What is Tantra?

[Guest guest]

achintya, kligman@n... wrote:

> I was wondering if someone in the group could expand on the term

> "Tantra", starting with it's vedic definition, it's traditions, it's

> connection with Vishnavism and which part of it should we and

should we

> not come in contact with.

 

As far as I know, and this understanding comes from literature

published by Atma Tattva dasa and the Bhaktivedanta Academy, Tantras

are scriptures dealing with the subject matter of elevating oneself

to higher planets.

 

Tantras are not shruti. Nor are they mentioned in commonly quoted

pramaanas regarding the divine origins or the Vedas and Puraanas,

such as the Chandogya Upanishad, the Atharva Veda Samhita, and the

Brihadaaranyaka Upanishad. I think it is safe to assume that they hve

some authority as scriptures, but probably not as much as the

Puraanas.

 

Again, from memory, Tantras are classified in different grades, just

like the Puraanas. There are Vaishnava Tantras also. I think you may

even see some quotes from them in Nectar of Devotion.

 

How Tantras have become associated with illicit sexuality is beyond

me.

 

yours,

 

- K

[Guest guest]

Within the “New Age” community I often hear the term “Tantra” being used

often. In most cases its speakers are apparent in their ignorance of

vedanta and vedic terms, flashing around words such as “Kama-Sutra” and

connecting the subject with orgies and the indulgence of drugs,

apparently a far far new-age variation of Shivaya or Kali tradition.

I was wondering if someone in the group could expand on the term

“Tantra”, starting with it’s vedic definition, it’s traditions, it’s

connection with Vishnavism and which part of it should we and should we

not come in contact with.

 

Thank you!

Bhakta Omer

Omer

Israel

 

*** Hari – Om Tat Sat ***

[Guest guest]

Here is something from a booklet by Atmatattva Das

that explains a little of the connection between Vedic

knowledge and Tantra. There are three systems of

spiritual elevation, namely Vedic, Pancharatrik, and

Tantrik. The Tantrik path is meant for those who are

unfit for the other two paths due to attachment to

sinful activity. It is a very gradual process of

elevation that purifies one by bringing in the concept

of a higher divinity in connection to one's vices, and

sacrifice is introduced. There are two divisions of

Tantra, namely "left hand" and "rigth hand" tantra.

The right hand tantra deals mostly with rituals for

purification, whereas the "left hand" tantra deals

primarily with black magic and acquisition of mystical

powers through uncommon methods of worship. We should

note that many times pancharatrik texts are known by

the name "tantra", for example the Lakshmi Tantra

followed in the Sri Sampradaya. This is not because

they are Tantrik texts, but is related to the literal

meaning of tantra, roughly being "process".

 

Below is part of the article by Atmatattva Das:

 

Shruti, Smriti and Nyaya

 

There are three different sources of vedic knowledge,

called prasthana-traya. The Upanishads are known as

shruti-prasthana, the scriptures following the

principles of six limbs vedic knowledge (Vedangas) as

well as Mahabharata, Bhagavad-gita, and Puranas a re

known as smriti- prasthana and Vedanta-sutras which

present the vedic knowledge on the basis of logic and

arguments is known as nyaya-prasthana. All scientific

knowledge of transcendence must be supported by

shruti, smriti and a sound logical basis (nyaya ).

Smriti and nyaya always confirm that which is said in

the shruti.

 

Vedic injunctions are known as shruti. From the

original Veda Samhitas up to the Upanishads are

classified as shruti. The additional supplementary

presentations of these principles as given by the

great sages are known as smriti. They are considered

as eviden ce for vedic principles. Understanding the

ultimate goal of life is ascertained in the

Vedanta-sutras by legitimate logic and argument

concerning cause and effect.

 

There are six aspects of knowledge in the Vedas known

as Vedangas:

 

Siksha - phonetic science

Vyakarana - grammar

Nirukti - context (conclusive meaning)

Candas - meter

Jyotish - time science (astronomy & astrology)

Kalpa - rituals

 

The seers who have realized these aspects of knowledge

from the Vedas, have composed sutras (short but potent

phrases which convey a lot of meanings) on each

Vedanga. Kalpa-sutras are of four categories, viz.,

shrouta (collective sacrifices), grihya (family

rituals), dharma (occupational duties) and sulba

(building of sacrificial fireplaces, altars etc.).

According to the different levels of conditioned

consciousness there are instructions in the Vedas for

worship of different controllers, with the aim of

reaching different destinations and enjoying different

standards of sense enjoyment. Agamas (emanated

scriptures) are books which are classified into five

for this purpose:

 

Energy - Shakti (Shakta Agamas)

Visible source (Sun) - Surya (Soura Agamas)

Controller - Ganapati (Ganapatya Agamas)

Destroyer - Shiva (Shaiva Agamas)

Ultimate source - Vishnu (Vaikhanasa Agamas)

 

For those who are below standard for vedic

purificatory process, Lord Shiva gave the Tantra

sastras. These have two general classifications, right

and left. While the right aspect contains regulations

for purification for those who are grossly engaged in

meat eating, intoxication and illicit sex, the left

aspect contains low class activities like black magic

etc.

>From the point of view of common human activities

sense gratification is the basis of material life. To

cater to this aim, there are three paths mentioned in

the Vedas:

 

The karma-kanda path involves fruitive activities to

gain promotion to better planets. Using the

methodology from the first five Vedangas, the

Kalpa-sutras explain this path.

 

Upasana-kanda involves worshiping different

controllers for promotion to their planets. The Agamas

explain this path.

 

Jnana-kanda involves realizing the Absolute truth in

impersonal feature for the purpose of becoming one .

The Upanishads explain this path.

 

Though these paths are all from the Vedas, and the

Vedas do explain them, one should not think that that

is all the Vedas have. The real purpose of the Vedas

is to gradually push one in the path of self

realization to the point of surrender in devotion al

service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri

Krishna.

 

 

 

 

 

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