Tantraraja Tantra

A class of literature in Sanskrit deals with the Tantras, the aim of which is to meet Man’s material and spiritual needs. The Tantraraja is an important work of this class. On the material plane, Tantraraja provides the aspirant with the knowledge of sixfold activities viz, marana, etc. On the spiritual plane it guides him on the path of self-realization. The ultimate aim of the treatise as of all tantric lore is to suggest means for the emancipation of the personal soul from the bondage of senses. The book is divided into thirty six Patalas each of which is named after one of the 36 tattvas. Patalas I-V are related to five gross elements: Earth, Water, Fire, air, Ether. Patalas VI-X are named after five subtle elements viz. gandha, rasa, ropa, sparsa and sabda. Patalas XI-XXV are etitled after yoni, payu, pada, pani, prana, jihva, netra, ghrana, sotra, aharnkara, buddhi, manas, dhyana and Atman. Patalas XXVI-XXXIV treat the tattvas: niyama, kala, raga, vidya, kala, maya, suddha, vidya, isvara and sadasiva. Patalas XXXV-XXXVI deal with Siva and Sakti tattvas. Patalas I-XXII contain Sanskrit commentary by Natha Subhagananda and Patalas XXII-XXXVI are commented upon by his disciple Prakasananda Desika.