studied by the generality of modern Orientalists and critical scholars-Indian and European-to the same extent and in the same scholarly way that the literature of the well-known Sic schools of Philosophy (including the Vedānta) have been. The Āgamas enshrine a system of Philosophy which has curtain special and unique features distinct from those found in the schools of Vedānta and other well-known Darsanas or schools of Philosophy In regard to the Philosophy of the Pāñarātra system, it was Dr Schrader, a past Director of the Adyar Library, who undertook, for the first time, a critical study of all available literature on the subject and published the monumental reference-work already referred to--Viz , Introduction to the Pāñcarātra, (No 5 of the Adyar Library Series) A masterly exposition is contained on pages 27 to 93 of this publication where the subject is dealt with under the following six heads and to which those interested are referred for details
(1) Nights and days of Nārāyana (The Supreme Reality),
(2) Higher or “ Pure” creation (Evolution First stage),
(3) Intermediate Creation (Evolution Second stage),
(4) Lower Primary creation (Evolution Third stage),
(5) Secondary or “ Gross ” creation,
(6) Nature and destiny of the soul
Āgama Literature
The Āgamas have generally been treated as Rahasya (secret, esoteric or occult science) Of the many works mentioned as the authoritative scriptures of these schools-108 Pāñcarātra Āgamas, 28 Śaiva Āgamas and 77 Śākta Āgamas are so mentioned only a few have been printed so far. The names of many others quoted in certain commentaries
