Essentially, Tantra is nothing but a system. It’s very much like our universe. We have sunrise and sunset – that is the system sun follows and it never varies, no matter what. Likewise, the food we eat either takes the form of energy, flesh and blood and some of it is excreted by the body. That is the system of our bodies, unchangeable, always.
The logical question here is: what’s that got to do with tantra? Well, if sun has a system to regulate day and night, if the body has a system of eating food, using it & discarding the waste, then Tantra is a system through which we realize God through our bodies. How? Everything that happens to us is essentially felt by us through our bodies. And our mind is a part of our body. So, in Tantra, we realize God by using our bodies. Yes, that’s what is Tantra, a system.
Tantra rests on a tripod of mantra, yantra and kriya. When these three are performed in unison, it becomes what is mostly known as Tantra. And the three are all performed by our bodies. The body is a tool, machine, system or yantra for our tantra sadhna. Using the body as a yantra, one makes his/her offering to the God by way of chanting a mantra. As the mantra is chanted repeatedly, it becomes a kriya. Since each of us is a microcosm of the macrocosm called universe, the universe as well as God is contained within our own bodies. Thus, we realize or merge with God through our bodies. Tantra Sadhna needs to be done for years so that our body and mind can reach the level where you can truly perform Tantra and realize/attain God.
Tantric rituals have little to do with tantra ‘sadhna,’ are truly not a part of Tantra Sadhna. Each Sadhna has a specific purpose and ways/rituals for it; so, Tantra is something that we do through mantra, yantra and kriya which are essentially the system of Mother Earth.
We will share commentaries as well as discussions on Tantra in this space, from time to time.
Annant Drishti Aadhaytam Peetham is devoted to learning and spreading Ancient Indian Wisdom contained in its multiple scriptures and philosophies far and wide. If you have the same interest, do get in touch.