Tantra Sara Sangraha 

जयत्यब्जभवेशेन्द्रवन्दितः कमलापतिः ।

अनन्तविभवानन्दशक्तिज्ञानादिसद्गुणः  ।।

Tantra is the applied science of Vedic knowledge. This is the most powerful as well as most ancient corpus of knowledge that is mostly lost for the present times. Mere theoretical knowledge is futile in Tantra. Many of the recent men have been living proofs of the mystical powers of the Tantra. In the long history of our country, there were times when every syllable uttered had high mystical powers in demonstrable proportions. Due to its mystical nature, the Tantra knowledge had been considered as a secret and used to be revealed to only noble persons. It is because of this Tantra knowledge our country had been the super power for generations. But, the knowledge of Tantra in the hands of the wicked is like a nuclear weapon in the possession of terrorists. With the advent of the age of Kali, the tantra knowledge had widely disappeared. The power of the Mantra receded considerably due to the widespread increase of Adharma. Only a very few secret Mantras are still powerful but largely the demonstrable powers of the Mantras have been curbed. Every Mantra is still very powerful if it is recited to gain spiritual benefits such as to earn the grace of the Supreme Lord. Tantra is still alive in scores of Vedic Temples. The construction of the temple, its architecture, its sanctum sanctorum, consecration of the idols etc., are all done as per the Tantra doctrines. Depiction of several mudras, lighting and waving of the lamp, the ringing of the bell etc., are all backed by highly scientific theories of Tantra Shastra. The Yoga Siddhis of all great Mahants and Seers are because of their mastery over Tantra Shastra.

Definition of Tantra

Etymologically Tantra is that which brings good and removes fear.

Tantra Sara Sangraha

Tantra Sara Sangraha composed by Sri Madhwacharya is a concise presentation of the Tantra Shastra. As a work dealing with Tantra, it discusses about creation and destruction of the Universe. It also discusses about the characteristics of a Mantra and tells us how to identify it. The preciding deities of the Mantras, the celestials who control and shower their benevolence on those who recite the mantras are also discussed. Information about various types of Yantras that are geometrical diagrams or objects used as aids to meditation in tantric worship are vividly explained. In summary, all that knowledge that is required to carry on with a holistic and successful living, all that brings good to the mankind and also all that knowledge that is a means to spiritual enlightenment is discussed in the Tantra works.

Classification of Tantra works

While the objective of the original Tantra Shastra is noble, there are always people who would misuse it for selfish motives. Therefore, based on its nature and purpose, the Tantra Shastra is divided into

Satvika Tantra 2. Raja Tantra and 3. Tamasa Tantra

While Satvika Tantra has an objective to bring good to mankind, the other two varieties of Tantra are used to take revenge on some on or cause destruction to the Mankind. The Tamasa Tantra (witchcraft) uses extreme ways of rituals and worship to gain wicked ends.

Tantra Sara Sangraha

Tantrasara is a sattvic tantric text revealed by Lord Vishnu Himself. Tantrasara Sangraha composed by Sri Madhwacharya is a short text of 440 verses summarizing the Tantrasara text in four chapters. The Tantrasara Sangraha is like the Kalpavruksha Tree which fulfills all desires. It is the king of all Tantra texts. In this small text, the vast corpus of Vaishnava Mantras is completely covered.

Unique Features of Tantrasara Sangraha

» It is in the form of a revelation by Lord Narayana to Lord Brahma at the time of creation.

» It is the only text clearly dealing with the characteristics of Pratima Sculpture.

» It contains an exposition of the OM kara as the special name of Lord Vishnu.

» The 50 letters and the forms of the Lord known by each letter is categorically given.

» Exposition of eight Mahamantras is unique.

» Each mantra is presented with the Dhyana Shloka, Chandas and Varna Nyasas.

» Information about the Chakrabja Mandala is given.

» The first two chapters discuss about Mantras and their related tantra.

» In the third chapter the installation of Pratimas in temples and their characteristics are discussed in detail.

» In the fourth chapter, Dhyana Shlokas of various Mahamantras is given.

» This work fulfills all desires just by recitation. What to speak of the fruits accrued by contemplating as per the injunctions of this text!

Conclusion

Acharya concludes the Tantrasara Sangraha text by revealing his form as the third incarnation of Lord Vayu, whose other two incarnations were of Sri Hanuman and Sri Bheemasena. This Tantrasara Sangraha is an extract from the original Tantrasara revealed by Lord Vishnu Himself. Great merits are accrued by reading and contemplating as per the injunctions given in this text..

अशेषदोषोज्झितपूर्णसद्गुणं सदाविशेषापगतोरुरूपम् ।

नमामि नारायणमप्रतीपं सदा प्रियेभ्यः परमादरेण ।।