Sastra

Commentary; the commentaries constitute one of the three parts of the Buddhist canonical scrptures.

 (See also: Sastra, Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

Sastra - Scripture especially the Vedic scriptures.

(See also: Sastra, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Sastras:

Sastras: Vedic scriptures (RRV-7a), (RRV-12).

(See also: Sastras, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

The Smritis : Next in importance to the Sruti are the Smritis or secondary scriptures. These are the ancient sacred law-codes of the Hindus dealing with the Sanatana-Varnasrama-Dharma. They supplement and explain the ritualistic injunctions called Vidhis in the Vedas. The Smriti Sastra is founded on the Sruti. The Smritis are based on the teachings of the Vedas. The Smriti stands next in authority to the Sruti. It explains and develops Dharma. It lays down the laws which regulate Hindu national, social, family and individual obligations.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Smritis: The Smritis in the Hindu Scriptures

A Vyakhyana is a running explanation in an easier language of what is said in the original, with little elucidations here and there. A Vyakhyana, particularly of a Kavya, deals with eight different modes of dissection of the Sloka, like Pada-Chheda, Vigraha, Sandhi, Alankara, Anuvada, etc. This forms an important aspect in the study of Sanskrit Sahitya Sastra. An Anu-Vyakhyana - like the one written by Sri Madhva - is a repetition of what is already written, but in greater detail. An Anuvada is merely a running translation or statement of an abstruse text of the original. Tika is only another name for Vyakhyana. The best Vyakhyanas are of Vachaspati Misra on the Darsanas, especially on Sankaras Brahmasutra-Bhashya.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Vyakhyana or Tika : Vyakhyana or Tika in the Hindu Scriptures

Results of recent studies published in the British Journal of Psychiatry pronounce that diet has a direct bearing on the behaviour of juvenile delinquents. Certain types of food brought about - though very gradually - distinct changes in the behavioural pattern of the delinquents.

Foods affect animal behaviour as well. For instance, a dog fed on raw meat for any length of time turns out to be more ferocious than a similar breed fed on vegetarian foods. Sastras explain that mind is also matter, albeit subtle, and, like the body, is nourished by food. The Chandogya Upanishad says: "Mind consists of food, prana (life force) of water and speech of fire."

(See also: Body mind and soul, Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Vasthu in The Vedas

Each Veda has a subsidiary: ayurveda (knowledge of life) for rgveda, dhanurveda (knowledge of tools and weapon) for yajurveda, gandharvaveda (knowledge of arts) for samaveda and sthapatyaveda (architecture) for atharvaveda. In addition, puranas, nyayasastras, mimamsas and dharma sastras (smrtis) are also considered as upangas. Sthapatyaveda which is the subsidiary of atharvaveda is the subject of this discussion. Because it is the subsidiary of Veda, its authority is clear and undisputed.

Read more here: » Vastu Shastra: Vasthu in The Vedas

When the whole vitality is sapped from the body one cannot do any rigid Sadhana. Youth is the best period for Yoga Abhyasa. This is the first and the foremost qualification of a Sadhaka; there must be vigour and vitality.

Read more here: » Sadhaka: Important Qualifications Of A Sadhaka

Vasthu - ways of worship

The laying of the foundation stone, inauguration of the coustmetion of a house and occupation of a newly built house are to be celebrated when the 'Vasthu goddess' (Goddess of the Earth) is well awake. Laying the foundation for the construction of a house should not be carried out when the goddess of Earth (Vaasthu goddess) is asleep. Those who violate this rule will lose his fame, his well-earned wealth and will be put to blame.

Read more here: » Vastu Shastra: Vasthu - ways of worship

Quite often we are faced with the dilemma of having to decide what is right and what is wrong. Our instinct tells us one thing, whereas our conscience tells us something else. Which are the good qualities that must be developed and which are those undesirable ones that must be abandoned?

Lord Krishna addresses this problem in chapter 16 of the Bhagavad Gita . Krishna explains that there are two basic types of inherently opposite dispositions in people - the daivic or divine and the asuric or demonic. Daivic qualities are the cause of liberation ( moksha ), and asuric qualities, the cause of bondage. Krishna lists 26 qualities as divine, which are self-explanatory. Fearlessness tops the list as the prime virtue. It is all encompassing.

(See also: Peace on Earth, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

The Sruti and the Smriti are the two authoritative sources of Hinduism. Sruti literally means what is heard, and Smriti means what is remembered. Sruti is revelation and Smriti is tradition. Upanishad is a Sruti. Bhagavad-Gita is a Smriti.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Sruti and Smriti: The Sruti and the Smriti in the Hindu Scriptures

Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra, also known as "Discourse on the Stages of Yogic Practice" is the encyclopaedic and definitive text of the Yogācāra school of Buddhism. It is thought to have been composed in India between 300 and 350 CE. The complete work comprises five major sections: the seventeen levels (bāhu-bhūmi) which covers the entire range of mental and spiritual levels in Buddhism according to Mahāyāna; the Compendium of Definitions (viniścaya-samgraha) which discusses and explicates aspect ...

Read more here: » Yogacarabhumi-sastra: Encyclopedia - Yogacarabhumi-sastra

Manthani is a village in India approximately 70 kilometers from Karimnagar. It is situated on the banks of the river Godavari. It is a very ancient center of Vedic learning, and even today houses many scholars well versed in Vedas & Sastras. Among several temples situated here, the most important are those of Lord Saileshwara, Laxminarayana Swamy, Omkeshwara Swamy & Mahalaxmi. It is also a main centre for Jainism & Buddhism. ...

Including:

• Manthani - External link

Read more here: » Manthani: Encyclopedia - Manthani

Shastra is a Sanskrit word used to denote education/knowledge in a general sense. The word is generally used as a suffix in the context of technical or specialised knowledge in a defined area of practice. For example, Astra shastra means, knowledge about "Handling of weapons", Astra means weapons, and Shastra is their knowledge. Extending this meaning, the shastra is commonly used to mean a treatise or text written in explanation of some idea, especially in matters involving religion. In Buddhism, a shastra is often a commentary written at a later ...

Including:

• Shastra - Hindu Shastras

Read more here: » Shastra: Encyclopedia - Shastra

Raja Ram is a musician and the owner of the UK record label TIP World. He was born Ronald Rothfield in 1941 in Melbourne, Australia. Raja Ram left Australia in the 1950s to begin the hippie trail. He returned to Australia later and studied flute at the Melbourne Conservatory. Raja Ram also went to New York in 1965 to study jazz. He was a member of the band Quintessence in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Shortly after, Raja Ram was forced to retire for personal reasons and became an envelope salesman. In the 1980s, he dec ...

Read more here: » Raja Ram: Encyclopedia - Raja Ram

SASTRAS: scriptures

(See also: SASTRAS, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

sastra:

sastra (shaasthra). Holy scripture; sacred text; that which commands, orders, directs with authority.

(See also: sastra, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Sastra (Sanskrit) [from the verbal root sas to direct, bid, instruct]

An order, precept, rule, advice; any instrument of teaching; any book or treatise, especially religious or scientific; any sacred scripture or composition of supposedly divine authority such as the Vedas.

(See also: Sastra, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Samhita-sastras - religious sastras which delineate the laws for human beings.

(See also: Samhita-sastras, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Dharma-sastra - religious sastras, such as Manu-samhita, delineating the codes of behavior for human beings.

(See also: Dharma-sastra, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)