[Compiled by: Kandiah Thillaivinayagalingam]
Ancient Indus Valley civilization,which stretched from
Afghanistan to the River Ganges,was largely a Tantra-oriented culture.In fact,
the word “hara” refers to Shiva, and “appa” means father in the local
language.The city of Harappa in the Indus Valley can thus be considered a place
dedicated to Shiva,who by many today is considered the father of Indian
civilization.Historians usually adapt two ways to examine the
history,archaeological sites and remains as well as literatures.The Pashupati
seal found among the indus valley rubble in which the three faced male god is
shown seated in a yogic posture,surrounded by animals shows that worship of god
siva was very ancient.
The spiritual approach of the non-Aryans[the indigenous peoples
- the
Austrics,Mongolians,and Dravidians] was Tantra and it differed from the
Vedic practices of the Aryans because it was fundamentally an introversive
process rather than an external ritual.In order to find the roots of the
Tantra,we have to start from the Indus Valley.The two main statues found in the
Indus Valley are prototype of Shiva seated on a throne in a version of the
cross-legged lotus posture of Yoga with Yogi's penis is prominently
visible.This seal is often cited as evidence that people of the Indus Valley
culture knew Yoga and practiced Tantra.The second sculpture of a girl squats in
birthing position lifting her dress to reveal her vagina,stained from
offerings.The yoni is the creative power of nature and represents the goddess
Shakti.The linga stone represents Shiva and hence it shows that vagina & lingam
worshipping cults were existed there as per the opinion of historians.It also
may be possible that the tradition of Nadu Kal[memorial stone /Hero Stones] by
the ancient tamils/dravidians for men who died in battle may gave rise to the
linga worship later.
Tantra is more than just a collection of meditation or yoga
techniques.There is a particular world-view associated with it. According to
Tantra,struggle is the essence of life.The effort to struggle against all
obstacles and move from the imperfect to the perfect is the true spirit of
Tantra.
Tantra is the original spiritual science found in Indus valley
civilization more than 4,500-5,000 years ago.Tantra is the practice which
elevates human beings in a process in which their minds are expanded.There is
no meaning to undergo penance remembering a god which you have never
seen,Instead if you see the body parts which you like very much,your focus will
not be disturbed and mind & body will work together.This is the starting
point of tantra.it is a fantastic tool for those on a primarily spiritual
path.It adds the power of aliveness to the qualities of spirit and helps ground
your spirituality into everyday life.
In today world people may misconcept that Tantra which is Born
in Indus
valley civilization over 5,000 years ago,is all about sex ,but the
practice of Tantra has to do with much more than sex.It should not be confused
with Kama Sutra,a literal guide to sexual positions.Tantra, instead,is the
practice of what feels good to the people involved.The purpose of Tantra (in
its overtly sexual and non-sexual forms) is for spiritual
awakening,enlightenment or freedom.Tantra uses sexual energy-the primal force
of our very existence( after all, without sex and fertility,none of us would be
here!)-to develop a spiritual consciousness.Tantra is not a religion at all,but
an ancient set of spiritual beliefs.Tantra has never become an actual
religion,and it was never intended to be one — partly because by its very
nature it is not conducive to the set of structured guidelines and formats
associated with most religions.With Tantra,there are no commandments or strict
rules to follow.You are not required to maintain a rigid prayer schedule or
attend services at designated times.Each Tantric practitioner dictates his or her
own path based on what's right for that individual.Tantra was originally passed
from guru to student,and each guru had his own unique approach to the Tantra
beliefs.The most obvious way that Tantra differs from most religions involves
sex.Most modern religions view sex as something to be shared between husband
and wife,and even then usually for the purpose of procreation.In fact,many
people get the impression from religious advisors that sex is something bad or
dirty.By contrast,Tantrics believe sex is a sacred gift.Today Tantrics revere
Shiva as the pure embodiment of the masculine force culminating in cosmic
consciousness,and Shakti as the feminine principle embodying pure creative
energy.This isn't worship of supreme beings as in most organized religions.Rather,it
is Tantra's way of honoring the forces of nature that exist within each of
us.We simply use Shiva and Shakti as convenient symbols to focus the growth of
our own divine qualities.To the crude they are pornographic. And to the bias
they are the vulgar habits of a primitive peoples.Yet they are in fact, opaque
symbolic portrayals of the state of 'union' with God.We often wonder why do
Hindu Temples have objectionable sculptures on walls.From Tantrik perspectives,
such sexual images serve as a stimulant messenger to convey the idea of
creation,transformation,unity and harmony to the viewers.Within the vast
confines of Hinduism one encounters many approaches to demonstrating spiritual
ideas.Mithuna['the state of being a couple'] carvings are just one!.
In India the Aryans encountered and began to fight with the
indigenous peoples-the Austrics,Mongolians,and Dravidians.They considered these
races to be inferior to them,and in the epic tales of India such as The
Ramayana,these races are depicted as monkeys and demons.
PART :59 WILL FOLLOW
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