Tantra and Tantric Practices: What does Tantric mean?

Tantra had always fascinated me but there is so little that I actually know or understand about it. Till date, I have never met a Tantric face-to-face unless you count Mammootty in ‘Atharvam’ as being an authentic case study of a Tantric who seeks revenge. [Learn to Behave: The Wisest Lesson I Learned]

                         [Image: Photo by Fa Barboza on Unsplash]

In fact, the Malayalam megastar actor’s finest and most powerful performances ever can be experienced in the way he masterfully transformed himself into a ‘Tantric’ on screen. He was brilliant. 

When I recently read a book titled ‘The Mystic Sinners’ by Proyashi Barua, I was instantly reminded of Mammootty in ‘Atharvam’ movie. 

So, who are Tantrics? They are practitioners of an ancient, esoteric science. 

Tantra: What are Tantric practices?

Just as Medicine is a Science, Tantra is an esoteric science with ancient influences that have been closely guarded by its interpreters. In India, tantric practices are not just ancient but some tantric practices may also have blended into the practices a few influences from other religious systems too. However, half-baked knowledge in Tantra is more dangerous than actual knowledge.

In ‘The Mystic Sinners’ by Proyashi Barua, we are introduced to an authentic interpreter of Tantric practices who says, "Tantra is mankind's oldest technique of questing for absolute Truth. Besides, it is common sense that every fake object or phenomenon is inspired by the original. Just like fake diamonds are inspired from real diamonds."

Take the example of Aghori tantrics, whose bodies and foreheads are smeared with ashes.  The rituals they follow are not easy for ordinary people like you and me to understand or emulate.

In Mammootty's 'Atharvam', this is repeatedly conveyed to him by his father, who cautions him from straying into dangerous territory. Ironically, after becoming an adept, Mammootty is also showing his affection to his younger brother by protecting him from being exposed to Tantric practices. 

Tantric Practices involving human body as a medium

Whatever I have read so far points to the fact that a Tantric uses the body to align it with the soul’s awakening using ancient techniques that have been guarded as timeless secrets. 

Tantra: Who are Tantrics?
Tantrics are of different types. Few are experts in practising the ancient Tantra teachings and many are using half-baked knowledge to show their 'expertise.'  

Tantric practices depicted in Mammootty movie ‘Atharvam’

The first time I saw anything related to Tantra is when I watched ‘Atharvam’ starring Mammootty.Smitha or ‘Silk Smitha’ had a sexy item number in it as a village girl and there were bold scenes that she portrayed. She is shown to be the medium through which the Tantric (starring: Mammootty) portrays this role to near perfection. 

The film brought to life a dangerous, unfamiliar terrain that was unheard of in my limited perception of different forms of worship. In this context, an unforgettable memory springs to mind. Years ago, I was at a book publisher’s office in old Delhi. It was a hot summer day and the air conditioner was working in full throttle. It was still hot inside the office.

Suddenly, I felt as though a gust of icy cold wind had hit me. I began shivering as though I needed a blanket or something. It was as though my body was suddenly revolved and reacting to something. I noticed a very chic and stylish short haired lady talking to editors.She had a commanding and magnetic aura around her. I turned back to the book I was reading. Something was just making it impossible for me to focus. And then suddenly everything was fine.

Then, out of the blue, the publisher called me in and asked, “Did you notice anything strange in the last few minutes?”

So, I said whatever I felt was jolting me earlier.

The publisher listened keenly and asked, “So you didn’t notice who came in?”

I said candidly, “I noticed a lovely short haired lady but that’s it."

The publisher then told me something that totally jolted me.

One of the rare Tantric yoginis in India, she mostly lives in the caves of the Himalayas and rarely comes into the public domain. She is doing a lot of research and experimentation in authentic Tantric practices and is keen to document her work and findings for other Tantric seekers.

“Isn’t she scared,” I couldn’t help asking.

One of the first things that one is trained to be in Tantra is being fearless.

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By then, I was thoroughly fascinated by the authentic version of Tantra, one that is captured in the deepest and esoteric teachings that are yet to be seen and understood. I still have no idea what Tantra is or how it is practised. 

But I can sense that those who are adepts have spent decades of their life exploring a parallel realm of human activity, whose magnetic energy comes manifold, with ripple effect. Their energies, when in contact with the world, resonates with them everywhere they go and whomsoever they meet. 

Maybe that is why I felt icy cold out of the blue on a hot summer day.