Abhinavagupta's Paramarthasara

*Abhinavagupta's Paramarthasara * 

He who knows the all-pervasive, omnipresent Self, the obliterator of multiplicity, the supreme bliss, who is beyond comparison, becomes one with Siva. 

Yogaraja's commentary:

Through the experience that “I alone am manifest in the different forms,” the spiritual adept knows himself as Siva, pure consciousness and massive bliss incarnate, and is not affected by limitation in any form. Obtaining this wisdom from reasoning, scriptural authority (Agama), his own experience, and deep reflection, the adept becomes Siva, casting away all of his self-imposed limitations.

No prerequisites are required to obtain the knowledge of the Self. Therefore, all those who are subject to birth and death and are human can become one with Siva, after the awakening of the recognition of Siva (the realization that “I am Siva.”)

What is the nature of Siva? The reply given in the verse is the “all-pervasive omnipresent Self.” Siva is the Self of all subjects and objects. In other words, he is both the transcendent and the immanent reality. He is the one who, everywhere and at all times, dissolves into pure consciousness the infinite variety of the world manifestation. He is unique because of the absence of any deficiency or want in himself, and therefore he is of the nature of supreme bliss. One who realizes his Self to be of this nature becomes Siva.