Shastra
/ˈʃɑː.strə/noun
A Sanskrit religious, philosophical, scientific, or legal treatise or authoritative body of teaching.
Did you know?The word appears in titles ranging from the Arthashastra, a rigorous ancient manual of politics and statecraft, to Hindu scriptures and technical treatises.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sekʷs-
“A proposed Indo-European root associated with saying, directing, or instructing; the deeper reconstruction is debated.”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
śās-
“To instruct, command, govern, or discipline.”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
śāstra
“A treatise, authoritative teaching, rulebook, or organized body of knowledge.”
Ancient India
Sanskrit
Arthaśāstra
“A treatise on political economy, governance, diplomacy, and strategy.”
19th Century
English
shastra
“An English transliteration used for a Hindu or Sanskrit religious or philosophical treatise.”
Modern English
English
shastra
“A Sanskrit text or authoritative system of teaching, especially in Hindu contexts.”