Shakha

A shakha () is a Hindu theological school that specializes in learning certain Vedic texts, or else the traditional texts followed by such a school. An individual follower of a particular school or recension is called a '. The term is also used in Hindu philosophy to refer to an adherent of a particular orthodox system.

A related term ', ("conduct of life" or "behavior") is also used to refer to such a Vedic school: "although the words ' and ' are sometimes used synonymously, yet ' properly applies to the sect or collection of persons united in one school, and ' to the traditional text followed, as in the phrase '', ("he recites a particular version of the Veda")". The schools have different points of view, described as "difference of (Vedic) school" (). Each school would learn a specific Vedic (one of the "four Vedas" properly so-called), as well as its associated Brahmana, Aranyakas, Shrautasutras, Grhyasutras and Upanishads.