Welcome to Adiyen Sri Ramanuja Dasan !
" Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha !"
42) What are Agamas?
The Agamas accept the authority of Vedas. The Agamas prescribe idol worship in the place of rituals like Yagas, mentioned in the Vedas. They prescribed the methods of idol worship.
43) How are the Agamas divided?
The Agamas are predominantly divided into Saiva, Sakta and Vaishnava Agamas. Agamas mainly talk about construction of temples; the rules for installation and consecration of the deities in the temples; and the methods of performing pujas in the temples. The Vaishnava Agamas identify Brahman as Vasudeva. We will discuss this further later.
44) What are the Vaishnava Agamas?
The Vaishnava Agamas are : Pancharatra Agama and Vaikhanasa Agama
45)Which Agamas do our Vaishnavite temples follow?
Some temples follow Pancharatra Agama and some temples follow Vaikhanasa Agama. This is only by tradition and custom.
46) Why is Vaikhanasa Agama so called?
It is so called, because it was first taught by Vikhanas rishi to a group of disciples. Sage Vikhanas is stated to have been created by Lord Narayana Himself. It is also stated that he was created by Brahma.
47) Why is Pancharatra Agama so called?
Lord Narayana taught this Agama for five nights to five rishis. Hence, it is called Pancharatra Agama (Pancharatra means five nights).
48) How are these Pancharatra Agamas divided?
These are divided into Samhitas.
49) What are these Samhitas?
There are more than 100 Samhitas. Sattvata Samhita, Paushkara Samhita, Jayakhya Samhita. These three are considered more important and are called three gems (Ratna traya). We have also Ahirbudhnya Samhita, Padma Samhita, Parameswara Samhita and Lakshmitantra.
Jai Srimannaryana !
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