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September 2009 
Introduction to Hindu Scriptures - Part 5
Posted on Oct 15th, 2008
by 
Eli
Eli
The Tantras
Note: This is the final part of the five part series on Introduction to Hindu Scriptures.
Side by side the Vedic discipline, Hinduism has another parallel set of disciplines called the Tantras. 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 jñanam anena, iti Tantram”.
There is a common misconception that Tantra is the name only of the Scripture of the worshippers of Shakti (the Shaktas). Actually each of the Hindu religious groups has its own tradition of sacred literature, and based on it, the Tantras are divided into three classes, namely: Shaiva Agamas (worshippers of Shiva), Shakta Tantras (worshippers of Shakti), and Vaishnava Agams (worshippers of Vishnu).
Although we find separate sects depending on the worship of Shiva or Vishnu, the scriptures point out that Mahavishnu and Sadashiva one. In the Sammohana Tantra (Ch. VIII) we find these words : “Without Prakriti the Samsara (World) cannot be. Without Purusha true knowledge cannot be attained. Therefore both should be worshipped with Mahakali and Mahakala. Some speak of Shiva, some of Shakti, some of Narayana (Vishnu). But the supreme Narayana (Adinarayana) is supreme Shiva (Parashambhu), the Nirguna Brahman, pure as crystal. The two aspects of the Supreme reflect the one in the other”.
Agama and Nigama Texts:
The scriptural texts of Tantra are usually in the form of dialogues between Shiva and Shakti (Parvati). The Dialogues where Shiva is the speaker giving spiritual teachings and Parvati (Shakti) is the listener are called Agama texts. On the other hand, where Parvati plays the role of teacher and Shiva the listener, the texts are called Nigama. Thus Agamas are those, which are revelations advocating the paths of spiritual practice while Nigama are the traditions describing the forms of actions (karma), spiritual practice and knowledge.
The Agamas are divided into three main groups depending on whether the “Ishtadevata” (the form of the God) worshipped is Shakti, Shiva or Vishnu. The first is the Shakta Agama, the second the Shaivagama, and the third the Vaishnava Agama or Pancharatra.
The Agamas are not themselves treatises on Philosophy, though they impliedly contain a particular theory of life. They are what are called Sadhana Shastras (practical Scriptures) prescribing the means by which happiness may be attained. Since lasting happiness is God, they teach how humanity may attain a divine experience by worship and by practice of the disciplines prescribed.
Vedas of Brahmanic schools were prohibited reading and hearing in the olden days for non-Brahmins and women; but Agamas had no restrictions: they were available for servants, maids, women, Sudras (the lowest in the caste system) and anyone who wanted to hear or read. There are 28 Agamas and 108 Upagamas (minor). The Saktas have 77 Saktagamas. They are called Sadhana Shastras: anyone can seek happiness (Bliss) by following Agamic prescriptions. The Tantra Sastra have three parts: Sadhana, Siddhi and Darshana. There are no hypotheticals, arguments, vacillations and conflicts.
The seven characteristics of the Agama texts
The seven characteristics of the Agama texts, according to the “Varahi Tantra” are:
Creation, dissolution, offering made unto deities, all spiritual practices, recitation of mantras (purashcharan), the spiritual practice of six actions (shatakarma) and the Path of Meditation (Dhyanyoga).
The Atharva Veda is considered to be one of the prime Tantrik scriptures.
There are three distinct tantrik traditions — Dakshina, Vama and Madhyama. They represent the three "shaktis" or powers of Shiva and are characterized by the three qualities ("gunas") - "sattva", "rajas" and "tamas".
The four sects namely Pashupat, Shaiva, Kalamukh and Kapalik are known as Maheshvar. Their original religious and theoretical texts of doctrines are called the Shaiva agams. All the three schools of thought - duality (dvait), non-duality (advait) and duality-non-duality (dvaitadvait) are found in the Shaiva agams. According to Vayu Samhita, Ch. I. 28 Shaiva agams are of two kinds, Shrauta and Ashrauta. Shrauta is Shrautisaramaya and have two kinds, Svatantra and Itara. Again, Svatantra is first divided into ten kinds and then Siddhanta of eighteen kinds. This is the Shaivasiddhanta Agama with 28 Mula Agamas and 207 Upagamas. On the other hand Itara is Shrutisara with numerous varieties.
The Pancharatra Agama is considered as the representative of all the other Vaishnav Agams. This Agam lays emphasis on the principle of surrender. It advocates knowledge of five things - the supreme principle, worldly experiences, the Final Liberation, yoga and the material world. The number of scriptural texts pertaining to these Samhitas is 250; of them Brihad-Brahma, Ishvara and Gyanamritasara Samhitas are particularly noteworthy.
Tantras delve into such subjects as:
1. The Supreme Spirit
2. Creation
3. Maintenance and dissolution of the universe
4. Origin of gods and their worship, of men and beings
5. The other worlds including heaven and hells
6. The seven centers in the body
7. The four stages of man (ashrama)
8. Laws and dharma
9. Sacraments
10. Mantra, Yantra, Mudra, and Sadhana
11. External and internal purification, worship of Devatas, panchattatvas
12. Consecration of temples, lakes, wells, houses etc
13. Temple rites and rituals
14. Glorification of Tirthas (holy sites)
15. Duties and privileges of kings
16. Japam, Vratam, magic, meditation and yoga
17. Law, medicine, and science.
Thus, Tantra is an all-inclusive religious system, which is capable of helping man at all levels of spiritual growth. It has spiritual disciplines suitable for people from the highest cultural level to the lowest.
The Tantra literature is vast. Among the 64 prominent texts, we can mention Mahanirvana, Kulasara, Prapanchasara, Kularnava, Rudra Yamala, Vishnu Yamala, Brahma Yamala, and Tantraraja.
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Eli, I am awed by the massive amount of work you have put into this series, and all the knowledge you are sharing. Thank you!
I've just ploughed through the five sections Eli and I want to commend you on your clear, concise, informed, detailed, articulate and interesting exposition….I've gotten a lot from various different books over the years but I've never seen this material assembled in one place (well, five) and in such a coherent manner…..I think it's an awesome task to deliver the map of either the Hindu or Buddhist canon because it resembles a metropolitan tubeway map…a spaghettisworth of reciprocal derivation each facet of which reveals a differing refraction of Satya's white light….fractallised in order to cater to the exponentially-expanding number of truthseekers who may need a specific catalyst for that eureka moment…..
I think you are a wonderful cartographer and an equally wonderful human being Eli…thank you for this gift.
Blessings, Jon x
Thank you for sharing so much information, Eli. These are wonderful and authentic sources of information for anyone seeking to understand ancient teachings in India.
Tantra is used often, in Buddhist texts as well, and i think that people think of the art form of it rather than these deeper meanings.
Perhaps you could in another blog touch on the evolution of the word 'hinduism'?
How the word isn't actually used in any of the texts themselves? And if you have already blogged abt it and I missed it, pl point me to that.
This IS an incredible amount of information, Eli. Thank you so much for sharing it with all of us. It must have taken you so much time to put this together so succinctly, and in a way that people can easily understand. I didn't know half of this information, especially about Tantra. You are an asset to this community. Keep sharing!
My deepest gratitude to Nicole, Jon, Meenakshi and Centria for the most motivating remarks. As Jon rightly says, I have most humbly tried to create a “road map” in as simple language as possible for those who are curious about Ancient Hindu Scriptures.
In my ignorance, I might have overlooked some area, and if so, I apologize for my ignorance. I have tried my best, and any additions to these blogs would be most welcome.
Meenakshi, I deliberately did not open the flood gates to the Buddhist Tantrik texts, although technically those texts should also be included in the Hindu Scriptures (Buddha is considered one of the TEN 'avatara' of Lord Vishnu). But if I had gotten into those texts, you would appreciate that it would have once again been a few more “parts and Tantrik Buddhism does not belong to the Mainstream Hinduism anyway :)
I have not discusses the evolution of the word “Hinduism” or the evolution of Indo-Aryan culture anywhere, because I thought most people would be familiar with it. If you or some of my other learned friends REALLY feel it is worth blogging, may I request you all to kindly let me know here (as a comment) or through personal message. I shall surely blog if it is worth blogging… to me it seemed re-telling the obvious.. but now that you you say it Meenakshi..it seems worth blogging… I request feedbacks from other friends about this suggestion please..
What a great conclusion to a well-crafted series! I apprechiate all the information and time you put in your blog - your heart shows, dear one! Wondering what you will teach us next?
Eli, I'll echo Jon's comments, did you think perhaps that I wouldn't read it?
Namaste' ~very deep bow at the waist to you my friend.
Claudia, thank you very much… your encouragements during my work were a great positive force ..thank you, thank you
Lars, I knew you were busy, and I also knew that you will leave your most friendly footprints asap… How could I EVER think otherwise dear friend???
I have recently posted Duties of the householders as described in the Mahanirvana Tantra. This new post is just a small example in support of my statement above :
”Tantra is an all-inclusive
religious system, which is capable of helping man at all levels of
spiritual growth. It has spiritual disciplines suitable for people from
the highest cultural level to the lowest.”
From reading this I understand more about the teachings of Hinduism. The key words are in bold and I noticed if anyone doesn't understand they can put a word into google and the definition comes up.