Mahanirvana Tantra - Chapter Index

Hindu marriage

by Arthur Avalon / Sir John Woodroffe

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 by Jayaram V

Mantra, tantra and yantra constitute the three most important aspects of Hindu rituals. Of them, Mantra is the most commonly known, with a much a wider appeal because of its association with the Vedas and Vedic rituals, while the latter two are lesser known and practiced mainly by trained initiates under the supervision of experienced adepts according to their learning and progress.

Tithe Tantras are a collection of esoteric rituals and specialized knowledge which are derived from various Tantric scriptures and teacher traditions. They require the active supervision and guidance of qualified teachers and the use of mind and body for the attainment of certain spiritual and material aims. he methods of Tantra are unconventional.

Hence, a lot of secrecy is associated with it. 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. Jayaram V

Suggestions for Further Reading

Source: Mahanirvana Tantra Tantra of the Great Liberation, Translated by Arthur Avalon (Sir John Woodroffe) [1913]. While we have made every effort to reproduce the text correctly, we do not guarantee or accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions or inaccuracies in the reproduction of this text.

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