Among the many spiritual traditions born and developed in India, Tantra has been the most difficult to define. Almost everything about it--its major characteristics, its sources, its relationships to other religions, even its practices--are debated among scholars. In addition, Tantrism is not confined to any particular religion, but is a set of beliefs and practices that appears in a variety of religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism. This book explores one of the most controversial aspects of Tantra, its sources or roots, specifically in regard to Hinduism. The essays focus on the history...