Netratantra, Netra-tantra: 1 definition

Introduction:

Netratantra 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»] — Netratantra in Shaivism glossary
Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Netratantra (नेत्रतन्त्र) is a Śaiva Tantra from the 9th century authored by Kṣemarāja, representing a scripture of divine revelation that consists of a dialogue between Śiva (Bhairava) and Pārvatī, in which the former instructs the latter on metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—The Netra-tantra belongs to the mantramārga stream of Śaiva texts. This means its rites are accessible to ascetics and married householders. Like other texts in this stream, the Netratantra offers salvation (mokṣa), the attainment of supernatural powers (siddhi), and other worldly enjoyments (bhoga). The Netratantra’s audience is the Śaiva officiant who performs the monarch’s ritual duties on his behalf, protects the king and his family through rites of appeasement, and carries out a lustration (nīrājana) to empower the monarch and his armies.

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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.

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