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The article continues the theme of the tantric sādhana's soteriology and analyses stages of the spiritual tantric path. Depending on the specific text or school, dif­ferent stages of such a path can be distinguished. We consider the spiritual tantric path, consisting of 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 stages. Three stages of practice are considered by Satyananda Saraswati (purification, "inspiration", connection). Three stages are also mentioned in the Sahajiyā's treatise "The Necklace of Immortality" by Mukundadāsa (17th cent.). Bhāskararāya (18th cent.) marks five hierarchical levels of liberation, reducing them to three "city", or stages of the path (pious life, reverence for the higher Self and reverence for the undifferentiated Abso­lute). Kashmir Śaivism develops a system of four "means", one of which (the so-called "non-means", which in turn is divided into two types) opposes the others. G. Kaviraj develops the idea of four stages of the spiritual path (indirect knowl­edge of Self, removal of doubts, direct knowledge and recognition). The Svac­chanda Tantra knows the five stages of the development process. There is also a model of six paths (ṣaḍadhvan) in Tantrism, which is appropriate to consider in the context of pravṛtti-nivṛtti, analyzed in our previous publication in this journal. A brief overview of the "six paths" is given by Maheśvarānanda (14th cent.). The very concept of the "stages" may go against the monistic posi­tions of a number of tantric schools (i.e. Trika), reflecting on the moment of lib­eration, but any such moment is preceded by a long preparatory work. There is another version of the "six paths" (viz. Yoginī Hṛdaya) as the stages of spiritual development and deepening of the levels of tantric hermeneutics. Finally, the septenary model of development (acara) includes the hierarchization of various spiritual systems and actually means the levels of development of an individual.

The article deals with the central aspects of tantric practice (sādhana) related to soteriological issues. Sādhana aims at siddhi as an ideal realization; liberation (mokṣa) is considered the highest siddhi. It is permissible to discern two interre­lated aspects of sadhana, i.e. narrow (specialized) and wide (coinciding with the whole way of life of the follower). Tantric sādhana positions itself as a highly effective tool for human improvement in Kali Yuga. While addressing all people, Tantra at the same time requires the observance of the secret of practice. Leading, as it were, a "double life", a number of tantric traditions (Śrīvidyā, for example) adapt to the needs of the orthodox Hindu society. Tantric works sometimes report the "lightness" of the spiritual path, which means the acquisition of the highest ideal during the earthly life of the practitioner, but does not mean the ease of the tantric procedures themselves. In general, Hindu Tantrism agrees with general In­dian soteriology that sādhana is a "return" (nivṛtti) process, which is accompanied by an increase of holistic perception of reality. Nevertheless, in Tantrism, nivṛtti and pravṛtti (deployment) are closely related to each other, since they represent different phases of the Śakti's "game" (B.K. Majumdar), also understood as the divine vibration-spanda. Depending on the level of his development, sādhaka is engaged in exercises either in the spirit of nivṛtti or pravṛtti. The effectiveness of pravṛtti at the final levels of the path is turned against pravṛtti itself. The vari­ability of tantric methods and ethical standards correlate with the level of con­sciousness of the practitioner. The stage of nivṛtti, as it were, models the ultimate state reached by the tantric adept after the end of his spiritual path.

The tantric interpretation of karma is in many ways in line with general Indian be­liefs. Karma is a complex causal mechanism that enslaves souls, which itself, in turn, is based on the activities of these souls. The actions of the soul arise from karmic impulses, which prepare it for a certain experience. Tantra knows the vari­ous classifications of karma (as valuable as neutral) and karmic fruits, as well as bodies into which souls enter under the influence of karma. Karma is "sleeping" and "waking up". The Supreme God controls karma for his own purposes, provid­ing the souls with their well-deserved living conditions; the unfolding of the world itself correlates with an increase in karmic activity. In Kashmir Śaivism, karma be­comes one of the three main types of enslavement of individuals (kārma-mala) and a direct source of saṃsāra. "Karma is the cause of saṃsāra" (Abhinavagupta). Karma is a part of the universal restrictive mechanism, niyati (Utpaladeva). The distinction between an action that carries karmic consequences (karma) and an action that doesn't carry such consequences (kriyā) can also be considered a tantric contribution to the concept of karma. Representatives of the Nātha school under­stand karma as a part of the physical body and distinguish five types of karma

The tantric interpretation of karma is in many ways in line with general Indian be­liefs. Karma is a complex causal mechanism that enslaves souls, which itself, in turn, is based on the activities of these souls. The actions of the soul arise from karmic impulses, which prepare it for a certain experience. Tantra knows the vari­ous classifications of karma (as valuable as neutral) and karmic fruits, as well as bodies into which souls enter under the influence of karma. Karma is "sleeping" and "waking up". The Supreme God controls karma for his own purposes, provid­ing the souls with their well-deserved living conditions; the unfolding of the world itself correlates with an increase in karmic activity. In Kashmir Śaivism, karma be­comes one of the three main types of enslavement of individuals (kārma-mala) and a direct source of saṃsāra. "Karma is the cause of saṃsāra" (Abhinavagupta). Karma is a part of the universal restrictive mechanism, niyati (Utpaladeva). The distinction between an action that carries karmic consequences (karma) and an ac­tion that doesn't carry such consequences (kriyā) can also be considered a tantric contribution to the concept of karma. Representatives of the Nātha school under­stand karma as a part of the physical body and distinguish five types of karma.