In Tantra there is no division between what is good and what is bad, what is acceptable and what is unacceptable and places no moral judgment on a practitioner. Practice rather than knowledge is the key. It is the least understood and most misunderstood arm of Hinduism. Some tantriks refer to themselves as the left hand of God. Concepts like Yoni, Kundali, Yantra all belong to this "hand" of Hinduism. It, perhaps, deserves a FAQ of it's own.

Being commonly associated with black magic, many Hindus avoid Tantriks (those who practice tantra). Also due to most commonly held belief that Tantra had mostly to do with sex has created lots of myths around it.

Practice of occult of black form of Tantra is looked down upon and holy men warn against it. Such practitioners are often said to have a very painful and sad life.

2. What is Mantra?

A Mantra is a sound, a word or metric collection of words with some spiritual significance. A mantra mostly is a prayer to God. On other hand, if this religious aspect is ignored, it is believed that the sounds uttered while chanting a manta can help relax very deeply and improve mind's powers. One form of meditation involves repetition of Mantras.

3. What is Yantra?

Yantra conveys the meaning, a device. Not a mechanical device but a method. Most common form of Yantra are diagrams used for meditation along with some tantric mantras drawn of a very specific list of objects. Many people use there yantras for occult and black magic purpose.