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On the basis of our knowledge of Tántric Philosophy whether of the monistic type or otherwise, we can have a clear knowledge of the significance of Karma in human life. Impure Karma is what is associated with Sakala souls or even with the Pralayākala souls but in the vijñánākala state also there is Karma in a certain sense, though it is of the purer nature. The lower Karma known as Karma mala is associated with mundane life, it is either of the nature of merit or punya or of the nature of demerit or papa; elsewhere known as dharmādharma or adrsta. This Karma is destroyed by knowledge of discrimination, as a result of which the human body which is a result of Karmaic fructification falls off. The consequent state is one of Kaivalya. It is the state free from Karma of impure type and has nothing to do with the worldly existence but if a particular soul in this condition is favoured with Divine grace as a result of which it is invested with a spiritual body called Baindavasarīra in Siddhānta saiva. It is technically known as vijñānākala. These souls as thus invested with supernatural body function in the realms of pure matter, as authorities controlling under the direction of the Divine, the Impure Máyā. This sort of world administration is also associated with Karma though it is not impure samsāra in the ordinary sense. From the Tántric view point, we are thus face to face with two-fold Karmas, impure and pure-of which the impure is the source of pleasure and pain and is the cause of transmigration and the pure Karma is that of a person who is free from impure Māyā but is not free from pure Máya and functions as a member of the administrative staff under the Divine order exercising control over the world of Māyā. This distinction between pure and impure Māyā is very important. We should remember in this connection that the Sansāra which results from impure Māyā includes even the higher heavens, for they also fall within the zone of lower Māyā. Keeping this in mind we can say that perfection according to tantra implies freedom from the lower as well as the higher Māyā.
