What Is Śāstram?
Śāstram (Sanskrit: शास्त्रम् — from śās, 'to instruct, to govern') means 'that which instructs' — any text or body of knowledge that has the authority to direct thought and action. In Śrī Vaiṣṇava usage, śāstram specifically refers to the body of authoritative texts recognized by the sampradāya as valid pramāṇas (sources of valid knowledge).
The Śrī Vaiṣṇava Pramāṇa Hierarchy
Śrī Vaiṣṇavism recognizes a hierarchy of scriptural authority:
- Vedas (Śruti) — the primary revelation: Upaniṣads, Ārāṇyakas, Brāhmaṇas, Saṃhitās
- Smṛtis — the secondary texts: Bhagavad Gīṭā, Purāṇas (especially Bhāgavata, Viṣṇu), Pañcarātra Āgamas
- Brahma Sūtras — the canonical systematization of Upaniṣadic teaching
- Divya Prabandham — the Tamil Veda, held equal to the Sanskrit Vedas in the sampradāya
- Āchārya Granthams — the works of Rāmānuja, Piḷḷai Lokācārya, Maṇavāḷa Māmunigaḷ, and the great ācāryans
Śāstra as Authority
In disputes of practice or doctrine, 'what does the śāstram say?' is the decisive question. The ācāryan's role is to interpret śāstram correctly for the disciple — since without the ācāryan's guidance, the lay devotee may misinterpret even clear texts. This is why pañca-saṃskāra (which includes transmission of the rahasyas with their meanings) is essential.