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
Получив дозволение от наставника (дешики), обратившись лицом на восток или на север, сидя на сиденье из травы куша и держа кушу в руке, следует сдерживать и упорядочивать вдох и выдох (прану и апану).
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.