Agama, Nigama and Tantra

Let’s understand the words - Agama, Nigama, and Tantra. These words can be a little confusing sometimes as they are interrelated but with slight differences.

 
First of all, it is important to mention that Shruti (revealed knowledge) considered the highest knowledge. Shruti texts include both Agamas and Nigamas. In general, Vedas are accepted as the highest truth or revealed knowledge. But, let's understand each of them.

Nigamas: The word Nigama is understood as the highest truth, thus Vedas are known as Nigama. Even the sentences of the command contained in Vedas are referred to as Nigama. Nigama also means the final truth or conclusion after applying all logic to counter all the objections. However, in the Tantric world when Shakti as a teacher reveals the knowledge to Shiva, which is also called Nigama. Thus, this word can be confusing, if it is used in Vedic or Tantric way.

Agamas: The word Agama means 'that which has come to (us)' as revealed knowledge, these texts are called manuals of divine worship. The Agamas neither accepts or rejects the Vedas, however Agamas use the revealed knowledge of Vedas (e.g. mantra) when applicable for appropriate practices. To understand Agama and Tantra, we need to dive little deeper.

There are three types of Agamas.

1. Vaishanava Agamas – worship and regard Vishnu as the supreme
2. Shaiva Agamas – worship and regard Shiva as the supreme
3. Shakta Agamas – worship and regard Divine Mother (Shakti) as the supreme

Shaiva and Shakta traditions of Agama texts are primarily based on the conversation between Shiva and Shakti. Each one is taking a role as a teacher and student. So, it is said that when Shiva as a teacher, revealed the knowledge to Shakti, it is called Agama, but when Shakti as a teacher, revealed the knowledge to Shiva, it is called Nigama, and it is also referred as Tantra.

Tantra: Tantra is technically Shakta Agamas, which worships and regards the Divine Mother (Shakti) as supreme Godhead. Thus, it is a sub-system of Agamas but also recognized as Nigama or conclusive highest knowledge of Agamas. It is important to mention that Agama and Tantra words are now used interchangeably, however it is important to know the real distinction.

Tags :Info  Tantra  

• Spiritual meaning of Swastika
• Types of Karma
• Four Goals of Life
• Let’s Face It
• Contradictions in Bhagvad Gita
• Understanding Yoga
• Buddha explanation on existence of God
• What happens when you die
• How to deal with people?
• Types of Anger
• Sanatana Dharma and Hinduism
• Yogic Eating Guidelines
• Why we shout in anger?
• Food for Yoga Practice
• Tantra, Sex and Yoga
• Religion, Faith and God
• Difference Between Vedas and Tantras
• What is Tantra?
• History of Yoga, Tantra and Vedanta
• Left-Hand vs Right-Hand Path of Tantra
• What is Tantric Yoga?
• What is Tantric Sex?
• Pillars of Tantra
• Sacred Books of India
• Two Paths
• What are the Vedas?
• What is Yoga?
• Who was the first Teacher and Student?
• Schools of Tantra