The Agama Encyclopaedia 12 Volume Set

DETAILS : 

• Publisher : Sri Satguru Publications
  
• Author : S.K. Ramachandra Rao
  
• Language : English
  
• Hardcover : 2308 Pages 
  
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8170308232
  
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 9788170308232
  
• Dimension : 24 X 25 X 18 cm 
  
• Weight : 4800 g 
  
• Edition : 2005

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Agama Encyclopaedia is a monumental 12-volume research project that stands as the definitive English-language resource on the Agamic traditions of India. Authored by the polymath Prof. S.K. Ramachandra Rao, this set is a meticulous reconstruction of the vast body of literature that governs the construction of temples, the installation of deities, and the performance of rituals.

While the Vedas focus on fire sacrifices (Yajna), the Agamas focus on image worship (Puja). This encyclopaedia serves as an exhaustive guide to:

• Temple Architecture (Vastu): The sacred geometry and engineering behind temple construction.
• Iconography (Shilpa): The specific proportions and symbolic attributes required for sculpting various deities.
• Ritual Procedures: Detailed instructions for daily worship, festivals, and the "consecration" (Kumbhabhishekam) of sacred spaces.
• Philosophy: The underlying theological framework of the Shaiva, Vaishnava (Pancharatra and Vaikhanasa), and Shakta Agamas.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Prof. S.K. Ramachandra Rao (1928–2006) was a legendary scholar, psychologist, and artist who occupied a unique position in Indian academia. He was a master of Sanskrit, Pali, and Ardhamagadhi, and possessed a deep understanding of Indian art, music, and philosophy.

Rao was not just a theoretical scholar; he was a bridge between ancient "Shastras" and modern sensibilities. He served as a professor of psychology but dedicated much of his life to the Indian Institute of World Culture and the study of traditional sciences. His writing is celebrated for its clarity, precision, and the inclusion of hand-drawn illustrations that help visualize complex architectural and iconographic instructions. Over his career, he authored over 100 books, but The Agama Encyclopaedia remains his magnum opus, preserving technical knowledge that was previously confined to specialized priestly lineages.