Introduction (getting liberated from bondages)

The individual self in kevala state is completely under the only bondage of anava which obscures the capacities of the self. Later, the self in the sakala state gets associated with tattvas, and it starts exercising the faculties of iccha, jnana and kriya . During the function of faculties, it comes under the bondage of karma and is consequently led into seemingly endless births and deaths entailing many sufferings. The cause of this miserable state for the self is its association with anava , the original bond (mula mala). The self inadvertently thinks that the pleasures of the world will be ever-lasting and consequently, it sinks into a degraded state. Meikandar compares this state to that of a king’s son who in his early years being captured by gypsies is brought up in a crude environment and has no benefit of living in a befitting palace. However when the king informs him about his status, he comes to know as to who he really is.^[1] Accordingly, when the self knows the true nature of the pleasures of the world, it feels disgusted with them and is no longer inclined to seek them. Due to the intelligence of the self, having the guidance of Shiva’s Grace, the self feels thoroughly discontented with its life hitherto and realizes the worthlessness of worldly objects and the pleasures derived through them. Thereafter it starts to look up to the eternal saviour, Lord Shiva.

Umapati Shivam says that this is the fruit of following the principles enunciated in the Shivagamas of Shaiva Siddhanta. According to the Shivagamas, the self has to practice Carya, kriya and yoga and get jnana before getting liberated from bondages.