Vastra

Vastra is a Sanskrit term that refers to clothing or cloth. In many Indian languages, the word has been adopted with little change in form and is used to denote garments in both everyday and ceremonial contexts. The term appears in classical and medieval Sanskrit literature as a general word for garments, textiles, and fabrics.

In Hindu culture and ritual practice, clothing carries symbolic significance beyond its practical function. Garments are described and described in descriptions of attire for deities, priests, and ascetics, and the act of giving clothes to the needy—vastra-dan or providing attire—is recognized as a virtuous charitable deed. Clothing is also discussed in ethical and aesthetic terms within epic poetry and treatises, where garments can reflect rank, season, or ritual purity.

In modern usage, vastra remains common in several Indian languages, often used interchangeably with terms like kapda or clothing. It also appears in fashion and textile discourse to evoke traditional or ceremonial aesthetics. The word can function in both literal and metaphorical senses, sometimes appearing in literature and media as a symbol of culture, status, or identity.

Across linguistic and cultural contexts, vastra continues to denote the broad category of garments and cloth, while also carrying connotations tied to tradition, ritual, and social practice.