Difference between revisions of "Tantra (तन्त्रम्)"
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| + | based on the Sanskrit texts called the Tantras, Samhitas, and Agamas. They were also called agamas in Shaivism, samhita or ''Pancaratra'' in Vaishnavism, and as tantras in Shaktism. | ||
| + | |||
| + | the term "Tantrika" is based on a comment by Kulluka Bhatta on ''Manava Dharmasastra 2.1'' | ||
| + | |||
| + | tantric traditions are found in Shaivism's Shaiva Siddhanta and the Mantrapīṭha (Bhairava-centred), and in Shaktism's Vidyāpīṭha and the Kulamārga traditions. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Agamas literature is voluminous, and includes | ||
| + | * 28 Shaiva Agamas, | ||
| + | * 77 Shakta Agamas (also called Tantras), and | ||
| + | * 108 Vaishnava Agamas (also called Pancharatra Samhitas), | ||
| + | and numerous Upa-Agamas. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The means of worship in the Tantric practice differs from the Vedic form. While the Vedic practice of yajna there are no idols and shrines, in its Tantric traditions, idols and symbolic icons with puja are the means of worship. Temples, symbolism, icons that remind the devotee of attributes and values are a necessary part of the Agamic practice. This, however, does not necessarily mean that Tantra-Agamas and Vedas are opposed. Tirumular, for example, explained their link as, "the Vedas are the path, and the Agamas are the horse". | ||
| + | |||
| + | Each Tantra-Agama text consists of four parts: | ||
| + | * Jnana pada, also called Vidya pada – consists of doctrine, the philosophical and spiritual knowledge, knowledge of reality and liberation. | ||
| + | * Yoga pada - precepts on yoga, the physical and mental discipline. | ||
| + | * Kriya pada - consists of rules for rituals, construction of temples (Mandir); design principles for sculpting, carving, and consecration of idols of deities for worship in temples; for different forms of initiations or diksha. This code is analogous to those in Puranas. | ||
| + | * Charya pada - lays down rules of conduct, of worship (puja), observances of religious rites, rituals, festivals and prayaschittas. | ||
| + | The Tantra-Agama texts present a diverse range of philosophies that is discussed in Chapter 36 of Tantraloka of Abhinavagupta. Number of Shaivagama texts and their nature: | ||
| + | * Dvaita Agama texts - 10 | ||
| + | * Bhedabheda Agama texts - 18 | ||
| + | * Advaita Agama texts - 64 | ||
| + | The Bhairava Shastras are advaitik Tantra texts, while Shiva Shastras are dvaitik. | ||
| + | |||
=== Occurrences of the word Tantra === | === Occurrences of the word Tantra === | ||
ऋग्वेद: सूक्तं १०.७१, Wikisource, Quote: "इमे ये नार्वाङ्न परश्चरन्ति न ब्राह्मणासो न सुतेकरासः । त एते वाचमभिपद्य पापया सिरी'''स्तन्त्रं''' तन्वते अप्रजज्ञयः ॥९॥" | ऋग्वेद: सूक्तं १०.७१, Wikisource, Quote: "इमे ये नार्वाङ्न परश्चरन्ति न ब्राह्मणासो न सुतेकरासः । त एते वाचमभिपद्य पापया सिरी'''स्तन्त्रं''' तन्वते अप्रजज्ञयः ॥९॥" | ||
| Line 11: | Line 36: | ||
Pāṇini in ''Aṣṭādhyāyī'' 1.4.54 and 5.2.70 | Pāṇini in ''Aṣṭādhyāyī'' 1.4.54 and 5.2.70 | ||
| + | |||
| + | Patanjali in his ''Mahābhāṣya'' quotes and accepts Panini's definition, then discusses or mentions it at a greater length, in 18 instances. | ||
Īśvarakṛṣṇa author of ''Sānkhya Kārikā'' (''kārikā'' 70) | Īśvarakṛṣṇa author of ''Sānkhya Kārikā'' (''kārikā'' 70) | ||
| Line 20: | Line 47: | ||
Gangdhar stone inscription in Rajasthan | Gangdhar stone inscription in Rajasthan | ||
| − | Sabarasvamin's commentary on Mimamsa Sutra 11.1.1, 11.4.1 etc. | + | The Mimamsa school uses the term tantra extensively. |
| + | |||
| + | When an action or a thing, once complete, becomes beneficial in several matters to one person, or to many people, that is known as ''Tantra''. For example, a lamp placed amidst many priests - Sabarasvamin's commentary on Mimamsa Sutra 11.1.1, 11.4.1 etc. | ||
''Kāmikāgama'' or ''Kāmikā-tantra'' | ''Kāmikāgama'' or ''Kāmikā-tantra'' | ||
| Line 36: | Line 65: | ||
Banerjee, Sures Chandra (2002). ''Companion to Tantra''. Abhinav Publications. ISBN <bdi>978-1-70174-022-8</bdi>. | Banerjee, Sures Chandra (2002). ''Companion to Tantra''. Abhinav Publications. ISBN <bdi>978-1-70174-022-8</bdi>. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Singh, L. P. (2010). Tantra, Its Mystic and Scientific Basis, Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-8069-640-4 | ||
| + | |||
| + | Ghose, Rajeshwari (1996). The Tyāgarāja Cult in Tamilnāḍu: A Study in Conflict and Accommodation, Motilal Banarsidass Publications. ISBN 81-208-1391-X | ||
| + | |||
| + | DS Sharma (1990), The Philosophy of Sadhana, State University of New York Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0-7914-0347-1</nowiki>, pages 9–14 | ||
| + | |||
| + | JS Vasugupta (2012), Śiva Sūtras, Motilal Banarsidass, <nowiki>ISBN 978-81-208-0407-4</nowiki>, pages 252, 25 | ||
| + | |||
| + | Basu, Manoranjan (1986), Fundamentals of the Philosophy of Tantras, Mira Basu Publishers | ||
| + | |||
| + | Bhattacharyya, N. N. (1999). History of the Tantric Religion. New Delhi: Manohar. <nowiki>ISBN 978-81-7304-025-2</nowiki>. Second Revised Edition | ||
| + | |||
| + | Sarkar, Prabhat Ranjan (1959), Tantra and its Effect on Society, Bhagalpur: Ananda Marga Pubs | ||
Revision as of 16:20, 27 February 2020
based on the Sanskrit texts called the Tantras, Samhitas, and Agamas. They were also called agamas in Shaivism, samhita or Pancaratra in Vaishnavism, and as tantras in Shaktism.
the term "Tantrika" is based on a comment by Kulluka Bhatta on Manava Dharmasastra 2.1
tantric traditions are found in Shaivism's Shaiva Siddhanta and the Mantrapīṭha (Bhairava-centred), and in Shaktism's Vidyāpīṭha and the Kulamārga traditions.
The Agamas literature is voluminous, and includes
- 28 Shaiva Agamas,
- 77 Shakta Agamas (also called Tantras), and
- 108 Vaishnava Agamas (also called Pancharatra Samhitas),
and numerous Upa-Agamas.
The means of worship in the Tantric practice differs from the Vedic form. While the Vedic practice of yajna there are no idols and shrines, in its Tantric traditions, idols and symbolic icons with puja are the means of worship. Temples, symbolism, icons that remind the devotee of attributes and values are a necessary part of the Agamic practice. This, however, does not necessarily mean that Tantra-Agamas and Vedas are opposed. Tirumular, for example, explained their link as, "the Vedas are the path, and the Agamas are the horse".
Each Tantra-Agama text consists of four parts:
- Jnana pada, also called Vidya pada – consists of doctrine, the philosophical and spiritual knowledge, knowledge of reality and liberation.
- Yoga pada - precepts on yoga, the physical and mental discipline.
- Kriya pada - consists of rules for rituals, construction of temples (Mandir); design principles for sculpting, carving, and consecration of idols of deities for worship in temples; for different forms of initiations or diksha. This code is analogous to those in Puranas.
- Charya pada - lays down rules of conduct, of worship (puja), observances of religious rites, rituals, festivals and prayaschittas.
The Tantra-Agama texts present a diverse range of philosophies that is discussed in Chapter 36 of Tantraloka of Abhinavagupta. Number of Shaivagama texts and their nature:
- Dvaita Agama texts - 10
- Bhedabheda Agama texts - 18
- Advaita Agama texts - 64
The Bhairava Shastras are advaitik Tantra texts, while Shiva Shastras are dvaitik.
Occurrences of the word Tantra
ऋग्वेद: सूक्तं १०.७१, Wikisource, Quote: "इमे ये नार्वाङ्न परश्चरन्ति न ब्राह्मणासो न सुतेकरासः । त एते वाचमभिपद्य पापया सिरीस्तन्त्रं तन्वते अप्रजज्ञयः ॥९॥"
Yajurveda, Taittiriya Brahmana 11.5.5.3
Sāmaveda, Tandya Brahmana
10.7.42 of the Atharvaveda
Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa
Pāṇini in Aṣṭādhyāyī 1.4.54 and 5.2.70
Patanjali in his Mahābhāṣya quotes and accepts Panini's definition, then discusses or mentions it at a greater length, in 18 instances.
Īśvarakṛṣṇa author of Sānkhya Kārikā (kārikā 70)
Chanakya on Arthaśāstra
Viṣṇu Purāṇa
Gangdhar stone inscription in Rajasthan
The Mimamsa school uses the term tantra extensively.
When an action or a thing, once complete, becomes beneficial in several matters to one person, or to many people, that is known as Tantra. For example, a lamp placed amidst many priests - Sabarasvamin's commentary on Mimamsa Sutra 11.1.1, 11.4.1 etc.
Kāmikāgama or Kāmikā-tantra
Abhinavagupta in his Tantrāloka
Jayaratha, Abhinavagupta's commentator on Tantrāloka
References
Banerjee, Sures Chandra (1988). A Brief History of Tantra Literature. Kolkata: Naya Prokash.
Kauṭalya; R. P. Kangle (1986). The Kautiliya Arthasastra. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 512 with footnote. ISBN 978-81-208-0042-7.
Bagchi, P.C. (1989). Evolution of the Tantras, Studies on the Tantras. Kolkata: Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture. ISBN 978-81-85843-36-0.
Banerjee, Sures Chandra (2002). Companion to Tantra. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 978-1-70174-022-8.
Singh, L. P. (2010). Tantra, Its Mystic and Scientific Basis, Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-8069-640-4
Ghose, Rajeshwari (1996). The Tyāgarāja Cult in Tamilnāḍu: A Study in Conflict and Accommodation, Motilal Banarsidass Publications. ISBN 81-208-1391-X
DS Sharma (1990), The Philosophy of Sadhana, State University of New York Press, ISBN 978-0-7914-0347-1, pages 9–14
JS Vasugupta (2012), Śiva Sūtras, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-81-208-0407-4, pages 252, 25
Basu, Manoranjan (1986), Fundamentals of the Philosophy of Tantras, Mira Basu Publishers
Bhattacharyya, N. N. (1999). History of the Tantric Religion. New Delhi: Manohar. ISBN 978-81-7304-025-2. Second Revised Edition
Sarkar, Prabhat Ranjan (1959), Tantra and its Effect on Society, Bhagalpur: Ananda Marga Pubs