Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 9
योगप्रकारनिर्णयः
Classification and Definition of Yoga
प्राणायाममुखा सैव स्पर्शे योगोभिधीयते । स मंत्रस्पर्शनिर्मुक्तो भावयोगः प्रकीर्तितः
prāṇāyāmamukhā saiva sparśe yogobhidhīyate | sa maṃtrasparśanirmukto bhāvayogaḥ prakīrtitaḥ
同一修持——以调息（prāṇāyāma）为始——若伴随“触”（内在直接的契悟），便称为“瑜伽”。若离于对真言及此类外相“触”的依赖，则被称颂为“情志瑜伽”（Bhāva-yoga），即纯净内在虔敬与意向之瑜伽。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It distinguishes technique-based yoga (starting with prāṇāyāma and supported by methods like mantra) from bhāva-yoga—absorption in Shiva through purified inner disposition—highlighting that liberation is ultimately rooted in inward transformation and grace-oriented devotion to Pati (Shiva).
Mantra and meditative ‘contact’ support saguna upāsanā—steadying the mind on Shiva’s form, Linga, and divine qualities—while bhāva-yoga emphasizes that the culmination of worship is unwavering inner surrender and remembrance, where external supports become secondary to direct devotion.
Begin with prāṇāyāma to stabilize attention, then use japa (e.g., the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to deepen concentration; finally, mature the practice into bhāva—continuous inward Shiva-bhakti—rather than relying only on technique.