Meaning:
The term Shaastra (Śāstra) is a Sanskrit word that conveys the idea of a “manual,” "doctrine," or "handbook," especially in Indian literature, where it's often added as a suffix to refer to specialised knowledge and principles in a particular field of practice. Example: arthaśāstra (science of politics & economics) or yogaśāstra (science of the body) or vāstuśāstra (architectural science) or nītiśāstra (policy) or bhautikaśāstra (physics) or rasaśāstra (chemistry) or jīvaśāstra (biology), meaning scientific and basic knowledge on a particular subject.
Purpose:
Our Vedic śāstras have developed several methods of approaching any subject in pursuit. There are at least four such methods existing that are used frequently. One amongst them, the popular one is the four-fold approach - अनुबन्धचतुष्टयम् (Anubandha Chatushtayam); विषय (viṣaya) - प्रयोजन (prayojana) - सम्बन्ध (sambandha) - अधिकारी (adhikārī). One can get a bird’s eye view of the entire subject through these four aspects, namely - विषय - प्रयोजन - सम्बन्ध - अधिकारी.
We can understand the किं? केन? कथं, meaning what, why and how of Sanātana Dharma through these aspects.
Viṣaya means the content of the subject in question. The answer to the question ‘what’ comprises Sanātana Dharma can be found in this aspect.
Prayojana means purpose. Generally, the answer to the question ‘why’ dharma is answered by comprehending this aspect. It is said that without the purpose, even the fool would not proceed into it.
Sambandha is the correlation existing amongst the other three aspects.
Adhikārī is the person with attributes that define their ability to pursue the Viṣaya.
The detailed understanding of sambandha and adhikārī enables us to understand the answer for the ‘how’ part of dharma.
The 18 Vidyasthānas (Vedās, Vedāngas, Upavedās and Upāngas) are the pillars of ancient Indian wisdom, each offering a unique facet of understanding. From the sacred hymns of the Vedās to the precise arts of mathematics and grammar in the Vedāngas, and from the practical sciences of the Upavedās to the subtleties of meditation and ethics in the Upāngas, these Vidyasthānas continue to inspire and guide seekers of truth and enlightenment.
Vedās x 4
Ṛgvedā, Yajurvedā, Sāmavedā, Atharvavedā
Vedāngas x 6
Śikṣā, Kalpa, Vyākaraṇa, Nirukta, Chandas, Jyotiṣa
Upavedās x 4
Ayurvedā, Dhanurvedā, Gandharvavedā, Arthaśastra
Upāngas x 4
Purānas, Mīmāṃsā, Nyāya, Dharmaśastra
Glossary
Śāstra - Shaastra
Viṣaya - Vishaya
Adhikārī - Adhikaaree
Sanātana - Sanaatana
Vedā - Vedaa
Vidyasthānas - Vidyasthaanas
Ṛgvedā - Rigvedaa
Sāmavedā - Saamavedaa
Śikṣā - Shiksha
Purānas - Puraanas
Mīmāṃsā - Meemaamsaa
Nyāya - Nyaaya
