Shastra is a Sanskrit word used (to be pronoucned (shaastra) to denote education/knowledge in a general sense. The word is generally used as a suffix in the context of technical or specialised knowledge in a defined area of practice. e.g. Vaastu Shastra, Artha Shastra.In essence, the word "shaastra' is the knowledge which is based on principles that are "timeless - It doesn't change with the time, place or circumstances. Also, it is applicable to all and not meant for a certain group of people. The Sanskrit language ( , ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and one of the 22 official languages of India. ...

Shastra is also a by-word used when referring to a scripture. Extending this meaning, the shastra is commonly used to mean a treatise or text written in explanation of some idea, especially in matters involving religion. In Buddhism, a shastra is often a commentary written at a later date to explain an earlier scripture or sutra. Buddhism (also known as Buddha Dharma, Pali: बुद्ध धम्म, the teachings of the awakened one) is a dharmic, non-theistic religion, a way of life, a practical philosophy, and a life-enhancing system of applied psychology. ... Sūtra (sex) (Sanskrit) or Sutta (Pāli) literally means a rope or thread that holds things together, and more metaphorically refers to an aphorism (or line, rule, formula), or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. ...

Shastra ( with abbreviated 'a' as in astra shastra) is also a Sanskrit word denoting weapons which are held on to the body for defence as opposed to Astra which are launched. For example, Astra Shastra means, thrown weapons e.g. arrows and shastra means held weapons e.g. swords. Note: The letter 'a' in the middle of this shastra is abbreviated as opposed to the extended 'a' in the first definition.The word may have come from the same root, but it has no direct bearing with the word "shaastra"!

In the Indonesian language, 'sastra' is a word meaning 'literature'. Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) is the official language of Indonesia. ... Old book bindings at the Merton College library. ...

Hindu Shastras

• Vaastu Shastra
• Artha Shastra