The Tantra Agamas are a collection of Hindu scriptures that mainly focus on the worship of the divine through various spiritual and ritual practices. These texts cover a wide range of topics such as philosophy, yoga, meditation, and ritual worship.
There are two main branches of Tantra Agamas: the Shaivite Agamas and the Vaishnavite Agamas. The Shaivite Agamas primarily focus on the worship of Lord Shiva, while the Vaishnavite Agamas focus on the worship of Lord Vishnu and his incarnations.
The Shaivite Agamas are believed to have been narrated by Lord Shiva himself to his consort, Parvati. The Vaishnavite Agamas are believed to have been revealed by Lord Vishnu to his consort, Lakshmi. However, it should be noted that the exact origins of these texts are not entirely clear and there are various opinions and theories regarding their authorship and transmission.
The Shaivite Agamas consist of 28 texts, while the Vaishnavite Agamas consist of 108 texts. The Shaivite Agamas are predominantly followed by the followers of Shaivism, while the Vaishnavite Agamas are mainly followed by the followers of Vaishnavism.
The texts of the Tantra Agamas were passed down orally for many centuries before they were written down. The exact time period of their composition is also a matter of debate, with some scholars suggesting that they may have originated as early as the 5th or 6th century CE, while others believe they were written later.
Overall, the Tantra Agamas are an important part of Hindu spiritual literature, and they continue to influence the practices and beliefs of many Hindus today.
