Sempiternal Shastras

Shastras are in abundance, immeasurable, vivid, and varied, yet the Rishis state that those Shastras borne of Vedic thought all lead to the same under-pinning reality. The term Shastra comes from the Sanskrit root meaning to rule, essentially denotating a text which explores the codes of rule in society, sect, and self. Before one is acquainted with the various subject and groups of Shastriya, or scriptural study, one must understand the parameters which constitute a Shastra. Any text, exploring any Darshan, which finds its source in the Ved or Vedic literature, may be counted as an Astik Shastra. Any text or thought which does not pledge allegiance to the Ved, is counted as a Nastik text. In order to define these terms, one must look to the root of the term Astik. The term Astik originates from the Sanskrit root meaning to be, or exist. A text, ideology, thought or sect which is rooted in the Ved is classified as an Astik tradition, and the opposite would be Nastik. Unfortunately, the terms Astik and Nastik over the years have been wrongly defined as orthodox and unorthodox. A tradition’s relation to the Supreme Ved cannot be calculated and given a percentage of orthodoxy, one either accepts the Vedic truth or doesn’t. Bharatiya Darshans have six Astik Darshans, and a growing number of Nastik ones, including but not limited to the Jain, Bauddha, Lokayat, and Shishya Darshans. These various streams of Darshans have been borne of the Vedic people, but have distanced themselves from the Ved, hence they are classified as Nastik.

The highest scriptural authority in the Sanatan Dharm, is of course, the Ved. Derived from the Sanskrit root meaning knowledge, the Ved are Apaurusheya, that which has not come from man. This definition itself shows the mature understanding of knowledge which was pioneered by the ancient Rishis. True knowledge is a fundamental principle which has never been created, and can never cease to exist, it is beyond time, it is the Timeless. These Ved, also called the Shrutis, or those truths that were heard, are Rig, Saam, Yajur and Atharv Ved respectively. The second group of Hindu literature are the Smritis, those which are remembered, or inspired by intense mental and Adhyatmik cogitation. The Smritis include the six auxiliary disciplines of the Ved, the Vedang Shastras, the Puraan, Itihaas, the Ramayan and Mahabharat, and various other Dharm, Arth, Kaam and Moksh Shastras. Most of Vedic civilization, and its practices find their roots in these Smriti Shastras, with the Pauranic and Aitihasik Shastras containing the most famous stories, fables, and narrations of the Hindu people. In our journey, we will visit, study and take inspiration from all these Shastras as a part of our traditional practice of Svaadhyay, or self-inquiry.

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