What do u understand by Tantra ?

Question

I must tell you that most of the websites have wrong info abt Tantra..... that z why i put this question....

surely tantra has nothing to do with sex.

Answer 1

Introduction
Only when Shiva is united with Shakti does he have the power to create - Saundaryalahari
Second-hand knowledge of the self gathered from books or gurus can never emancipate a man until its truth is rightly investigated and applied; only direct realisation will do that. Realise yourself, turning the mind inward. - Tripura Rahasya, 18: 89

Tantra, or more properly tantrika, is a diverse and rich spiritual tradition of the Indian sub-continent. Although in recent years, in the Western world, it has become almost exclusively associated with sex, in reality this is one aspect of what is a way of life. In India itself, tantra is now, nearly always, associated with spells and black deeds.

Neither of these views is correct, and each wildly underestimates the wide-ranging nature of the different traditions. Further, there remains an ocean of tantrik and agamic literature still to be discovered and translated, spanning a period of time which at least reaches back to the 10th century of the common era (c.e.).

The tradition, or perhaps better, the traditions, underwent many phases and schools over this period of time, ranging from an extremely heterodox viewpoint to, in some cases, a very orthodox standpoint. Refer to this page to see the vast diversity of thoughts and practices subsumed under the word "tantra". Much of the material on this site is related to the Kaula tradition in many of its guises. The work kaula is cognate with clan and the communities venerated a huge number of gods (devas) and goddesses (devis).

On this large Web site you will find yantra, mantra, tantra and other material relating to some of the different traditions; texts on the siddhas, gurus and yogis of the Natha sampradaya including Gorakhnath, Matsyendranath and Dattatreya; much about kundalini, nadis, chakras; images of tantric kula devas (gods) and devis (goddesses) including Kali, Tripura, Shiva, Ganesha, Cchinnamasta, Durga and Tara; pujas and practices; meditations and dharanas; the inner meaning of kaulachara, vamachara and svecchacharya; an extensive bibliography, and original English translations as well as links to other sites.


Although some tantras appear at first glance to be straightforward, most, if not all of them, employ a type of language which can be taken on many levels. According to the tradition, everything has a gross, a subtle and a supreme meaning and as the Devi is the goddess of letters, she can bewilder with her Maya as well as enlighten.

Many terms used in the tantrik tradition have meanings which can be taken at face value but do not always have this meaning, thus making them difficult to understand to the literally-minded. The mentality of the pashu, or a person with a herd-disposition, is said to predispose him or her to misunderstand the meaning.

This cryptic way of speaking pervades many of the texts. Should a cremation ground, for instance, be understood as the yoni, as the real place where corpses are burnt, or as a symbol for the Absolute? The answer may be all three. Is a crossroad a symbol of the five elements, the place where roads meet, or four centres within the human body? Again, it may have one or any of these meanings. And is the union of Shiva and Shakti the symbol of sexual intercourse, the union of vital breaths within the body or an eclipse?

We can probably find the answers to these questions by going to the root philosophy of the tantrik traditions. There is no Shiva without Shakti and yoga is a realisation of the unity of all things. That is not to say that everything in tantrik texts is figurative; many describe practices which are said to bring about this realisation.

It is also important to remember that legends and stories within the tradition may be intended to appeal to parts of the human mind which are not solely connected with logic.

For example, in the Tripurarahasya (secrets of Tripura), a wonderful work available in an English translation (see Bibliography), much of the teaching and practical philosophy of the tradition is told in story form, easy to digest but pregnant with meaning. Bear these considerations in mind when browsing this site.

If you are new to the subject, we suggest you visit the glossary page, where many of the terms on this site are explained in a simple manner. The headings below each open out into sub-pages where you can sample many of the mysteries of this ancient tradition.

The sections and the topics left also need some explanation. Very broadly speaking, tantras fall into traditions belonging to greater or lesser schools. The Kali tradition, for example, has a large literature and there are specific areas in India where her worship is concentrated. The Lalita, or Shri Vidya tradition, also has a very extensive literature, much of which is still unplumbed.

The Natha Sampradayas or lines relate to sects said to have originated mostly from Matsyendranath and Gorakhanath, and occupy an important position in the yoga schools of the mediaeval period.

Scorpion

Answer 2

Mantra : subtle usage of Audible resources for manipulating the subtle energy. Things which can be altered include : Time , state and activity.


Tantra : Subtle usage of Material Techniques for manipulating The subtle energy. Things which can be altered include : time, state and activity.

Though this is pure science, Tantra has been mostly used for negative purposes, this is because this can be acquired by practice, without being enlightened. and hence , as there is no stop to desires, The person having gained this knowledge and practice, will start using for material desires and get negative.

Also importance is for activity. When a tantra is applied to activity, it changes the activity itself.

Tantra ( time ) --> activity = deformed activity.

-- deito

Answer 3

Tantra is sanskrit world means "weave" or "continuity". It exists in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain forms. Tantra in its various forms has existed in India, China, Japan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Korea, Cambodia, Burma, Indonesia etc.Tantra is based the principle that the universe we experience is nothing other than the concrete manifestation of the divine energy of the Godhead that creates and maintains that universe, seeks to ritually appropriate and channel that energy, within the human microcosm, in creative and emancipator ways. In other theory, Tantra is an accumulation of practices and ideas which has among its characteristics the use of ritual, energy work, in some sects transgressional acts, the use of the mundane to access the supramundane and the identification of the microcosm with the macrocosm. The Tantric practitioner seeks to use the divine power that flows through the universe (including their own body) to attain purposeful goals. These goals may be spiritual, material or both. A practitioner of tantra considers mystical experience or the guidance of a Guru imperative. In the process of working with energy the Tantric has various tools at their disposal. These include yoga ~ to actuate processes that will yoke the practitioner to the divine. Also important are the use of visualizations of the deity and verbalisation or evocation through mantras ~ which may be construed as seeing and singing the power into being; identification and internalisation of the divine is enacted ~ often through a total identification with a deity, such that the aspirant becomes the deity.

Answer 4

To understand "Tantra" you must understand, "Mantra" and "Jantra" or "Junt-r"

Tantra relates to body, are involveled in jogic exsersises that improves you body strenghth, in all aspects of life, some have given it a very narror meaning saying it improves Sexual powers, but it is not just only or main thing . You use this decipline to improve theover all body capacity. The term comes fron Tan means body.

Matra has two meanings, one is mind related or improving will power, mental capacity, keeping the mind off evil illgotten temtations of life. I think if a person practices it then that person is not likely to suffer mental deseases (at least not very serious set backs like Alziemer).

Matra also means old slokes like thing that can change thing just by saying them aloud or some quietly , this knoledge is lost or may have never existed it is just a imaginary thing, both Mahabharat and Ramayana has this knoledge touched up on when Ram children fights Ram with bow and arrow they let the arrowes fly after saying "Matra", this is almost like pe-programed guided wepons of to-day. Khrisana saved Arjun by making the chriot, take a deep missing the arrow from Karna.

Jantra is nothing but tricks, learned trick to achieve excellance in various deciplines.

It also has other meaning in majical tricks.

Answer 5

The word Tantra is Sanskrit, the sacred language of Hinduism. It derives from the root word tan, which translates as "to extend, expand, spread, continue, spin out, weave; to put forth, show, or manifest." Like the universe we inhabit, Tantra is continually expanding, spreading, and manifesting itself like a "cosmic weave," made up of different energies. We are part of this weave, as are our forefathers and foremothers, all life, and every type of energy and matter. This includes thoughts, actions, and all physical matter.

Most People are unclear about what Tantra really is and what it can do for you. Probably the most common view is that Tantra has some connection with Oriental religion, with uninhibited sex, and with the lovemaking positions and techniques outlined in the Kama Sutra, Hinduism's oldest sex manual. To some, Tantra is a free-love cult, a survival of the psychedelic sixties; to others, it's New Age spiritual sex therapy, part of the California lifestyle, a slice of 1990s pop culture.
None of these views of Tantra are wrong outright.

Traditional dictionary definitions of Tantra are revealing. A Sanskrit word, Tantra is sometimes translated as "leading principle, essential part, model, system, framework,
doctrine, rule, theory, scientific work," also as "order, chief part, rule, authority, science, mystic works, magical formulas, means, expedient, stratagem, medicine." Finally, a Tantra is sometimes defined as "a type of mystical teaching set out mostly in the form of dialogs between a cosmic couple. intimate insightful dialogs, between God and Goddess, Shiva and Shakti, the male and female Tantric adepts, were at times written down and became known as Tantras. Naturally, these dialogs, being intimate, included sexual secrets as well as many other fascinating subjects

Tantra has been well tested over thousands of years, not in worldly laboratories but in the laboratories of the human body, by Yogi scientists and Tibetan Lamas who were not driven by commerce but by the earnest desire for spiritual knowledge and liberation. Their observations and insights have been passed down to us.

Answer 6

I have heard of "Pancha Tantra" the India fable story. In co man parlance particularly in tamil. it means cleaver manipulations or a form of cheating. I do not know whether you want the meaning of the word in sanksrit. You have to ask a sanskrit pundit.

Answer 7

people tend to falsely think tantra is just about sex because that's the only time they get aware of subtle energies, but tantra is really about your relationship to energies, inside of you, outside of you and the interaction of both.

Answer 8

Woman must be loved. only then will we know peace. People have forgotten how to make physical love, Tantra is being orgasmic in every way, it starts with love for the other, only then can one experience themselves as it is meant to be. *sip*

Answer 9

i think tantra is a mantra which has supernatural powers.....
i wanna have tantra powes and save the poor from this dirty congress govt.

Answer 10

mysticism. A subtle material practice to manipulate subtle material energy. Not necessary for spiritual self realization. Can also be a distraction to actual Bhakti