Within the Pratyabhijñā understanding of Kashmir Śaivism, the capacity for recognition of the self as Śiva is affirmed as universal. This is because every being is held to be, in essence, Śiva-consciousness itself, with no one ontologically excluded from that reality. What obscures this ever-present nature are the various impurities or limitations that veil it, such as ignorance and the sense of individuality. Thus, realization is not conceived as acquiring something new, but as the removal of what prevents clear seeing. The potential for such recognition is therefore inherent in all, regardless of social identity or background.

At the same time, the tradition is careful to distinguish this universal potential from actual attainment. The unfolding of recognition depends on the maturity of one’s inner disposition, which is shaped by karmic conditions and may develop over multiple lifetimes. Factors such as intense devotion, sustained self-reflection, and ethical and spiritual refinement play a significant role in preparing consciousness for this shift. In this sense, while anyone can realize their identity with Śiva, not everyone is equally ready at any given moment.

Central to this process is the descent of divine grace, or śaktipāta, which is regarded as essential for genuine awakening. This grace is understood as universally available, yet it manifests with differing intensity and timing, which explains why some may awaken suddenly while others progress more gradually. The presence of a qualified guru, one who abides in this recognition, is also emphasized as a crucial support. Such a teacher can provide guidance in the appropriate means—meditation, mantra, contemplation, and other upāyas—that help remove obscurations rather than create something new.

The tradition further stresses that intellectual understanding alone does not suffice; recognition must be a direct, lived realization of one’s true nature as Śiva. Nonetheless, clear philosophical insight can prepare the ground, aligning the mind with what is to be recognized. Over time, through practice, grace, and guidance, the deep-seated patterns of limited self-identification can be loosened. Because there is no notion of eternal exclusion, the journey continues until the veiling powers are exhausted and recognition dawns. In this light, Pratyabhijñā is portrayed as both the most natural realization—since it is simply what one already is—and yet rare, given the strength of the habitual sense of separation.