Shastra is a Sanskrit word that means "rules of the
universe (“order”) A shastra is a technical treatise in Hinduism that explains
the norms of a certain cultural or artistic discipline, such as Bharata's Natya
shastra, which addresses dance and theater.
When the term shastra appears at the conclusion of a
compound (as in "Shilpa Shastra"), it may also refer to the whole
body of knowledge on a certain topic.
All of the ancient arts were divided into several canons,
each with its own set of rules and guidelines for artists to follow:
Shilpa Shastra was in charge of sculpture and architecture,
Sangita Shastra of music, and Natya Shastra of dance and theater.
Given the focus on adhering to such stringent restrictions,
creative brilliance meant achieving something uncommon within the greater bounds
of the past rather than creating something completely new or original.
