TANTRA
Its root is Pali word ‘tant’ which means thread; and ‘tantra’ means loom, weave. The word also appears in Rigveda; there it means: warp (weaving), sewing together, weaving together.
The term ‘tantra’, in Buddhism and Jainism, also means any systematic text, theory, system, method, instrument, technique or practice.
‘Tant’ (in Prakrit), ‘Tanttan’ in Apbhransh and ‘Tantra’ in Sankrit mean: charm, magical formula, black magic. The ‘sacred writings’ of the Saakats (worshippers of ‘Shakti’ cult) are also known as Tantras.
Sikhism rejects the existence of black magic etc; a Sikh is strictly forbidden for having faith in the so-called tantras or mantras. In Guru Granth Sahib it has been referred to in the meanings of black magic; and, it has been condemned as hypocrisy. Meditation upon the Name of God is the only tantra and mantra.
Mantras, tantras, all medicines and acts of atonement, are all in the Name of God, the Lord, the Master, (who is) the Support of the soul and the breath of life. (Guru Granth Sahib, p. 184)
All medicines and remedies, mantras and tantras are nothing more than ashes (Guru Granth Sahib, p. 196)
My Tantra and Mantra is to meditate, to vibrate upon God, the Lord. Illnesses and pains are dispelled, by meditating upon (the Name of) God. (Guru Granth Sahib, p. 866)
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)