Tantra is an esoteric current of Hinduism. The word Tantra also applies to any of the scriptures (called 'Tantras') commonly identified with the worship of Shakti. Tantra deals primarily with spiritual practices and ritual forms of worship, which aim at liberation from ignorance and rebirth, the universe being regarded as the divine play of Shakti and Shiva. Tantrism originated in the early centuries CE and developed into a fully articulated tradition by the end of the Gupta period. It has influenced the Hindu, Sikh, Bon, Buddhist, and Jain religious traditions. Along with Buddhism, Tantra in its various forms has spread to Tibet, East Asia and Southeast Asia.