Agama (Hinduism)
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The Agamas are a collection of several Tantric literature and scriptures of Hindu schools. The term literally means tradition or "that which has come down", and the Agama texts describe cosmology, epistemology, philosophical doctrines, precepts on meditation and practices, four kinds of yoga, mantras, temple construction, deity worship and ways to attain sixfold desires. These canonical texts are in Tamil and Sanskrit.
Developing physical and mental discipline with Yoga is one of four recommendations in Agama texts. Above a Yoga posture statue from Kashmir, a center of monistic Agama texts.
Parts of the Nihsvasatattvasamhita manuscript from Nepal, reproduced in 1912 from a palm-leaf original, linking Shaiva Agama to esoteric Tantra.
The Shakta Agamas deploy Shiva and Shakti, and a unified view as the foundation for spiritual knowledge.
Image: Shore Temple 01
Hindus
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Hindus are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism. Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for people living in the Indian subcontinent.
Early-20th-century painting by M.V. Dhurandhar of Hindu devotees in satsanga and listening to the pravachana of the Puranas
Hindus at Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar near river Ganges in Uttarakhand state of India.
A Hindu wedding ritual in India
A young Nepali Hindu devotee during a traditional prayer ceremony at Kathmandu's Durbar Square.