Comparative and Critical Study of Mantrashastra

SR No.: 006540
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mohanlal Bhagwandas Jhaveri, K V Abhayankar
Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab
Publication Year: 1944
Total Pages: 635
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English & Culture
File Size: 18 MB

Page 60

TANTRAS: COMMON CHARACTERISTICS
51
Surya or Ganapati. The large extent of Tantra literature can be seen from the fact that "the Sammohana Tantra (Chapter VI) mentions 64 Tantras, 327 Upatantras as also Yamalas, Damaras, Samhitas and other Scriptures of the Shākta class; 32 Tantras, 125 Upatantras, as also Yamalas, Damaras, Puranas and other Scriptures of the Shaiva class; 75 Tantras, 205 Upatantras, as also Yamalas, Dāmaras, Samhitas of the Vaishnava class; numerous tantras and other scriptures of the Ganapatya and Saura classes, and a number of Purānas, Upapurānas and other variously named Scriptures of the Bauddha class. It then (chapter VII) mentions over 500 Tantras and nearly the same amount of Upatantras, of some 22 Agamas, Chinagamas (see chapter IV post) Bauddhāgama, Jaina, Pashupata, Kāpālika, Pancharatra, Bhairava and others. There is thus a vast mass of Tantras in the Agamas belonging to differing schools of doctrine and practice. The characteristices of Agama are summed up as follows:
सृष्टिश्च प्रलयश्चैव देवतानां तथार्चनम् । साधनं चैव सर्वेषां पुरश्चरणमेवच ॥ षट्कर्मसाधनं चैव ध्यानयोगश्चतुर्विधः । सप्तभिर्लक्षणै युक्तमागमं तद्विदुर्बुधाः ॥
- वाराहीतंत्रे आगमलक्षणम्
COMMON CHARACTERISTICS
In all these, however, it will be found on an examination that there are the same general ideas, characteristics and practices. There is emphasis on devotion (Bhakti), provision for all castes and both sexes. "Instances of common practices are for example Mantra, Bīja, Yantra, Mudra, Nyasa, Bhutashuddhi, Kundaliyoga construction and consecretion of temples and images (Kriya) religious and social observations (Charyā) such as Ahnika, Varnashramadharma, Utsava; and practical magic (māyāyoga)." "To my mind, one of the most distinctive marks of the Tantrik system is its profound application of psychology to worship, and the manner in which it not only teaches through symbols, but actualy creates, through its ritual methods, the states of mind which are set forth as the end of its teachings." P. XVI Introduction to Shri Chakra Sambhāra.