Elements of Hindu Iconography v1.c7.55

v1.c7.55

∗ The words āgama and tantra are used throughout this work as synonymous; strictly speaking an āgama differs but slightly from a tantra. The former is said to deal with twenty-five subjects, such as the nature of the Brahman, Brahmavidyā, the names of the different tantras, creation and destruction of the world, etc. The latter treats of only seven out of the twenty-five subjects dealt with in the āgamas. Sometimes the word yāmala is used as synonymous with āgama and tantra; and a yāmala deals with only five out of the twenty-five subjects in the āgamas.