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Tantras

rummah

rummah

New Member
This is a subject of great interest to me so I am posting here to see if anyone else is pursuing this path. I've read most of the tantras I can find, but, from what I understand, there doesn't seem to be any hard and fast list of what tantras are 'canonical'. Most people who claim to be knowledgeable tell me you need a guru to pursue this. Guess what? I'm in the NE USA. There aren't any gurus around here. So I'm winging it.
 
Vinayaka

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
Which meaning do you have for 'tantra'? The general meaning is a specific method, but there are more esoteric and specific uses of the word.
 
rummah

rummah

New Member
I mean the collection of works which were written a thousand years ago to recent times. Tantra means 'shuttlecock' to be exact, but it also refers to a complex series of writings about the proper ways to show devotion. There are many interpretations to what they mean, some say they should be interpreted literally, some esoterically. I approach them as a middle ground.
 
Aupmanyav

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Check here. It is a PDF download or you can read it online: https://archive.org/stream/AHistory....by.Surendranath.Dasgupta#page/n2468/mode/1up

Page 159 of Volume 5 of the book: Saiva philosophy according to Bhoja. That includes information on Tantra as well. What you can do is when you open the book, earch for Tantra. It will show you all the pages in five volumes where Tantra is mentioned. But kindly note, the information is for people who may be familiar with the terms, somewhat advanced. Otherwise, Wikipedia pages are OK. That is where one starts.

Also check: https://www.dmoz.org/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Hinduism/
 
Yogi1054

Yogi1054

Shakti
The best way to learn about the Tantras or learn 'through' the tantras is from a teacher i found - they can really help you draw out the meaning
 
rummah

rummah

New Member
Thank you for the book excerpt. A little dated, but one of the best overviews I have yet to see.
 
Aupmanyav

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Burl said:
Perhaps we can associate Tantra with Goetia in this respect.
Click to expand...
There are no demons in 'tantra' except one's own. Tantra is how to subdue one's own demons - kama, krodha, mada, lobha, matsar, moha (lust, anger, pride, greed, envy, attchment).

Correction for post #4 (search for Tantra). I have missed 's'.
 
Aupmanyav

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
The language of this forum is English, why are you writing in Gibberish (Yeah, that is a language mentioned in Google Translate)? Kindly remember Rule 10. :)
 
K

Kapalika

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
I hope this topic grows :D

rummah said:
This is a subject of great interest to me so I am posting here to see if anyone else is pursuing this path. I've read most of the tantras I can find, but, from what I understand, there doesn't seem to be any hard and fast list of what tantras are 'canonical'. Most people who claim to be knowledgeable tell me you need a guru to pursue this. Guess what? I'm in the NE USA. There aren't any gurus around here. So I'm winging it.
Click to expand...

Would you happen to have a list of what you've read on this? I want to see if I can compare it to my reading list and see what I might be able to add to it.
 
rummah

rummah

New Member
Most of what I've found can be located on http://www.shivashakti.com/. He has some of the best translations out there. However, I note he no longer has the Yoni Tantra posted. I've encountered several lists of 'authentic' tantras, whatever that means. Most are only in Sanskrit.
 
rummah

rummah

New Member
I keep in mind that Hinduism is not a textual religion. There is no 'book' we should follow. But there are a lot of guides to use out there. Sorting through them all is half the fun. I'm not sure where you would find Kali here in America. One of these days I'll be in at a gas station and she'll be behind the counter. LOL.
 
B

Bhadr

Active Member
Aupmanyav said:
More about the person who established the 'Veera Shaiva' philosophy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basava
Click to expand...

Aupji, Sri Basaveshwara isn't the founder.He is a great Shiva devotee,a Saint,leader and social reformer.

Virashaivam is from the Saiva Agamas as its practices and philosophy is mentioned extensively in the Agamas.

Vikalpa Rahitam Saivam Virashaivam Prachakshyate - Srimat Bhadra Agama

Also,it seems to be regarded as higher than other schools(of Shaivism).

Na Virashaiva Sadrusham Matam asti Jaggattraye..Sarvotthamam...Punyam Shiva Sayujyadayakam - Srimat Parameshwara Agama
 
rummah

rummah

New Member
A good example of the diverse structure of the tantras. I am partial to the Shakti ones, but there are so many....
 
Aupmanyav

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
@Burl , IMHO, John is completely irrelevant here. Sorry.
rummah said:
I've read most of the tantras I can find, but, from what I understand, there doesn't seem to be any hard and fast list of what tantras are 'canonical'. Most people who claim to be knowledgeable tell me you need a guru to pursue this. Guess what? I'm in the NE USA. There aren't any gurus around here. So I'm winging it.
Click to expand...
How can there be 'canonical paths' in any flavor of Hinduism when there is no 'canon'? Make your philosophy suit you. Keep up your studies, as my label says 'Be your own Guru'. I did that and I do not have even an iota of doubt.
 
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