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Vastu Shastra
Vastu Shastra (or short just Vastu) is the Indian science of space and architecture and how
we may create spaces and environment that supports physical & spiritual health and
prosperity.
Vastu Shastra evolved during Vedic times in India. The concepts of Vastu Shastra was
transferred to Tibet, South East Asia and finally to China and Japan where it provided the
base for the development of what is now known as Feng Shui.

Vastu Shastra is the art and science of designing houses, offices, temples etc that swirl
with good energy. Indian Maharajas and Moghul Emperors used Vastu Shastra when they
built their symmetrical palaces, artificial lakes, and geometric courtyards that thirstily
absorbed positive energy.

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Shastra, Vasthu, Sacred Space, Vaastu, Vastu Shastra, Vastu Shastra, Vastu

What is Vastu Shastra?

Vastu Shastra (or short just Vastu) is the Indian science of space and architecture and how
we may create spaces and environment that supports physical & spiritual health and
prosperity.
Vastu Shastra evolved during Vedic times in India. The concepts of Vastu Shastra was
transferred to Tibet, South East Asia and finally to China and Japan where it provided the
base for the development of what is now known as Feng Shui.
Vastu Shastra is the art and science of designing houses, offices, temples etc that swirl
with good energy. Indian Maharajas and Moghul Emperors used Vastu Shastra when they
built their symmetrical palaces, artificial lakes, and geometric courtyards that thirstily
absorbed positive energy.

Like feng shui, Vastu Shastra is based on an octagon with the four directions being the
anchors. Hindus believe that gods live in each of the quarters of the house, and govern the
rooms, possessions, and activities in these locations.
Vasthu is an inherent energy concept of science. We cannot see energy with our naked
eyes but we can realize and see its application in different forms and fashions. Vastu
Shastra uses the forces of natural energies and aims to restore the balance between the
home (the microcosm) and the cosmos (the macrocosm).
Vastu Shastra is not only a science, but is a bridge between man and nature, thus teaching
us the Art of Living. Just like every subject of human aspect is governed with rules,
regulations and acts, similarly the nature has also got certain key factor principles for
smooth governing of its residents, in which Vastu Shastra stands for the law of natural
energies.
Vastu, which literally means to live, works on the premise that the earth is a living
organism, out of which other living organisms emerge. This life energy is known as
Vaastu Purusha. The Vastu Shastra works for a bounded premise i.e., a house, building,
industrial area or shop. The main aim is to form a balance between the outside
atmosphere and the atmosphere within the premise. Vastu Shastra makes use of five
elements – prithvi (earth), agni (fire), tej (light), vayu (wind) and akash (ether), the earth’s
magnetic fields i.e. the north and the south pole and the sun’s rays.

History of Vastu Shastra

Vastu Shastra dates back to the times when the sages lived – probably 6,000 and 3,000
BC. The mention of Vastu Shastra can be found in ancient scriptures like the Rigveda,
Atharvaveda, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Mayamatam, Manasa saar, etc. Ancient Indian
architecture depended on this science for the building of almost all the palaces and
temples. Although the exact origins of Feng Shui are debatable, it is thought to have
originated about five thousand years ago. Scholars have recorded various aspects of Feng
Shui as early as the Song Dynasty (960 BC). However, the basic principles of Feng Shui
were first written down during the Han dynasty (25 AD).

How Vastu Shastra works

Vaastu works on three principles of design that cover the entire premise. The first one is
Bhogadyam, which says that the designed premise must be useful and lend itself to easy
application. The second is Sukha Darsham, in which the designed premise must be
aesthetically pleasing. The proportions of the spaces and the material used, in the interiors
and exteriors of the building – ornamentation, colour, sizes of the windows, doors and the
rooms and the rhythms of projection and depressions – should be beautiful. The third
principle is Ramya, where the designed premise should evoke a feeling of well being in the user.

Also, Vastu Shastra is a complicated form of science put together by seventeen sages.
There are certain rules that should be followed while building a house or a building. For
instance, the building’s underground water tank or well should be situated in the northeast
direction. But, if the building has an overhead tank then it should be placed in the
southwest direction. Also, more space should be left to the north and the east of the
building compound and less on the south and the west. Open space should be kept around
the building and if the plot has a road on the east-north directions, it is better for the
inhabitants.

Some short principles of Vastu Shastra

• Indra, the god of gods, is positioned to the East. The East is where it all begins in
  Vastu Shastra. When people build their homes, the main door or the entrance is
  always facing the East. The eastern direction is the harbinger of good luck, which
  comes into the house through the door.
• Kubera, the god of wealth, resides in the north. In this location some symbolic
  valuables should be placed to attract wealth.
• The Northeast is the position for Dharma, the god of righteousness. In Vastu Shastra,
  this is the place for worship, meditation and introspection.
• Agni, the god of fire, lives in the southeast corner. This should be the place of the
  kitchen.
• Yama, the god of death, resides in the South. He prevents the evil eye from taking
  control of our lives. In India, people put a ghoulish pumpkin mask, similar to
  Halloween masks, in Yama’s position to ward off the evil eye.
• Niruthi, who prevents homes from being robbed, dwells in the southwest corner.
  This is a safe place for valuables.
• Varuna, the god of water, lies to the West, where the bathroom should be.
• Vayu, the god of wind and air, is situated in the northwest corner. Vayu promotes
  serenity, peace and calm. A good place for the bedroom.

It is commonly believed that Buddhism involves long hours of meditation and is devoid
of elaborative pujas (prayers) and ceremonies associated with prayer-offerings. People
also think that Gautam Buddha was against an organised religion and propounded
Buddhism minus the offerings and ceremonies to undermine the priestly class who
exploited the common masses with religious superstitions. But the fact is Buddhism has
elaborate ceremonial prayer offerings, especially its Mahayana and Vajrayana forms.