A collection of teachings from Gandharva Tantra
The king of yogis, who under all circumstances is free from
joy and sorrow, and is equanimous in the face of censure, praise, cold, heat,
happiness, and sorrow; who is knower of the three (tantric) tattwas
(atma-tattwa, vidya-tattwa, and shiva-tattva), as well as the significance of
the guru’s feet and the meaning of the mantra; who is devoted to the deity and
the guru and is given to the Shambhavi gesture — he, and not one who has merely
had initiation, is a Kaulika fully consecrated to the tantric path.
Meditation, worship, repetition of mantra, and homa (free offerings) are the four limbs of yajna; the web of nyasa (the process of placing
mantras on different body parts for purification and energization) its body,
and knowledge of the ritual its soul; bhakti its head, faith its heart, and
skill in performance is termed its eyes; knowing thus the body of yajna one
must perform yajna daily, complete with these parts; loss of any part is a
great wrong, so no part is to be rejected.
It is productive of extensive results, being constituted of
metaphysics as well as mantras, and as it leads to liberation it is called
‘tantra’.
Gandharva Tantra
The Gandharva Tantra is a Sanskrit text that belongs to the
tantric tradition of Hinduism. It is primarily focused on the art of music and
dance, which are considered sacred forms of worship in Hinduism. The text
provides detailed instructions on various aspects of music, including the
theory of ragas (melodic frameworks), talas (rhythmic cycles), and the practice
of vocal and instrumental music.
In addition to music, the Gandharva Tantra also discusses
other topics related to the arts, such as poetry, painting, and sculpture. It
emphasizes the importance of aesthetics and the harmonious integration of
various art forms as a means of spiritual practice and self-realization.
Like other tantric texts, the Gandharva Tantra may also
contain elements of ritual worship, meditation techniques, and philosophical
teachings aimed at spiritual enlightenment. It is considered one of the
important texts within the broader tradition of Hindu Tantra.
