All About Bharatiya Sanatana Dharmam otherwise known as Hinduism : 2.1.11.2

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CHAPTER 2. HINDU SCRIPTURES : 1.11.2
     1.The Scriptures : 11
11. The Agamas-2
2.The Saiva Agamas


The Saivas recognise twenty-eight Agamas, of which the chief is Kamika. The Agamas are also the basis of Kashmir Saivism which is called the Pratyabhijna system. The latter works of Pratyabhijna system show a distinct leaning to Advaitism. 

The Southern Saivism, i.e., Saiva Siddhanta and the Kashmir Saivism, regard these Agamas as their authority, besides the Vedas. Each Agama has Upa-Agamas. Of these, only fragmentary texts of twenty are extant. 

Lord Siva is the central God in the Saiva Agamas. They are suitable to this age, Kali Yoga. They are open to all castes and both the sexes.
Next : 3. The Sakta Agamas
Swami Sivananda
     To be continued....



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