The Shastras are not a single collection of books, nor is there a fixed number of Shastras. The Sanskrit word "shastra" means a treatise, teaching, or systematic work of knowledge concerning a particular subject. As a result, the term can refer to many different bodies of literature covering a wide range of subjects.

Shastra traditions developed around subjects such as law, politics, economics, love, pleasure, philosophy, grammar, medicine, astronomy, architecture, sculpture, music, dance, theatre, and the arts. Each tradition may contain numerous individual texts written by different authors at different periods.

NOTE - These sections will not contain links to the original texts. There are no compiled texts of the various Shastras recognised collectively by scholars. Rather, this will give a brief overview of the contents of the Shastras.