Kashyapa Shilpa-shastra (study)
by K. Vidyuta | 2019 | 33,520 words
This page relates ‘Brief Survey of the Agamas (Introduction)’ of the study on the Kashyapa Shilpa-shastra (in English) with special reference to the characteristics of Prakara (temple-components), Mandapa (pavilions) and Gopura (gate-house). The Silpa-Sastras refers to the ancient Indian science of arts and crafts, such as sculpture, architecture and iconography. This study demonstrates the correlatation between ancient Indian monuments (such as temples and sculptures) and the variety of Sanskrit scriptures dealing with their construction.
5. Brief Survey of the Āgamas (Introduction)
The word “āgama” is derived from the root “gam” meaning “to go”, with the preposition “ā”. It also means "moving (mentally) towards an object which is to be gained'. The Āgama is so called because it shows the way to divine knowledge and elaborates on the supreme Reality.
The Āgamas are also known as Tantras. The word “tantra” is derived in two ways. According to one view it is from the root “tan”, to spread, with the uṇādi suffix, ṣṭran[1]. Hence it is suggested that “tantra” means the spreading out of the cosmic energy in the person who practices it.
According to another view the word “tantra” is spelt as “tan” and “tra” (spreading and saving), so as to mean that Tantra gives an exposition of the matters taken up in the system and also saves the aspirants who follow it from bondage (Kāmikāgama (Kāmikāgama)[2], I. 1. 29):
tanoti vipulānarthān tantramantrasamanvitān |
trāṇaṃ ca kurute yasmāttantramityabhidhīyate ||
While the Āgama provides the aspirant with knowledge, the Tantra saves him from bondage, and this is the purpose of both the śāstras (Kāśikāvṛtti, VII. 2. 9):
ājñā vastu samantācca gamyata ityagamo mataḥ |
tanute trāyate nityaṃ tantramitthaṃ vidurbudhāḥ ||
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Vide., sarvadhātubhyaḥ ṣṭran (598).
[2]:
Śrīmat Kāmikāgama, Pūrva Pāda, with Eng. Tr., Dr. S.P. Sabharathnam Sivacharyar, The Himalayan Academy, US, n.d.