1.     What is an Agamam?

Agamams are Hindu scriptures laying down the separate theological disiplines and doctrines for the worship. Agamams guide the faithful who are moved by their devotion to the Supreme God to worship one of His manifestations.

2.     When was Agamam created?

It is  believed that God created Vedas and Agamams and gave them to the universe. God created our present universe with the supreme knowledge from these Vedas and Agamams. In other words, Vedas and Agamams existed even before the creation of the universe. They are also referred to as ‘anadi’ (that which has no beginning).

Vedas and Agamams are eternal. They subside at the end of each ‘yuga’ – at the time of ‘pralaya’and rise again at the creation time of next ‘yuga’. They rise and subside but never die.

There are several scriptures that came about based on Vedas and Agamams. One such scripture, ‘Kalpasutram’, has been proved to be originated in 4^th century B.C.

3.     What is the meaning of agamam?

It is believed from the scripture ’bingala madam’ that the word Agamam came from the three words Agadam, Kadam, and Madam:

Agadam – given by Lord Shiva

Kadam – received and understood by Goddess Meenakshi

Madam – spread to the world by the religious and spiritual devotees

There is also another explanation for the name:

Aa – refers to love

Ga – refers to cow

Ma – refers to head of the family and the family

Agamam sets disciplines and doctrines for these three entities and hence the name.

Yet another explanation refers Aa to knowledge, Ga to heaven, and Ma to destruction due to evil mindedness. Agamam provides the knowledge to destroy the evil and lead the path to attain the heaven.

4.     How many Agamams are there?

There are 28 Agamams. Their names are:

1.Kamigam, 2. Karanam, 3. Yogajam, 4. Sindhiyam, 5. Ajitham, 6. Deeptham, 7. Sushmam, 8. Sahasram, 9. Amsuman, 10. Suprabedam, 11. Vijayam, 12. Nisavasam, 13. Swayambavam, 14. Analam, 15. Veeram, 16. Rowram, 17. Magudam, 18. Vimalam, 19. Chndrajnanam, 20. Bimbam, 21. Prokeetam, 22. Lalitham, 23. Sidham, 24. Santhanam, 25. Sarvoktham, 26. Paramesvaramam, 27. Kiranam, 28. Vathulam.

5.     What is said in Agamams?

Agamams preach that the devotees should surrender their mind, body and words to serve God. It describes four paths for the devotees to achieve this goal. They are:

Chariyay – to serve using the body

1. Kiriyay – to serve using the body and words
2. Yogam – tp perform yogas and meditations
3. Gnanam – to gain knowledge

Chariyay:

Kiriyay:

Yogums:

Gnanam:

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