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Balaji Deekshitulu P V, AJHC, 2020; 3:14

Review Article AJHC 2020,3:14

American Journal of History and Culture (ISSN:2637-4919)

History of

Balaji Deekshitulu P V Homeopathy Doctor and Psychologist, Sri Balaji Homeo Clinic, , A.P, .

ABSTRACT

The review article explains that the Tantra is oldest tradition of *Correspondence to Author: mind and body health, Universal is not creating any one, it is cre- Dr Balaji Deekshitulu P V ate by . Its truth no scientific an evidence of various natural Homeopathy Doctor and Psychol- things in 21st century, Tantra explains systematic life, visualiza- ogist, Sri Balaji Homeo Clinic, Tir- tion of nothings etc… Tantra is best way of good things only. upati, A.P, India.

Keywords: History of Tantra

How to cite this article: Balaji Deekshitulu P V. History of Tantra. American Journal of History and Culture, 2020,3:14.

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AJHC: https://escipub.com/american-journal-of-history-and-culture/ 1 Balaji Deekshitulu P V, AJHC, 2020; 3:14 Introduction: form. While the Vedic practice of there are no idols and shrines, in its Tantric traditions, Tantra is not easily to understand for everyone, idols and symbolic icons with are the this is a practical way of life, till continue A means of . Temples, symbolism, icons number of techniques to help mind and physical that remind the devotee of attributes and values impact. are a necessary part of the Agamic practice, Tantra (/ˈtʌntrə, ˈtæ n-/; : तन्त्र, literally while non-theistic paths are one of the many "loom, weave, system") denotes alternative means in the Vedic practice. This, the esoteric traditions however, does not necessarily mean that of and that co-developed Tantra-Agamas and are opposed, most likely about the middle of the 1st according to medieval era Hindu millennium AD. The term tantra, in theologians. , for example, explained the Indian traditions, also means any systematic their link as, "the Vedas are the path, and the broadly applicable "text, theory, system, method, Agamas are the horse. instrument, technique or practice". Each Tantra-Agama text consists of four parts: centering • pada, also called pada– on , or emerged. In consists of doctrine, the philosophical and Buddhism, the tradition is known for spiritual knowledge, knowledge of reality and its extensive tantra ideas and practices. Tantric liberation. Hindu and Buddhist traditions have influenced other Eastern religious traditions such • pada - precepts on yoga, the physical and mental discipline. as , the Tibetan Bön tradition, Daoism and the • Kriya pada - consists of rules for , Japanese Shintō tradition. construction of temples (Mandir); design In Hinduism, the tantric traditions are found in principles for sculpting, carving, and 's and the consecration of idols of deities for worship in Mantrapīṭha (-centred), and in temples; for different forms of or 's Vidyāpīṭha and . This code is analogous to those the Kulamārga traditions. The Tantra texts of the in and in the Buddhist text Sadhanamala Vaishnava tradition are the , and of . typically called the Agamas in the Shaiva • Charya pada - lays down rules of conduct, of traditions. The term "Tantra" in Hindu genre of worship (puja), observances of religious literature is usually used specifically to refer to rites, rituals, festivals and prayaschittas. Shakta Agamas. The Agamas literature is The (1875–1955) is widely voluminous, and includes 28 Shaiva Agamas, 77 credited with introducing the and Shakta Agamas (also called Tantras), and 108 practices of tantra to the American people, at the Vaishnava Agamas (also same time creating a misleading impression of called Pancharatra ), and numerous its connection to sex. Upa-Agamas. André Padoux (2013), is found among Tantra Some Tantra texts in Hinduism are Vedic and practitioners — it is any "system of observances" others non-Vedic. Agama traditions about the vision of man and the cosmos where include Yoga and Self Realization concepts, correspondences between the inner world of the some include Yoga, asceticism, and person and the macrocosmic reality play an ranging from Dvaita (dualism) essential role. Another definition, more common to Advaita (). The means of worship in among observers and non-practitioners, is some the Hindu Tantric practice differs from the Vedic "set of mechanistic rituals, omitting entirely the AJHC: https://escipub.com/american-journal-of-history-and-culture/ 2 Balaji Deekshitulu P V, AJHC, 2020; 3:14 ideological side". According to David N. based on the Sanskrit texts called the Tantras, Lorenzen(2006), two different kinds of Samhitas, and Agamas. Lorenzen's "broad definitions of Tantra exist, narrow and broad. definition" extends this by including a broad According to the narrow definition, Tantrism, or range of "magical beliefs and practices" such "Tantric ", is the elite traditions directly as Yoga and Shaktism.

"Tantra" in Indian texts hide Text or author Contextual meaning of tantra Ṛgveda X, 71.9 Loom (or weaving device) Essence (or "main part", perhaps denoting Sāmaveda, Tandya the quintessence of the Sastras) X, 7.42 Loom (or weaving) , Taittiriya Brahmana 11.5.5.3 Loom (or weaving) Pāṇini in Aṣṭādhyāyī 1.4.54 and 5.2.70 Warp (weaving), loom

Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa Essence (or main part; see above) on Arthaśāstra Science; system or Īśvarakṛṣṇa author of Sānkhya Kārikā (kārikā 70) Doctrine (identifies Sankhya as a tantra)

Viṣṇu Purāṇa Practices and rituals Poet Kālidāsa on Abhijñānaśākuntalam Deep understanding or mastery of a topic Worship techniques (Tantrodbhuta) Dubious Gangdhar stone inscription in link to Tantric practices.[29] Sabarasvamin's commentary on Mimamsa 11.1.1, 11.4.1 etc. Thread, text; beneficial action or thing (Vol. 18–21: Tantra (Vajrayāna) or Tantric Set of doctrines or practices Buddhism Kāmikāgama or Kāmikā-tantra Extensive knowledge of principles of reality Sanskrit scholar and poet Bāṇabhaṭṭa (in Harṣacarita and Set of sites and worship methods to in Kādambari), in Bhāsa's Cārudatta and in Śūdraka's Mṛcchakatika or . Set of doctrines or practices, teachings, Philosopher in his texts, system (sometimes called Agamas) Jayaratha, Abhinavagupta's commentator on Tantrāloka Set of doctrines or practices, teachings System of thought or set of doctrines or Bhāskararāya (philosopher) practices, a canon

Richard Payne (2006), states that Tantra has spanning several religious traditions and cultural been commonly but incorrectly associated with worlds. As a result they are also diverse, which sex, given popular culture's prurient obsession makes it a significant challenge to come up with with intimacy. Tantra has been labelled as the an adequate definition".The challenge of "yoga of ecstasy", driven by senseless defining Tantra is compounded by the fact that it ritualistic libertinism. This is far from the diverse has been a historically significant part of major and complex understanding of what Tantra Indian , including Buddhism, Hinduism means to those Buddhists, Hindu and Jains who and Jainism, both in and outside South Asia and practice it. East Asia. To its practitioners, Tantra is defined David B. Gray; Ryan Richard Overbey as a combination of texts, techniques, rituals, (2016), disagrees with broad generalizations monastic practices, , yoga, and and states that defining Tantra is a difficult task ideology. According to , "The because "Tantra traditions are manifold, scope of topics discussed in the Tantras is AJHC: https://escipub.com/american-journal-of-history-and-culture/ 3 Balaji Deekshitulu P V, AJHC, 2020; 3:14 considerable. They deal with the creation and spiritual bliss to the heaviness of earth-bound history of the world; the names and functions of labor". The uses words of admiration a great variety of male and female deities and for these loners, and whether it is related to other higher beings; the types of worship Tantra or not, has been variously interpreted. (especially of Goddesses); magic, sorcery, and According to David Lorenzen (2006), it ; esoteric "physiology" (the mapping of describes munis (sages) experiencing Tantra- the subtle or psychic body); the awakening of the like "ecstatic, altered states of " mysterious serpent power (kundalinî-shakti); and gaining the ability "to fly on the wind". In techniques of bodily and mental purification; the contrast, Werner suggests that these are of enlightenment; and not least, sacred early Yoga pioneers and accomplished of sexuality." Hindu puja, temples and the ancient pre-Buddhist Indian tradition, and all show tantric influence. These that this Vedic hymn is speaking of those "lost in texts, states , contain representation thoughts" whose "personalities are not bound to of "the body in philosophy, in ritual and in art", earth, for they follow the path of the mysterious which are linked to "techniques of the body, wind". methods or technologies developed within the The two oldest Upanishadic scriptures of tantric traditions intended to transform body and Hinduism, the in self". section 4.2 and in Teun Goudriaan in his 1981 review of Hindu section 8.6, refer to nadis (hati) in presenting Tantrism, states that Tantrism usually means a their theory on how the () and the "systematic quest for salvation or spiritual body are connected and interdependent through excellence" by realizing and fostering the divine energy carrying arteries when one is awake or within one's own body, one that is simultaneous sleeping, but they do not mention anything union of the masculine-feminine and spirit- related to Tantric practices. The Shvetashvatara matter, and has the ultimate goal of realizing the Upanishad describes breath control that "primal blissful state of non-duality". It is typically became a standard part of Yoga, but Tantric a methodically striven system, consisting of practices do not appear in it. The Yoga of voluntarily chosen specific practices which may are an early codification of Yogic include Tantric items such as (bijas), practices. Later, according to Lorenzen, these geometric patterns and symbols (), early Yoga-related ideas develop into Hatha gestures (), mapping of the microcosm Yoga, and then diversify into the "mystical within one's body to the macrocosmic elements anatomy" of nadis and of Tantric outside as the (kundalini-yoga), practices.The 7th-century shamanic-yogic assignments of icons and sounds (), component of Tantrism appears clearly in meditation (dhyana), ritual worship (puja), Tantric form (diksha) and others. Tantrism, adds in Bāṇabhaṭṭa's Harshacharita and Daṇḍin's Da Goudriaan, is a living system that is shakumaracharita. In contrast to this theory of decidedly monistic, but with wide variations, and Lorenzen, other scholars such as Mircea it is impossible to be dogmatic about a simple or Eliade consider Yoga and the evolution of Yogic fixed definition. practices to be separate and distinct from the Vedic texts evolution of Tantra and Tantric practices. Rig Veda (10.136) describes the "wild loner" David Gordon(2014), White views cults who, states (1977), "carrying within as foundational to early tantra but disputes oneself fire and poison, heaven and earth, scholars who see their roots in an ranging from enthusiasm and creativity to "autochthonous non-Vedic source" such depression and agony, from the heights of indigenous tribes or the Indus Valley AJHC: https://escipub.com/american-journal-of-history-and-culture/ 4 Balaji Deekshitulu P V, AJHC, 2020; 3:14 Civilization. Instead, White suggests • : vows, sometimes to do ascetic Vedic Srauta texts mention offerings to practices like fasting goddesses Rākā, Sinīvālī, and Kuhū in a manner • The acquisition and use of or similar to a tantric ritual. Frederick Smith – a supernormal powers. Associated with professor of Sanskrit and Classical Indian the left hand path tantra. Religions, views Tantra to be a parallel religious • : A ritual feast during which a movement to movement of the 1st sacramental meal is offered. millennium AD. Tantra along with , • Ritual Music and Dance. states Smith, has traditionally been attributed • : ritual sexual union (with an actual to Atharvaveda, but this attribution is one of physical consort). respect not of historicity. Ayurveda has primarily • been an empirical practice with Vedic roots, but Conclusion: Tantra has been an esoteric, folk movement without grounding that can be traced to anything Tantra is oldest tradition of mind and body in Atharvaveda or any other vedic text. health, Universal is not creating any one, it is create by god. Its truth no scientific an evidence of various natural things in 21st century, Tantra • Dakshina: Donation or gift to one's teacher explains systematic life, visualization of nothings • Diksha: Initiation ritual which may etc… Tantra is best way of good things only. include References: • Yoga, including breathing techniques 1. David B. Gray; Ryan Richard Overbey () and postures (), is (2016). Tantric Traditions in Transmission and employed to balance the energies in the Translation. Oxford University Press. pp. 47– body/mind. 48. ISBN 978-0-19-990952-0 • , or hand gestures 2. (2014). The "Yoga Sutra of Patanjali": A Biography. Princeton University • Mantras: reciting syllables, words, and Press. p. 188. ISBN 978-1-4008-5005-1. phrases 3. David N. Lorenzen (2006). Who Invented • Singing of hymns of praise (stava) Hinduism: Essays on Religion in History. Yoda • Press. p. 68. ISBN 978-81-902272-6-1. 4. Feuerstein, Georg. The Yoga Tradition: Its • : symbolic diagrams of forces at History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice work in the universe (Kindle Locations 11501-11505). Hohm Press. • Visualization of deities and Identification Kindle Edition. with deities 5. Padoux 2013, p. 2. "The Hindu worship, the pūjā, • Puja (worship ritual) for instance, is Tantric in its conception and ritual process, the principles of building • Animal and iconography are Tantric, and so on." • Use of taboo substances such as 6. Richard K. Payne (2006). Tantric Buddhism in alcohol, , meat and East Asia. Simon and Schuster. pp. 130– other . 131. ISBN 978-0-86171-487-2. 7. Teun Goudriaan 1981,pp12-18 • Prāyaścitta - an expiation ritual performed if 8. Werner, Karel (1977). "Yoga and the Ṛg Veda: An a puja has been performed wrongly Interpretation of the Keśin Hymn (RV 10, • Nyasa 136)". . 13 (3): 289– • (of idols, of one's body, 302. doi:10.1017/S0034412500010076. etc.) • bhakti (devotion) and puja • : pilgrimage, processions

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