Malas: The Three Impurities or Veils of Ignorance

Hey There!

I have been studying the teachings of Kashmir Shaivism for a while now and I would like to share their view on bondage and suffering, according to my understanding.

According to the second Sūtra from the Śiva Sūtras, translated by Jaideva Singh, the cause of bondage is Ajñāna or ignorance of one’s real nature which is a kind of shrunken or limited knowledge.

In Kashmir Shaivism these veils of ignorance are called the three “Malas”, translated into the three Impurities by Christopher Wallis in Tantra Illuminated. From a non-dual perspective Malas aren’t literally seen as impurities, because all is seen as a sacred expression of consciousness. Christopher Wallis describes: “They are simply ignorance, or rather limited perception, which Consciousness has taken on in order to become a finite individual, and which it can choose to relinquish at any time.”

By identifying with the finite individual, seeing this as the whole of what we are and forgetting that our true Self is the infinite universal “I” Consciousness, this ignorance or limited knowledge, may give rise to suffering.

Which three Malas do they describe?

Āṇava-Mala: Impurity of Individuality, which may cause the belief of smallness or incompleteness, that something is missing or lacking.

Māyīya-Mala: Impurity of Differentiation, which may cause the belief of separation and loneliness, disconnection and maybe even me-against-you.

Kārma-Mala: Impurity of Action, when the previous Malas are active, we may say that this naturally evolves from them. Striving for every advantage you can get upon another and grasping for certain outcomes.

We do not see the patterns arising from these malas as flaws, but as contracted forms of consciousness. Limited knowledge or veils of ignorance which are seen as the cause of bondage. By meeting these contractions from a place of unconditional love and acceptance, and recognizing our true nature and aligning with our true Self, we may allow these contractions to dissolve.

Bless you!

Namaste,

Jop