Abstract
In its Śaiva form, Tantrism had been a dominant religion in India for many centuries (ca. from 6th to 13th c.). This article provides a basic outline of Indian Tantrism of this period.
It discusses some sources of its origin and historical context of its successful spread. Then, main theoretical concepts of Tantrism are explained, as well as its aims.
A typical content of textual sources (revealed scriptures) is described and it is stressed that Tantric texts deal mainly with mantras and that Tantric traditions are overwhelmingly ritualistic. Some trends in historical development of Tantrism are then outlined and finally selected examples of Kashmiri exegetical literature are introduced.