Like a lot of words in Sanskrit—an Indo-Aryan language—the word ‘Tantrism’ has various connotations. People who have studied Indian philosophy have the true knowledge of the word, but like the average Hindu, I would associate it with black magic—the use of occult knowledge and malevolent magic for evil and selfish purposes.
In India, it continues to be a hush-hush, dreaded subject.
Special priests called tantricks, expert at tantric rituals, use ‘mantras’—the repetition of sacred syllables and phrases, ‘mandalas’—symbolic drawings, diagrams and charts, and other secret rites elaborated in the texts known as ‘Tantras’ or “Looms’ to accomplish their purpose.
It is believed that these priests trap the spirits of the dying, and once the ghosts are captured, they become totally enslaved to the tantrick’s will.
Nandita Author 