Which one of the following was not a Shaiva tantric sect ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Sahajiyas” option2=”Kapalikas” option3=”Kalamukhas” option4=”Nathas” correct=”option1″]

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UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2022

Sahajiyas are primarily associated with Vaishnavism and Buddhism, emphasizing the concept of Sahaja, the innate or natural state of being, often explored through devotional practices and esoteric rituals. While they might incorporate elements from various traditions, they are not classified as a Shaiva tantric sect in the same way as Kapalikas, Kalamukhas, or Nathas, which are direct branches of Shaivism with distinct tantric practices.

– Kapalikas and Kalamukhas were ascetic Shaiva sects known for their extreme tantric rituals, often involving practices considered outside mainstream norms.
– The Nath tradition is a major Shaiva movement, particularly known for Hatha Yoga and tantric sadhanas aimed at achieving physical immortality and spiritual liberation.
– Sahajiyas belong to a different stream of religious thought, focusing on innate truth and spontaneous expression of devotion or realization, more aligned with certain Tantric Buddhist and Vaishnava traditions.

The question asks which was NOT a Shaiva tantric sect. Kapalikas, Kalamukhas, and Nathas are well-documented historical and contemporary Shaiva tantric traditions or sects. Sahajiyas, while Tantric, are not typically considered a branch of Shaivism.

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