Chapter 1 - Introduction

and in their infallibility. So, any literature, that preaches against Vedic authority is deceived. It is, therefore, no surprise, that the Āgamas are considered to be lacking in authority as they are non-Vedic and are not treated on par with the Vedas. Charges are levelled against the admission of Agamic authority on the ground that the Āgama practices violate the vedic precepts and prescribe practice that are not sanctioned in the vedas. In the Pāñcarātra women and the fourth class are given initiation and taught the mantras, recommending worship of the deities. They are denied upanayana and so the study of the Vedas. By teaching Tantric mantras, they are declared to be eligible to do worship. These objections are answered by showing that these classes form the major portion of the society and are to be treated with sympathy and they are denied the use of the vedic mantras, instead, 19