Tantra Mantra Yantra: The Tantra Psychology

Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications
Author: S.K. Ramachandra Rao
Language: English
Edition: 2008
ISBN: 9788170308997
Pages: 101 (23 B/W Illustrations)
Cover: Hardcover
Dimensions: 22.5 cm x 14.5 cm
Weight: 260 gm

About the Book

This insightful book by S.K. Ramachandra Rao presents a thoughtful exploration of Tantra, aiming to demystify the subject and offer a grounded understanding of its psychological and philosophical aspects. Tantra, often shrouded in mysticism and confusion, is frequently misrepresented in modern publications, particularly with its undue focus on eroticism and occult practices. Here, the author endeavors to reconstruct the Tantric system, focusing on its fundamental practices of yantra and mantra, emphasizing their psychological significance for contemplative success and personality reintegration.

Rao critiques the common misconceptions surrounding Tantra, explaining its roots in folk traditions and its original aim to improve daily life and promote individual well-being. He provides a balanced view, separating the essential Tantric philosophy from the perverse interpretations often associated with it. The book also covers the interrelation between the individual and the cosmos, noting how Tantric practices like breath control and sexual restraint serve the broader goal of spiritual development and health preservation.

With traditional and accurate illustrations, this book offers a valuable contribution to understanding the role of Tantra in spiritual practice, focusing on its significance beyond the sensationalism that surrounds it in popular culture.

About the Author

Professor Saligrama Krishna Ramachandra Rao, a well-known scholar, was deeply versed in Sanskrit, Pali, Ardhmagadhi, and several modern Indian languages, alongside Tibetan and some European languages. He combined traditional learning with modern research and authored over sixty books in Kannada. His works have covered a broad spectrum, including Vedanta, Buddhism, Jainism, Indian culture, and iconography. Rao’s scholarly contributions have earned him recognition, with his book on iconography winning the State Sahitya Academy Award. Among his other notable works are the Encyclopaedia of Indian Iconography, Agama Encyclopaedia, and Tantric Practices in Sri Vidya.