Introduction (The concept of God)

The four Vedas and twenty eight agamas deal with the concept of God, bound selves and bondages. The latter three are respectively known as Pati , pashu and pasha . Pati ,as the word indicates, has superiority over the other two. It is also known as Pasu-Pati indicating that it has over-all control of safe-guarding, supervising and restraining the other two. Pati is beyond material distinction of having form or being formless as well as not having a quality or definite mark. Here it is to be noted that as per Shaiva Siddhanta, pashu and pasha , the other two of the three eternal entities do also share these two qualities. Hence there should be some other superior quality of Pati . Umapati Shivam answers that Pati is one and it is not touched or affected in any way by Pasha while Pashu or the individual self is not one in number. There are many and unlimited or countless selves. All these are affected by Pasha or the malas—impurity and defilement. Another distinguishing feature of Pati over Pasha is that it removes the obstructions caused by the latter to the intelligence of the selves and thereby imparts knowledge to them. Also Pati remains unchangeable in any condition of time or place. Without Patino work or existence is possible either for the self (the intelligent universe) or for the non-intelligent matter (unintelligent universe). He is total bliss and indispensable for the other two. Pati is the final goal of the right minded self. He manifests in the smallest of the small as well as in the biggest of big.^[1]

Hence Pati is self existent and self effulgent, radiating warmth and compassion. Pati, remaining changeless, without any quality is named Shivam. Shakti is the ever-compassionate aspect of Pati in Shaiva Siddhanta. It is similar to sun raditing its rays and moon with its beauty and soothing effect.

Umapati Shivam denotes God or Patiby two terms “Tarcivam ” and “Tarparam ”.Tarcivam means Shivam which is self existing, unaided or unaffected by anything else and remaining pure (Shuddha).^[2] Tarpara [tarparam] denotes that Shiva [Shivam] is the primal “Being”. He uses another word “cirparam ” in this context.^[3] “Cirparam ” denotes the will as well as the Lord–known as Shakti .