INTRODUCTION Tantras, Agamas and Samhitas In Sanskrit there is a major branch of religious literature consisting of Tantras, Agamas and Samhitas. It is calculated that there are nearly two hundred or more works pertaining to this branch. The general contents of these can be classed under four heads, viz., (1) Jñana or knowledge and its nature, (2) Yoga or concentration of mind and the means of attaining the same, (3) Kriya or construction of temples and the consecration of idols in them, and (4) Caryā- the religious rites and social observances. Sometimes the emphasis is shifted to one or two aspects of the above classification as in the case of Kerala where the emphasis is on Kriya and Caryä. But generally speaking the line of demarca- tion between these three classes of literature is not well marked. Referring to these works Prof. M. Winternitz has stated that "there is no clear line of demarcation between the terms and the expression. "Tantra' is frequently used as a general term for this class of works." Strictly speaking Tantra stands for 'a system of doctrines, a book. Agama means 'tradition' while Samhita connotes 'collec- tion of sacred texts'. The distinction consists in the details. Thus Agamas are a special class of works which propagate the worship of Siva and Sakti, while sharing similar features there are some works specially devoted to the sect of Vişnu and they are termed as Samhitas. Tantras very often derive materials from both these classes of literature. In practice the Samhitãs are the sacred books of the Vaşnavas while the Agams are propagated by Saivas and often called Saivagamas. It is the Saktas who practice the Tantras as such in its strict sense. } Some of the popular lexicographers have attempted to define the word Tantra which connotes many ideas which are related to religious practices. According to Medinikośa, the word connotes :
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