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
Mengisi nafas melalui lubang hidung yang satu lagi dianggap sebagai pūraka (tarikan). Yogi tidak melepaskan atau menarik nafas secara paksa; dia meneguhkan prāṇa-vāyu agar tetap seimbang, berada di dalam dan di luar.
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.