Shakta Agamas are sacred text of the Shakta sect. Agama means knowledge text of a particular sect. Shakta Agama is a division of the Agamas, one among the different types of tantric literature.
Shakta Agamas for the worshipers of Goddess in her different form are extensive – Tantraloka, Kularnava Tantra, Kolaklim Nirnaya, etc., and the methods of worship described in them are manifold. Seats of the Goddess are spread across the different regions of the country.
Kula denotes the shakti (power) of the Supreme Reality (kulami ca parameshaya shaktih – Tantraloka A.29) in the form of worship handed down in the tradition of the Shakta sect.
The panchamakaras or panchatattvas (five elements) – wine, meat, coition, fish and parched grain – have an esoteric significance, like nectar oozing from the thousand-petal lotus, the flesh of ego cut with the sword of knowledge, the union of Shakti with the self, bringing prana and apana from ida and pingala nerves into sushumna etc.
Other general aids are initiation, assigning the sacred syllables on the limbs and mystical diagrams. Ten among the different forms of Shakti are described as sources of mahavidyas (great learning).
Kali represents perfect satisfaction. Tara is the found source of many tantric sects. Sodashi in her sixteen digits gives shape to her wishes to create. Bhuvaneshwari represents the forces constituting the material world. Bhairavi molds the individual appearances. Chinnamasta severs herself for the sake of the happiness of her children. Dhumavati makes the individuals feel helpless. Bagala causes the individuals to shun their worldly attachments. Matangi represents the power of words in the sacred formulae. Kamala denotes pure self consciousness.