तन्त्रसार (महामाहेश्वर अभिनवगुप्त - तन्त्रालोक का प्रामाणिक सार-संग्रह सटीक)

xi for worshipping Maheśa. Similarly at the end of the work he states that his sole purpose of writing it was that everybody should attain Śiva nature. By this clear statement he hints at the singleness of thought which is nothing but (saṁvid) pure consciousness. In the beginning of the work we find a benedictory verse by which he pays obeisance to his parents, Narasiṁha- gupta and Vimalakalā his father and mother respectively. They represent Śiva and Śakti. Tantrāloka also begins with this very verse in which Jayaratha, the renowned comment- ator, has given three interpretations keeping kula, krama and the common views in mind. It has been the tradition of ancient scholars to pay obeisance to the Lord in order to allay obstacles, otherwise they stand in the way to progress and performance of duty by creating many sorts of hindrances like inattentiveness, lack of imagination etc. They are thought to be presided over by some deities even though the person from whom the delu- sive influence of Māyā has ceased but its residual trace is still functioning. Because of its presence he will experience himself as a subject identical either with the body or the vital energy etc. He is overpowered by those deities who cause impediment to the fulfilment of his desire, particularly they cause interruption to him who has undertaken the task of showing the path of liberation to the world¹. Hence it is considered proper for him that he should pay obeisance to Lord. At the time of bowing (namana) he merges his individual self to the Supreme who is the very self of the १. ते च प्रक्षीणमोहस्यापि मायासंस्काराविनिवृत्तशरीरप्राणप्रभृतिगत प्रमातृभावस्य प्रत्यगात्मनः प्रभवेयुरपि इच्छाविधाताय, विशेषतः समस्तलोकमभ्युद्धर्तुं परिगृहीतोद्यमस्य । ई. प्र. वि. वि, पृ० १८