Kaam Ratan Tantra [SP]

The Sanskrit word ‘Tantra’ derives from the verbal root Tan, meaning ‘to weave’, or ‘compose’, and refers to a type of instructional text, often written as a dialogue between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. We call it Agam and Nigam, The exhibition features some of the earliest surviving Tantras. These outline a variety of rituals for invoking one of the many all-powerful Tantric deities, including through visualisations and yoga. Requiring guidance from a teacher, or guru, they were said to grant worldly and supernatural powers, from long life to flight, alongside spiritual transformation.

Many texts contained rituals that transgressed existing social and religious boundaries-for example, sexual rites and engagement with the taboo, such as intoxicants and human remains. Tantra challenged distinctions between opposites by teaching that everything is sacred, including the traditionally profane and impure.

The development of Tantra in medieval India coincided with the rise of many new kingdoms across the subcontinent after the breakdown of two major dynasties, the Guptas in the north and the Vakatakas in the southwest. Although this led to political precariousness, there was also a great flourishing of the arts. Many rulers were drawn to Tantra’s promise of power and public temples often incorporated Tantric deities as guardians.