TANTRA

Abstract

Tantrism is a phenomena which is little understood by Western scholars. because tantrism is largely a "lost science", only a few rudiments of which are left to inspect. Modern tantrism is only a degenerate remnant of what was once a vast body of knowledge, of which only a small portion of books are now known and read (and very poorly understood). Different tantras are employed in different yugas and about 64 are applicable at all times. 108 main tantras are said to have emanated from Shiva. and mostly consist of philosophy and ritual meant to elevate living beings from the tama-guna. or mode of ignorance. In the tantras Shiva discusses 5 topics with Durga: 1) the creation of the world, 2) destruction of the world. 3) worship of devas, 4) mystic powers, 5) five kinds of liberation. There are only a few tantras which are applicable to vaisnava philosophy (e.g. Brhadvaisnava tantra, brahma yamala. vishnu yamala, etc.), but none of these can be said to have anything to do with the sexeo-religious practices described on page 13 of Up-date.