Tantras ...

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Hare Krishna

PAMHO AGTSP

 

Regarding tantras, I have read from some books by devotees like Sri

Nandanandana das (Stephen Knapp) that there are 2 sides to tantras, i.e.

the right tantras and the left tantras.

 

The right tantras are those dealing with worship rituals, installation of

deities, etc. This is what we call Vaishnava tantras. These are related to

Agamas such as the Vaikhanasa, Pancharatra, etc. Vaikhanasa is deemed Vedic

but Pancharatra is not. But it follows the conclusions of the Vedas and is

accepted as authoritative by Vaishnava Acharyas. Apart from Vaishnava tantra

shastra, there are also the Shaivite and Shakta tantras. Some deal with

similar rituals related to Lord Shiva, Durga, etc. and form the basis of

Shiva Agamas, Shakta Agamas, etc.

 

However, the left tantras are those that sometimes contain practices deemed

abominable by those in goodness and pure goodness. These are generally

related to the mode of ignorance and some Shivaite and Shakta agamas have

tended to take on this type of mode with the taking of intoxicants in

rituals, animal slaughter, black magic and sexual intercourse during the

rituals. The demoniac worship of Kali, Kala bhairava (a ghory form of Lord

Shiva and his ghostly associates), etc.have taken on rituals from this left

side of the tantras. These are generally for men who are the lowest of the

low. Acts such as casting spells by mutating objects, etc. that are so often

associated with Voodoo, black magic, etc. take the help of this left portion

of tantras.

 

A ritual can be sattvic, rajasic or tamasic or on the platform of suddha

sattva.

Worshippers of Vishnu who are still attached to mixed devotional service

(mixed as in mixed with karma or desire for fruitive results and sense

gratification and jnana or mental speculation, etc.) are worshipping in the

mode of mundane goodness. Demigod worshippers are generally in the mode of

passion and are driven by material desires. Those who worship ghosts,

spirits, etc. are in the mode of ignorance. And of course, there is the

unalloyed pure worship of the Lord which is on the platform of Suddha Sattva

or pure goodness. Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur does make the distinction

between Vaishnavism in the mundane goodness mode and Vaishnavism in the pure

goodness mode.

 

According to the nature of the worship, different rituals and ritual modes

are adopted.

 

This is my understanding of tantra and the different types as understood

from my reading of books and hearing of lectures by our Poorvacharyas, Srila

Prabhupada and the devotees.

 

Please forgive me for any mistakes committed.

 

Hare Krishna

 

your servant

R. Jai Simman

Singapore