Shastra is a Sanskrit word used (to be pronounced (shaastra) 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. e.g. Vaastu Shastra, Artha Shastra.In essence, the word "shaastra' is the knowledge which is based on principles that are "timeless - It doesn't change with the time, place or circumstances.