| What is Tantra? | |
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Part
1: The Basic of Tantrism
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Tantra has been one of the most neglected branches of Indian spiritual studies despite the considerable number of texts devoted to this practice, which dates back to the 5th-9th century AD.
Many people still consider tantra to be full of obscenities and unfit for people of good taste. It is also often accused of being a kind of black magic. However, in reality, tantra is one of the most important Indian traditions, representing the practical aspect of the Vedic tradition.
The religious attitude of the tantriks is fundamentally the same as that of the Vedic followers. It is believed that the tantra tradition is a part of the main Vedic tree. The more vigorous aspects of Vedic religion were continued and developed in the tantras. Generally tantriks worship either Goddess Shakti or Lord Shiva.
The
Meaning of "Tantra"
The word "tantra" is derived from the combination of two words "tattva"
and "mantra". "Tattva" means the science of cosmic principles,
while "mantra" refers to the science of mystic sound and vibrations.
Tantra therefore is the application of cosmic sciences with a view to attain
spiritual ascendancy. In another sense, tantra also means the scripture by which
the light of knowledge is spread: Tanyate vistaryate jnanam anemna iti tantram.
There are essentially two schools of Indian scriptures — "Agama" and "Nigama". Agamas are those which are revelations while Nigama are the traditions. Tantra is an Agama and hence it is called "srutishakhavisesah", which means it is a branch of the Vedas.
Tantric
Scriptures
The main deities worshipped are Shiva and Shakti. In tantra there is a great
significance of "bali" or animal sacrifices. The most vigorous aspects
of Vedic traditions evolved as an esoteric system of knowledge in the Tantras.
The Atharva Veda is considered to be one of the prime tantrik scriptures.
Types
& Terminology
There are 18 "Agamas", which are also referred to as Shiva tantras,
and they are ritualistic in character. There are three distinct tantrik traditions
— Dakshina, Vama and Madhyama. They represent the three "shaktis"
or powers of Shiva and are characterised by the three "gunas" or qualities
- "sattva", "rajas" and "tamas". The Dakshina
tradition, characterised by the "sattva" branch of tantra is essentially
for good purpose. The Madhyama, characterised by "rajas" is of mixed
nature, while the Vama, characterised by "tamas" is the most impure
form of tantra.
Rustic
Tantriks
In Indian villages, tantriks are still not quite hard to find. Many of them
help the villagers solve their problems. Every person who has lived in the villages
or has spent his childhood there, has a story to tell. What is so easily believed
in the villages might appear illogical and unscientific to the rational urban
mind, but these phenomena are realities of life.
Desire
for Worldly Pleasures
Tantra is different from other traditions because it takes the whole person,
and his/her worldly desires into account. Other spiritual traditions ordinarily
teach that desire for material pleasures and spiritual aspirations are mutually
exclusive, setting the stage for an endless internal struggle. Although most
people are drawn into spiritual beliefs and practices, they have a natural urge
to fulfill their desires. With no way to reconcile these two impulses, they
fall prey to guilt and self-condemnation or become hypocritical. Tantra offers
an alternative path.
The
Tantrik Approach To Life
The tantrik approach to life avoids this pitfall. Tantra itself means "to
weave, to expand, and to spread", and according to tantrik masters, the
fabric of life can provide true and ever-lasting fulfillment only when all the
threads are woven according to the pattern designated by nature. When we are
born, life naturally forms itself around that pattern. But as we grow, our ignorance,
desire, attachment, fear, and false images of others and ourselves tangle and
tear the threads, disfiguring the fabric. Tantra "sadhana" or practice
reweaves the fabric, and restores the original pattern. This path is systematic
and comprehensive. The profound science and practices pertaining to hatha yoga,
pranayama, mudras, rituals, kundalini yoga, nada yoga, mantra, mandala, visualization
of dieties, alchemy, ayurveda, astrology, and hundreds of esoteric practices
for generating worldly and spiritual prosperity blend perfectly in the tantrik
disciplines.
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Disclaimer:
The author of the above article
is the well-known tantrik master Shri Aghori Ji. The views expressed here
are entirely his own. Photos reproduced with permission. For more information,
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