Many people still consider tantra to be full of obscenities and unfit = for=20 people of good taste. It is also often accused of being a kind of black = magic.=20 However, in reality, tantra is one of the most important Indian = traditions,=20 representing the practical aspect of the Vedic tradition.
The religious attitude of the tantriks is fundamentally the same as = that of=20 the Vedic followers. It is believed that the tantra tradition is a part = of the=20 main Vedic tree. The more vigorous aspects of Vedic religion were = continued and=20 developed in the tantras. Generally tantriks worship either Goddess = Shakti or Lord=20 Shiva.
The Meaning of "Tantra"
The word "tantra" is derived from the combination of two words = "tattva" and=20 "mantra". "Tattva" means the science of cosmic principles, while = "mantra" refers=20 to the science of mystic sound and vibrations. Tantra therefore is the=20 application of cosmic sciences with a view to attain spiritual = ascendancy. In=20 another sense, tantra also means the scripture by which the light of = knowledge=20 is spread: Tanyate vistaryate jnanam anemna iti tantram.
There are essentially two schools of Indian scriptures - "Agama" and=20 "Nigama". Agamas are those which are revelations while Nigama are the=20 traditions. Tantra is an Agama and hence it is called = "srutishakhavisesah",=20 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=20 significance of "bali" or animal sacrifices. The most vigorous aspects = of Vedic=20 traditions evolved as an esoteric system of knowledge in the Tantras. The = Atharva=20 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=20 are ritualistic in character. There are three distinct tantrik = traditions -=20 Dakshina, Vama and Madhyama. They represent the three "shaktis" or = powers of=20 Shiva and are characterised by the three "gunas" or qualities - = "sattva",=20 "rajas" and "tamas". The Dakshina tradition, characterised by the = "sattva"=20 branch of tantra is essentially for good purpose. The Madhyama, = characterised by=20 "rajas" is of mixed nature, while the Vama, characterised by "tamas" is = the most=20 impure form of tantra.
Rustic Tantriks
In Indian villages, tantriks are still not quite hard to find. Many = of them=20 help the villagers solve their problems. Every person who has lived in = the=20 villages or has spent his childhood there, has a story to tell. What is = so=20 easily believed in the villages might appear illogical and unscientific = to the=20 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,=20 and his/her worldly desires into account. Other spiritual traditions = ordinarily=20 teach that desire for material pleasures and spiritual aspirations are = mutually=20 exclusive, setting the stage for an endless internal struggle. Although = most=20 people are drawn into spiritual beliefs and practices, they have a = natural urge=20 to fulfill their desires. With no way to reconcile these two impulses, = they fall=20 prey to guilt and self-condemnation or become hypocritical. Tantra = offers an=20 alternative path.
Explore More: The Uses = &=20 Abuses of Tantra
The Tantrik Approach To Life
The tantrik approach to life avoids this pitfall. Tantra itself means = "to=20 weave, to expand, and to spread", and according to tantrik masters, the = fabric=20 of life can provide true and ever-lasting fulfillment only when all the = threads=20 are woven according to the pattern designated by nature. When we are = born, life=20 naturally forms itself around that pattern. But as we grow, our = ignorance,=20 desire, attachment, fear, and false images of others and ourselves = tangle and=20 tear the threads, disfiguring the fabric. Tantra "sadhana" or practice = reweaves=20 the fabric, and restores the original pattern. This path is systematic = and=20 comprehensive. The profound science and practices pertaining to hatha = yoga,=20 pranayama, mudras, rituals, kundalini yoga, nada yoga, mantra, mandala,=20 visualization of dieties, alchemy, ayurveda, astrology, and hundreds of = esoteric=20 practices for generating worldly and spiritual prosperity blend = perfectly in the=20 tantrik disciplines.
Explore More: The Wild = World of=20 Tantra
NOTE: The author of the above article is the = well-known=20 tantrik master Shri Aghorinath Ji. The views expressed here are entirely = his=20 own. Photos reproduced with permission. For more information, please see = our user = agreement.