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What are the Agama scriptures? Are they related to Shruti/Vedas?
Well, as far as I know, in Tantra tradition, Agama texts are those in which Devi questions and Shiva answers.
Examples of such texts are numerous like the Mahanirvana Tantra, Kularnava Tantra, ...
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Does Shaiva or Shakta Agama believe the Dashavatar of lord Vishnu
The Todala Tantram, which is a ShAkta Agama, talks about the 10 AvatAras of Lord Vishnu. The text also equates one MahAvidyA deity with one AvatAra.
The last chapter equates Vishnu’s ten ...
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What is the theory of creation of the universe as per agama/tantra section of Hinduism
I have posted it in my groups and blogs and reposting it here in parts.
षट् त्रिंशत् तत्त्वानि विश्वम्
ShaT triMshat tattvAni vishvaM (ParashurAma kalpasUtra.) This universe is nothing but ...
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12
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What is Vigyana Bhairava Tantra?
There have been, in India, two main ways of approach to Reality or the Essential Nature of Self,
Vivekaja mārga. (the path of distinction or discrimination). Systems following this mārga are ...
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Does Tantra say cow is sacred animal?
Yes obviously. Like all other Hindu scriptures they also hold the same opinion about cows.
Trinam vapya-vidhAnena chedayenna kadAchana | VidhinA gAm dvijam
vApi hatvA pApairna lipyate ||
If ...
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11
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What is Sri Vidya?
Among the Dasa mahAvidyAs, the third mahAvidyA is Devi Shodashi or Goddess TripurA or TripurAsundari. Here is how they are mentioned in a verse from the ViswasAra Tantram:
KAli TArA MahAvidya ...
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11
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What are the three Shivalingas ( Itara, Bana and Swayambhu) mentioned in some Agama texts?
First of all, its quite obvious that here Lord Shiva is talking about three internal lingas that is located inside our body.
But, as is well-known, as is our body so is the cosmos. So, these lingas ...
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What is the philosophical comparison between non-dualism of Vedanta and Agama?
There is a beautiful philosophical explanation of absolute reality and its relation to the world in the Agamas of Kashmir Shaivism. However, it is not very popular like other philosophical schools in ...
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Queries on Śrī Lalitā Sahasranāma Phalaśruti
This KAmAkotimanadali page tries to determine "lalitA sahasranAma - adhikAra nirNaya".
That means trying to determine who all are competent to recite the stotram. That means not all are competent to ...
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What are the principle texts/Scriptures of Trika or Kashmir Shaivism?
The Shaiva philosophy of Kashmir is generally called Trika Shastra, because it is the philosophy of triad, 1. Shiva 2. Shakti and 3. Nara.
The literature of Trika System of Kashmir falls under 3 ...
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11
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How can I start Tantra sAdhnA? Which all are the scriptures I need to study to have in-depth knowledge?
"How can I start Tantra Sadhana?" and "What are the scriptures I need to study in order to gain a thorough knowledge of Tantras?" are two separate questions unrelated to each other.
One can not ...
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10
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What are the principle texts/Scriptures of Trika or Kashmir Shaivism?
The main scriptures for the school are Netra Tantram, MAlini Vijaya Tantram, MAlini Vijayottara Tantram. But, they also have taken inputs from KAlikula Tantras such as GuhyakAlika chapter of the ...
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10
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Six aspects of surrender mentioned in Pancharatra texts?
Prapatti (or self-surrender) is an important aspect of SrI Vaishnava Teachings. According to pAncarAtra samhitas (Ahirbudhnya samhitA, LakshmI tantra), there are six aspects or angas to prapatti:
...
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9
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What scriptures describe the fifth state called Turiyatita?
Turiyatita state is mentioned in Malinivijay Tantra chapter 2.
Lord Shiva said:Wise people should know the system of unification (Sarvavesha krama) divided into five states i.e, waking (Jagrat), ...
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What is scriptural source of the verse whose translation is " Your head can be given, ..but the Shodashi Vidya of the Devi can not be given"?
The second half of this sloka is the tenth sloka of the Lalitatrishati stotra, in the Lalitopakhyana part of the Brahmanda Purana. This occurs before the actual stotra, when Sri Hayagriva meditates ...
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Is there a Darshana/Philosophy based on Agamas?
I can answer only based on ShAkta scriptures. I can't elaborate anything on man made philosophies.
Also, Agamas are plenty in number. They can be divided into ShAkta, Shaiva and other similar groups.
...
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9
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Who is Ratri devi? Is she same or different from Devi Kaali?
You must be knowing about Sri Chandi, which is also known as the DurgA Saptashati or the Devi MAhatyam and which is a part of the MArkandeya PurAna.
Now, a Chandi PAtha is considered to be flawed or ...
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What are the three Shivalingas ( Itara, Bana and Swayambhu) mentioned in some Agama texts?
These lingas do not actually mean the physical swayambhu and bAna lingas. There is an esoteric meaning to this in the tantric tradition with respect to Kundalini.
The location of Swayambhu linga is ...
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8
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Worshipping Lord Sharabha in Tantra
It is a noteworthy diety in shakta and shaiva tantric traditions. Also usually known by names like Sri Sharabheshwara or Sri Pakshiraaj. less audience is aware of such deities. It is also linked with ...
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8
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Scriptural sources for different classification & types of mantra and their science
Mantras (मन्त्र) means “mystical formula” or a ritual formula used in worship , meditation , Yajnas (Sacrifices ) , devotion etc. in Vedic or Tantric practices and is associated or is of some ...
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7
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Which scriptures state Vishnu teaching principles of Vaishnavism to his four disciples?
It is mentioned in the Garga Samhita. This is what I found:
Garga Samhita, Canto 10, chapter 61, verses 23, 24, 25, 26:
vamanas ca vidih sesah sanako visnu-vakyatah
dharmartha-hetave caite ...
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What are the beeja mantras and what is their significance in meditation?
Beejas or Seeds are important single lettered or monosyllabic mantras especially in the tantric or agama tradition. They are extensively used in rituals, processes, and both for internal and external ...
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7
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What are the letter of alphabets (varnas) associated with each of the Seven Chakras?
chakras have various number of petals which reflect their current. The life current in chakra is linked to its petals too. They are present in astral body.
moolAdhAra chakra - four petals - व श स ष (...
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7
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How come Vyasa rejected Panchratra Agamas in Vedanta Sutras yet referred back to Bhagavad Gita which is also considered to be a Panchratra scripture?
First of all, you're right that the Bhagavad Gita is part of the Pancharatra tradition. Here is what this chapter of the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, which describes how the Pancharatra tradition ...
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6
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What does Lord Shiva mean by saying that in Shaiva traditions Gurus are three?
Although it's not a direct scriptural reference In Kulavarna tantra of Chakumba Prakashan translated by Dr. Pramhansa Mishra, Hindi version He writes: (I am translating)
"There is a provisional ...
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Why Shiva created the universe for Kshetrajñahah?
The chapter of that Mrigendra Aagama is talking about 'Pashu Lakshanam' or the 'Nature of the Bound Soul', so the Kshetrajna there refers to Individual souls.
Why would Shiva create the universe for ...
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What are the prerequisites to get initiated in Shaiva or Shakta Agamas?
As regards caste, sex etc there are no such restrictions. Everyone can be initiated. Even an Antyaja or Sankara or mixed caste person reserves the right to be initiated.
Shudra sankarajAti nAmAdi ...
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How can agama be treated as shruti?
First of all it should be understand that Agama is a very wide subject. It involves various aspects such as mantra, yantra, upasana, diksha, anushthana, temple construction, idol construction and so ...
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6
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Do photographs or paintings of Gods undergo prana pratishthana?
Yes, without Prana-pratishtha being done, if Puja is done, whether on idols, images or Yantras, such Pujas do not succeed as Lord Shiva says:
Sakala-kritya tat-prAnAn samuddipyAndriyAni cha |
...
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What are the 28 Śaiva Āgamas?
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswam writes the following in his book Dancing with Siva, in what is I believe the glossary section:
Śaiva Agamas: The sectarian revealed scriptures of the Saivas. Strongly ...
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