Part 1 - Origin of Tantric system

Kashmir is placed in the womb of the Himalayas and endowed with beautiful flora and fauna. It has emerged as an elite seat of knowledge from early times, as famous as Universities of Taksasila and Nalanda. High mountains and seclusion of the land helped her to preserve the life and conditions of early times.

Kashmir was called Śāradādeś (the land of goddess Śārada) by Bilhana and others. This Śāradāpīṭha is believed to be abode of goddess Sarasvati and is also known as Śrīpīṭha, conferring Sarvajña degrees. Srīcakra worship seems to have originated from this concept of the poets regarding the characteristic learning of the land. The Siddhas and Ṛṣis indulge in exerises of the highest order of metaphysical speculation here.

Literaray Reference

Kashmir is rich in cultural heritage and derives its inspiration and strength from her natural environment and the bountyful literature and literary traditions. Literature of a country reflects the unique and peculiar characteristic of her people and highlights numerous subjects developed in the language with varied aspects pertaining to that area. Tantra śāstra forms an important branch of the general śāstras. Vedas are the source of all these śāstras and Śabda-śāstra or Vyākaraṇa (grammar) is their expression and basic source material.

Tantras have secular outlook and are free from all personal, communal or race restrictions. They assign a very important place to women in religion and account for the growth of the śākta cult. Sir John Woodruffe -Arthur Avalon is the one to point out first, the philosophical and practical value of the Tantras and gradual displacement of Vedic rituals by worship of Śākti Jaganmāta.

Significance of the system

Experiences gained in the Śākta cult and Śaivism are a clear exposition and manifestation by Tantric Treatises, most of which are lost. The rituals anyway bear a clear imprint of these tantric influences. Present day Sādhakas of the Śākta and Śaiva cult are the direct descendants of the Tantric group of preceptors. Subject of Tantra Śāstra are expounded in the form of a malefemale dialogue, viz. the āgamas dialogue between Śiva and Pārvati. Tantra Śāstras which advocate supremacy of Parāśakti are called Śākta tantras^[1].

Different manifestations of the world with three-fold form and the collective energy of Brahma, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara are called Tripura or Tripurasundari who represents the three forms of Mahāsarasvatī, Mahālakṣmī and Mahākālī also.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

[Cidgaganacandrikā] Verse 282.