Tantrika, Tāntrika, Taṃtrikā, Tamtrika: 23 definitions
Introduction:
Tantrika means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi, biology. 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.
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In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexTāntrika (तान्त्रिक).—A mode of worship but different from the Vaidika or Vedic path;1 the Tāntrika concept of Hari.2
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Arthashastra (politics and welfare)
Source: archive.org: Studies in Kautilya VocabularyTāntrika (तान्त्रिक) refers to a type of profession mentioned in the Śukranītisāra 2.128-188.—The Śukranītisāra is a Sanskrit work on ethics by Śukrācārya comprised of four chapters. The second chapter (uvarājādikṛtya, “the duties of the royal princes and the like”) describes a large number of varied topics, eg., it contains observations on the ministers, priests, sacive, treasury, a large number of officers and employees (such as a Tāntrika).
Arthashastra (अर्थशास्त्र, arthaśāstra) literature concerns itself with the teachings (shastra) of economic prosperity (artha) statecraft, politics and military tactics. The term arthashastra refers to both the name of these scientific teachings, as well as the name of a Sanskrit work included in such literature. This book was written (3rd century BCE) by by Kautilya, who flourished in the 4th century BCE.
Kavya (poetry)
Source: archive.org: Naisadhacarita of SriharsaTāntrika (तान्त्रिक) refers to “one who is well-versed in religious doctrine”, and is mentioned in the Naiṣadha-carita 17.64. Cf. Yoga-Yājñavalkya 8.4.
Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Source: Pure Bhakti: Arcana-dipika - 3rd EditionTāntrika (तान्त्रिक) refers to “that which is taught in the Tantras” and represents one of the three classifications of Arcana (“deity worship”), according to the Arcana-dīpikā (manual on deity worship).—By performing arcana of Bhagavān, one soon feels an immense pleasure within oneself, which is the cause of all varieties of perfections, or auspicious desires. Without performing arcana, it is not possible for a person attached to material enjoyment to break free from bad association and so forth.
Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts1) Tāntrika (तान्त्रिक) refers to a particular type of “worship” (pūjā), as discussed in chapter 20 of the Viṣvaksenasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 2800 Sanskrit verses dealing with theological matters, image-worship, iconography (relating to pratimā-icons) and the construction of temples.—Description of the chapter [paramātmādi-mūrtipūjā-bheda-kathana]: Viṣvaksena speaks to Nārada about the various types of beneficial pūjā-worship appropriate to various modes and forms of the Lord that a Sādhaka-aspirant may undertake (1). [...] The narrative then turns to some general remarks about types of worship—including the statement that in one’s personal worship in private it may be either vaidika or tāntrika but that in performing public liturgies for others it must never be vaidika but rather either tāntrika or a miśrita-mixture. [...]
2) Tāntrika (तान्त्रिक) Tāntrikapūjā refer to one of the six “daily rites” (nityapūjā), as discussed in chapter 10 of the (first part of the) Śāṇḍilyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 3600 Sanskrit verses dealing with devotion towards Kṛṣṇa who is identified with the Supreme, as well as ethical behavior and pious practices to be observed by devotees (bhaktas).—Description of the chapter [dīkṣāprāpti-nirūpaṇa]:—[...] Nityapūjā (daily rites) are of six types: vaidika, tāntrika, smārta, miśra, paurāṇika, bhākta. Each of these is briefly described and the proper type of person to follow each is also indicated (33-40).
3) Tāntrika (तान्त्रिक) refers to a type of mantra which can be given during Dīkṣā (“initiation”), as discussed in chapter 4 of the Ṛṣirātra section of the Sanatkumārasaṃhitā: an encyclopedic Sanskrit text written in over 3500 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as yoga, temple-building, consecration ceremonies, initiation and dhanurveda (martial arts).—Description of the chapter [puṣpayāga-adhyāya]: [...] Sanatkumāra mentions three types of mantras to be given to the initiate during dīkṣā—vaidika, tāntrika and vaidikatāntrika (37-40a). He refers (44b) to the brahmarātra section for further details about dīkṣā. He concludes by saying that puṣpayāga in the nārāyaṇamaṇḍala-circle could be done by Brahmins only (40b-45).
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Mantrashastra (the science of Mantras)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (mantra)Tāntrika (तान्त्रिक) refers to one of the four classifications of Mantras, as discussed in chapter 2 of the Śeṣasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 2800 Sanskrit verses narrated by Śeṣa (=Ananta) to Nārada and dealing primarily with the use of the appropriate mantras for various occasions such as jayantī celebrations.—[Description of the chapter mantrākṣaravarṇane svaravarṇana]: [...] Certain mantras, before they are ready to be used, must be “purified” first (49-53); further, only certain people are qualified to receive certain mantras, according to their caste, sex and previous religious orientation—like the aṣṭākṣara and dvādaśākṣara-mantras and their variations (54-63). There are various classifications for mantras, he says, namely: vaidika, vaidikatāntrika, tāntrika and tāntrikatāntrika (64-69a) but all the crores and crores of mantras came only from Nārāyaṇa (a prose section of a few lines).
Mantrashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, mantraśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of mantras—chants, incantations, spells, magical hymns, etc. Mantra Sastra literature includes many ancient books dealing with the methods reciting mantras, identifying and purifying its defects and the science behind uttering or chanting syllables.
Gitashastra (science of music)
Source: Shodhganga: Kohala in the Sanskrit textual tradition (gita)Tāntrika (तान्त्रिक) refers to a classification of “musical instruments” (vādya) according to Nārada.—Also see Abhinavabharatasārasaṅgraha of Mummaḍi Cikkabhūpāla.
Gitashastra (गीतशास्त्र, gītaśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of Music (gita or samgita), which is traditionally divided in Vocal music, Instrumental music and Dance (under the jurisdiction of music). The different elements and technical terms are explained in a wide range of (often Sanskrit) literature.
Biology (plants and animals)
Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and DrugsTantrika [तन्त्रिका] in the Sanskrit language is the name of a plant identified with Tinospora cordifolia from the Menispermaceae (Moonseed) family. For the possible medicinal usage of tantrika, you can check this page for potential sources and references, although be aware that any some or none of the side-effects may not be mentioned here, wether they be harmful or beneficial to health.
This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarytāntrika (तांत्रिक).—a (S) That follows the doctrine taught in the Tantras: also versed in the Tantras. 2 Belonging to the Tantras--a charm, rite, precept. 3 That has but a superficial knowledge or scanty ability (in his art or business). 4 Shortened, abridged, contracted, rendered brief. Ex. kathā tyānēṃ tāṃ0 kēlī; mārgīṃ sarva kāmēṃ tāṃ0 karāvīṃ; sāmprata paiśācī aḍacaṇa āhē kharca tāṃ0 karā
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishtāntrika (तांत्रिक).—a Belonging to the Tantras. Shortened.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryTāntrika (तान्त्रिक).—a. (-kī f.)
1) Well-versed in any science or doctrine
2) Relating to the Tantras.
3) Taught or contained in them.
-kaḥ A follower of Tantra doctrines; तान्त्रिकाः परिचर्यायां केवलस्य श्रियः पतेः । अङ्गोपाङ्गायुधाकल्पं कल्प- यन्ति यथा च यैः (tāntrikāḥ paricaryāyāṃ kevalasya śriyaḥ pateḥ | aṅgopāṅgāyudhākalpaṃ kalpa- yanti yathā ca yaiḥ) || Bhāgavata 12.11.2.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryTantrikā (तन्त्रिका).—f.
(-kā) A plant, Gurichi. E. kan added to tantrī.
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Tāntrika (तान्त्रिक).—mfn.
(-kaḥ-kī-kaṃ) 1. Relating to the Tantras, taught by them, following them, &c. 2. Relating to a thread, &c. m.
(-kaḥ) 1. A scholar, a man completely versed in any science. 2. A follower of the doctrine taught by the Tantras. E. tantra truth, &c. and ṭhak aff. tantraṃ siddhāntaṃ vetti śāstramadhīte vā .
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryTāntrika (तान्त्रिक).—i. e. tantra + ika, I. m. One versed in a system, Bhāṣāp. 148. Ii. adj. Taught in a work of the Tantra-class, [Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, (ed. Burnouf.)] 8, 6, 9.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryTāntrika (तान्त्रिक).—[feminine] ā & ī familiar with or contained in a cert. doctrine, [especially] relating to the Tantras, mystical.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Tantrikā (तन्त्रिका):—[from tantraka > tan] f. Cocculus cordifolius, [Bhāvaprakāśa v, 3, 7]
2) [v.s. ...] noise in the ears, [Śārṅgadhara-saṃhitā vii, 142]
3) [v.s. ...] cf. apa-.
4) Tāntrika (तान्त्रिक):—[from tāntava] mf(ā, [Suśruta i, 3]; ī)n. taught in a scientific manual, [Tattvasamāsa] (kī saṃjñā, ‘a technical Name’)
5) [v.s. ...] taught in the [Tantrasāra] mystical, [Hārīta] ([Manu-smṛti; ii, 1/2]), [Suśruta] etc.
6) [v.s. ...] m. one completely versed in any science or system, [Bhāṣāpariccheda]
7) [v.s. ...] a follower of the Tantra doctrine, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa xii, 11, 2; Saṃkṣepa-śaṃkara-vijaya]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Tantrikā (तन्त्रिका):—(kā) 1. f. A plant (Guricha).
2) Tāntrika (तान्त्रिक):—[(kaḥ-kī-kaṃ) a. Idem. m.] A scholar; a follower of the Tantras.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Tāntrika (तान्त्रिक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Taṃtiya.
[Sanskrit to German]
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.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary1) Taṃtrikā (तंत्रिका) [Also spelled tantrika]:—(nf) a nerve; ~[kātaṃtra] nervous system; ~[kīya] nervous.
2) Tāṃtrika (तांत्रिक) [Also spelled tantrik]:—(nm) a practitioner of [taṃtra]; (a) pertaining to [taṃtra; ~kīya] pertaining to or related with a [tāṃtrika] or [taṃtravidyā].
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryTantrika in Hindi refers in English to:—(nf) a nerve; ~[katamtra] nervous system; ~[kiya] nervous..—tantrika (तंत्रिका) is alternatively transliterated as Taṃtrikā.
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Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusTāṃtrika (ತಾಂತ್ರಿಕ):—
1) [adjective] of or relating to occultism or mysticism.
2) [adjective] having to do with the practical, industrial or mechanical arts or the applied sciences.
3) [adjective] of, used or peculiar to a specific science, art, profession, craft, etc.; specialised.
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Tāṃtrika (ತಾಂತ್ರಿಕ):—
1) [noun] a man initiated into or is an expert in, esoteric mysteries; a mystic; an occultist.
2) [noun] a follower or member of the cult of worship of the Power-aspect of the Supreme.
3) [noun] a man skilled in the technicalities of some subject; technical expert.
4) [noun] a learned man or a specialist in a particular branch of learning; a scholar.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Source: unoes: Nepali-English DictionaryTāntrika (तान्त्रिक):—n. one versed in charm/incantation; adj. pertaining to tantras/incantation; occultist;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Tamtrikagama, Tamtrikashikshana, Tamtrikavijnana, Tantrika-lekhana, Tantrikakushakandika, Tantrikaprayashcitta, Tantrikapuja, Tantrikapujapaddhati, Tantrikasamdhya, Tantrikatantrika, Tantrikayatrapaddhati.
Full-text (+106): Paratantrika, Bahutantrika, Tritantrika, Ekatantrika, Dakshinakalika, Lilasvatmapriya, Tantrik, Svatantrika, Tantrika-lekhana, Ghatasthapana, Vagala, Vaidikatantrika, Tamtrikashikshana, Pancatattva, Pratyangira, Vishnuparayana, Siddhaugha, Tantrikaprayashcitta, Suranayaka, Viramaya.
Relevant text
Search found 79 books and stories containing Tantrika, Tāntrika, Tantrikā, Taṃtrikā, Tamtrika, Tāṃtrika, Tantrikas; (plurals include: Tantrikas, Tāntrikas, Tantrikās, Taṃtrikās, Tamtrikas, Tāṃtrikas, Tantrikases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Archives of Social Sciences of Religions
Patton E. Burchett, A Genealogy of Devotion. Bhakti, Tantra, Yoga, and Sufism in North India < [Volume 188 (2019)]
André Padoux: Understanding Tantrism and Its Hindu Sources < [Volume 152 (2010)]
Tantra in Bengal: Kathleen Taylor and Sir John Woodroffe's Legacy < [Volume 136 (2006)]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (study) (by A. Yamuna Devi)
Religion, Religious Myths and Legends (Introduction) < [Chapter 4 - Cultural Aspects]
Amarakośodghāṭana (Introduction) < [Chapter 2 - Kṣīrasvāmin: Life and Works]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Diksha (initiation) in Pancharatra (by Shanta Srinivasan)
7. Regarding the validity of Pancharatra < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
14. The concepts of Mantras < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
Yasastilaka and Indian culture (Study) (by Krishna Kanta Jandiqui)
8. The Kulacaryas and Trikamata doctrines < [Chapter 8 - Philosophical doctrines]
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