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An Introduction to Vastushastra


तस्माद्वा एतस्मादात्मन आकाशः सम्भूतः। आकाशाद्वायुः। वायोरग्निः। अग्नेरापः। अद्भ्यः पृथिवी।

- तैत्तिरीयोपनिषद्


tasmādvā etasmādātmana ākāśaḥ sambhūtaḥ| ākāśādvāyuḥ| vāyoragniḥ| agnerāpaḥ | adbhyaḥ pṛthivī |

- taittirīyopaniṣad



From Brahman evolved Space

From Space evolved Air

From Air came Fire

From Fire came Water

From Water evolved Earth


Indian thought and interpretation of the world are based on the five primordial elements: earth, water, fire, wind and ether(space). The Vedic and the Agamic traditions have always held that the microcosm is but a reflection of the macrocosm. At the subtle level, it is the energy, at the gross level, it is the Form. A dwelling is an ecological unit, a microcosm that reflects the macrocosm, is influenced by the same elements, follows the same rules.


The modern mind identifies Ecology with nature but excludes its spiritual element. For Vastushastra, however, the spiritual aspect and the five primordial elements are the starting point for a design.


What is Vastushastra? How can it benefit you?

Vastushastra is the ancient Indian system of designing finely-tuned buildings which ‘resonate’ in harmony with the occupants and owners and promote wealth, prosperity, happiness, mental peace and spiritual growth. An ideal structure should have a dynamic equilibrium of energy. Any serious disequilibrium will manifest as mechanical problems, breakdowns, loss of production, severe financial problems, labour troubles, fire, burglary, litigations, penalties, personal and family problems, accidents, even loss of life.


Vastushastra goes beyond designing and architecture. At a higher level, it deals with the subtle effect of the design on the environment and people by taking into consideration the radiations from Sun, other planets and various ground field forces. It aims at ensuring the happiness, prosperity and well being of the residents.


Just as a maestro who understands the psychological effect of different octaval vibrations and plays with them to produce soul-stirring music which can have a deep impact also on the environment, similarly a Vastuvid who understands the dynamics of forces and their energies can design a structure that resonates with the personality and aspirations of the owners and occupants. Such a structure ensures their prosperity and family happiness.


Classification of Vastushastras:

  1. Vastushastra for land - भूमिवास्तु

  2. Vastushastra for towns and cities - नगर वास्तु

  3. Vastushastra for Buildings - हर्म्यादि वास्तु

    1. Vastushastra for Shrines and Temples -देवालाय वास्तु

    2. Vastushastra for Homes - गृह वास्तु

  4. Vastushastra of furniture - शयन वास्तु

  5. Vastushastra for carriages and vehicles- यान वास्तु


The authenticity of the tradition

No irrational tradition can survive infinitely the test of time. The survival of Vastushastra for tens of centuries is a testimony to its authenticity and practical utility.


The history of the tradition

It is difficult to pinpoint the historicity of Indian traditions because of their oral origin. These traditions have given more importance to the spiritual aspects, rather than to history. Consequently, little is known about the age of the treatise and the personal lives of the authors.


Notwithstanding these problems, the richness of the building and design tradition of Vast cannot be denied. Folklore mentions Maya and Vishwakarma as great architects. Matsya Purana mentions the names of 18 sages who are said to have established the science of Vastushastra. The sages were spiritual researchers, seekers of truth, unravellers of the mysteries of the universe.


Vastushastra is based on Indian Yoga. Just as the prana flows freely through the body of a healthy yogi, so is a house designed to allow free flow of Prana within. The centre of the plot is considered to be the naval or the centre of the human body. The NE is the head, the Sahasrara Chakra and the SW is the base, the Muladhara Chakra. The NE-NW-SW side of the plot is the Pingala or the carrier of solar prana, and the NE-SE-SW area is the Ida or the carrier of Chandra Prana. The nabhi is where the prana originates and therefore has the highest concentration of energy


It is therefore called the Brahmahasthan, or the Place of Brahma, and no construction is allowed on this spot. The NE is the Sahastrar, therefore is the place where all intellectual and spiritual activities are performed. The Ida side supports all creative and life-promoting activities. The Pingala side supports all heavy, difficult, and worldly activities. A good design will leave an open area and do light construction on the Ida side and undertake heavy construction on the Pingala side. As a rule, the SW is made the heaviest part of the construction.


Thus we see that Vastushastra is a scientific method of designing and construction that aims at establishing a dynamic balance between form and energy so that harmonious conditions are created for the inhabitants.


A house is an organic whole where indiscriminate extensions/alterations/mutilations should not be carried out.


New Paradigms


Modern society needs to garner the benefit of Vastushastra more than ever before.

The way we live has changed. Our lifestyles have undergone radical transformations. It reflects our prosperity, progress and development. It is more comfortable, secure and stable than ever before.

Indeed, lifestyle is our yardstick for measuring progress.


Simultaneously the society is exposed to more brutal pressures than ever. Modern living has exerted unprecedented pressure on the people and their habitat. All around us we find an increase in family and work-related tension. People are more prone to hypertension, stress, pain, anger, agony and antipathy. Everybody in society is looking for various means and ways to find relief from tensions at levels of physical, mental, spiritual, financial, matrimonial or any social or non-social psychological conflicts


An intelligent application of Vastushastra principles can add richness to our lifestyle. It can insulate us from these negative influences and promote peace, harmony, prosperity, wealth, happiness, mental peace and spiritual growth.

Even finances. Finances are highly sensitive to Vastushastra changes, and it is possible to manipulate buildings designs to ensure healthy financial conditions.


Correct implementation of Vastushastra principles can improve relationships between co-workers, between management and workers, between friends and relatives, between organizations and their clients – the scope of Vastushastra in modern living is vast.


Some of the areas where Vastushastra principles can be applied successfully are as follows:

  • Commercial & Office Complexes: For better profitability

  • Corporate Offices: For higher profits, better customer relations,

  • Educational Institutes: For better results

  • Entertainment Complexes: For better Value

  • Hospitals: For better health elated services

  • Hotels: For higher popularity and profits

  • Industrial Plants: Extremely high scope for implementation of Vastushastra principles

  • Interiors: For better harmony

  • Landscaping: for prosperity

  • Low-cost housing for developing countries: for a better life to the occupants

  • Neighbourhood layouts and Residential Complexes: For a sense of neighbourliness, security, friendliness, kindness, and security

  • Public Buildings – government buildings, airports and stations: For better efficiency

  • Sports Complexes; For lower maintenance and better performance by the sportsmen.

  • Town Planning: For a prosperous town


Of particular interest would be the application of Vastushastra principles in designing the layouts of industries. Industries are highly susceptible to Vastushastra faults. The reason is obvious: they are exposed to heavy loads of machinery, raw material and finished goods, brute mechanical action of the machines like cutting, piercing, shearing, drilling, bending, high to very high temperatures of furnaces, heat treatment plants, welding activities, movement of heavy vehicles, goods, people etc.


Poor Industrial Vastushastra planning can lead to several severe problems in a factory. A sensible and intelligent application of Vastushastra design principles can help greatly in eliminating a number of the following potential problems:


- Accidents

- Burglary / theft

- Continuous losses

- Delay in construction

- Fear

- Fire

- High mechanical failure

- Human relations

- Imprisonment

- Labour Trouble

- Litigations

- Loss of reputation

- Mental health

- Poor financial returns

- A setback in professional life

- Tension between promoters

- Unnatural deaths

- Wasteful, unnecessary expenditures



Vastushastra is a living science and a great hope for tomorrow. No other method of designing and construction is as deep, profound and philosophical as Vastushastra. A correct interpretation and application of tenets and Vastushastra postulate combined with modern architecture can go a long way in alleviating the pressures of modern living.

 

©Arun Vyas. This article may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of the author. Arun Vyas may be contacted at arun@arunvyas.com / arunvyas.com/contact




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Aun-Vyas-logo_edited.png Vastu Sindhu by arun vyas Logo

”Indian sacred architecture of whatever date, style, or dedication goes back to something timelessly ancient and now outside India almost wholly lost, something which belongs to the past, and yet it goes forward too, though this the rationalistic mind will not easily admit, to something which will return upon us and is already beginning to return, something which belongs to the future.”

                                                         -Sri Aurobindo, The Renaissance in India  

Vastu Consultant & Teacher

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