Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 22
योगप्रकारनिर्णयः
Classification and Definition of Yoga
औदरं रेचयेद्वायुं तथायं रेचकः स्मृतः । बाह्येन मरुता देहं दृतिवत्परिपूरयेत्
audaraṃ recayedvāyuṃ tathāyaṃ recakaḥ smṛtaḥ | bāhyena marutā dehaṃ dṛtivatparipūrayet
Hendaklah dihembuskan angin dari perut—itulah yang diingati sebagai recaka (hembusan). Kemudian, dengan udara luar, penuhilah tubuh sepenuhnya, seolah-olah ia sebuah belos.
Suta Goswami (continuing the Vāyavīya teaching on yogic discipline as transmitted in the Shiva Purana tradition)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Prāṇa mastery is framed as a sādhana that refines the paśu’s instrument (body-mind) so it can receive higher Śaiva knowledge and grace.
FAQs
It frames breath-discipline as a Shaiva means of inner purification: regulating vāyu steadies the mind and loosens pāśa (bondage), preparing the seeker (paśu) for grace-oriented realization of Pati, Shiva.
Prāṇāyāma supports Saguna Shiva worship by making japa, dhyāna, and Linga-upāsanā steady; a purified breath and mind become fit instruments for devotion that culminates in Shiva’s liberating grace.
A practical prāṇāyāma instruction: perform recaka (expelling abdominal air) and then fill with external air (puraka), like a bellows—ideally alongside Shiva-japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and meditative focus.