The Intentional Language of Tantra

“Ritual enigmas and riddles were in use from Vedic times; in their particular way, they revealed the secrets of the universe. But in tantrism we find a whole system of elaborately worked-out ciphers, which the incommunicabaility of yogico-tantric experiences does not suffice to explain; to signify these kids of experiences, symbols, mantras, and mystical letters had long been employed… The semantic polyvalence of words finally substitutes ambiguity for the usual system of reference inherent in every ordinary language. And this destruction of language contributes, in its way too, toward “breaking” the profane universe and replacing it by a universe of convertible and integrable planes. In general, symbolism brings about a universal “porousness,” “opening” beings and things to transobjective meanings. But in tantrism “intentional language” becomes a mental exercise, forms an integral part of sadhana. The disciple must constantly experience the mysterious process of homologization and convergence that is at the root of cosmic manifestation, for he himself has now become a microcosm and, by “awakening” them, he must become conscious of all the forces that, on various planes, periodically create and absorb the universes.”

from Chapter 6, “Yoga and Tantrism” in Mircea Eliade’s Yoga: Immortality and Freedom