CultureAugust 20, 2026

tantric

TAN-trik

Definition

Relating to or derived from Tantra, a collection of religious and ritualistic traditions originating in India that emphasize the use of esoteric practices, symbols, and metaphysical rituals to achieve spiritual transformation.

Etymology

Derived from the Sanskrit word 'tantra', meaning 'loom' or 'warp', which metaphorically refers to a system or doctrine that serves as the foundation for practices, arriving into English via colonial-era study of Indian religious texts.

In the news

The article uses the term to critique how certain ritualized institutional practices in Kashmir sometimes overshadowed the philosophical depth of Shaivism, demonstrating the author's balanced scholarly approach.

Beyond Narratives: Reconstructing Kashmir’s Civilizational Consciousness—A Critical Review of Hues of Kashmir: Perspectives of Cultural History by Professor Rattan Lal Hangloo. Reviewed by Sanjay Pandita

Read the full article ↗

KashmirPEN

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