History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v3.c41.s15: Āgamas and Tantras.
History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v3.c41.s15
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Āgamas and Tantras.
v3.c41.s15.1
The different modes of worship of the different gods and the different modes of Tapas and Sanyāsa followed by the different sects of ascetics gave rise probably during this subperiod to new codes called Āgamas and Tantras which laid down provisions for such worship and asceticism. The Āgamas were many but related to the special worship of the five gods of modern Hinduism. There were sub-sects even under these five different systems and the forehead marks prescribed by them were also different, so as to distinguish one sect from another at first sight. The Vedas were called Nigama and this new scripture which was held more binding was called Āgama. The Tantras were again similar treatises giving different modes of worship with Mantras and practices of a secret character. It seems that in these methods, both Brahmins and non-Brahmins stood on an equal level. The Vedic Tapas and Sanyāsa was reserved for Brahmins only but the asceticism of the Āgamas was open to all Hindus apparently. It is necessary to study this Āgama and Tantra literature, varied and vast as it is, before one can treat it historically and in detail. But it is certain that such scripture had come into existence even before Śankara's time, as he seems to have had disputations with Pāśupatas and others. But they grew into greater importance in this sub-period and various ascetics are described in inscriptions of this time.
v3.c41.s15.2
∗ लाटान्वयः पाशुपतस्तपस्वी श्रीरुद्रराशिर्विविधव्यधत्ताम् । स्थानस्य रक्षाधिमस्य तावयाबन्मिमीते भुवनानि शम्भुः ॥