The Kularnava Tantra presents its path as one that is not universally open, but reserved for those who meet clear spiritual and ethical prerequisites. Foremost among these is formal initiation (dīkṣā) from a qualified guru rooted in an authentic lineage, since the text treats mantra, ritual, and yogic practice as truly effective only when empowered in this way. This relationship is not merely formal; it presupposes deep faith and devotion to the guru, the deity, and the scriptural tradition, along with the willingness to surrender egoic resistance so that the guru can genuinely assess readiness. The aspirant is expected to cultivate an inclination toward inner inquiry and non-dual understanding, so that ritual does not become an end in itself but a vehicle for realization of Śiva–Śakti as the essence of all.

Alongside this initiatory and devotional framework, the scripture emphasizes a demanding ethical and psychological profile for the practitioner. It praises qualities such as self-control, relative purity of conduct, truthfulness, non-cruelty, and freedom from deceit, envy, and excessive greed, while warning against arrogance, instability, and purely worldly ambition. The text also stresses steadiness of mind, the capacity to keep esoteric matters secret, and a respectful attitude toward women, gurus, and fellow devotees, together with an avoidance of slandering other paths. Such traits are not presented as mere moral ornamentation, but as the very conditions that make the more radical tantric methods spiritually safe and genuinely transformative.

A further prerequisite is the capacity for disciplined observance of ritual and vows, combined with an understanding that the ultimate aim is liberation rather than sensory indulgence. The practitioner must be able to follow ritual prescriptions precisely, maintain secrecy regarding practices—especially those that may appear unconventional—and hold a non-judgmental attitude toward tantric methods while still remaining grounded in compassion and responsibility. The text repeatedly cautions against transmitting these teachings to those who mock guru or deity, who are overtly immoral or exploitative, or who seek only enjoyment without aspiration for mokṣa. In this way, the Kularnava Tantra frames its path as a demanding synthesis of initiation, devotion, ethical maturity, psychological stability, and a sincere orientation toward non-dual realization.