Agama refers to a collection of ancient scriptures and texts that serve as important sources for Hindu rituals, temple construction, worship practices, and philosophy. These texts are primarily associated with certain sects of Hinduism, including Shaivism (worship of Shiva), Vaishnavism (worship of Vishnu), and Shaktism (worship of the Goddess).
Here are key points about Agamas:
- Categories: Agamas are mainly divided into three types based on the deity they focus on:
- Shaiva Agamas: Concerned with the worship of Shiva.
- Vaishnava Agamas: Focused on the worship of Vishnu.
- Shakta Agamas: Revolving around the worship of the Goddess (Devi).
- Content: The Agamas provide instructions on:
- Rituals, temple construction, and image worship.
- Philosophical teachings, particularly on the nature of God and the universe.
- Practices for personal discipline and spiritual development (yoga, meditation).
- Tantras: Often, the Agamas overlap with Tantras, which emphasize esoteric rituals, mantras, and yoga. However, while all Agamas are Tantras, not all Tantras are considered Agamas.
- Influence on Hinduism: Agamas have deeply influenced temple architecture, iconography, and liturgy, particularly in South India.
- Structure: Most Agamas are divided into four parts:
- Kriya: Ritual and worship practices.
- Charya: Rules for conduct and behavior.
- Yoga: Methods for meditation and self-realization.
- Jnana: Philosophical knowledge and theology.
The Agamas remain significant for specific temple practices and sectarian traditions across various parts of India.