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
Remplir (le souffle) par l’autre narine est tenu pour pūraka (l’inspiration). Le yogin ne le relâche ni ne l’attire avec force ; il stabilise le prāṇa-vāyu afin qu’il demeure en équilibre, au dedans comme au dehors.
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.