Tantras, Agamas and Samhitas consitute a major branch of religious literature in Sanskrit. according to one account there are more than two hundred works of different size and variety pertaining to this interesting field of study. The general features of this class of literature can be specified under four heads, viz., Jnana or knowledge and its nature; Yoga or the concentration of mind and the various means of attaining the same; Kriya or construction of temples and the consecration of idols in temples for worship and Carya the religious rites, social institutions and observances. Of the four divisions, emphasis is often laid on one or two branches according to the predilection of the people of various regions as in the case of Kerala where the divisions of Kriya and Carya assume significance, Strictly speaking the line of demarcation between the division is negligible. Though it is difficult to ascertain the period of the introduction of Tantra in Kerala, it can be definitely stated that Tantrika rituals are closely connected with the temples of Kerala. Among them we find a good number of works as produced by the scholars of Kerala. The composed these manuals using the vernacular as well as Sanskrit. Further contributions on texts were made in the form of commentaries which often supplement the text. In fact, it was a need based activity since priests wanted guides for their use in domestic as well as temple rituals. Only a few of the vast material is published till now, a sizable portion remaining in the form of palm leaf manuscripts preserved mostly in private libraries. a critical survey of this vast material is attempted in this monograph.
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