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

1 free from all limitations and is of the characteristic of pure consciousness ( Samvidaikasvabhāva ). But Śaktipāta of a little lower nature than the former, though shines in its full- ness of consciousness ( paripūrṇacidātmatayā ), is conditioned with the limitations of bhoga. It should be remembered in this context that Śaktipāta is really of the nature of icchā of the Lord. It is He who by His freedom of will manifests all the subjects and objects. This is his activity of concealment known as tirodhāna, on account of which bondage and the objects to be enjoyed shine before the view of the subject. Thus He binds Himself by the deeds supposed by Him. Then He removes all the bonds away and finally shines in the fullness of dṛk and kriyā. His play of freedom is such that though He assumes the limited forms, yet on His return journey He shines in His pristine pure nature.¹ Kṛpā or grace is known to be of two types, the one is parā, the highest and the other is aparā. The highest kind of Śaktipāta is bestowed only by the Lord Himself, but the lower kind of grace is bestowed by the superintending lords of the domain over which they have their control. The Śakt- ipāta as bestowed by them does not lead the soul to attain Śiva-nature, hence it is inferior from the one which follows from the Lord Himself. The grace, it should be kept in mind, is manda, less keen and tīvra, exceedingly keen. When it is manda, it gives birth to the soul the right judgment of disti- nction between Pakṛti and Puruṣa, as a result the soul does not go any farther below prakṛti. But when it is keen, the soul by its merit is able to discriminate his own being from Kalā १. यदणुरूपोऽपि सन्नसौ प्रत्यावृत्त्या रूपं स्वयं परिशुद्धं स्पृशति । तं० आ० विवेक १३.१०५