Saivite Hinduism

The path for saivites is divided into four progressive stages of belief and practice called charya, kriya, yoga and jnana. The soul evolves through karma and reincarnation from the instinctive-intellectual sphere into virtuous and moral living, then into temple worship and devotion, followed by internalized worship or yoga and its meditative disciplines. Union with God Siva come through the grace of the satguru and culminates in the soul's maturity in the state of jnana, or wisdom. Saivishm values both bhakti and yoga, devotional and contemplative sadhanas. Moksha is defined differently in saivishm's six schools.

Pasupata saivism emphasizes Siva as supreme cause and personal ruler of the soul and world. It teaches that the liberated soul retains its individuality in a state of complete union with Siva. Vira Saivism holds that after liberation the soul experiences a true union and identity of Siva and soul, called linga and anga. The soul ultimately merges in a state of Sunya, or Nothingness, which is not an empty void. Kashmir Saivishm teaches that liberation comes though a sustained recognition, called pratyabhijna, of one's true self as nothing but siva. After liberation, the soul has no merger in God, as God and soul are eternally not different. In Gorakhnath Saivishm, or Siddha Siddhanata, Moksha lead to complete sameness of Siva and Soul, described as "bubbles arising and returning to water". In siva advaita, liberation leads to the "akasa within the heart". Upon death, the soul goes to Siva along the path of the Gods, continuing to exist on the spiritual plane, enjoying the bliss of knowing all as Siva, and attaining all powers expect creation.

Saiva Sidhanta has two sub-sects. Meykandar's pluralistic realism teaches that God, soul and world are eternally coexistent. Liberation leads to a state of oneness with Siva, in which the soul retains its individuality, like salt added to water. Tirumular's monistic theism, or Advaita Isvaravada, reflected in merging with Siva, Holds that evolution continues after earthly births until jiva becomes Siva, the soul merges in perfect oneness with God, like a drop of water returning to the sea. Scriptures teach, "having realized the self, the rishis, perfect souls, satisfied with their knowledge, passion-free, tranquil-those wise beings, having attained the omnipresent on all sides-enter into the all itself"