The Agamas represent on independent class of writing by very early seers,
who had an inward experience and enlightenment from the Supreme Being, and
who were also perhaps influenced by the Vedas in their original form. They
had realized in their lives and thoughts the general truths taught by the
early Upanishads. So far as Saivism is concerned, these seers were not men
from the North. They were essentially representatives of All India and they
reflected in their thoughts, modes of meditation and worship, and in their
writing, the inherent Theism of the South.
The Agamas *claim *Vedic authority for their doctrines. The agama doctrines
are indeed theistic and such theism is not foreign to the Upanishads. The
claim shows that AGAMA is not a shruti. But AGAMA had adopted fundamentally
the directional, constructive measurements of a structure ,only from RIG
VEDAM and mainly from, YAJURVEDAM homa structural designs. In short, the
CLAIM was based on the VEDIC CONCEPTIONS HENCE, TITLED AS SHASTRAS.
Āgama (आगम).—The *āgamas* are said to have originated from the five faces
of Śiva. At the time of creation, Maheśa emanated the *āgamas* from his
five faces in order to establish the four Puruṣārthas (*dharma*, *artha*,
*kāma*, *mokṣa*) in the world. Śaivāgama-lekha-sarvasvam recounts a
declaration by Śiva that he uttered both the Veda and Āgama even before the
creation of the world.
Āgama (आगम) is also popularly explained as a compound of *āgatam* + *gatam*
+ *matam*, meaning that which came from the face of Śiva, was received by
Girijā and which serves as the code for *śivabhaktas* (cf. Introduction to
Kāraṇāgama).Temple management in the Āgamas (nirukta)
Āgama (आगम) is so called because it assists to get to know from the root ‘
*gamir-gatau*’ (to go) or *āgama* (to come). Roots or *dhātus* which have ‘
*gatyartha*’ also mean ‘*jñāna*’—to know. It may also mean that which moves
(notionally) towards an object to be attained or accomplished. The
preposition ‘*ā*’ could also mean knowledge that is handed down from guru
to *śiṣya*—i.e., traditional knowledge. Vācaspati Miśra explains the term
Āgama as ‘*āsamantāt gamatīti āgamaḥ*’. Often, the words Āgama and Nigama
are used together (Cf. Śāṇḍilya Saṃhitā, 4.16.53).[ samantat means moving
all around or movables; asamantat is immovable]
Agama -Origin and derivation: Agamas are believed to have divine
origin and that at the beginning of creation Siva gave rise to the Pranava
which in turn gave rise to the Mattkaksaras which in turn resulted in
language. Thus the first expression of language is Agama. Agama is derived
from the root 'Gama' with 'A' as its prefix. Thus, an Agama is that
knowledge that has been obtained by direct observation, or by inference, or
by sound testimony. "Siddham Siddhahi Pramanaistu Hitam Va Atra Paratra ca
Agamam Sastram Apta NaM." Agama is an ancient tradition dealing with
worship and the philosophical, psychological, ritualistic and behavioral
aspect30. Agama means the source from which the spiritual knowledge spreads
in all directions31. In agama, Siva is the speaker whereas Devi is the
listener. Each syllable of the word Agama has a specific meaning which is
indicated below - * A = Agatam i.e. that which has come down from Siva, *
Ga= Gatam i.e. that which has entered into the mouth of Parvati. 28
Agamam Nigamam
Caiva Tantra Sastram Dvidha Matam. Mahesvarena Yadproktam Agamam
Niggadyate. Deviproktam Mahataantram iti Nigamam Tatvidur Budah.( Cf. RUDY)
29 Rao Ramachandra S.K. the Agama Encyclopaedia
Thus Mr Bala is right and at the same time how it attains the title shastra
( in Kerala tantra is shastra and agama is considered as a tantra also) is
also authenticated by so many documents.
K Rajaram IRS 31725
On Thu, 31 Jul 2025 at 10:37, 'Bala N. Aiyer' via KeralaIyers <
[email protected]> wrote:
> Very nice article.
> But:
> You may not agree with me - alsu many of our friends from Kerala always
> say it this way - as "Agama Sasthra"
>
> The Correct term is just "Agama".
> The way we arrange the Vigrahas (not idols bu Icons) in the house Pooja
> room and in several temples in North India
> follow the rules of Sasthra - while most temples in South and several
> ancient temples in North and also many temples based on those traditins
> around the world are built, maintained according to the Agama Traditions.
> In Agma traditions the Deity keeps the powers all the time, we do pooja to
> wake them up with Suprabatham and at night we have sayanalaya pooja and
> close the curtains. Sasthra tradition is different in this.
>
>
>
> With kind regards & best wishes,
>
> Bala N. Aiyer
>
>
> On Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 10:37:48 PM CDT, Rajaram Krishnamurthy <
> [email protected]> wrote:
>
>
> Attached word doc on the sub K R IRS 31725
>
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