Shastra

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Śāstra (anglicized either shastra or sastra) is a Sanskrit word used 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 shaastra is the knowledge which is based on principles that are timeless. Also, it is applicable to all and not meant for a certain group of people.

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.

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"...