Bases of Tantra Sadhana

The tantric tradition has been shrouded in mystery and secrecy, and as a result has been widely misunderstood and misapplied. In this concise text, Sri M.P. Pandit has provided insight and the foundational understanding of the powerful spiritual practices of the Tantra. The book consists of two parts. First, essential sections of the Preliminary Sutras of Parashurama, translated and explained by Sri Pandit. The second part consists of Further Lights on key concepts of yoga and tantra.

Panditji took up this work at the request of the yoga master Nilakantha Mahadeva Joshi who wrote in the preface to the work: “…a study of this Sutra, essence of the Tantra, shows the excellence of the scheme of the Tantra. By that all misunderstanding regarding the Tantra may surely be removed. With this idea, we suggested to Madhav Pandit, worthy object of our love, to render part of the Sutra into English and he has fulfilled our wish.”

The Tantric principles stress the inner spiritual perfection: “That worship is fruitful in which the mind is established firm in the supreme ether without the stir of thought, not that which is performed only with flowers and the like. Senses under control, one must stress the inner sound; this is truly Japa, not the external repetition… By such statements as these, revealing the secrets of the symbols, the principles etc. of Puja and the like, the Tantra is helpful to the awakening of the inner sense.” (from the Preface by Nilakantha Mahadeva)