śāstra

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~

namasté

How often does śāstra come up in our conversations ? We quickly think scriptures, yet as one would expect there is more to this word that has been crafted by the wise. Let's take a look.

śāstra ( some write śāstr&#225 - is scripture; any instrument of teaching , any manual or compendium of rules ; any religious or scientific treatise; any sacred book or composition of divine authority applicable even to the veda.

It is said there are fourteen kinds and when we add in the 4 veda-s there are eighteen kinds. We can say in short it is a body of teaching (in general) , scripture , science.

Yet if we choose to take apart this word we find even more meaning...
śāstra = śa + astra

• śa is another name for śiva. An appropriate definition for śiva in this conversation is 'in whom all things lie' - that which contains all.
• In its masculine use śa is equal to śastra. And how is this śastra defined ?
  śastra can be an invocation , praise applied to any hymn recited either audibly or inaudibly heard ( as opposed to stoma , which is sung)

The 2nd meaning is any instrument or tool, a weapon. We will see how this fits-in to the next part of this word.

astra = a weapon in general i.e. a sword, a bow, a missile, etc. It too is considered the art of throwing missiles.

• This astra is rooted in 'as' and means to drive away , even to frighten and drive away. So we see the application as a weapon.
• Astra is also another name for phat ( an interjection) 'that which throws out or emits rays of light'. Some know that this goes with a clap of the hands over the head.
• Astra is a name of a mantra or invocation. We find this in say the śiva aṣṭottaraśata nāmāvali.

So , from this śāstra and its configuration (śa + astra) we can conclude a few things:

• It is scripture, and can be considered a sacred book or composition of divine authority
• Within it (śa) is the wisdom of the Supreme (śiva).
• It can be considered a tool and or a weapon... yet against what ? Ignorance. It has the ability of 'as' - to drive away. It has the ability to drive away ignornace.
• It has the ability to bring light (from astra = phat)

Such is the wisdom of our ṛṣi-s who compose the truth for us to consider.

praṇām