Mahanirvana Tantra

Mantra, tantra and yantra constitute the three most important constituents of Hindu rituals. Of them Mantra is the most commonly used with a much a wider appeal while the latter two are lesser known and practiced mainly by trained individuals under the supervision of an experienced master. Tantras are a collection of rituals and practices based on some esoteric teachings involving the supervision of a qualified teacher and the use of mind and body for the attainment of certain spiritual and material aims. Certain forms of tantra aim to use the positive energies of the mind and body while some rely upon the negative energies to achieve these ends.  There are many misgivings about the tantras because they allow a wider freedom to the practitioners in seeking self realization, including the use of questionable means and substances.

To the Tantra we must therefore look if we would understand aright both ritual, yoga, and sadhana of all kinds, as also the general principles of which these practices are but the objective expression.Yet of all the forms of Hindu Shastra, the Tantra is that which is least known and understood, a circumstance in part due to the difficulties of its subject-matter and to the fact that the key to much of its terminology and method rest with the initiate - Sir John Woodroffe

Introduction and Preface Chapter 1 - Questions relating to the Liberation of Beings Chapter 2 - Introduction to the Worship of Brahman Chapter 3 - Description of the Worship of the Supreme Brahman Chapter 4 - Introduction of the Worship of the Supreme Prakriti Chapter 5 - The Formation of the Mantras, Placing of the Jar, and Purification of the Elements of Worship Chapter 6 - Placing of the Shri-patra, Homa, Formation of the Chakra, and other Rites Chapter 7 - Hymn of Praise (Stotra), Amulet (Kavacha), and the description of the Kula-tattva Chapter 8 - The Dharmma and Customs of the Castes and Ashramas Chapter 9 - The Ten Kinds of Purificatory Rites (Sangskara) Chapter 10 - Rites relating to Vriddhi Shraddha, Funeral Rites, and Purnabhisheka Chapter 11 - The Account of Expiatory Rites Chapter 12 - An Account of the Eternal and Immutable Dharmma Chapter 13 - Installation of the Devata Chapter 14 - The Consecration of Shiva-linga and Description of the Four Classes of Avadhutas