Editing Tantra (section)

===Ancient and medieval era===
The 5th-century BCE scholar [[Pāṇini]] in his Sutra 1.4.54–55 of Sanskrit grammar, cryptically explains tantra through the example of "Sva-tantra" (Sanskrit: स्वतन्त्र), which he states means "independent" or a person who is his own "warp, cloth, weaver, promoter, karta (actor)".<ref name="Pontillo"/> [[Patanjali]] in his ''[[Mahābhāṣya]]'' quotes and accepts Panini's definition, then discusses or mentions it at a greater length, in 18 instances, stating that its metaphorical definition of "warp (weaving), extended cloth" is relevant to many contexts.<ref name="Pontillo-2">{{harvp|Pontillo|Candotti|2014|pp=48–61 with footnotes}}</ref> The word ''tantra'', states Patanjali, means "principal, main".

He uses the same example of ''svatantra'' as a composite word of "sva" (self) and tantra, then stating "svatantra" means "one who is self-dependent, one who is his own master, the principal thing for whom is himself", thereby interpreting the definition of tantra.<ref name="Pontillo" /> Patanjali also offers a semantic definition of Tantra, stating that it is structural rules, standard procedures, centralized guide or knowledge in any field that applies to many elements.<ref name="Pontillo-2" />

Starting in the early centuries of the common era, newly revealed Tantras centering on [[Vishnu]], [[Shiva]] or [[Shakti]] emerged.{{sfnp|Flood|2006|p=7–8}} There are tantric lineages in all main forms of modern Hinduism, such as the [[Shaiva Siddhanta]] tradition, the [[Shaktism|Shakta]] sect of [[Shri Vidya]], the [[Kaula (Hinduism)|Kaula]], and [[Kashmir Shaivism]].

The ancient [[Mimamsa]] school of Hinduism uses the term tantra extensively, and its scholars offer various definitions. For example:

{{Blockquote|
When an action or a thing, once complete, becomes beneficial in several matters to one person, or to many people, that is known as ''Tantra''. For example, a lamp placed amidst many priests. In contrast, that which benefits by its repetition is called ''Āvāpa'', such as massaging with oil. (...)
|Sabara, 6th century|<ref name="Joshi"/><ref>{{harvp|Pontillo|Candotti|2014|pp=89–90 with footnotes}}</ref>
}}

Medieval texts present their own definitions of Tantra. ''{{IAST|Kāmikā-tantra}}'', for example, gives the following explanation of the term ''tantra'':
{{blockquote|Because it elaborates (''{{IAST|tan}}'') copious and profound matters, especially relating to the principles of reality (''{{IAST|tattva}}'') and sacred mantras, and because it provides liberation (''{{IAST|tra}}''), it is called a ''{{IAST|tantra}}''.{{sfnp|Wallis|2012|p=26}}}}