Shaiva Siddhanta insists that liberation is possible only by annihilating the onslaught of the three impurities – anava, karma and maya. As a realistic, relativistic and pluralistic system of thought, Shaiva Siddhanta advocates several means for liberating self from bondage, depending on the qualification of religious training of the devotees. External purification through the smearing of the holy ashes and wearing of holy beads and internal sanctification by chanting the holy mystic syllables (sacred mantras like namah shivaya) are said to be the preparatory ground for entering into the realm of union with Shiva. The four fold path consists of carya, kriya, yoga and jnana.
By following the path of kriya (action) which emphasizes both external worship and internal adoration, the aspirant can achieve this objective of samipya. This path is also known as satputra marga, the path of a noble son. The self is regarded as the son of the universal father. In its onward march, the atma leaves its temporary sojourn (the material world) and joins the company of Shiva.
The dedication of the son (self) towards the father (Paramatma) results in worshiping Bhagavan, singing his glory out of increasing love and establishing an intimate relationship. The sense of I and mine will have no power, due to religious fervor, and the atma (son) can freely approach God in his domain (samipya)
This itself is a stage in release, the other three being sarupya (adorning the form of Bhagavan), salokya (being in the world of Shiva) and sayujya (union with Shiva).