Vastushastra and Element of Form
Out of Time was born Space.
Out of Space was born Form.
The study of Form and Shape And their harmonious blend in a building design
is the objective of Vastushastra
The Triangle
The Triangle is a primary shape. It represents the very first manifestation of delineated space. In Tantric philosophy, the upward triangle represents Shiva or Purush, and the downward Trianglerepresents Shakti or Prakriti.
They are used extensively in tantric rites but rarely used in Vãstu because of their acute angles.
The Square
The Square represents stability and is considered very important. Its four sides represent the four faces of Brahma and so a square is called a Bramhamandal. This is the shape of the Vãstumandal.
The Octagon
The Octagon is called a Vishnumandal because Vishnu presides over the eight deities who govern the skies of the eight directions.
The Circle
The Circle is called Rudramandal. It is the shape of celestial bodies
and has properties like pi which are unique to it.
Vãstu considers it a sacred shape and does not use it as a design element.
The Rectangle
The rectangle is a derivative of a square and is the most common shape used for building design. Interestingly, the recommended ratio of length: widths conform with the Fibonacci series. 1:2, 2:3, 3:5. But in actual practice rectangles of various ratios are used.
Vãstushãstra and Element of Rhythm
Space or akASa is one of the five primal elements. It exists around us, it exists within us. Man lives in two spaces: the first is the invisible Inner Space within an individual where he creates his mental world, lives in it, thinks, ponders, imagines, contemplates, and the other is the visible Universal Space which contains the Universe.
Both these spaces are intricately integrated, both influence and mirror each other; what happens in one is reflected in the other. Vãstu works on the inner space by creating a harmony and rhythm in our environment.
Nãd as Rhythm has created the world and Vãstu reinstates this cosmic rhythm in our environment by establishing a unity of scale, balance, and proportion in buildings.
Based upon the utility and function of the building and the astrological sign of the owner the yoni of the building is determined and that becomes the central theme for creating a sense of rhythm in the design
All measurements are made to follow the chosen yoni scale. The perimeter of a room, the space between pillars, the size of the walls, the width of steps, the length of the courtyard, the height of the basement, column, roof, the depth of foundation – each is designed accordingly to maintain the overall character of the building. This is also punctuated by the repetition of patterns, open space, and other forms. This strict adherence to the chosen scale ensures a perfect dimensional harmony and lends it a characteristic rhythm.
Rhythm of Time Form and Space
कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो लोकान् समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्तः ।
ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वे येऽवस्थिताः प्रत्यनीकेषु योधाः ॥
तस्मात्त्वमुत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व जित्वा शत्रून् भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यं समृद्धम्।
मयैवैते निहताः पूर्वमेव निमित्तमात्रं भव सव्यसाचिन्॥ ११-३३॥
‘I am Time who waste and destroy the peoples; lo, I have arisen in my might, I am here to swallow up the nations. Even without thee all they shall not be, the men of war who stand arrayed in the opposing squadrons. Therefore do thou arise and get thee great glory, conquer thy foes and enjoy a great and wealthy empire. For these, they were slain even before and it is I who have slain them; be the occasion only, O Savyasachin’
Time and Space are the fundamental dual dimensions of the Brahman. According to Sri Aurobindo Time is not an abstract idea, it is real and eternal. And Space is not limited, it is our capacity to measure the Space that is limited.
The world is a cyclic movement of the Divine Consciousness in Space and Time. It exists to progress, it exists by progression. Time was not created, it came into existence. Creation could not have manifested without Time, because Creation itself is a projection of the Divine Consciousness into Space and Time. And therefore, Time cannot be rolled back.
Everything manifests from Space under the influence of Time and dissolves back into Space under the influence of Time. Time is, therefore, an important dimension of Space, something which the ancients understood well. They measured Time by the movement of planets and stars. But they were not mere stargazers; they went beyond it to study the movements of various celestial bodies, planets, and constellations, their configurations with each other etc to understand the mystical aspect of Time.
Time has a unique occult attribute. It is like an invisible stream which constantly moves ahead with its currents, undercurrents, rapids, draughts, tides which have a non-patterned cyclic nature, much like a mountain rapid. When we choose to make a movement, either we are moving with its flow or moving against it.
The Ancients used this knowledge to foretell events and select moments for the commencement of auspicious events. Thus was born the concept of Muhurt, an auspicious moment.
Vastushastra has specific rules for calculating Muhurts for all important occasions – there are specified Muhurts for procurement of land, for laying the foundation, for commencing the construction, and for moving into the new house.
”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