CHAPTER FIVE

A. NAMES OF HINDU TANTRAS

The whole of India was once bathed and illumined by the Tantric Cult. I hi

Tantric Cult’s all-pervading nature, immense popularity and ritualistic approach promptei

Tantrics to preserve and promote this Cult and transmit it to generations. Ultimateh thi

led to the birth of the vast and encyclopaedic Tantric Literature in the forms of 1antr

texts, commentaries and digests.

During the peak period o f Tantra, innumerable Tantra works emerged. A grea

scholar o f Tantra writes.1

“We hear from Tantric teachers that the number o f treatises on Tantra is one lak

and some say that it is even more. Moreover, a particularly trustworthy community hold

that even now there is no cessation in the creation of Tantras, and that there will also be n

such cessation in all the ages to c o m e ................. There can be nothing to wonder at

new Tantras daily appear in the world.”

Tantric treatises are still very numerous, though the greater part has been k>

destroyed or missing.2 A vast number o f Tantras have disappeared forever. Of tho-v

which survive, a large number is unknown. Most o f those which are available are !

fragmentary character.3

Moreover each one of the Tantra schools has its own Tantras of which the <

were at one time probably one thousands. Besides, original treatises, there is a lar i

1. POT, p.535.

2. SAS, p.439.

3. Ibid, p. 134.
 18-

number o f digests and commentaries. Moreover, the number of Tantras existing in th-

manuscripts is far larger.45

So divergence views on the exact number of Tantra are natural. Sa"nk’aracary;t

says in his Saundarya laharf-

“The Lord of creatures having created the entire universe with the sixty four (6

Tantras, the chief sources of occult powers remained satisfied.”

Mahesvara Tantra says,6

tvaya proktani tantrani catuhsastimitani bhoh

Oh Lord! Sixty four (64) Tantras were revealed by you.

Tantra also says that the number o f Tantra is fourteen thousands (14,000) .789

sapta sapta sahasrani samkhyatani manisibhih

There are three Tantric Zones. Each Tantric Zone has 64Tantras, So. according

some, the number o f Tantra is 64 x 3 = 192.

Sadamnaya Tantra8 mentions that one hundred ninety two (192) Tantras cm .si i

these Tantric Zones -

trisasti-caturastantrah krantibhage pracaritah

Some scholars opine that the number of Tantra is one hundred eight (108).''

Only a few Tantra works are published. A large number of Tantra manuscripts i

displayed in many libraries and research centers. Moreover, names of many Tantra wore

4. H1L, i, p.564.

5. SL, 31 SI.

6. MAH, 1/15.

7. TMV,p. 116.

8. SAM, 1/128; PBS, p. 183; PAB, p. 198;VK, IV, p.392.

9. TMV, p.117.
are referred to in the Tantra texts and commentaries. But many of them are not available

So it is very difficult for us to give a complete list of Tantra texts in this chapter ( >u

attempt is to mention the names of Tantra collected from different sources.These name

show that “when compared with the mass of other treatises on Shastra (The principle

Mantras), they form such an insignificant mass that they are lost in the vast womb of th

untraversable sea o f Tantra so full o f deep truths”.10

It is already stated in the First Chapter that Tantra,in its wider sense, includs

Sarhhita, Yamala, Damara, and Agama literatures. Our lists include these forms of I anti

Literature and only Hindu Tantras.

/
Some scholars have listed Tantra works under different heads like Sakta Tantras

Saiva Tantras12, Yamalas13 and Brahman icalTantras.14

Let us mention those Tantras at first.

(a) Sakta Tantras

Varahi Tantra refers to twenty Sakta Tantric texts. They are

1. Nilapataka, 2. Vamakesvara, 3. Mrtyunjaya, 4. Yogarnava, 5. Mava or Maid

6. Daksinamiurti, 7. Kalika, 8. KamesvaiT, 9. Haragaun, 10. KubjikaJ l.Katyavani.

Pratyangira, D.Mahalaksmi, 14. Tripurarnava, 15.Sarasvati, 16.Yogin1. 17. Varahi. -

Gavaksi, 19.Natiyaniya, 20. Mrdani.

10. POT, p. 532.

11. HTR, p.66.

12. STUT, p. 1L, Article- Evolution of the Tantras.

13. ibid, p. 12.

14. Ibid, pp. 18-19.

15. As quoted in HTR, p. 67.

(b) Saiva Tantras

The eighteen Agamas16 which are also called Saiva Tantras, are the following

l.Vijaya 2. Nihisvasa 3.Svambhuva, 4. Vatula, 5. Virabhadra, 6.Raura\a.

Makuta, 8.Viresa, 9. Candrahasa, lO.Jnana, 11. Mukhabimba, 12. Prodgita, 13 Lalita. I

Siddha, 15. Santana, 16. Sarvodgita, 17. Kirana, 18.Paramesvara.

Nihsvasa Tantra itself mentions these eighteen Agamas as constituting the Siv;

sastra transmitted by Rudra. It also mentions ten more Saiva Tantras transmitted t-

Sadasiva. They are as follows:17

1. Kamika 2.Yogada 3.Divya 4. Karana 5. Ajita 6. Dipta 7. Suksma S.Sahas ■

9.Asta 10. Amsubheda.

(c) Yamalas

The principal Yamalas are eight in number. They are18 -

1. Rudra 2.Kanda (Skanda) 3. Brahma 4.Visnu 5.Yama 6.Vayu 7. kuvc .

8.1ndra.

Two other old texts belong to the Yamala group. They are19-

I. Pingalamata 2. Jayadratha Yamala.

Sfikanthasamhit320 mentions the following names -

(a) BHAIRAVA TANTRA

II. Svacchanda Tantra 2.Bhairava 3.Canda 4.Krodha 5. Unmatta Bhairava

Asitanga Bhairava 7. Mahocchusma 8. Kapalisa.

16.STUT, p. II.
17. Ibid, p. II.
18. Ibid, p. 12.
19. Ibid, p. 12.
20. As mentioned in TANS, p. 19.
 s

(b) YAMALA TANTRA

9. Brahma Yamala 10. Visnu Yamala 11. Svacchanda Yamala 12.Ruru Yamal,

13(?) 14. Atharvana 15. Rudra 16.VetaIa.

(c) MATA TANTRA

17. Rakta 18.Lampata 19. Rasmimata 20.Mata 21. Calika 22.Pingala 2

Utphulla 24.Visvadya.

(d) MANGALA TANTRA

25. Picu Bhairavl 26. Tantra Bhairavi 27. Tata 28. Brahmi Kala 29.Vijaya

Candra 31 Mangala 32. Sarvamafigala.

(e) CAKRASTAKA

33. Mantra cakra 34. Varna cakra 35.Sakti cakra 36. Kala cakra 37. Bindu cakr

38. Nada cakra 39.Guhya cakra 40. Kha cakra.

(!) BAHURU PASTA KA

41. Andhaka 42. Rurubheda 43. Aja 44. Mula 45.Varnamanta or Varna Kanth

46. Vidanga 47. Matradana 48.Jvalina.

(g) VAGISA

49. Bhairavi 50. Citrika 51. Hainsa 52. Kadambika 53. Hrllekha 5

Candralekha 55. Vidyullekha 56. Vidyumata.

(h) SIKHA TANTRA

57. Bhairavi 58. Vina 59.Vinamani 60. Sammoha61. Damara 62. Atharvaka 6

Kabandha 64. Sirascheda.

According to Vamakesvara Tantra21and approved by Laksmidhara -

^ / y
1. Mahamaya 2. Sambara 3.Yogini-jala-sambara 4. Tattva-sambara 5. Siddha bhaira' i

6. Batukabhairava 7. Kahgkala bhairava 8. Kala bhairava 9. Kalagni bhaira' a

10. Yoginl bhairava 11. Maha bhairava 12. Sakti bhairava 13. Brahmi 14. Mahcsv;.

21. As mentioned in Ibid, p. 20.

 IX>

15. Kauniari 16. Vaisnavi 17. Varahi 18. Mahendn 19. Camupda 20. Sivaduti 2

Rudra Yamala 22. Skanda 23. Brahma 24. Visnu 25. Yama 26. Vayu 27. Kuher.

28.1ndra 29. Candrajnana 30. Malini Vidya 31.Mahasammohana 32. Vamajusta 3

Mahadeva Tantra 34. Vatula 35. Vatulottara 36. Kamika 37. Hrdbheda 3X

Tantrabheda 39.Guhya Tantra 40. Kalavada 41. Kalasara 42. Kundikamat

43.Matottaramata 44. Vinakhya 45. Trotala 46. Trotalottara 47. Pancamrta 4S

Rupabheda 49. Bhuto^damara 50. Kulasara 51. Kulod^isa 52. Kulacudamani v

Sarvajnanottara 54. Mahakalfmata 55. Arunesa 56. Medinisa 57. Vikunthesvara

Purvapaksa 59. Pascimapaksa 60. Uttarapaksa 61. Niruttara 62. Vimata 63. Vimalotth

64. Devimata.

According to Bhaskar Rai,22

1. Mahamaya 2. Sambara 3. Yogini 4. Jalasambara 5. Tattvasambara

Bhairavastaka, Bahurupastaka 7. Brahmi 8. Mihesvari 9. Kaumari 10.Vaisnavi I

Varahi 12. Mahendri 13.Camunda M.Sivaduti 15.Yamalastaka-Brahmayamala 1

Visnuyamala 17. Rudrayamala IS.Laksmiyamala 19. Umayamala 20. Skandayamai i

21. Gaijesa yamala 22. Jayadratha yamala 23.Candrajnana 24.Vasuki 2

Mahasammohana 26. Mahocchus.ma 27.Vatula 28.Vatulottara 29. Hrdbhec.i

30.Tantrabheda 31. GuhyaTantra 32. Kamika 33. Kalavada 34. Kalasara 3

Kubjikamata 36. Tantrottara 37. Cinakhya 38. Trotala 39. Trotalottara 40. Pancamr i

41. Rupabheda 42. Bhutoddamara 43. Kulasara 44. Kukxjdisa 45.Kulacudamani 4<

Sarvojnanottara 47. Mahakalimata 48. Mahalakjmimata 49. Siddhayogesvarimata 5*

Kurupikamata 5 1. Rupikamata 52. Sarvaviramata 53. Vimalamata 54. Purvamriaya f

Pascimamnaya 56. Dak;inamnaya 57.Uttaramnaya 58.Urdhamnaya 59. Vaisesika l am a

22. As mentioned in Ibid, pp. 20-21.

 18'

60. JnSnarnava 61.Viravali 62. Arunesa 63. Mohinisa 64. Visuddhesvara

According to Sarvollasa Tantra13,

1. Kali 2. Mundamala 3.Tara 4. Nirvana S.Sivasara 6. Vira Tantra 7.Lihgarcan

8. Latarcana 9. Todala 10. Nila Tantra 11. RaidhaTantra 12.Visvasara 13. Bhaira\

Tantra 14. Bhairavi Tantra 15. Siddhesvara 16. Matrbheda 17. Samaya Tantra !>■

Guptasadhana 19. Mitrka Tantra 20. Maya Tantra 21. Mahamaya 22. Aksayii 2

Kumari 24. Kuiarnava 25. Kalikulasarvasva 26.Kalikakalpa 27.Varahi 28. Yogini 2 *

Yoginihrdaya 30. Sanat-Kumara Tantra 31. Tripurasara Tantraka 32. Yogini-vija\

33.Malini 34. Kukkuta 35. Sri Ganesa 36. Bhuta Tantra 37. Uddisa 38.Kamadhenu v

Yoni, 40. Virabhadra 41. Vamakesvara 42. Kulacudaimani Tantra 43. Bhavacudamani 4

Jnanarnava 45. Varada 46. Cintamani 47. Kalivilasa 48. Hamsa 49. Cidambaratata 5(

Vijnapana 51. Phetkarini 52. Nitya 53. Uttara 54. Narayani 55. Urdhamnaya 5'

Jnanadlpa 57.Gautamiya 58.Niruttara 59.Gandharva 60. Kubjika 61. Tantra-mukta-va

62. Brhatsrikrama 63. Svatantra 64. Kamlkhya.

ACCORDING TO THREE TANTRIC ZONES

(a) VISNU KRANTA24

1. Uttara 2. Kali 3. Kuiarnava 4. Kulaprakasa 5. Kriyasara 6. Kubjika

Kalivilasa 8. Kuloddisa 9. Kulamrta 10. Kumari ll.K am adhenu 12. Kamakhya I

Kulacudamani 14. Ganesa-vimarsini 15. Gavaksa 16.Gandharva 17. Camunda I

Jnanarnava 19. Tantraraja 20.Tantrantara 21.Devyagama 22.Devi 23. Devapraka-

24.Navaratnesvara 25. Nibandha 26. Nitya 27. Nila 28. Niruttara 29. Phetkari •

Brahmayamala 31. BrhatsrTkrama 32. Bhavacudamani 33. Bhutadamara 34. Bhaira

23. SARU, 2/6-18.

24. TANS, pp. 22-23

 ! 9<-

35. Bhairavi 36. Matsyasukta 37.Mundaniala 38.Malini 39.MahakaIa 40. Malini-vijaya

41. Maya Tantra 42 Yamala 43.Yantra-ciniamani 44.Yogin1hrdaya 45. Yogini Tantn>

46. Yoni 47. Radha Tantra 48. Rudrayamala 49. Lalita Tantra 50.Visvasara 51. Varah<

52. Visuddhesvara 53. Sri Krama 54. Sivagama 55. Sukumudini 56.Siddhesvara 57

Siddhasara 58. Siddhasarasvata 59. Siddhiyamala 60.Sanatkumara 6 1. Samayacara 62

Sammohana 63. Svatantra 64. Hamsa Mahesvara.

(b) ASVAKRANTS 25

1. Uddama-mahesvara 2.Kriyasara 3.Kala 4. Kamini 5. Kamukesvara t

Kamaratna 7. Kuranja 8. Gayatri 9. Gurvarcana 10. Gopya ll.G o p i 12.Gauff 13.(iupt.

14. Guptasara 15. Guptadiksa 16.Gopalilamrta !7.Cudamani 18.Cina Tantra i‘;

Jayaradhamadhava Tantra 20. Tattva-cinta-mani 21. Tattva-sara 22. Tiksna 2

DhumavatT 24. Brhatsara 25. Brhat-cina 26. Brhat-todala 27. Brhannirvana 28. Brhai

Kafigkalini 29. Brhat-yogini 30. Bindu Tantra 31. Brhanmoksa 32, Brhanmaiin

33.Bindu 34. Brahmanda 35. Bhutalipi 36. Bhuta-suddhi 37. Bhutesvari 38. Bherund

39. Bhuvanesvari 40. Mahavira 41. Mantra-cinta-mani 42. Mahaniruttara 43. Mohana 4-*

Mohini 45. Madguli 46.Maya 47. Mahamaiini 48. Moksa 49. Mahamaya 5(

Mahayogini Sl.Yogarpava 52. Yantracuda 53. Yoga Tantra 54. Lilavati

Visuddhesvara 56. Vidyullata 57. Varnasara 58. Sivarcana 59.Savara60.Sulim 6! Siv .

Tantra 62. Siddha Tantra 63. Saratsara 64. Samirana.

(c) RATHAKRANTA 26

1. Akasa-bhairava 2. Acaracara 3. Indrajala 4.Uddama-mahesvara 5. Bkajaia

6. Kahgkalamalini 7. Krkalasadipika 8. Karala-bhairava 9. Kaivalya 10. Kulasadbhav i

25. Ibid, p. 23.

26. Ibid, p. 22.
 !V

11. Krtisara 12. Kalabhairava 13. Kalottama 14. Garuda 15.Cinmaya l6.C'inacar;>

l7.Chayariila 18. Jnanabhairava 19. Deva^amara 20. Daksinamurti 21. Navaratnesvar;

22. Nagaijuna 23. Naradiya 24. Purascarana-candrika 25. Purascarana-rasoliasa 26

PancadasF 27. Picchila 28. Prapancasara 29. Paramesvara 30.Brhad-gautamiva 31

Balavilasa 32. Brhad-yoni 33. Brahma-jala 34. Bljacintamani 35.Bhuta-bhairava 36

Bhutadamara 37. Matsyasukta 38. Mahisa-mardini 39. Matrkodaya 40. Maharitla 41

Meru 42. Mahanirvana 43. Mahaklla 44. Mahalaksmi 45. Yaksinl 46. Yogasvarodav;,

47. Yogasara 48.Yaksa dahtara 49. Raja-rajesvari 50. Revatl 51. Varnodhrti 52. Varna

vilasa, 53. Vasudevarahasya 54. Saktikagamasarvasva 55. Saktisahgama 56. Sarada 57

Sodha 58. §adamnaya 59. Svarodaya 60. Sarasvati 61. Sarasa 62. Sammohana 65

Siddhi-taddhari 64. Hamsa Mahesvara.

At the time of the compilation o f his monumental Tantra work ‘Agamatattvu

vilasa’ (1609 SakSbda) Raghunath Tarkavagisha consulted 160 Tantra books.* Names o

those Tantra texts are mentioned in the First Chapter o f ‘Agamatattva-vilasa’. Followint

are the names of those books.28

1. Svatantra 2. PhetkarinT 3. Uttara 4. Nila 5. Vira 6. Kumari 7. Uyvala 8. Kal

9. Narayanl 10. Uttama Tarini 11. Bala 12. Samaya 13. Bhairava 14. Bhairavi 15

Tripura 16.Vamakesvara 17.Kukkutesvara 18. Matrka 19. Sanatkumara 2(

VisiiddheSvara 21. Sammohana 22. Gautaniiya 23. Brhat GautamTya 24. BhutaBhairav

25. Camunda 26. Pihgala 27. Virahi 28. Mupdamala 29. Yogirii 30. MalinT Vijaya 5

Svacchanda Bhairava 32. Maha Tantra 33. Sakti Tantra 34. Cintamani 35. Unmatta

bhairava 36. Trailokyasara 37. Visvasara 38. Tantramrta 39. Maha-phetkariy

40. Vayavlya 41.Todala 42. MalinT 43. Lalita 44. Trisakti 45. Raja rajesvai

27. ATV, Introduction; Ibid, 1/34.

28. Ibid, 1/4-34.
46. Mohasvarottara 47. Gavaksa 48, Gandharva 49. Trailokyamohana 50. Hafrisa

mahesvara 51. Hamsa paramesvara 52. Kamadhenu 53. Varnavilasa 54. Maya 5

Tantraraja 56. Uttama Kubjika 57. Vijnanalatika 58. Lihgagama 59. Kalottara 60. Isan.i

samhita 61. Snvinayaka-samhita 62. Nandikesvara-samhita 63. Vasistha-samhita

Daksa-samhita 65. Brahma-samhita 66. Divya-sanatkumiara-samhita 67. Kulanand;-

samhita 68. Vaisampayana-sarhhita 69. NrsimhatapanTya 70. Daksinamurti ?

Brahmayamala 72. Adiyamala 73. Rudrayamala 74. Brhadyamala 75. Siddhayamai <

76. Kalpasukta 77. Matsyasukta 78. Kalpasutraka 79. Kamaraja 80. Sivagama 8

llddiSa 82. Kuloddisa 83. Addisa 84. Virabhadraka 85. Bhutadamara 86. Damara 8

Yaksadamara 88. Kalikakula-sarvasva 89. Kulasarvasva 90. Kulacudamani 9

Divyakulasara 92. Kularnava 93. Kulamrta 94. Kulavall 95. Kali-Kulamava 9<

Kulaprakasa 97. Vasi§tha 98. Siddhasarasvata 99. Yogiriihrdaya 100. Kalihrdaya 10

Matfkarnava 102. YoginT-jala-kuraka 103. LaksmT-kularnava 104. Taramava 10

CandrapTtha 106. Meru Tantra 107. Catuhsati 108. Tattvabodha 109. Mahogra lh

Svacchandasara 111. Tarapradipa 112. Sanketacandrodaya 113. §a|-tri'ngsat-tattva 11

Laksa-nirnaya 115. Tripuranava 116. Visnudharmottara 117. Mantradarpana IIS'

VaisnavSmrta 119. Manasoliasa 120. Puja Pradipa 121. Bhaktimanjari 12

Bhuvanesvan Parijata 123. Prayogasara 124. Kama ratna 125. Kriyasara 126. Again;'

dipika 127. Bhavacudamani 128. Tantra-cudSmani 129. BrhacchrTkrama 130. Srfkran t

131. Navaratnesvara 132. Somabhujagavalf 133. Siddhantasekhara 134. Ganes.

vimarsinf 135. Mantra-mukfavali 136. Tattva Kaumudi 137.Tantra KaumudT ! ? ■

Mantra Tantra Prakasa 139. Srf-Ramarcana-Candrika 140. Saradatilaka 141. Jiranamax a

142. Sarasamuccaya 143. Kaipadruma 144. Jnanamala 145. Purascarana-candrika 14

Agamottara 147. Tattva sagara 148. Sara-samgraha 149. Devaprakasinf 150. Tantarna' a

151. Kramadipika 152. TarS Rahasya 153. Shyama-Rahasya 154. Tantra Rati '
155. Tantrapradfpa 156. Taravilcfsa 157. Visvamatrka 158. Prapancaslira 159. Tantrasar;

160. Ratnavair

In Hara-tatlva-dldhili29 the following list is given -

1. Annadakalpa Tantra 2. Annapurna Kalpa Tantra 3. Agama-kalpa-druma -

Agama-tattva-vilasa 5. Agama-dvaita-nirnaya 6. Xgama-sandarbha 7. Agamasara. S

Uttara Kamakhya Tantra. 9. Uttara Tantra 10. Utpati Tantra II. Umajamala I.

KangkalaniaiinT 13. Kamala 14. KamalavilSsa 15. Katylyanf 16. Kamadhenu I'

KamSkhya 18.. KalikSrccanacandrika 19. Kallkalpa 20. KalTkulasadbhava 2

Kaflkulasarvasva 22. Kalikulamrta 23. Kalikularnava 24. Klllkrama 25. Kali t antra 2<-

Kallvilasa 27.Kalihrdaya 28. Kubjika 29. KumarT 30. Kulacudamani 31. Kulaprakas;

32. Kulacara 33.Kularnava 34. Kaulavalf 35. Kramacandrika 36. KramadTpika 3

Kriyayogasara 38. Kriyasara 39. Gandharva 40.Ganes/varavimarsinT 41. Ciayatr

42.Guptadiksa 43. Guptasadhana 44. Guptamava 45. Guru Tantra 46. Gudharthadipik

47. Gautamlya 48. Gauffyamala 49. Gherandasamhita 50. Ciria Tantra 51. V'arnaia 5 '

JnSna Tantra 53. JKSnarnava 54. Damara Tantra 55.Tantra Kaumudf 56.Tantra-cudaman

57.Tantradipika 58. Tantra pramode 59. Tantra ratna 60. Tantra raja 61. Tantra-sagant

samhita 62. Tantrasara 63. Tantra-darsa 64. Tantrikadarpana 65. Taragama 66. 1211

Tantra 67. TarapradTpa 68. Tarabhakti-sudharnava 69. Tara-rahasya 70. Tara-rahas>;i

vrtti 71.Tararnava 72. Tara-sahasranama-stotram 73. TaraSSra 74. Todala Tantra. 7-

Tripuramava 76. Tripurakalpa 77. Tripura samuccaya 78. Trailokyasammohana lantr

79. Daksinamurti kalpa 80 .Daksinaniurti-samhita 81. DatfStreya y3mala 82. Durg

Kalpa Tantra 83. Devyagama 84. Navaratnesvara 85. Nandikesvara-samhit

86.Naradapancaratra 87. NarayanT Tantra 88. Nigamakaipalata 89. Nigama-KalpasTn

90. Nigamatattvasara 91. Nitya Tantra 92. Nibandha Tantra 93. Niruttara 94. Nirvan

29. HTD, Appendix

Tantra 95.NilaTantra 96. Nrsimha Kalpa 97. Paramahamsa patala 98. ParadevTrahasy

99. Picchila Tantra 100. Purascarana -candrika 101. PurascaranabodhinT* 10.

Purascarana-rasollasa Tantra 103. Pujas&ra 104. Prapancasara 105. Prayogasara I0<

PhetkarinTTantra 107. Balavilasa 108. Brahmayamala 109. Brahmanda Tantra IK

Brhat-Tantrasara 111. Brhattotala Tantra 112. Brhatgautamlya Tantra II

Brhadrudrayamala 114. Brhannirvana Tantra 115. Brhanmaya Tantra 116. Bhagvadbhakr

vilasa Tantra 117. Bhavacudamani 118. Bhimaparakrama 119. BhuvaneswarT 'I antr

120. Bhutasuddhi Tantra 121 .Bhuvanesvari Parijata

- 122. Bhairava - Kosa 12

Bhairavayamala 124.Bhairava Tantra 125. Bhairava samhita 126.BhairavT Tantra 12

Matsyasukta 128. Mantra -Tantra-Prakasa 129. Mantradarpana 130. Mantramahodadt

131. Mantramuktavair 132. Mantraratna 133. MantraratnavalT 134. Mahakapilapancn

ratra 135. MahakilamohinfTantra 136. Mahanirvana Tantra 137. Mahariila Tantra 13>

Mahalihgesvara Tantra 139. Mahi§amardinT Tantra 140. Matrkabheda Tantra 14

Manasollasa 142. Maya Tantra 143. MalinT 144.MalinTvijaya 145.Mundamala lantr >

146. Mrdanf Tantra 147. MeruTantra 148. Yogacintemani 149. Yogirit Tantra 15t

Yogihihjdaya 151. Rudrayamala 152 Reva Tantra 153. Laksasagara 154. l.aksipi

Kularnava 155. Lihgarccana-candrika 156. LingSrccana Tantra 157. Varada lantr:

158. Varna-bhairava 159. Vamakesvara Tantra 160. Vatnadeva Tantra 161. Vara!

Tantra, 162. VayavTya-samhita 163. Vidyananda-nibandha 164. Vidyotpatti Tantra 16'

VimalaTantra 166. Visvasara 167. Vi§nu Yamala 168. VTra Tantra 169. VaihayasTv;

mantra-kosa 170. Vyomakesa samhita 171. Vyomaratna Tantra 172. Sakti Yamala 17

Sakti Tantra 174. Sakti-sangama Tantra 175. Sambhu~samhita 176. Saktakrama 17

SaktanandataranginT 178. Satatapa-samhita 179. SambhavT Tantra 180.Sarada l antr i

181. Saradatilaka 182. Sasvata Tantra 183. Sikharim Tantra 184. Siva-tandava 18
A A A A A

Siva-dharma 186. Siva-rahasya 187. Siva samgraha 188. Saiva-ratna 189. Saivagam s
^ ^ _
190. Syama-kalpa-iata 191. Syama-pradipa 192.Syama-rahasya 193. Syamarccan;
candrika 194. Syama-saparya-krama 195. Syama-saparya-vidhi 196. NnK.ularn.o >

197.Sntattva-cintamani 198. Sanat-Kumara-Tantra 199. Samaya Tantra 200. Sama ■;<

cara Tantra 201. Sammohana Tantra 202. SarasvatT Tantra. 203. Sara-cinta-mani 2 n

Sara-sarhgraha 205. Sara-samuccaya 206. Sarasvata Tantra 207. Simha-vahinI l ai n i

208. SiddhalaharfTantra 209. Siddha-vidya-dipika 210. Siddhanta-sara 211 Siddhev. <<-

Tantra 212. Sotna-sambhu 213. Svacchanda-mahesvara Tantra. 214. Svatantra lai in

215. Hamsa-mahesvara 216. Haya-sTrsa-panca-ratra 217. Hara-gauri-samvada

We find a list o f Tantra in Tanlra-tattvd30 written by Sivacandra Vidsarna. >.

great Tantric scholar and seer and also in Principles o f Tantra3I. translated and edited s

Arthur Avalon (John Woodrofie), eminent Tantric scholar. The list is as follows

1. Kairvilfsa 2. Kangkalamalinr3.Mundamala 4. Mahisamardim5. Maya lanti-.i

6. Matrka-bheda 7, Matrkodaya 8. Mahimirvana 9.MaiinT-vijaya 10. Mahaniln

Mahakalasamhita 12. Pheru Tantra 13.Bhairava Tantra 14. BhairavT Tantra 15 Bhnt.i

damara 16. Virabhadra 17. BTja-cintamani 18. Ekajata 19.Nirvana Tantra 20. Tripi m

sara 21. Visvasara 22. Varada Tantra 23. Vasudeva-rahasya 24. VarahT Tantra

Brhad-gautamTya 26. Varnodhrti Tantra 27. Visnu yanala 28. Brhannila 29 Brhad-> i

30. Visnu-rahasya 31. Vamakesvara 32. Brahmajnana Tantra 33. Brahma yamala

Advaita Tantra 35. Varnavilasa 36. PhetkarinT 37. Purascarana-rasollasa 38. Purascar.m.i

candrika 39. Picchila Tantra 40. Prapancasara 41. Hamsa 42. Paramesvara Tantra i

Navaratnesvara 44. Nitya Tantra 45. Nfla Tantra 46.Narayartayaka 47. Nirutuira is

Naradfya 49. Nagadina 50. Daksinamurti 51. Daksinamiurti-samhita 52. Yaksinf I a> v i

53. YoginTTantra 54. Yoni Tantra 55. Yogasara 56. Yogarnava 57. Yogiriihrda>a

Yoga-svarodaya 59. Akasa bhairava 60. Raja-rajesvari 61. Radha Tantra 62 Re el

30. TTT, pp. 290-291.

31. POT. pp. 532-535.

 I 9l

Tantra 63. Rudrayiimala 64. RamSrccana candrika 65. Savara Tantra 66. Indrajala I antr

67. Kali" Tantra 68. Kamakhya Tantra 69. Kamadhenu Tantra 70. KalTkulasarvas\

71. Kuniaff Tantra 72. Krkalasadipika 73. Kalottara 74. Kubjika Tantra 75. Kuloddis.i

76. Kularnava
• 77.KuiamulavatSra 78. Kulasutra 79. Yaksadamara
» . 80. SarasvatT'l anti i

81. SaradS Tantra 82. Saktisangama 83. Saktikagama sarvasva 84. Urdhamnaya X

Svatantra Tantra 86. SammohanaTantra 87.Cmacara 88. Todala Tantra 89. Buddh i

Tantra 90. EkavTra Tantra 91. Nigama-Kalpadruma 92. Nigama-Kalpa-lata 9

Nigamasara 94. Syamarahasya 95. Tararahasya 96. Skanda yamala 97.Annadakalp i

98.Annapurna-kalpa 99. Agama-kalpa-druma 100. Agama-tattva-vilasa 101 Again,

dvaita-nirnaya 102. Agama-sandarbha 103. Agamasara 104. Adityahrdaya 105. I ttai i

KamSkhya 106. Uttara Tantra 107. Utpatti Tantra 108. Umayamala 109 EkavTrakalp.i

110 Kamala Tantra 111. Kamaiavilasa 112. KatyayanT Tantra 113. Kalikarccai i

candrika 114. Kalikaipa 115. Kalikula-sadbhava 116. Kalikulamrta 117. Kalikuliima\ i

118. Kafikrama 119. Kalihrdaya 120. Kumarikalpa 121. Kulacudamani 12

Kulaprakasa 123. Kulasara 124.Kulasundara 125. Kulacara 126. Kularnava 12

Krsnarcana-candrika 128. KauIareanadTpika 129. Kaulavalf 130. Kramacandrika 12'

Kramadlpika 132. Kriya-yoga-sara 133. Kriya-sara 134. GanesavimarsinT 15

Gandharva Tantra 136. Gayatff Tantra 137.Guptadiksa 138. Guptasadhana I3”

Guptarnava 140.Guru Tantra 141. Gudharthadlpika 142.GautamTya lane;

143.Gaunyamala 144.Gherandasamhita 145. Cakravicira 146. Cina-tantra-yamala U

Jnana Tantra 148. Jnanamava 149. Damara 150. Tantra Kaumudi, 151. Tantra Cudanian

152.Tantra-dipika 153. Tantra-pramode 154. Tantra-ratna. 155. Tantra-raja 156. I antr i

sagara-samhita 157. Tantra-sara 158. TantrSdarla 159. Tantric darpana 160 ITTflf

Khanda 161. Taranigama 162. Tara Tantra 163.Tara-pradIpa 164. Tarabhak o

sudhamava 165. Tararnava 166. Tarasara 167. Tripura-kalpa 168. Tripurarna a

169. Tripura-sara-samuccaya 170. Trailokya-sammohana 171. Daksinamurtikaln.:

172. Dattatreya-yamala 173. Durga kalpa 174. Devl-yamala 175. Devyagama 17<
Nandikesvara-samhita 177. Narada-panca-ratra 178. NarayanT Tantra 179 Nigama
kalpa-Iata 180. Nigama-kalpa-sara 181. Nigama-tattva-sara 182. Nibandha Tantra 18:
Nrsimha-kalpa 184. Parama-hamsa-patala 185. Paradevlrahasya 186. Purascaranalx
dhinT 187. Pujasara 188. Prapancasara 189. Prayogasara 190. Balavilasa 191. Brahma
yamala 192. Brahmanda Tantra 193. Bhagvadbhakti-vilasa 194. Bhava-cudamani 19:
Bhimaparakrama 196. Bhuvanesvarf Tantra 197. BhuvanesvarT-parijata 198. Bhutasuddh
Tantra 199. Bhairava-kosa 200. Bhairava-yamala 201. Bhairava-sarhhita 20.
Matsyasukta 203. Mantra-tantra-prakasa 204. Mantra-darpana 205. Mantra-mahodadh
206.Mantra-muktavair 207. Mantra-ratna 208. Mantra-ratnavalf 209. MahakapiU
210.PaRcaratra 211. Mahaklla-mohinT Tantra 212. Mahanlla Tantra 2!
Mahal ingesvara Tantra 214. Manasollasa 215. MalinfTantra 216. MrdanPTantra 2i
Meru Tantra 218. Yogacintamani 219.Reva Tantra 220. Laksa-sagara 221 Laksni
kularnava 222. Lirigarcana 223. Varna-bhairava 224. Vamadeva Tantra 225. Vayaviy;,
samhita 226. Varahf Tantra 227. Vidyananda-nibandha 228. Vidyotpatti Tantra 22'
Vimala Tantra 230. VTra Tantra 231. Brhat-tantra-sara 232. Brhattodala Tantra 2 5
Brhat-srikrama-sarhgraha 234. Brhadrudra-yamala 235. Brhannirvana 236. Brhanmay
Tantra 237. Vehaya-sTmanta-kosa 238. Vyomakesa-samhita 239. Vyoma-ratna lantr
240. Sakti-yamala 241. Sakti Tantra 242. Sambhu-sarnhita 243. SSkta-krama 24 -

Saktananda-taranginT 245. Sambhavf Tantra 246. SaradS Tantra 247. Saradatilaka 248
SUsvata Tantra 249. Sikharim Tantra 250. Sivatapdava 251. Sivadharma 2*
Sivarahasya 253. Siva samgraha 254. Saivaratna 255. Saivagama 256. Syama-kalpa-lai
/ / / /

257. Syama-pradTpa 258. Syamarcana-candrika 259. Syima-saparya-krama 260. S\ amT

* A ,

saparya-vidhi 261. Snkularnavaa 262. Sritattva-cintamani 263. Snrama-sarngraha 2f>~

Sanatkumara Tantra 265. Samaya Tantra 266. Samayacara Tantra 267. Sammohan
Tantra 268. SarasvatT Tantra 269. Sara-cinta-mani 270. Sara-sariigraha 27
Sarasamuccaya 272. Sarasvata Tantra 273. SimhavahinTTantra 274. Siddhalahari ! antr.

275. Siddha-vidya-dTpika 276. Siddhantasara 277. Siddhesvan Tantra 278. Somasambh

279. Svacchanda - mahesvara 280. Hayasir$a-pancaratra 281. Haragaun-Samvada 28

Uddamahesvara 283. Kallkollasa 284. Kulakalpa-lata 285. Kamakhya-darpana 28(

Kaumarf-vilasa 287.Candikarcana-candrika 288. CamundaTantra 289, Aghora-bhaira\ i

290. Aghora-bhairavT 29I.Bhairavananda-sara 292. Nigama-tattva-ratna 293. Sivasutn

294. Nityaprayoga-sara 295. Nirvana-samhita 296. Kamarupa-dlpika 297.Kamesvai i

Tantra 298. Kamakhyaprayoga 299.Hanumat-kalpa 300. Vijaya Tantra 30

Pltharatnakara 302. KatyayanF-kalpa 303. Gaun Tantra 304. Matangf Tantra 30

Sjodasf-samhita 306. Parvatf Tantra 307. pimara-sutra 308. Satkarma-dTpika 30"

Satkarma-drdhiti 310. Cakresvara 311. Cakramukura 312.Kaula-krtya-tattva ?i

Krtyatattva 314. Krtyaprayoga 315. Agamarnava 316. Abhicara-kavaca 317.Svam:«

saparya 318. Siddhi Tantra.

VarahfTantran has also given a list o f Tantras. Names of those Tantras are '

follows:
y
1. Muktaka 2. Sarada 3. Prapanca (i) 4. Prapanca (ii) 5. PrafMuiea (iii) 6. Kapila

Yoga 8. Kalpa 9. Kapinjala 10. Amrta-suddhi 11. VTragama 12. Siddha-samvarana >

Yogadamara 14. Sivadamara 15. Durgadamara 16. Sarasvata 17. Brahmadamara 3

Gandharva damaral9. Adi-yamala 20. Visnu-yamala 21. Brahma-yamala 22. Rudr i

yamala 23. Ganesa- yamala 24. Aditya- yamala 25. NUapataka 26. Yogarnava 27 Ma'

Tantra 28. Dak§inamurti 29. Kalika 30. Ramesvarf 31. Tantraraja 32. Haragaur

Tantra(i) 33. HaragauiTTantra(ii) 34. Tantranirnaya 35. Kubjika Tantra (i) 36. KubjiKit

Tantra (ii) 37. Kubjika Tantra (iiii) 38. Katyayanf Tantra 39. Pratyangira lanira

32. Barahi Tantra as quoted in BTS(U), Introduction.

 I*)'

40.MahalaksmlTantra 41. DevlTantra 42.Tripurarnava 43. SarasvatrTantra 44. Ad>

Tantra 45. YoginF Tantra (i) 46. Yoginf Tantra (ii) 47. VarahF Tantra 48. Gavak$.>

Tantra 49.NarayanF Tantra 50. Mrdanf Tantra (i) 51. Mrdanf Tantra (ii 52. Mrdan'

Tantra (iii) 53. Vamakesvara Tantra 54. Mrtyufljaya Tantra.

M.M. Gopinath Kaviraja has given a list o f Tantra works that were collected h

Sarvavidyanidhana Kavindracarya Sarasvati33 during the reign of Moghul Empen

Sahajahan. From that list we mention only those Tantras that are under the head

‘Vaidika, Avaidika, Upatantras and Anyatantras’. This list is also published b> th>

Gaikwad Oriental Series.34

VAIDIKA TANTRA

1. Sarvonnayana Tantra 2. Jnanarnava Tantra 3. Arunesvara Tantra -

Visliddhesvara Tantra S.Traipura Tantra 6.Mahadeva Tantra 7. Nyayottara Tantra n

Uttaramnaya Tantra 9. Anuttaiimnaya Tantra 10. KugtjTsvarT Tantra 11 .Guhyaguhv i

Tantra 12.Kulasara Tantra 13. Matrbheda Tantra 14. Vatuiottara Tantra 15. Sarva-vTn

Tantra 16. Trotala Tantra 17. Kalasara Tantra 18. Kalavada Tantra 19. Yogisvarriantra

20. Sarvamnaya Tantra 21. Dak^inamnaya Tantra 22. Pascimamnaya Tantra 2

Urdhamnaya Tantra 24. VTna Tantra 25. Kulacu<|amani Tantra 26. Hrdbheda I anti <

27. Vatula Tantra 28. Bahurupastaka Tantra 29. Yamalastaka Tantra 30.Kiranakh> i

Tantra.

A-VAID1KA TANTRA

I. Mahamaya-sambara Tantra 2. YoginT-jvala-sambara Tantra 3. Kularnasa

Tantra 4. Maha-sammohana Tantra 5. Rupikamata Tantra 6. Virupikamata Tantra

§odasTkahvaya Tantra 8. Parisi$tananda Tantra 9. Amaresvara Tantra 10. Vamajusia

Tantra 11. Kamika Tantra 12. Rupabheda Tantra 13. Pancamrta Tantra 14. Kalyana

33. TANS, pp. 738-740. ' ’

34. KV,GOS-17, pp.28-29.
 20 *

Tantra 15. Bhutakhya Tantra 16. Bhairavastaka Tantra 17. Rajika Tantra 18. Garud.

Tantra 19. ValS Tantra 20. VasukTTantra 21. Mahakalimata Tantra 22. MahavTravai

Tantra 23. Mahalak§m7mata Tantra 24. Mahayogakhya Tantra 25. Mantrottarakhy.

Tantra 28. Lalitajnana Tantra 29. Mahakalisvan Tantra 30. Lalitamata Tantra 3

Cudamani Tantra.

UPA-TANTRA

1. Mantrarnavakhya Tantra 2. Mantra-sarakhya Tantra 3. Mahakdla Tantra -

Sambhava Tantra 5. §atkalamata Tantra 6. Malaga Tantra 7. Mulakalesvarf Tantra x

Auddamahesvara Tantra 9. Kaiakesvara Tantra 10. MfgamukhT Tantra 11. Saubhagv;i

Vallaff Tantra l2.Talacandesvara Tantra 13. Haramekhala Tantra 14. Catida-rudresvar ■

Tantra 15. Kautuka Tantra.

ANYA TANTRA

1. Bhutadamara Tantra 2. Sakti-sangama Tantra 3. GautamrTantra 4. Raj.i

Tantra 5. Meru Tantra 6.Dattatreya Tantra.

A list o f Tantra35 is found in the Luptagama-samgraha volumes 1,11, collected an f

edited by V.V. Dvivedi, and published by Sampumananda Sanskrit Visvavidyalav.

Varanasi. The names of Tantras found in it are given below:

1. Aghoresa Tantra, 2. Acintyagama 3. Advaya-sampattivartikam 4.Advayollas i

5. Adhvasiddhi 6. Anantavijayagama T.Anuttarastakam 8. Anupratyabhijna *

Anubhava-stotram 10. Abheda-karika 11 .Arcana-trimsika 12. Asesa-kula-vallarr

13.Agama-rahasya 14. Acara-prakarana 15.Ajnavatara 16. Atma-saptati 17. Atmu

sambodha 18. Adyavanja-trimsika 19. Ananda-&sanam 20. Alokamala 21. Itihav-

35. As mentioned in NLT, pp. 331-336.

 20

rahasyam 22. Istopadesa 23. IsSna-siva 24. Ucchusma-bhairava 25. Uttarapadam 26

Uttarasatkam 27. Udayakara-paddhati 28. Uddharordha Tantra 29. Upacaropanisat 36

Upayavimsati 31. Ormi Kaula 32. Rju-VimarsinT 33. Kak§yastotram 34. Kaca

bhargavam 35. Kramakapda-kramavair 36. Kama-siddhi-stotra 37. Kamikagama 58

Kalapara 39. KalavalF 40. Kafikakalpa 41. Kalikakrama 42. Kalikamata 43. (Calikui;

44. Kilottara 45. Kiraq&gatna 46. Kubjika Tantra 47. Kubjika-mata 48. Kulakamala 4*<

Kula-kalf-vidhi 50. Kula-kramodaya 51.Kula-kridavatara 52. Kulagahvara 5

Kulacudamani 54. Kuiapancasika 55. KulamulSvatara 56.Kulayukti 57.Kularatnamal

58. Kulasara 59. Kulamnaya 60. Kularnava 61. Kramakeli 62. Krama-rahasya b-

Krama-vasana 64. Krama-sadbhava 65. Kramasiddhi 66. Krama-sutra 67. Krama-stut

68. Kramastotra 69. Kramodaya 70. Kriya - karana-mandana 71. Kriya-kala-gunottara

72. Gama-skstra 73. Gita-ni$yanda 74. Gupta Tantra 75. Guhya-yoginT-Tantra 7<

Catu§ka-pancasika 77. Candra-jiiana 78. Candajn3na-vidya 79. Carana-sutra 8*

Cicchakti-samstuti 81. Cilla-cakresvarT-mata 82. Jayadrathadhikira 83. Jayakhya-samhiti

84. Jabali-sutifini 85. Jnana-garbha-stotra 86. Jnana-dipa-vimarsinr 87. JnSna-sambodh i

88. Jnana-sara 89. Jnanamrta-rahasya 90. Jn^nendu-kaumudT 91. Jnanottara 9

Tattvagarbha-stotra 93. Tattva-yukti 94. Tattva-raksavidhana 95. Tattva- vicara 9«

Tattva-vimarsinF 97. Tattvartha-cintamani 98. Tantraraja 99. Tantra-sadbhava I0<

Tantra samuccaya 101. Timirodghata 102. Totulagama 103. Trikakula 104. I rik;

ratna-kula 105. Trika-s5sana 106. Trika-sara 107. Trika-hrdaya 108. Tripura-sundar

mardina 109. Trisiromata 110. DiksottarSgama 111. Devika-krama 112. DevT-kalottan

113. Devi-PaRcasatika 114. DevT-mantra-kalpa 115. DevT-samsthanagama 116. Devyi-

matasOtra 117. Dvaya-sampatti 118. Dhatu-sam1k$a 119. Nandisikha Tantra 120. Nay;

samgati 121. Naresvara-viveka 122.Nava-nitya-vidhana 123. Nava-ratna-malika 12-

Navasati-sastra 125. Nirvana-yogottara 126. Nisa-kula 127. Nisd-cara I28.Nisatar.-i

129. Nitjsvasa-karika 130. Nilisvasagama 131. Nihsvasottara 132. Nailysvasa Tanti i

133. Pancaratra-sruti 134. Pancaratropanisad 135. PancaSatika 136. Pancamrta 13"

Pancartha-pramana 138. Pada-samgati 139. Padma-vahinF 140. Paramartha-samgrah;

141. Parakhya-samhita 142. Para Tantra 143. Para-pancasika 144. Paramata 14'

Parasukta 146. Para-stotra 147. Paryantapancasika 148. Pascima 149. Padukodaya I5d

Paramesvaragama 151. Picu-sastra 152. Pujana-stotra 153. Puja-rahasya 15-i

PurvaTantra 155. Pauskaragama 156. Prajnalamkara 157. Prabodha-pancadasika 15 8

Prabhakaula 159. Pramana-stuti 160. Prayogamanjar? 161. Bahurupa-garbha-stotra 163

Bfmhanf 163. Baudhayana-saiiihita 164. Brahmayamala 165. Bharga-sikha 1

Bh'argavottara 167. BhuvanesvarT Kalpa 168. Bhutaksobha 169. Bhuta-suddhi lantr

170. Bhairavakula 171. Bhairava-yamala 172. Bhairavagama 173. Bhoga-moksa

pradfpika 174. Bhoga>hastaka 175. Matanga fika . 176. Matahga-sutra 177. Matasastr

178. Matottara 179. Mano’nusasana 180. Mantraraja 181. Mantra-vartika 182. Mantra

vaitikatika 183. Maya-samgraha 184. Malaya Tantra 185. Mahanaya-paddhati 18<

MahamBya 187. MahSrthodaya 188. Maha-svacchanda 189. Maha-svacchand;

samgraha 190. Matrka-hrdaya 191. Madhavakula 192. Manasollasa 193. Maya-vamanu

samhita 194. Mayabaibhavagama 195. MalinTTantra 196. Malinlmata 197. MalinF-sar

197a. Mina kula 198. Mukuta Tantra 199. Mukuta-samhita 200. Mukutottara 20

Mukhyamnaya-krama 202. Mukhyamnaya-rahasya-vidhi 203. Mula Tantra 20 ~

Mrgendrottara 205. Moksopaya 206. Yajna-sutra 207. Yoga-sancara 208. Yoga-sancar;

209. Yogint-kaula 210. Ratnatraya 211. Ratnamala 212. Rasa-sara-saihgraha 21

Rasanvaya 214. Rahasya-vtdhi 215. Rahasya-sastra 216. Rahasya-siddhi-sopana 21

Rahasya-stotra 218. Ratrikuia 219. Rudrayamala-sara 220. Rudra rahasya 221. Raurav;

vartika 222. Raurava-samgraha 223. Rauravagama 224. Rauravagama-vrtti 22'

Lak^manasara 226. Lak$m1-kaularnava 227. Laksnil samhita 228. Laghu-carca-kul.t

229. Laghu-brhaitT 230. Lalita 231. Ladyadi-sastra 232. Lingodbheda 233. Varuna

paddhati 234. Vajasaneya Tantra 235. Vatulottara 236. Vadya Tantra 237. VayavTy;
 20

samhita238. Vimsatikatrika 239.Vijnfinendu-kaumudT 240. Vimarsa-dipika 241. Viveku

martanda 242. Vivekanjana 243. Visva-samhita 244. Visvasarottara-sutra 245. Visayii

pancika 246. Visnu-yamala 247. Vira-yamala 248. Viravair 249. VaihayasT-samhii

250. Vyasaksinf 251. Sacimata 252. Sambhvaikya - dipika 253. Sambhava-dTpika 25~<

Siva-jnana-bodha-samgraha 255. Siva-tattva-vilasa 256. Siva-tanu-sastra 2^

Sivadharma 258. Sivadharmottara 259. Siva sutra 260. Saiva Tantra 261. Srikanthl>;i

samhita 262. Srikula 263. SrTpancasika 264. Srtparikrama 265. Srimala 2 6 6 . Sai

sahasrika 267. Sadardha-sastra 268. Sad-dhatu-samlksa 269. Sadgunya-viveka 27 <

Samvit-prakarana 271. Samvit-prakasa 272. Samvit-stotra 273. Samvidullasa 27

Samkarsana-sutiini 275. SamkarsanT-yamala 276. Samketa-paddhati 277. Satkarya

siddhi 278. Sadyojyoti 279. Samadhi-pancadasf 280. Sambandha-siddhi 28

Sarvajnanottara 282. Sarva-jnanottara-vrtti 283. Sarvamangala-sastra 284. Sarva-srota^

samgraha-sara 285. Sarvagama-piimanya 286. Sarvacara-hrdaya 287. Satvat-samhit

288. Sara-sastra 289. Sara-samgraha 290. Sarasvata-samgraha-sutra 291. Sardhasatik

292. Siddha-yogFsvarf-mata 293. Siddha-santana 294. Siddha Tantra 295. Siddhani

296. Siddhanta-dipika 297. Siddhanta-rahasya-sara 298. Siddhantavacana 29l

Siddhanta-sastra 300.Siddhanta-saravalT 301. Siddhanta-hrdaya 302. Siddhantagam

303. Siddhamata 304. Siddhokta 305. Suprabhedagama 306. Subodhamanjarf 30

Subhagodaya 308. Subhagodaya-vyakhya 309. Suksma-svayambhuva 5I<

Somasiddhanta 311. Saubhagya-kanda 312. Saubhagya-subhagodaya 313. Saubhagya

hrdaya-stotra 314. Saurabheyagama 315.Saurasamhita 316. Skanda-yamala 51

StotravalT 318. Svacchanda 319. Svacchanda-bhairava 320. Svacchanda-samgraha 32

Svatantra Tantra 322. Sva-bodhodaya-manjarT 323. Sva-svabhava-sambodhan

324.Svatma-sambodha 325. Svayambhuva-vrtti 326. Svayambhuva-sastra-tlka 52

Svayambhuvagama.
 20-

Many more names listed in different books are left here. We have only mentioned

those names that are listed in these principal sources.

Moreover a large number of unpublished Tantric works are displayed in differen

libraries and research centers. The New Catalogus Catalogorum, published by Madra

University has given the names o f many unpublished Tantric texts,36 All these give us ai

idea about die magnitude of Tantra Literature.

B. LITERARY VALUE OF TANTRA

In spite of its vastness, Tantra as a literature is much neglected. In most of tht

books on the history of Sanskrit Literature, we have painfully noticed, Tantra Literature i

not much dealt with. We get some hints at Tantra in some books o f Philosophy. Most o

the scholars treat Tantra as a purely Sadhana 5>Sstra and don’t want to rank Tantra in

standard class of Indian Literature. They are critical of its language, grammar and style

In this context M. Wintemitz comments,37

“Neither the Puranas nor the Tantras make enjoyable reading, and this is muc>

more applicable to the latter. They are the work of inferior writers, and are often writte;

in barbarous and ungrammatical Sanskrit.”

Probably this view of Wintemitz is also shared by most of the scholars of Sanskr

Literature.

Tantra is basically a Sadhana Sastra which mostly deals with the Gum. the Sisyt

Diksa, Puja, Mantra, Yantra etc. and other rituals. In spite o f its ritualistic feature, ot

study discovers the literary beauty o f Tantra.

Generally literature means something that which is written down, but the writing

must have a quality. This quality is attractiveness. It attracts in two ways - through h

matter and through its manner.

36. NLT, p.337.

37. HIL i , p. 579.
 20 '

Our study reveals that Tantra is full of poetic excellence. Tantra is full o

figurative expressions, sensuous and rich imageries, verbal music, rythms, myths

symbols, metres and poetic diction.

It is obviously seen that all the literatures center round human body and mint!

Other elements supplement these. Tantra is also based on human body and mind. Probabl

no other literature has given so much importance on human body as Tantra.Tantra's vivii

description of biological instincts and psychological emotion spontaneously attract on

mind.38

Tantra describes the helpless condition of human beings. It is full of pathos and <

reminds us o f tragic dramas.39 Man forgets his real identity, laments and suffers. Like a*

undried earthen jar human body decays every moment. Nobody cares for it. Mai

laments.40

apatyam me kalatram me dhartam me bandhavasca me

lapantamiti martyam tamatti kalavrko balat

Man engaged in lamenting ‘My son, my wife, my wealth and relatives' is forcibl

eaten up by time-wolves.

Death pierces man with sin-spear, wets with Ghee in the form of world)

affairs,cooks by fire in the form of attachment and malice and at last consumes.41

papa-sula-vinirbhinnam siktam vi^ayasarpisa

raga-dvescmalaih pakvam mrtyurasnati manavam

This real picture of man described inTantra shakes the mind o f the readers an*

makes them sorry for what they do.

38. SAKT, 1/6; RAM, 3rd Part.

39. PBS, p. 194.
40. SAKT, 1/22.
41. Ibid, 1/24.
 2 0 i

T a n t r a ’ s m y s t e r i o u s r i t u a l s b a s e d o n t h e b i o l o g i c a l r e l a t i o n o f m a n a n d w o m a n a m

t h e i r h i d d e n , i n e x p r e s s i b l e a p p e a l c h a r m t h e r e a d e r s . T a n t r a ’ s S a v a - s a d h a n a . “ C akr;

P u j a 4 3 a n d L a t a s a d h a n a 4 4 i s d e s c r i b e d s o s k i l f i i l l y t h a t t h e s e d e s e r v e l i t e r a r y a p p r e c i a t i o i

f r o m t h e r e a l c o n n o i s s e u r s o f l i t e r a t u r e . T h e s e a r e f u l l o f V T r a R a s a A d b h u t a Rasa

B T b h a t s a R a s a a n d B h a y a n a k a R a s a . 4 5

T a n t r i c r i t u a l s l i k e § a t k a r m a , 4 6 K u m a f f P u j a , 4 7 D e v i P u j I 4 8 a n d B a l i d a n a 4 ’ r e m i n t

u s o f E n g l i s h d r a m a t i c p o e m s . T h e s e r i t u a l s a r e f u l l o f d r a m a t i c c l i m a x a s t h e s e a n

p e r f o r m e d i n p u r e l y d r a m a t i c a t m o s p h e r e .

I n t h e d e s c r i p t i o n o f § a t c a k r a a n d K u n d a i i n T , T a n t r i c S a d h a k a - p o e t s h a v e p r o v e -

t h e i r s u p r e m e e x c e l l e n c y a n d h i g h e s t p o e t i c g e n i u s . T h e p o e t i c b e a u t y o f t h e d e s c r i p t i o i

o f K u n d a l i n f i s e x p r e s s e d t h u s i ?

tanmadhye visa-tantu-sodara-lasat suksma jaganmohinT

brahma-dvdra-mukham mukhena madhuram samcchadayann svayam
sahkhdvartta-nibhd navina-capald mala-vilasaspada -

sputS sarpa-sama sivopari-lasat-sardha-trivrttakrtih

kujanti kula-kundalf ca madhuram mattali-mald-sphutam
vacah komala-kavya-bandha-raeam-bhedati-bheda- kramaih
svasocchvasa - vibhdnjanenajagatam Jtvo yaya dharyate
sa mulambuja-gahvare vilasati proddama-diptavalih.
O v e r i t s h i n e s t h e s l e e p i n g K u n d a l i n i , f i n e a s t h e f i b r e o f t h e l o t u s - s t a l k .

4 2 . A T V , p p . 5 5 1 - 5 6 7 .

4 3 . KAM, 2 n d P a t .

4 4 . P B S , p . 1 9 4 .

4 5 . I b i d , p . 1 9 4 .

4 6 . P T , p p . 5 2 6 - 5 3 0 .

4 7 . I b i d , p p . 3 9 5 - 3 9 8 .

4 8 . A T V , p p . 3 2 5 = - 4 0 5

4 9 . B T S , p p . 6 8 2 - 6 9 0 .

5 0 . § A N I , S I 1 0 - 1 1 .
 20

Poetic genius reaches the zenith o f excellence in describing Sahasrara.51

(adurdhe sahgkhinya nivasati sikhare sunyadese prakasam

visargadhah padmam dasa-sata-dalam purpa-candratisubhram

adhovaktram kantam tarum-ravi-kal&kanti-kirijalka-subhram

lalatadyairvarmih pravilasita-vapuh kemlanandarupam

Above all these, in the vacant space wherein is SamkhinT Nadi" and below Visarg.

is the Lotus o f a thousand petals. This Lotus, lustrous and whiter than the full Moon, ha

its head turned downward. It charms. Its clusterd filaments are tinged with the colour i

the young Sun. Its body is luminous with the letters beginning with 'A ' and it is th>

absolute bliss.

Dhyanamantras52 are full of literary beauty. Imagery, diction, style, expression

symbol Mid resonance express the super excellence of poetic art.

The Dhyanamantra o f Mother Kaifis an example of literary beauty.53

mahameghaprabham sydmam tathaiva ca digambarim

kanthdvasakta - muruialf- galat - rudhira - carcitam
karmvatamsata-nlta-sava-yugma-bhayamkdm
ghora-dahgflram karalasyam pinormata-payodharam
savanam kara-samghataih krta-kancim hasanmukffim
srkva-dvaya-galad-rakta-dhara-bisphuritana-nam
ghora-ravam maha-raudrim smasarialaya-vasirum
baldrka-mandalakara-locana-tri-tayanvitam.

Kali who is black like the dark cloud, is naked. She is anointed with the hloo<

trickling from cut-heads clung to the neck. Her ear-rings are two ferocious corpses Sh

has sharp fangs, terrible face and high breasts. She wears girdle-severed arms Sh

51. SANI, 40, si.

52. ATV, pp. 1019,1120, 1122, 1186-1188; KALI, pp.26, 28.
53. KaliTantra as quoted in BTS, p. 387.; ATV, pp. 1015-1016.
 2 ()>

laughs. She possesses a face radiant with the blood trickling from two sides of lips Sh.

makes thunderous noises, possesses dreadful appearance, lives in the cremation groum

and has three red eyes like a circle made of the rays of the rising Sun.

The description of Adya Sakti is highly poetic.54

megHangfm sasi-sekharain trinayariam raktambaram bibhratlm

panibhySma-bhqyam vardnca vikasat-raktaravinda-sthitam

nrtyaniam puralo nipTya madhuram madhvlkamadyam mahd-

kdlam vTiqya vikas itanana- varamadytitn bhaje kalikam.

1 adore the Adya Kalika whose body is the hue of dark rain cloud, upon whov

fore-head the Moon gleams, the three-eyed One clad in crimson raiment, whose two hand

are raised-the one to dispel fear and the other to bestow blessing - who is seated on a re 1

lotus in full bloom, Her beautiful face radiant, watching Mahakala, who elated wiih ilk-

delicious wine of Madhuka flower, is dancing before Her.

The description of Chinnamasfa55 spreads the ray of beauty and charms our mind

madhye tu tam mahddevTm surya-koti-sama-prabham

chinnamastam kare vame dharayanftm svamastakam

prasaritamuklnm bhlnlam lelihariagrajihvikam

pivantTm raudhinm dhUram nijakantha-vi-nirgaidm

The Suryamandala (Solar Region) is red like the Chinanose (Java). Chinnamastl

having the radiance of the crores of the Sun, stands in the middle of that region. She holes

her own severed head with her left hand. Her wide and ferocious face with lulling tongue

drinks blood oozing out from the throat.

54. MN, 5/141.

55. BTS, P. 374.

 2d-

Mantras of Abhiseka , SSnti, Antaryaga and hymns contain literal

excellence.59 Words of these Mantras create wonderful suggestiveness.

In Saundarya Laharf0, the description of the vermilion on the parting hair of I)e\

is splendid -

vahanti sinduram prabala-kavarT bhara - timira

dvisam vrndairvartdikrtamiva navinarka-kiranam

tanotu ksemam nastava vadana-saundarya-laharT

panvSha-srolah saraniriva sfmanta-saranih.

The partition of the hair on the head, like a route, increases beauty like route in th

midst of the beauty waves o f your face. Moreover, vermilion on your parting ha

resembles that the burden of the braid of your hair like the powerful enemy confines th

Morning Sun in the sky.

Tantra’s poetic diction is found61

vimla-kalydm-sphuta-rucird-yodhyd-kuvalayaih

krpd-para-bara kimapi madhura bhoga-latika

avantTdrstisle bahu-nagara-vistara-vijaya

dhruvam tattanriama-vyavaharana-yogya vijayate.

Your glance is wide, auspicious, impossible for blue - lotuses to rival, the base f r

the flow of kindness, extremely sweet, protective and flourishes like the various capital

whose names are implied in the words used. There is a play on words in this stan/;

56. ATV, pp. 728-739.

57. Ibid, pp. 633-639.
58. Ibid, pp. 1417-1479.
59. PBS, pp. 96-97.
60. SL, 44 si.
61. Ibid, 49. si.
 "> 1:

Visala, Kalylnl, Bara, Madhura, Bhagavafi, Avanfi, Vijaya are the names of famuu

capital towns o f ancient India as also words carrying the meaning - wide, auspicious

impossible to rival, flow, sweet, protective and victorious.

The power of imagery in Tantra is impressive62

tavaparne karne-japa-nayana-paisunya-cakitah

niliyante loye niyatamanimesah sapharikah

iyafka mrhaddha-cchada-puta-kavatain kuvalayam

jaiiati pratyme niii ca vighatayya pravisati

Oh! Eternal one ! the open-eyed female fishes disappear in water, being afraid <

the eyes who carry tales to your ears. This is certain. The Goddess of Prosperity residin.

in your eyes deserts the closed blue lotus in the morning and re-enters it opening the petal

at night.

Beautiful eyes of women are always compared to fish and the blue lotus. Ik

poetic fantasy deems the eyes of the Divine Mother to be superior rivals.

Many examples of the literary value of Tantra are scattered thorughout the page

of different Tantra texts. Only a few examples are given here in order to show that th

Tantra works are, by no means, the works o f inferior writers.

62. Ibid, 55 si.