Introduction 9 popularity and importance of this branch of literature in Kerala. Among them we find a sizable number of works written by the author from Kerala. While some of them have been published many remain unpublished. These books were used by the Tantrikas of the region and thus got much popularity. There are two types of Tantric preceptors in Kerala. Those who have practised Tantra, but did not contribute any work as such belongs to the first category. In the second category the authors of Tantric treatises may be included. Among the earliest writers on Tantra the name of a scholar belonging to Närayanamangalam may be noted. He is believed to be the brother of Melathol Agnihotri who is reputed to have performed nintynine vedic sacrifices. The scholar referred to as Näraṇattu Bhräntan literally the lunatic member of Narāyaṇa- mangalam. Though his works are not preserved to posterity, tradition maintains that it is he who popularised Tantras and Agmamas in Kerala. The great Advaita teacher Sankara is taken to be the second important writer on Tantras. Prapañcasāra and Saundarya- lahari are the two works that form his contribution. The author- ship of works like Saparyahrdaya, Saubhagyavidya and Subha- godayapaddhati is also ascribed to him by some scholars. Anyway there is no doubt his claim for a prominent place among the writers on Tantra works. The Prayogamañjari of Ravi and Kriyasära of anonymous authorship are the two basic works composed at a comparatively early period. Then comes the Isanasivagurudeva paddhati of Isanasivaguru of the 12th century A.D. His work is compre- hensive dealing with all the main divisions of the Tantrasāstra. The Silparatna of Srikumära is an important work dealing with temple architecture and iconegraphy. But the most popular manuals on the subject of Tantra are the Tantrasamuccaya of Näräyanan Namputiri of Cennäs house and its supplement Sesasamuccaya by his disciple. These were composed in the 15th century and ever since they formed the standard texts for practical purposes. The Tantrasamuccay in twelve sections
