Shastras

Shastras are a broad class of Sanskrit treatises in Indian intellectual traditions. The word shastra implies rule, precept, or science, and in practice denotes manuals that codify techniques, theories, and normative guidelines across various fields. Shastras can be religious or secular, and are typically written in Sanskrit, though some exist in Prakrit and other regional languages.

The shastra tradition developed from ancient to medieval India and served as a framework for priests, rulers, artists, engineers, physicians, and scholars. They often blend philosophy, ethics, ritual instruction, and practical instruction, aiming to systematize knowledge for a given domain and to guide conduct within a community or profession.

Notable examples span diverse domains. Dharma Shastras, including Manusmriti, address duties and social order; Arthashastra by Kautilya outlines statecraft and political economy; Natya Shastra by Bharata Muni codifies theory and practice of theatre, dance, and music; Jyotisha Shastra covers astronomy and astrology; Ayurveda Shastras such as Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita treat medicine and surgery; Vastu Shastra compiles architectural principles. Dating and authorship vary, with texts ranging from early centuries BCE to medieval times, and many specialized Shastras exist in fields like military science, ethics, and temple architecture.

Today, Shastra literature underpins traditional Indian knowledge systems and has influenced law, governance, medicine, arts, and architecture. In modern usage, the term shastra designates a systematic field of knowledge or an authoritative manual, as in ayurveda shastra or science in everyday language.