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Ramanuja List Archive: Message 00030 Apr 2004

 
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Dear List,

There is a claim that pancharatra belongs to ekayana branch of shukla-
yajurvEda and hence it is very much vedic, which is now lost. Though 
it is not new that all shaiva, shAkta and vaishNava Agamas claim 
derivation from shruti, the claims are dismissed by "orthodox" 
vaidikas. Pancharatra was opposed as heretical by the mimamsaka 
kumarila bhatta and the vedantin shankara seemed to accept it. 
VaikhAnasas fare better, as they are securely placed as a sub-branch 
of taittiriyas, which is a known and living shAkhA, and vaikhAnasa 
Agamas employ only vedic mantras.

The drawback is that ekAyana shAkha is non-existent as of now and any 
speculation on its contents is just that - mere speculation. 

However, I feel there is a case that could be made for the legitimacy 
of the claim.
1. Though it is customary for Agamas & tantras to claim derivation 
from vEdas, it is rare to mention the exact branch, as in our case.
2. EkAyana is mentioned in chAndOgya brAhmaNa.
3. I noticed a very interesting thing - ShAndilya, one of the 
prominent figure in pAncharAtra doctrine features as authority in the 
middle adhyAyas of shatapatha brAhmaNa. (yAgnyavalkya being the other 
central authority in the rest of the adhyAyas. Views of other minor 
teachers mentioned here and there, but it is the views of 
yAgnyavalkya or shAndilya that are accepted).

So, pAncharAtra may have arisen from a branch of shukla-yajur veda 
after all.

Regards,
KK





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