All About Bharatiya Sanatana Dharmam otherwise known as Hinduism : 2.1.11.3

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CHAPTER 2. HINDU SCRIPTURES : 1.11.3
     1.The Scriptures : 11
11. The Agamas-3
3. The Sakta Agamas


There is another group of scriptures known as the Tantras. They belong to the Sakta cult. They glorify Sakti as the World-Mother.

They dwell on the Sakti (energy) aspect of God and prescribe numerous courses of ritualistic worship of the Divine Mother in various forms. There are seventy-seven Agamas. These are very much like the Puranas in some respects.

The texts are usually in the form of dialogues between Siva and Parvati. In some of these, Siva answers the questions put by Parvati, and in others, Parvati answers, Siva questioning. Mahanirvana, Kularnava, Kulasara, Prapanchasara, Tantraraja, Rudra-Yamala, Brahma-Yamala, Vishnu-Yamala and Todala Tantra are the important works.

The Agamas teach several occult practices some of which confer powers, while the others bestow knowledge and freedom. Sakti is the creative power of Lord Siva. Saktism is really a supplement to Saivism.

Among the existing books on the Agamas, the most famous are the Isvara-Samhita, Ahirbudhnya-Samhita, Sanatkumara-Samhita, Narada-Pancharatra, Spanda-Pradipika and the Mahanirvana-Tantra.

Next : 12. The Six Darsanas
Swami Sivananda
     To be continued....




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