Vastu Shastra is a science as well as a branch of knowledge which has come to us from the ‘Vedas’, ‘Sthapatya Veda’, a part of the ‘Atharva Veda’, the sacred text of Hindus and is believed to be around 4 to 5 thousand years old. It is a practical science and Vastu will help you achieve success in all your goals, whether they are – Wealth and Prosperity, Education, Better Relationship, Mental Peace and Happiness, Harmony and Growth at Home and Work place. Vastu has nothing to do with any particular religion, one’s beliefs in God or rituals. Vastu has made inroads in Western esotericism, where architecture and environmental metaphysics is traditionally being dominated by Chinese Feng Shui, only in late 1990s, reflecting the comparatively recent revival of Vastu.

Vastu Shastra is a traditional Science of Construction, architecture of Hindu Dharma. It is the ancient Indian Science of Time and Space, Sound and Light, Word and Form. It is found abundantly reflected in the architectural and sculptural designs especially in Hindu temples, forts, palaces, town and city layouts of ancient India. Today it is re-emerging spectacularly and the benefits of this spiritual science are availed all over the world. It is looked upon as a highly evolved, comprehensive building philosophy in which directions and shapes are the most vital aspects of designing.

The scriptural origin of Vastu Shastra that dealt with cosmic principles of Universal creation was expounded and propagated by the Divine Architect the Viswakarama (The Universal Creator). He is also regarded as the father of Vastu Shastra.

‘Vas’ means ‘to dwell’ or ‘to occupy’. Vastu means ‘dwelling place, ‘ Vastu Shastra is the set of guidelines for planning and constructing our dwelling places which range from our homes, cities, states, countries and eventually extend to our planet and universe. Vastu Shastra deals with various aspects of design and building living environments that are in harmony with the physical and metaphysical forces. It is conceptually to harmonize the flow of energy, (also called life-force, and ‘Prana’ in Sanskrit language) through the house. It is all about creating a very strong positive field and a weak negative field so that the complete neutralization of the negative field that takes place inside the building. It is just like occupying the structure through the excessive positive forces, to form a protective shield.

Origin of ‘Vastu Purusha’/’Vastu Purusha Mandala’

Vastu Shastra believes in existence of ‘Vastu Purusha’, who is the main deity of a building as per an ancient Hindu sacred text, ‘Rigved’. As per scriptures, once a fierce battle took place in ancient times between a demon ‘Andhakasur’ and ‘Lord Shiva’. During the battle, a few drops of Lord Shiva’s sweat fell on the ground and gave birth to a formidable monster. This monster immediately began killing the gods. Acting unitedly then, all the gods captured the monster and buried him with his face down. However, the gods and Lord Brahma also granted a boon to pacify him, “You shall be worshipped in all auspicious tasks.” Since the gods made an abode on the monster, he came to be known as ‘Vastu Purusha’. And since all the gods have an abode on him, he is worshipped by prudent people.

‘Vastu Purusha Mandal’ is an indispensable part of Vastu Shastra and constitutes the mathematical and diagrammatic basis for generating design. ‘Purusha’ refers to energy, power, soul or cosmic man. ‘Madala’ is the generic name for any plan or chart which symbolically represents the cosmos. The legend regarding the creation of ‘Vastu Purusha’ is depicted graphically in the ‘Vastu Purstra Mandal’ with portions allocated hierarchically to each deity based on their contribution and position. Lord Brahma occupied the central portion called as ‘Brahmasthan’ and other gods were distributed around in a concentric pattern. Broadly speaking they are as follows:

North – Occupied by ‘Kubera’ – the Lord of Wealth (Finance)

South – Occupied by ‘Yama’ – the Lord of Death (Damaging)

East – Occupied by ‘Lord Indra’ and ‘Lord Aditya’, the solar deity (seeing the world)

West – Occupied by ‘Varuna’ – the Lord of Water (Physical)

North-East – Occupied by ‘Lord Shiva’ – the Holy place (Eshanya)

South-East – Occupied by the fire deity-‘Agni’ (Energy generating)

North-West – Occupied by god of winds – ‘Vayu’ (Human Life and Advertisement)

South-West – The ruling lady is ‘Nairitya’ – (For Ancestors and History)

Centre (Brahma-Sthana) – Ruled by the creator of Universe Lord Brahma – (For Desires)

The Vastu Purusha is the presiding deity of any site. Usually he is depicted as lying on it with his head in the North-East and legs in the South-west.

Elements of Vastu

Vastu Shastra is a bridge between man and nature. The entire universe is believed to be made of five basic elements namely Fire (Agni), Water (Jal), Earth (Prithvi), Air (Vayu) and Space (Aakash). All these elements are only found on earth that is why it is sole planet that supports life and nature. The human body is also made up of these elements. Basically, these five elements are related to our five senses-that of taste, smell, hearing, touch and sight. The aim of Vastu Shastra is to teach the individuals how to live in a perfect equilibrium and harmony, by balancing these five main elements also called as ‘Panchbhootas’. All materials in the world, irrespective of their size, shape, color, physical or chemical compositions have embedded their origins from one of the ‘Panchbhootas’ (Five Elements). By harmonizing these elements we can get relief from a stressful life and bring 3 P’s viz peace, protection and prosperity in our lives. It is interesting to note that an imbalance of these elements in The Nature cycle can create calamities like earthquakes, volcanoes, typhoons, tornados, floods or a famine, such an imbalance can cause physical, mental or emotional upheaval in one’s life.

Earth: Earth, also known as ‘prithvi’, is known for its gravitational and magnetic qualities. It is the only element that is connected to all the five senses of the human body, i.e., the sense of taste, touch, sound, smell and sight. This is the reason why it influences us the most. Sleeping with the head towards the south enables one to go with the nature and draw maximum positive energies from the cosmos, to keep fit and healthy.

Water: Also known as ‘Jal’, water is the most important element after earth. It is linked to our senses of taste, touch, sight and hearing. Quantitatively, it is the largest of the five elements, as more than 80% of our body and two-third of earth’s surface is made of water. Vastu rightly determines the placement of water sources, like wells, boring, underground water tank, overhead water tank, etc. while planning any building to draw the maximum benefits.

Fire: Fire is also called ‘Agni’. Sun is the primary source of life and energy. It is known for its vitality and strength. Sun is associated with ‘Agni’ (fire), which is the basis of all energy on earth and without which all life will come to an end. The element of fire is related to sound, touch and sight and its direction is south-east. Geysers, fire place and kitchen should be located in this direction.

Air: Air is also known as ‘Vayu’. It is the fundamental element for our survival. This element relates to our senses of sound and touch. Vastu recommends guidelines to be followed for placement of doors, windows, ventilators, balconies, height of a structure and placement of trees and plants, to balance the air element. The air should enter a building from north east.

Space: Space is also known as “Aakash’, which has no limits or boundaries; it is infinite. It is linked to our sense of hearing. In a house, the space element is related to the central position or the ‘Brahmasthan’. It is important that this should be kept open. The house should be built in such a way that the light enters its center as well. Any disturbance in this element proves to be detrimental to growth and progress.