To: talk.religion.newage
From: kathy@vpnet.chi.il.us (Redheaded Goddess)
Subject: Tantra/Tantrika (9406.tantra-.gp)
Date: 49940606
Quoting: G. de Purucker
For those interested in the definitions G. dePurucker gives:
Tantras. (Sanskrit) A word literallymening a "loom" or the warp
or threads in a loom, and, by extension of meaning, signifying
a rule or ritual for ceremonial rites. The Tantras are numerous
works or religious treatises teaching mystical and magical
formulae or formularies for the attainment of magical or quasi-
magical powers, and for the worship of the gods. They are mostly
composed in the form of dialogs between Siva and his divine consort
Durga, these two divinities being the peculiar objects of the
adoration of the Tantrins.
In many parts of India the authority of the Tantras seems almost
to have superseded the clean and poetical hymns of th Vedas.
Most tantrik works are supposed to contain five different subjects:
(1) the manifestation or evolution of the universe; (2) its destruction;
(3) the worship or adoration of the divinities; (4) the achievement or
attainment of desired objects and especially of six super-human
faculties; (5) modes or methods of union, usually enumerated as four,
with the supreme divinity of the kosmos by means of contemplative
meditation.
Unfortunately, while there is much of interest in the tantrik works,
their tendency for long ages has been distinctly towards what in
Occultism is known as sorcery or black magic. Some of the rites
or ceremonies practised have to do with revolting details
connected with sex.
Durga, the consort of Siva, his *Sakti* or energy, is worshiped by
the Tantrins as a distinct personified female power.
The origin of the Tantras unquestionably goes back to a very remote
antiquity, and there seems to be little doubt that these works, or
their originals, were heirloom handed down from originally debased
or degenerate Atlantean racial offshoots. There is, of course,
a certain amount of profoundly philosophical and mystical thought
running through the more important tantrik works, but the tantrik
worship in many cases is highly licentious and immoral."
Tantrik or Tantrika. (Sanskrit) The adjective corresponding to Tan
tras (q.v.) This adjective, however, is sometimes employed to
signify one who is deeply versed in some study -- a scholar; but
more particularly the adjective concerns the Tantras and the
doctrines contained in them.
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Hmmmm...interesting...I thought that definition of "Tantrika" (scholar)
to be quite something else than what many might think the word
would mean.
Kathy
kathy@vpnet.chi.il.us
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