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
ദേശികൻ (ഗുരു) അനുവാദം നൽകിയ ശേഷം, കിഴക്കോട്ടോ വടക്കോട്ടോ മുഖം തിരിച്ച്, ദർഭാസനത്തിൽ ഇരുന്ന് കൈയിൽ ദർഭ പിടിച്ച്, പ്രാണ-അപാനങ്ങളെ നിയന്ത്രിച്ച് ക്രമപ്പെടുത്തണം.
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.