Traditional[edit]
The Tantric tradition offers various definitions of tantra. One
comes from the Kmik-tantra:
Because it elaborates (tan) copious and profound matters,
especially relating to the principles of reality (tattva) and
sacred mantras, and because it provides liberation (tra), it is
called a tantra.[2]
A second, very similar to the first, comes from Swami
Satyananda.
Tantra embodies two sanskrit words: tanoti (expands) and trayoti
(liberates)... It is the system by which you liberate or separate
the two aspects of consciousness and matter - purusha and prakriti
or Shiva and Shakti.[3]
A third comes from the 10th-century Tantric scholar Rmakaha, who
belonged to the dualist school aiva Siddhnta:
A tantra is a divinely revealed body of teachings, explaining
what is necessary and what is a hindrance in the practice of the
worship of God; and also describing the specialized initiation and
purification ceremonies that are the necessary prerequisites of
Tantric practice.[4]
Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar[note 2] describes a tantric individual and
a tantric cult:
A person who, irrespective of caste, creed or religion, aspires
for spiritual expansion or does something concrete, is a Tantric.
Tantra in itself is neither a religion n
