Essay name: The Nervous System in Yoga and Tantra (Study)
Author:
Ashok Majumdar
Affiliation: Banaras Hindu University / Department of Kayachikitsa
This study deals with the presentation of the Nervous System in Yoga, Tantra and Ayurveda. Yoga and Ayurveda are allied sciences dealing with science of man in depth. This study has revealed a number of hither to unknown facts about concept of nervous system and thought science of Hindus.
Chapter 4 - Origin and Development of Tantra
14 (of 21)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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origin. 157 Several theories have been propunded regarding
the extra-Indian origin of the tantras almost all of
which are found to point to the North or North-east of
India as the probable region from which tantricism
travelled into India. A few passages of the Tantras
themselves seem to support the theory of an extra Indian
origin. Some of them point to the trans-Himalayan region
whence spread the form of worship laid down in the tantras.
The cult of Tara appears from Sadhanamala to have been
taken from the country of Bhota or Tibet. 41 A story of
Vasis tha's going to Buddha in Brahmanic tantra work,
e.g.,
Rudrayamala or Brahmayamala as quoted in the Tara-
tantra (Appendix to verendra Research Society edition,
1913). The Devibhagavata (VII, 38,13) categorically refers
to Cina as the place of origin of the tantric goddess
42 Nilasarasvati. Kalitantra (XII. 7-10) also seems to
indicate that Vamacara and Kulacara have been imported
43 from Cina or Mhacina. A cina sect of Tantra worshippers
is mentioned in the Sakti-Sarigama Tantra (5.92-93). A
verse quoted from the Svatantra-Tantra again states
that the lake of colana to the West most of Meru was the
place from which originated the Goddess Tara. 44
One of the most important of the tantric dieties
viz. Siva is supposed to have been a trans-Himalayan God. 45
He has a good many Himalayan characteristics. He is
