuśa, and perform prāṇāyāma by regulating inhalation and exhalation under the guidance/permission of one’s teacher.