With its roots in pre-Aryan (see Aryans), pre-Hindu (see Hinduism entries) India, Tantrism stands as an alternative of sorts to the orthodox Hinduism of the Vedic (see Vedic entries) tradition. It emphasizes the feminine aspect of a bipolar absolute and makes use of a spiritual practice known as sādhana, which can lead to a unification of the two poles and liberation or mokṣa (see Mokṣa) in our corrupt Kaliyuga or Kali age. The body is of great importance in sadhana as liberation may be achieved through bodily perfection. Thus, yoga (see Yoga) is as important as more traditional worship. Mantra Yoga involves meditation on sounds, Kuṇḍalinī Yoga brings together the Śiva (see Śiva) and Śakti (see Śakti) within ourselves. Important to Tantric Yoga is the series of bodily energy points called cakras, which are connected by channels called nāḍīs. The sacred texts of Tantrism are tantras (see Tantra), which are important to worshippers of Viṣṇu (see Vaisnavism) and especially to those of Śiva (see Śaivism) and most especially to those of Śakti (see Śaktism). A form of Buddhist Tantrism exists (see Vajrayāna).
