Thinking with, against, and beyond the Pratyabhijn philosophyand back again

We argue that the pratyabhijn (recognition) system of Kamir aivism holds an inconsistent position. On the one hand, the Pratyabhijn regards iva as an impersonal mechanism and the universe, including persons, as not having agency; call this the Impersonal Component. On the other hand, it considers iva himself as a person, and individual persons as having agency sufficient to respond to iva; call this the Personal Component. We maintain that the Personal Component should be affirmed and the Impersonal Component rejected. The Impersonal Component's claim that iva is unaware of and unaffected by his manifestation should be rejected, and the doctrine of satkryavda should be modified. The universe is iva's manifestation, in the first instance, but it also has a relative autonomy from him. Moreover, humans have agency and freedom. Their actions effect iva. He grows and develops in response to his manifestation.