agama

Agama may refer to more than one distinct subject in biology and religion.

In biology, Agama is a genus of lizards in the family Agamidae, commonly called agamas. They are diurnal, primarily insectivorous, and found in a variety of habitats across Africa and Asia, including savannas, rocky outcrops, and increasingly urban areas. Males often display bright coloration and perform territorial displays such as push-ups to attract females and deter rivals. The genus contains roughly 30 to 40 species, with Agama agama (the common or rainbow agama) among the better known examples. Reproduction is typically oviparous, with eggs laid in suitable sites.

In religious literature, Agama denotes a broad class of sacred texts in several Indian traditions. In Hinduism, Agama literature comprises ritual and temple-related scriptures, traditionally grouped into Shaiva, Vaishnava, and Shakta canons. These texts address temple construction, iconography, daily worship, and related practices, and have historically guided temple rites in South Asia. In Jainism, Agamas are canonical sermons attributed to the Tirthankaras; traditions differ on exact contents, with Śvetāmbara sources listing around 45 Agama texts and Digambara sources emphasizing 12 Anga and related works. In Buddhism, the Agamas refer to early sutras preserved in various languages and transmitted in East Asia through Chinese translations; they correspond roughly to the Pali Canon’s Nikayas and are central to several early Buddhist schools.

Overall, Agama represents both a recognized zoological genus and a significant, multi-tradition collection of sacred scriptures.