Contents: Preface. 1. Tantra--its meaning, scope and extent. 2. Salient features of the language of the Tantras. 3. The supreme reality in the Saiva Tantras. 4. Nature of man in the Saiva Sakta Tantras. 5. Spiritual discipline (Sadhana Kriya)--and the supreme goal. 6. Saktipata and Guru. 7. Diksa (initiation). 8. Nature and role of Mantra in spiritual practices in the Tantrika tradition. 9. Modes of spiritual discipline (Sadhanakriya) in the Tantrika tradition. 10. The supreme goal, Sivatva. Select bibliography. Glossary. Index.

"This book opens with an account of the nature, origin and development of Saiva-Sakta Tantras, their classification under different schools, the wealth of literature available belonging to these schools, etc. It also sheds light on the principal metaphysical tenets of Saiva and Sakta Tantras, relevant to the study of Tantra-Yoga. The topics covered in this book are the concepts of divine grace or Saktipata, Guru and his different kinds, the process of initiation (diksa) and its varieties, mantra's nature and place in sadhana kriya, different modes of spiritual discipline, Kundalini yoga, the highest spiritual goal, etc.

This book attempts to remove the misconceptions widespread in the academic world about the theory and practice of Tantra Yoga, which have been deliberately kept secret by the practitioners to prevent their misuse by unscrupulous persons."