SHASTER, or SHASTRAM, a sacred book, containing the religion of the Banians: it consists of three tracts; the first of which contains the moral law, the second the ceremonial, and the third delivers the peculiar observances for each tribe of Indians.—The shaster is looked upon by some as a commentary on the vedam, and by others as an original work, an extract of which has been lately published in England, and has thrown some light upon the subject. This book teaches, that the Eternal Being, absorbed in the contemplation of his own essence, formed the resolution of created beings who might partake of his glory. He spoke, and angels rose into existence; they sang in concert the praises of their Creator, and harmony reigned in the celestial regions; when two of these spirits having revolted, drew a legion after them. The Supreme Being drove them into a place of torment, from whence they were released at the intercession of the faithful angels, upon conditions which at once inspired them with joy and
Shaw and terror. The rebels were sentenced, under different forms, to undergo punishments in the lowest of the 15 planets, in proportion to the enormity of their first offence; accordingly each angel underwent 87 transmigrations upon earth, before he animated the body of a cow, which holds the highest rank among the animal-tribes. These different transmigrations are considered as so many stages of expiation, preparatory to a state of probation, which commences as soon as the angel transmigrates from the body of the cow into a human body: in this situation the Creator enlarges his intellectual faculties, and constitutes him a free agent; and his good or bad conduct hastens or retards the time of his pardon. The good are at their death re-united to the Supreme Being, and the wicked begin anew the era of their expiation.
Sheep. SHAW (Dr Thomas), known to the learned world by his travels to Barbary and the Levant, was born at Kendal in Westmoreland, about the year 1692. He was appointed chaplain to the English consul at Algiers, in which station he continued for several years; and from thence took proper opportunities of travelling into different parts. He returned in 1733; was elected fellow of the royal society; and published the account of his travels at Oxford, folio, 1738. In 1740 he was nominated principal of St Edmund-hall, which he raised from a ruinous state by his munificence; and was regius professor of Greek at Oxford until his death, which happened in 1751. Dr Clayton, bishop of Clogher, having attacked these travels in his "Description of the East," Dr Shaw published a supplement by way of vindication, which is incorporated into the second edition of his travels, prepared by himself, and published in 4to, 1757.