The meaning of tantra is an arrangement or a system which is used in all realms, Tantra means some kind of special technique by which we do some work in a planned manner. But this definition changes from the spiritual point of view, the knowledge of tantra comes even before Vedas, when human used to worship nature in different ways that way is called tantra, Tantra is worship of the power of nature, Tantra is freedom in itself,Tantra is such a knowledge or ritual science, which has been developed in the past many years, the cosmic power, which is considered as divine power, can establish a relationship between it and human being, for this purpose this sadhna science was developed, in which a human being gets connected with the cosmic power.For this type of connection,this tantra practice and tantra science has been developed over thousands of years. The sages had a firm belief that cosmic energy is infinite and from this infinite energy, humans can obtain continuous power. To combine that power with one’s own power, the necessary tool i.e. Yantra was created.This cosmic power is a form of the divine mother goddess and we all know how infinite the cosmic power is, so our sages have developed such a tantra that humans can also get infinite power from this infinite power.We humans can unite with that cosmic power in all ways through the Divine Mother and make our lives meaningful and achieve the ultimate state of salvation.
In the tradition of the sages, this knowledge of spiritual practice has been developed in a new form in this century by unique accomplished divine souls.Tantra does not only consist of rituals like black magic, occult, spell etc, The pure form of tantra is for taking the soul to a higher level.
In Tantra only our feelings and determination power are important because the yoga(connection with the supreme cosmic power) that happens through dedicated feeling is the true yoga(connection with the supreme cosmic power) .By doing yoga, humans can get rid of the sorrows of his life.
Tantra is a complex subject, whose study and practice is done under the guidance of a qualified spiritual Master or Guru. Unlike Vedas, in Tantra even a woman can become spiritual Master or Guru, who is called the form of Bhairavi, she can give guidance .And goddess mother, Hypnosis, Attraction, tantra-mantra practice, science, rituals, offerings, grains, this is the manifestation of this principle.
Origin of Tantra?
The words containing knowledge of tantra that come out of Lord Shiva’s mouth are the Tantras, which are told to Goddess Parvati, who is Lord Shiva’s wife.
Goddess Parvati asks questions to Lord Shiva and in the form of answers to those questions, the knowledge of Tantra comes into existence. Lord Shiva has given the knowledge of Tantra, to the whole world so that, In Kaliyuga(in present era), it becomes easy to attain various gods and goddesses, because in Kaliyug(in present era), it is very difficult for humans to follow the Vedic rules.which is quite difficult.
According to the scriptures, Lord Shiva has five faces from each of which the knowledge of Tantra keeps on emanating. All the five faces of Lord Shiva impart the knowledge of Tantra to Goddess Parvati, but the fifth face of Lord Shiva which is on the upper side imparts the ultimate secret knowledge of tantra and the Tantra knowledge that emanates from it is considered to be very secret.Since Shiva has five faces he is called Panchmukhi Mahadev.
There are many more tantric practices which cannot be told to anyone. which is a supreme secret because it should not be misused, that is why Lord Shiva has kept it a supreme secret,the entire tantra has come from these five faces of Shiva,In which all the principles of Tantra and all the Tantric sciences like Bindu, Chakra, Kundalini, hypnotism, Attraction, death, exorcism etc are included.The history of Tantra Sadhna is very old. Tantra Sadhna is not only prevalent in India but also in the far off regions of Tibet, originating from the Himalayas.Tantra practice is very prevalent in Buddhism also, in which Goddess Nairatmya who is considered the Goddess of Vajrayana is worshipped as a goddess of tantra generation after generation, over time Tantra has had a great influence in the areas of north-eastern Bihar, Bengal, Assam, Nepal and Tibet and they are mainly considered as the centres of Tantra.
Methods of Tantra?
Tantra is practiced through various types of methodology,The only purpose of all these principles is to please Mother Goddess Adishakti.
In tantra, there are mainly two types of practice…
(i)Vamachara methodology- In the tantric practice, Panchmakar is used on the way of meditation to attain goddess Adishakti,this is called left hand path,the meaning of Panchmakar is Panch’ ma’ kaar(five ‘M’ alphabets) that is-
Madya, [alcohol],
Mamsa, [meat],
Matsya, [fish],
Mudra, [type of grains],
Maithuna, [sexual activities],
This happens in Vamachari sects, you have to follow the path initiated by the spiritual master or guru of that sect.All types of offerings are offered to the Goddess adishakti through all different mantras.
(ii)Dakshinachari method – The Tantric method in which Panchamakar is not used in the path of sadhana is called Dakshinachari method.This is also called right hand path. While Dakshinachari sects do not use Panchmakar, their sadhana methods may be similar like-Yanta, Mantra, Tantra,etc.
In the both sects, whichever devotee worships any deity, his mantra and yantra are all the same.The use of Panchmakar makes both the paths different from each other but the rest of the tantra sadhana can be the same.
Uses of Mantra, Yantra and objects in Tantra
1.The use of mantras in tantra also holds special importance because in tantra there are beej(seed) mantras which are full of power, seed mantras as it is known from their name that they are in the form of seeds in small pieces like– om, aim, klim, hreem, etc,
All these beej(seed) mantras are very powerful, at the time of initiation the spiritual guru puts small seed mantras inside his disciple.With your practice of these Beej Mantras a big tree is formed inside our deeper consciousness, and that is why for the use of these Mantras a necessary tool, i.e. Yantra was created.Yantras have a special significance in Tantra.
2.All gods and goddesses have a special yantra, just like goddess Kali has her own special yantra, similarly Goddess Tara, Tripursundari, Dhumavati, Baglamukhi,Lord Bhairav, Lord Hanuman etc. All have their own special yantra.Yantra is a kind of form of every god or goddess, which is made up of various shapes which include triangles, spheres, lotus petal shapes, different gods and goddesses sit at different places of the yantra.
3.Uses of objects in tantra is also has special importance in Tantra. Various objects are used with mantras, just as the use of Panchmakar has been mentioned above in Vaamachar, similarly cloths, lemon, coconut, cloves, black pepper, Cardamom and salt etc.can also be used in tantra.Its use with mantra and yantra is called experiment of tantra, and misuse of tantra like shat-karma(occult) maran, mohan, vashikaran, uchchatann, sthamban,vidveshan etc.are definitely can be a small part of tantra but they are not real tantra.
A true tantric practitioners himself and his practices keep secret. There are many such true tantric practitioners even today among the Himalayan Yogis who live in Siddhashram, who have kept themselves and their practices completely secret even today and have done good always to the world with the power of their practices. Tantra should be used according to the religion, whoever uses it wrongly or gets it done, he has to suffer the consequences according to his deeds, it is important for a tantric practitioner to understand the religion, When a seeker’s consciousness changes or he becomes conscious, the environment around him also starts changing. The real aim of Tantra is to elevate a seeker and make his consciousness pure and divine. The aim of a true tantric practitioners should be to attain God, Because this Tantra system was created so that the seeker can attain his favorite goddess or god. Tantra can be a harmful subject too, which should be used by anyone under the guidance of a qualified spiritual master or Guru.