Shaivagama, aka: Śaivāgama, Shaiva-agama; 5 Definition(s)

Introduction

Shaivagama means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit term Śaivāgama can be transliterated into English as Saivagama or Shaivagama, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

The Āgamas that were proclaimed to the world by the Sadyojāta face are:—

1. Kāmikāgama,
2. Yogajāgama,
3. Chintyāgama,
4. Kāraṇāgama
5. and Ajitāgama;

those by the Vāmadeva face are:—

1. Dīptāgama,
2. Sūkṣmāgama,
3. Sahasrāgama,
4. Aṃśumānāgama (also called Aṃśumadbhedāgama)
5. and Suprabhedāgama;

those by the Agora (Agōra) face are:—

1. Vijayāgama,
2. Niśvāsāgama,
3. Svāyambhuvāgama,
4. Analāgama
5. and Vīrāgama;

those by the Tatpuruṣa face are:—

1. Rauravāgama,
2. Makuṭāgama,
3. Vimalāgama,
4. Candrajñānāgama
5. and Mukhabimbāgama;

and those by the Īśāna face are:—

1. Prodgītāgama,
2. Lalitāgama,
3. Siddhāgama,
4. Santānāgama,
5. Narasiṃhāgama,
6. Pārameśvarāgama,
7. Kiraṇāgama
8. and Vātuḷāgama,

making in all twenty-eight in number.

It is from these five faces the Śaivāgamas were given out to the world.

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Śaivāgama (शैवागम).—The Śaiva Āgamas are valuable sources of information about Śaivite temples–from the selection of the site up to the installation of images.

Śaivāgama (शैवागम) represents one of the three classes of āgamas (traditionally communicated wisdom).—The Śaivāgamas represent the wisdom that has come down from lord Śiva, received by Pārvatī and accepted by Viṣṇu so, it is termed as āgama. Or, it represents the wisdom proceeded from the mouth of Śiva, received by Pārvatī, which is capable of removing three impurities are called as āgamas.

Śaiva-āgama is again divided in to four groups viz. Śaiva, Pāśupata, Soma and Lākula. Śaiva is further divided in to Dakṣiṇa, Vāma and Siddhānta. Dakṣina is again divided in to Bhairava and Aghora. Vāma is again divided in to Anādi, Pūrva and Paścima. Bhairava again divided in to Mahāvrata, Kālāmukha, Kāpāla and Pāśupata. Siddhānta again divided in to two groups viz. Śivabheda and Rudrabheda.

Each of the Āgama is divided in to four parts. They are called as Vidyāpāda (or Jñānapāda), Yogapāda, Kriyāpāda and Caryāpāda.

Śaivāgama (शैवागम) refers the canonical texts of Śaivism. The āgama texts are the philosophical base of the Śiddhānta school of Śaivism, most popular in the south of India, especially in Tamil Nadu. Śaivāgamas also contain technical manuals on temple building as well as ritual manuals on worship. Both temple building and ritual worship at the temple continue to follow the āgamas even today.

The Śaiva-āgamas (Śaivāgama, Śivāgama, Śivaśāstra) are the canonical texts of Śaivism. Pūrvakāmikāgama states that even though said in several ways, the twenty eight āgamas with the four pādas are the only source of bhoga and mokṣa. Jagdish Chandra Chatterjee (1962) traces the origin of Śaivāgama to the Vedic Revelations: “In Kashmir itself… Shivagama is regarded as of high antiquity, indeed of eternal existence like the Vedas”.

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

General definition (in Hinduism)

The Shaiva Agama perceives its texts were generated from Shiva as:—From Shiva to Devi, from Devi to Nandhi, from Nandhi to Brahma, from Brahma to Rishi and from Rishi to human beings.

The Saiva Agamas are found in four main schools - Kapala, Kalamukha, Pashupata and Saiva—and number 28 in total as follows:

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