D.

Principles of Tantra:
The solidity of edifice depends upon the firmness of foundation and quality of
bricks, Tantra principles are very sound on which Tantric system is still sustained
since five thousand years.
1. Principle of Polarity:
The principle of polarity is the foundation stone of Tantra system. Before going
into the root of this principle let us be acquainted with what polarity is. The
term 'polarity' is related with the word 'pole'. The lexical meaning of the word
'pole is either of the two points of a body in which the attractive or repulsive
energy is
concentrated, as e.g. in a magnet.27
Tantra has very uniquely worked out these two poles in the human body which is
symbolically represented in Tantric treatise as Siva-Sakti. Biologically, it
represents the male-female poles which is pre-requisite for any creation.
Tantric principle of polarity works not only at physical level but it also applies
at universal level. For Tantra, like human, universe is also an off-springof the
Highest Reality. The literal meaning (V&cy&rtha) of the First verse of the
Saundraya lahari reflect this fact.20 The same view is also depicted by the
Rasarnava Tantra in which siva tells Pravati that He is the Father and She is the
Mother of the universe and worldly objects.29
Principle of identity:
How this polarity resides in the human body ? Every human being contains these two
poles within; one is expressed while the other is latent. The externally himself
expressed pole indicates, either male or female character. If a person is male,
female is already there but in a latent form. Same is the case of female. This new
concept in biology is known as b-sexuafity. But is not a new notion for a Tantric
seer. It has already been revealed by them and expressed it in terms of Hermo-
phrodite (Ardhanarisvara). Let us see how the exponent of Tantra tradition, Ajit
Mookerji throws light on this point. The bi-sexual potential exist in equal male-
female (M/F) ratio in the reproduction of prooy plasm. Visually it has been
depicted as the form of Ardhanarisvara (Siva-Parvati), male and female attributes
shown as part of the same body, hermophroditically joined. The idea that
mascularity and feminity are tow factors is as illusory as that of the duality of
body and soul.30
Siva and Sakti are the two poles of one thing. Tantra represents polarity but not
duality. Siva and Sakti are not two ultimate Realities but they are identical. This
identity has been profusely descrioed in many Tantras. We here quote only one or
two. In the Mahanirvana Tantra Lord Siva emphatically tells Parvati that there is
no difference between them.31 The Suddha Siddhanta Paddhati of Goraksanatha depicts
the same truth by giving the illustration
of moon and moon light. As moon light is not different from moon and moon can not
exist without moonlight in the same way Siva and Sakti are identical.32
This identity is also explained with the help of the illustration of creation. In
the process of creation Siva is not able to do anything without Sakti. Siva is
considered as corpse (Sava) devoid of Sakti (i). The very first verse of the
Saundraya Lahari purports the same view. In which it is declared that without the
union of Siva-Sakti no creation is possible. Not only that but when Siva unites
with Sakti only then he usabte to do anything.33 The Today Tantra also reflect the
same view.34 We cant go ahead without quoting the words of Sree Ramakrisna which
are cited by Swami Prabhavananda. Shri Ramkrisna was wont to say that just as fire
and its burning power are inseparable, so inseparable are Brahma and Sakti. When I
meditate upon Reality as at rest, he once remarked, that is, without the
activities of creation, preservation and dissolution. I call it Brahman. When I
meditate upon Reality as creative, I call it Sakti. In either case t am concerned
with one and the same truth, the difference being only in the name and aspect.35