A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1834

c5.1834

TANTRA. ‘Rule, ritual.’ The title of a numerous class of religious and magical works, generally of later date than the Purānas, and representing a later development of religion, although the worship of the female energy had its origin at an earlier period. The chief peculiarity of the Tantras is the prominence they give to the female energy of the deity, his active nature being personified in the person of his Sakti, or wife. There are a few Tantras which make Vishnu’s wife or Rādhā the object of devotion, but the great majority of them are devoted to one of the manifold forms of Devī, the Sakti of Siva, and they are commonly written in the form of a dialogue between these two deities. Devī, as the Sakti of Siva, is the especial energy concerned with sexual intercourse and magical powers, and these are the leading topics of the Tantras. There are five requisites for Tantra worship, the five Mākāras or five m’s—(1.) Madya, wine; (2.) Mānsa, flesh; (3.) Matsya, fish; (4.) Mudrā, parched grain and mystic gesticulations; (5.) Maithuna, sexual intercourse. Each Sakti has a twofold nature, white and black, gentle and ferocious. Thus Umā and Gaurī are gentle forms of the Sakti of Siva, while Durgā and Kālī are fierce forms. The Sāktas or worshippers of the Saktis are divided into two classes, Dakshināchārīs and Vāmāchārīs, the right-handed and the left-handed. The worship of the right-hand Sāktas is comparatively decent, but that of the left hand is addressed to the fierce forms of the Saktis, and is most licentious. The female principle is worshipped, not only symbolically, but in the actual woman, and promiscuous intercourse forms part of the orgies. Tantra worship prevails chiefly in Bengal and the Eastern provinces.