शिवज्ञानबोध (मेय्कण्डार - शैव सिद्धान्त का आधारभूत दार्शनिक सूत्र ग्रन्थ)

86 SIVAGNANA BOTHAM.
NOTES.
After showing, in the last Sutra, what the Soul has to
achieve, this Sutra proceeds to explain the Sadanas and the fruits
of such Sadana.
To begin with, the soul, by its practice of Tapas in all its
past and present birth must have acquired sufficient knowledge
and spirituality as to be able to attain Gnanam. Tapas as here
used means and includes three out of the four Pathams or Paths
described in this school namely Sariya, Kriya, and Yoga. Sariya
and Kriya include all kinds of altruistic and Moral and Religi-
ous practices. All these three which are placed in an ascending
order bring about what is called ‘ இருவினையொப்பு and மலபரி
பாகம்’ (balancing of the good and bad Karma, and the maturing
of Mala before it can be dropped). The practice of these Sadanas
develope in the soul, true knowledge (Gnanam) and Love (Bakti)
and God who is all Love, appears as Guru and imparts Gnanam, the
fourth Patham by showing it its true nature; and the Soul attain-
ing Gnanam frees itself from Asạt and reaches the Feet of the Sat.
Hence the four paths, Sariya, Kriya, Yoga and Gnanam lead to
four fruits or Sadhia, namely ‘Iruvinai Oppu’ ‘Malaparipaga’
‘Sargurudarsana’ and ‘Sattinipada’ (Reaching Divine Grace).
The illustrations to the first argument point out that it is possi-
ble to attain a good many powers and enjoyments by the practice
of Tapas; none of which however will be lasting or lead one to
freedom and eternal bliss. They only beget further Karma and
further births. The true Tapasi will aim at destroying all Karma
and reach his true Guru. And the second argument points out
who the Sarguru is and illustration (c) shows how He is to be
obtained. This Guru cannot be any other than God and except