Tantra is composed of two words, i.e.tan and tra which implies that through sadhana and pooja one can mould nature and God according to one's desires. Tantra is a sadhana, a method, a technique or a path that is available in all religions. Tantras are deeply associated with the mantras. Without mantras tantra cannot be successful. Both are practiced simultaneously to achieve success in tantra. Tantra is not a religion but is a sadhana, a shastra, consisting of religion's treatise compiled by Lord Shiva containing mystical formulae for the attainment of supernatural powers. Mantras are continually whispered by a tantrik while performing the rituals as they help to energise tantras for specific purposes. The mantras produce appropriate vibrations within a psychic field. Besides mantra the asana is also closely related to tantra.

Asana is actually a step by step dissolution of the body into the subtle elements, a process of gradual involution whereby the body is identified with the sense of smell, water with taste, fire with vision, air with touch, ether with sound. These five elements are merged one by one into their sources with potentials of energies and ultimately ego is dissolved into mahat, the great one. Sahkti or pure consciousness is constantly coming down in a shower on human beings,but on account of cosmic bombardment, it is immediately transformed and diffused throught the body.

In reuniting Shiva shakti, the adept can reach out and enjoy the benefits falling from the sahastara chakra, the centre of communication directly between the individual and infinite consciousness above. It is also stressed that all the rituals should be performed under the guidance of the Guru. Various kind of initiation by a Guru are mentioned in Tantra sastras.They are sakti,sambhabi,mantri,anabi,kriyabati,barnamoyee,kalatma, bidhanmdya,etc.Despite different kinds of initiation,all produce the same effect and lead to liberation from bondage.

Tantra is a shastra which indicates ways to bring people and situations under one's control through sadhana. Sadhana shastra contains the various methods of sadhana which can be divided into 5 parts.
1. Pattal : This part details the importance, of jaap for desires, homa, mantra and homa articles for a particular Deva or Deity. Use of mantras if any are also indicated in this.
2. Paddati : The methods of sadhana indicated in this part, includes the methods of taking bath from morning to puja jaap mantra, their use and methods of sadhana for particular occassions.
3. Kawach : The method which we adopt to appease each devta through their names and pray for protection is known as kawach. It is a way through which siddhi of devtas is obtained. Kawach is used after japa. Talismans are made through it and clothes etc. can also be infused for use in tantra.
4. Sahastra Nam : It implies to thousand names. The verses contains thousand names of the devta for which pooja is performed. It indicates the various details of different deities,etc.Specific mantras for siddhi of these deities are detailed therein.
5. Stotra : They are the verses of pooja, prayer of deities. Also methods are indicated for use of mantra, method of making yantras, use of medicines, and other details have been provided in the stotras.

The yoga comes from the sanskrit word 'Yoj' which means to unite,to synthesise i.e. it's ultimate aim is to join oneself with the universal self. But the self is not gained by a weak body. Hence the principal aim of haath yoga is to build a healthy body and train the mind. Yog being another technique of transformation is an important part of tantra. Yoga used in tantra is based more or less on the haath yog with extra dimension. The bodily attitudes, contractions and pressures which make haath yog are designed to specifically work upon the inner mechanism of the human body. To perform haath yoga without doing inner work on the subtle body is a pointless execise from the tantra point of view, though it may help the outer body's health and stamina. A person practicing haath yoga will easily recognise the relations between it's pulls, twists, contractions, pressures and various centres of the subtle body.

Tantra is fundamental and total. It's real importance is that a tantrik can reach the heart of the problem. The tantra if practiced methodically and with full faith and respect so as to achieve success. Directions whenever specified should be followed and homa whenever indicated should be performed with correct material and appropriate mantras.The result is assured if tantras are performed properly.

To vanish worries - when a man/woman cries in happiness tears should be sucked by one who has worries and the worries will be vanished.

To have a child - The milk teeth of a child when it falls should be picked up before falling on the ground. If a lady childless ties it on her left hand in silver or copper talisman, she will be blessed with a child.

To get respect - If the teeth are kept by anybody with him or her and uses it in a silver talisman the person will be respected everywhere.

To cure epilepsy - Heeng (half a masha) should be mixed with a few drops of water. Put a drop in the nose on the side of nostril, than the side affected with epilepsy.

To have a daughter - If the root of lemon tree is taken by a lady with water who is blessed with sons and wants daughters, she will give birth or girls.

To stop stammering - Leaves of manduka parni should be dried in the shade and powdered. This powder should be taken with crystal sugar twice a day.

For diabetes 1. The root of Brahma dandi (T. Balarakkisa H. Shial Kanta) must be rubbed with water on a smooth stone and the paste taken. This is a reliable remedy. 2. Tender leaves of Hema Pushpi (T. Tangeti, H. - Tarwar country soma) must be dried and should be taken with pepper and sugar. 3. Ragi (broken or Powder) must be cooked in hot water and the Kanji should be taken with butter milk. It cures diabetes.

For night blindness :1. Tender leaves of Castor (4 or 5) taken every day cures night blindness. 2. Tender leaves of Jivanti should be fried in ghee and eaten.

For toothache 1. Two or three drops of Juice of sitaphal leaves, when placed in the crevices of the teeth, kills the worms and removes the pain. 2. Milk of arka when placed in the damaged tooth, kills the worm and pain is lessened. 3. Leaves of Vajradanti when put in the ear removes the pain. 4. Leaves of Jambu should be dried in the shade and powdered. Add Khadirasara (T. Kaviri - Catechu - and put between the teeth.

Tantra deals with the medicinal and other uses of plants. This is called 'Kalpa Tantra'.Some of the important plants are
Vajara Danti : The plant is well known as its roots are used for cleaning the teeth. It is a herbal plant with a great medicinal and tantric value. If the root or skin is kept between teeth for 21 days, the teeth become strong. If milk of roots is taken in, it increases the semen. If drunk for 21 days, one is cured of all diseases. Flowers of sesame, with lotus flowers and juice of leaves of this plant, in equal quantities should be mixed and warmed in the sesame oil. The oil must be used for 7 days, the hair becomes thick and black.

Aam Tari : This plant is found around Dehra Dun and in the Lal Tiba area of Mussorie. It is barely four or five feet in height and has small leaves, which shine during the night. Its leaves dipped in water for three days and then ground to a paste, if applied on the face, hands and body all wrinkles will go and one will look young.

Black turmeric : It is known as Kali Haldi and is used in Tantrik Sadhana. This plant is found around the Narbada river in Madhya Pradesh, in Makwan Pur Dist of Nepal, and in the plains of Vastor.

Danwantri : The plant is available in Jammu-Kashmir area and being called as Dhanuri by the local people. The plant is about three feet in height and its growth is about two feet. This plant shines and twinkles like a fire during the night. Its leaves are pointed and some thorns are found with its roots. The trunk, leaves and its roots are very valuable and are used to cure many diseases. One does not feel hunger and thirst for 24 hours if one takes just one leaf.Fresh leaves made into a powder if taken with milk cures eye diseases. Its root if mixed in vegetables and cooked removes the blackish hues from the body and face.

The powder of its root processed through calcination, if applied as a paste removes the black colour of the body and a new good colour of body appears and one looks beautiful. One becomes lean if its roots are taken, weight is also reduced by this plant. Dry its leaves in the shade and make a powder. This powder when mixed with honey and taken for a week removes sexual incompatibility. For ladies, the plant acts like magic. The powder if taken by them for a month makes them beautiful and the body becomes lean and attractive. If its root is cooked with dal, and taken for 15 days, it clears the skin of blemishes and body becomes attractive. The powder of its root mixed with hair oil and if rubbed on the hair, removes white hair and leads to a luxuriant growth. The juice if applied on the face for three days removes all marks of small pox and the face becomes clear.

Dev Adali :The juice of this plant with an equal amount of amalaka juice and twice the amount of ghee is taken in an iron vessel and slightly heated with dried stems of amalaka. It may be taken twice a day. Milk or milk and rice should be taken. This cures epilepsy, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Rheumatic diseases. If a pinch of Devadali and mustard is taken with ghee and water from Oudumbar (wild Fig tree) diseases of liver and spleen, Fistula, Jaundice and anaemia are cured. If the powder is taken with the powder of aswagandha and ghee,it gives man a long life.

Nature has created some rare things, the use of which is auspicious for health ,wealth and happiness. These rare articles are used as tantric articles for different purposes.Few of them are

Shvetarak Ganpati : In Sanskrit it is called ark and in hindi is known as aak. This aak plant has green and blue leaves. Its flowers are of small size but without any fragrance. The aak plant has a rare white plant, which also has white flowers. This is a rare plant and cannot be found easily. The root of this white aak must be taken out carefully. When the bark and thin wood over the root is peeled off, one will see an image of Ganpati below it. This is called SHVETARAK GANPATI. Some people take the root of a white aak to the carpenter and get a Ganpati made. This too can be useful after doing sadhana. Yogis use it mostly for sadhana. The Shastras say that in any house, which has a white Ganpati, remains free from all evils and the possessor is blessed with immense wealth. This is used for pooja. When once Ganpati is awakened through sadhana, nothing is immpossible for him. In addition, green topaz's Ganpati and Ganpati made of crystal glass are very valuable.

Dakshineye Sankh : The seashell which opens towards the left hand are commonly available but the shells which open towards the right hand are rare. The right hand sankh or right hand conch is found in three sizes small, medium and big and correspond to male, female and eunuch. The male sankh gives the sound of 'Om' when put near the ear. The male sankh gives a sound when blowing through the lips. The female conch does not give any sound. A conch, which is eunuch, is always solid but gives no sound. A male conch is rarely available. The place or house where this shell is placed and its pooja is performed brings good future to all. It can be used in many ways in tantric sadhana. Puja is performed by placing it on a silver plate everyday. It brings wealth and the comforts of life.

Lagu Coconut : Generally the coconut with two eyes is found.This coconut has three eyes and is rarely available. It is of supari size and too small. This bestows wealth and all comforts of life.

A bead is the perfect article for offering prayers to God. The bead of holy rudraksha is the best besides others of tulsi, silver, chandan, etc. The rudraksha are of 38 types; out of which 21 faces are available in India.

How to purify the Rudraksha Rosary
On Monday morning, one should take a bath before sunrise, and the beads should be well washed in Cow's milk. After that the rosary should be washed in holy Ganges water. The rosary should then be put in the smoke of dhoop and after reciting the mantra "Om Namah Shivaye" eleven times, the rosary may be worn.

Importance of Rudraksha
Rudraksh trees are found in Nepal, Tibet, Indonesia and Malaysia. The trees bear flowers and then the flowers turn into fruits, which are called Rudrakshas. These are generally found with Yogis, Sanyasis and foreigners who use them around their neck as beads or as a rosary. The rudraksha brings good fortune. Out of the series of Rudrakshas One, Five, Seven, Nine, Eleven, Fourteen and twenty- one faced ones are termed very lucky, and are rarely available. This also includes Gauri Shankar Rudraksha, which is the most auspicious for wealth, family and comforts.

The one-faced rudraksha is termed very auspicious as it bestows wealth and happiness. It helps in attaining moksha and nirvan. The wearer has inclination to do good deeds and it helps in getting the power of intuition.

The Seven-faced bead is auspicious for the birth of a son.
The Eleven-faced is good for religious purposes such as Bhagwat Darshan of one's deity.
Fourteen-faced rudraksha is good for wealth,property and gains.The the 21 faced bead is very auspicious. Panch or five-faced rudrakasa is worn as it is auspicious and is a result giving rudraksh. It bestows on the wearer comforts and peace of mind.

Besides above all toher rudrakshas are also genuine and have good effects.These are often helpful in curing diseases. Those having blood pressure should wear it on the right arm. Fatal diseases, epilepsy and fainting fits are cured by rubbing it in honey. They are being used in many ayurvedic medicines and in its capsules. These should be worn after performing due rituals to gain maximum benefit out of this rare natural fruit.

The details of various tantras,their essence,use,complete procedure of perfoming them,importance of various articles in tantra and tantric remedies fro diseases and problems of life can be found in the book

'Secrets of yantra,mantra and tantra' by Dr.L.R.Chawdhri
Publisher - Sterling publishers pvt.ltd.
Buy This Book: 'Secrets of yantra,mantra and tantra'