The Pancaratra

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Pancaratra is a set of systems which consists of Theological and

Ritualistic aspects. Its is one of the oldest surviving system which

is associated with the Visnuite Sect. The influence of Pancaratra on

later Visnuism had undoubtedly been great. Despite change and

corruption the ritual worship described in the Pancaratra texts is

still performed today in many of the famous temples in Southern India

and in some in the north. To get a deepers insights into the Visnuite

Sects with regards to their ritual, occultism and building of temples

and images, one can obtained a scientific study of the ancient

Pancaratra texts. It gives the relevant basic concepts.

 

The Pancaratra Agamas are classes under four headings, namely

1. Agama-Siddhanta

2. Mantra_Siddhanta

3. Tantra-Siddhanta

4. Tantrantara-Siddhanta

 

The term Siddhanta is apparently a synonyms for Agama. The

classification is made according to the deity on whom the text

focuses attention. When attention centers on Vyuhas, the text falls

within the category of Agama-Siddhanta. When nine or twelve forms of

Vishnu are worshipped, the text is classified as Mantra-Siddhanta.

When a single form of Visnu is the chief object of worship, the text

is classified as Tantra-Siddhanta, and when worship centers on a non-

anthropomorphic form of Visnu ( eg the Man-lion incarnation), the

text is classified as a Tantrantara-Siddhanta.

 

The Sattvata Samhita, the Pauskara Samhita, the Jayakhya Samhita and

the Hayagrive Samhita are respective example of these four types of

Agamas.

 

There are several scholars taken the task of translating and editing

the Pancaratra System to name a few they are :

1. Professor F.O Schrader : Introduction to the Pancaratra

2. Dr S.R Bhatt : The Philosophy of Pancaratra

3. H. Govindacary : The Pancaratras or Bhagavatas

4. R.G Bhandarkar : Vaisnavism, Saivism and minor religious

systems.

5. Mrinal Das Gupta : Early Vaisnavism and Narayaniya

 

Amongst the vast number of Pancaratra Agamas, The Laksmi Tantra

stands out because of its almost exclusive treatment of Goddess

Laksmi. The text not only glorifies Laksmi, but also women in General

as being created in the cherished form of Laksmi, and it advocate

their worship. This text also alludes to the particular sadhana of

the left handed tantras and undoubtedly sympathise with the left

handed Tantaric practices. Later Scholars of Shaktism like

Bhaskararaya , Nagesa Bhatta and Appaya used Laksmi Tantra text as

reference. By the sixteenth Century, the text had gained firm

recognition as a standard Shakta Agama.

 

 

Adapted from : Lakshmi Tantra : A Pancaratra Text. Sanjukta Gupta

 

 

 

OM ParaShaktiye Namah