Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 38
योगप्रकारनिर्णयः
Classification and Definition of Yoga
समं नयति सर्वांगं समानस्तेन गीयते । उद्गारे नाग आख्यातः कूर्म उन्मीलने स्थितः
samaṃ nayati sarvāṃgaṃ samānastena gīyate | udgāre nāga ākhyātaḥ kūrma unmīlane sthitaḥ
సమస్త శరీరాన్ని సమస్థితికి నడిపించే ప్రాణవాయువు కనుక ‘సమాన’ అని పిలుస్తారు. డక్కారంలో పనిచేసేది ‘నాగ’గా ప్రసిద్ధి; కళ్లను తెరవడంలో ‘కూర్మ’ స్థితి చెందుతుంది.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s yogic-philosophical teaching in the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It maps subtle physiological functions to specific prāṇic forces, showing that yogic self-knowledge includes understanding how prāṇa maintains balance; such inner equilibrium supports steadiness of mind for devotion to Pati (Shiva) and progress toward moksha.
In Shaiva practice, Linga worship is supported by inner discipline: balancing Samāna and observing the prāṇas steadies attention, making japa and dhyāna on Saguna Shiva (as the Linga) more one-pointed and effective.
A practical takeaway is prāṇāyāma with mindful observation of bodily balance and subtle movements (belching, blinking/eye-opening), followed by Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to anchor prāṇa and mind in Shiva.