The Svacchanda Tantra

Although in this philosophy, the Anupaya no-means, Shambhava-upaya means of Shiva, Shakta-upaya means of Shakti, and Anava-upaya means of the atom/individual accepted by the Agamas are given full recognition, Acarya Utpala appears to rely solely on Anupaya, in which there remains the possibility of the immediate attainment of Maheshvarata the nature of the Great Lord due to the direct descent of power (Shaktipata) from Maheshvara. This causeless grace (Shaktipata) of Maheshvara appears equivalent to the Pushti divine grace of Vallabha-Vedanta. Acarya Utpala says—

If we accept the authority of Acarya Utpala, then Shiva-advaita non-dualism of Shiva infused with devotion alone proves to be the sole goal of the Pratyabhijna sect. Shuddhadvaita pure non-dualism infused with devotion is the only goal of Vallabha-Vedanta as well. Thus, Shiva-devotion and Krishna-devotion established as the Pushti principle, and Krishna-advaita and Shiva-advaita infused with them, appear equally established in both sects respectively.

Acarya Utpala is a supporter of non-dualism infused with devotion, not merely of dry knowledge See footnote 1. He gives credit to devotion to the Supreme Lord even above the Lord himself See footnote 2. Through the continuous reflection on the Pratyabhijna of the Self and the Supreme Self (Shiva) and His perfect 'I-ness' (Ahanta), by means of the activities of the thirty-six principles accepted by Shaiva philosophy, Acarya Utpala experiences Shiva-advaita while considering it the divine play of the Supreme Lord Shiva. This non-dual attainment, infused with intense devotion to Shiva, is the source of both enjoyment and liberation. Upon the realization of this Shiva-advaita, even sorrow attains the state of happiness, poison becomes nectar, and the bondage of the world becomes liberation. Such an accomplished devotee experiences the indescribable bliss of non-dualism in the state of a Paramahansa.

1. I am neither dry intellectual/cold nor do I become accomplished or liberated; rather, I am full of the nectar of devotion like one who has attained the supreme peak of taste.
2. Neither detached, nor even the Lord, nor a seeker of liberation—may I be your worshipper, intoxicated by the essence of intense devotion. Liberation is just the ripened state of devotion towards you, O Lord; having reached the initial stage of that, we are practically liberated. (Shivastotravali)