The Advaitist

What is Agama Shastra? As discussed earlier , Pashupata school of Shaivism had a large number of texts known as Agama Shastra (Sanskrit: आगम शास्त्र, Bengali: আগম শাস্ত্র), preserved manuscripts of which are dated to 700 to 800 AD. Agama Shastra contain guidelines for worship and rituals, philosophy and spirituality and temple building. Pashupata was the oldest form of Shaiva Tantra prevalent in Northern India during latter Mahabharata times and is also known as Agamanta Shaivism. As per the Mahabharata, the Pashupata Shaivism doctrine of Tantra was first proclaimed by Bhagavat Shrikanthanatha (Sanskrit: भगवत् श्रीकण्ठनाथ, Bengali: ভগবত্ শ্রীকণ্ঠনাথ ) As per P C Bagchi's research, there were 18 or 28 Agama Shastra texts. Agama Shastra Texts The 18 Agama Shastra texts are also known as Shiva Tantra. As per Nishvasa Agama or Nishvasa Tantra, these 18 Shiva Tantra texts are traditionally believed to be transmitted by Rudra and hence also known as Rudragama / रुद्राग...

Image Source : All rights reserved by Mariska Caroline As per the Mahabharata, the Pashupata Shaivism doctrine of Tantra was first proclaimed by Bhagavat Shrikanthanatha (Sanskrit: भगवत् श्रीकण्ठनाथ, Bengali: ভগবত্ শ্রীকণ্ঠনাথ ) Bhagavat Shrikanthanatha was also the author of Pingalamata Tantra, a manuscript dated 1174 which is preserved in Nepal. Pashupata was the oldest form of Shaiva Tantra prevalent in Northern India during latter Mahabharata times and is also known as Agamanta Shaivism. This school of Shavisim had a large number of texts known as Agamas, preserved manuscripts of which are dated to 700 to 800 AD. Date of Bhagavat Shrikanthanatha Lakulisha was a disciple of  Bhagavat Shrikanthanatha. Lakulisha and his 4 disciples Kushika, Garga, Mitra and Kaurushya are mentioned in an inscription of Chandragupta II (400 AD) of the Gupta Dynasty . " Lakulisha Badami " by Corinna Wessels-Mevissen, Germany - personal e-mail. Licensed under CC BY-...

In this post I will talk about some interesting facts about Atharva Veda (Sanskrit: अथर्ववेद, Bengali: অথর্ববেদ ). The Atharva Veda is a sacred Hindu text often called the "fourth Veda" in the usual order of enumeration after Rig Veda , Yajur Veda and Sama Veda . However many parts of Atharva Veda are as old as Rig Veda . #1 Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda Atharva Veda is one of the oldest Indo-European texts . The bulk of the text dates from 1500 BC to 1000 BC. It predates Bible by 1500 years and Koran by 2000 years! #2 Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda  Atharva Veda is the first Indian text which talks about medicine. It prescribes various plant based medicines accompanied by mantras to heal the body. #3 Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda  Atharva Veda is one of the oldest texts to talks about antibiotics. Hymn 1.23 and 24 talks about leprosy and prescribes a medicine called rajani , a lichen with antibiotic properties. #4 Interesting Facts abou...

In this article I share 5 interesting facts about the Rigveda , which is an ancient Indian Hindu sacred collection of hymns and is among the most sacred Hindu works. Presented below are 5 Interesting Facts about Rig Veda. #1 Interesting Facts about Rig Veda Rig Veda is the oldest existing text in any Indo-European language . Rig Veda was composed around 1700 BC with the oldest parts as early as 2000 BC. Source . When Europe and Arab lands were populated by barbaric hunter gatherers, Hindu philosophers were composing awesome hymns! #2 Interesting Facts about Rig Veda Rig Veda is the world's oldest religious text in continuous use. 4000 years of unbroken tradition is something unheard of anywhere else in the world ! In Western countries, given their extreme materialism, even children don't take care of their parents, so tradition is an alien concept for them. #3 Interesting Facts about Rig Veda The Rig Veda was not written down until ~500 AD. From 2000 BC til...