The Great Liberation (Mahanirvana Tantra)

the Indian Tantras, which are numerous, constitute the Scripture (Sastra) of the Kaliyuga, and as such a voluminous source of present and practical orthodox "Hinduism". The Tantra Sastra is, in fact, whatever its historical origin, a development of the Karmakanda (using that term in the general sense of the ritual section of the scripture), promulgated to meet the needs of the age. Siva says: "For the benefit of men of the Kali age, men bereft of energy and dependent for existence on the food they eat, the Kaula doctrine, O auspicious one ! is given" (Ch. IX, verse 12). To the Tantras we must therefore look if we would understand both ritual, yoga, and sadhana of all kinds as they exist today, as well as the general principles of which these practices are but the objective expression.