An example of the perverted expression of the truth, a travesty of the original practices, is the theory of the five Makaras (Pancha Makaras) -Madya or wine, Mamsa or flesh, Matsya or fish, Mudra or symbolical acts, and Maithuna or coition. When practised by the ignorant, unenlightened, and unqualified persons, it has led to certain abuses and there is no denying that some degraded forms of Saktism have sought nothing but magic, immorality, and occult powers.
Tantra Yoga had been one of the potent powers for the spiritual regeneration of the Hindus. Among the existing books the Mahanirvana Tantra is the most famous. The Agamas teach several occult practices, some of which confer powers, while the others bestow knowledge and freedom. Mahanirvana, Kularnava, Kulasara, Prapanchasara, Tantraraja, Rudra Yamala, Brahma Yamala, Vishnu Yamala, and Todala Tantra are the important works. In some of these, Siva answers the questions put by Parvati and in others Parvati answers, Siva questioning. The texts are usually in the form of dialogues between Siva and Parvati. These are very much like the Puranas in some respects. They dwell on the Sakti (energy) aspect of God and prescribe numerous courses of ritualistic worship of Divine Mother in various forms. The Tantra Agamas belong to the Sakta cult. That is the reason why they are regarded as authoritative. They are all Vedic in spirit and character. The Agamas do not derive their authority from the Vedas, but they are not antagonistic to them. The Sakta Agamas or Tantras glorify God as the Mother of the world under one of the many names of Devi. The Saiva Agamas glorify God as Siva and have given rise to an important school of philosophy known as Saiva Siddhanta. The Vaishnava Agamas or Pancharatra Agamas glorify God as Vishnu.
The three chief sects of Hinduism, viz., Vaishnavism, Saivism, and Saktism, base their doctrines and dogmas on their respective Agamas.
The Agamas are divided into three sections: the Vaishnava, the Saiva, and the Sakta. They also give elaborate details about the ontology, cosmology, liberation, devotion, meditation, philosophy of Mantras, mystic diagrams, charms and spells, temple-building, image-making, domestic observances, social rules, and public festivals. All the Agamas treat of (i) Jnana or Knowledge, (ii) Yoga or concentration, (iii) Kriya or making, and (iv) Charya or doing. These are treatises explaining the external worship of God, in idols, temples, etc. The Agamas include Tantras, Mantras, and Yantras.
#PRAPANCHASARA TANTRA MANUALS#
The Agamas are theological treatises and practical manuals of divine worship. They are: (i) Sruti, (ii) Smriti, (iii) Itihasa, (iv) Purana, (v) Agama, and (vi) Darsana and (i) Subhashita, (ii) Kavya, (iii) Nataka and, (iv) Alankara. Sanskrit literature can be classified under six orthodox heads and four secular heads.
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