Bhutatantra, Bhūtatantra, Bhuta-tantra: 8 definitions

Introduction:

Bhutatantra means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Bhutatantra in Shaivism glossary
Source: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śiva

Bhūtatantra (भूततन्त्र) or Bhūtatantrāgama refers to one of upāgamas (supplementary scriptures) of the Aṃśumāgama which is one of the twenty-eight Siddhāntāgama: a classification of the Śaiva division of Śaivāgamas. The Śaivāgamas represent the wisdom that has come down from lord Śiva, received by Pārvatī and accepted by Viṣṇu. The purpose of revealing upāgamas (e.g., Bhūta-tantra Āgama) is to explain more elaborately than that of mūlāgamas (e.g., Aṃśumān-āgama) and to include any new idea if not dealt in mūlāgamas.

Shaivism book cover
context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

Discover the meaning of bhutatantra in the context of Shaivism from relevant books on Exotic India

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Bhutatantra in Shaktism glossary
Source: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śiva (shaktism)

Bhūtatantra (भूततन्त्र) refers to one of the four classifications of Tantras belonging to the Śāktāgama or Śāktatantra tradition, according to the Pratiṣṭhālakṣaṇasamuccaya of Vairocana. Śāktāgama represents one of the three classes of āgamas (traditionally communicated wisdom) and holds the idea that the worship of Śakti is the means to attain liberation.

The Bhūta class of Śāktatantras are:

  1. Hālāhalatantra,
  2. Hayagrīvatantra,
  3. Karkoṭatantra,
  4. Kaṭaṅkatantra,
  5. Karoṭatantra,
  6. Maṇḍamātantra,
  7. Kaṅkoṭatantra,
  8. Khaḍgarāvaṇatantra,
  9. Caṇḍāsidhāratantra,
  10. Hūṅkāratantra,
  11. Hāhākāratantra,
  12. Śivāravatantra,
  13. Ghorāṭṭahāsatantra,
  14. Ucchiṣṭatantra,
  15. Ghurguratantra,
  16. Duṣṭatrāsakatantra,
  17. Vimalatantra,
  18. Vikaṭatantra,
  19. Mahotkaṭatantra,
  20. Yamaghaṇṭatantra.
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (shaktism)

Bhūtatantra (भूततन्त्र) refers to a group of Tantra texts detailing the method of worshiping the Mothers, according to the Devīpurāṇa verse 88.1-3.—Accordingly, “People desiring liberation worship the Mothers by way of the Vedas and the Śaiva Tantric revelation. They are also worshipped in accordance with the Gāruḍatantras, Bhūtatantras, and Bālatantras. Beneficent, they bring all endeavors to fruition, and are like wish-fulfilling jewels. Heretics of the future—[viz.] the Buddhist proponents of Gāruḍa Tantra—will worship them according to their own methods, devoted to their own ways, dear child. They give rewards that accord with any disposition wise people worship them with, whether they be Brahmins or even lowborn outcastes”.

Shaktism book cover
context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Discover the meaning of bhutatantra in the context of Shaktism from relevant books on Exotic India

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

[«previous next»] — Bhutatantra in Jyotisha glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Bhūtatantra (भूततन्त्र) refers to “sorcerers”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 16) (“On the planets—graha-bhaktiyoga”), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “[...] Mercury also presides over painters, grammarians, mathematicians, physicians, sculptors, spies, jugglers, infants, poets, rogues, tale-bearers, black-magicians, messengers, eunuchs, buffoons, sorcerers (bhūtatantra) and conjurers; over sentinels, dancers and dancing masters; over ghee, gingelly and other oils; over seeds, over bitter flavour, over observers of religious ceremonies, over chemists and mules”.

Jyotisha book cover
context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Discover the meaning of bhutatantra in the context of Jyotisha from relevant books on Exotic India

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Bhutatantra in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Bhūtatantra (भूततन्त्र).—the doctrine of spirits.

Derivable forms: bhūtatantram (भूततन्त्रम्).

Bhūtatantra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms bhūta and tantra (तन्त्र).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Bhūtatantra (भूततन्त्र):—[=bhūta-tantra] [from bhūta > bhū] n. the doctrine of spirits (as contained in the 6th [chapter] of the Aṣṭāṅga-hṛdaya).

[Sanskrit to German]

Bhutatantra in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Discover the meaning of bhutatantra in the context of Sanskrit from relevant books on Exotic India

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: