The Concept

Vaastu shastra can be referred as an inquisitive science of architecture that encapsulates the forces of natural energy , which act upon a given space through flow of positive force. In simple words I would say that it is the science that helps you arrive at a harmonic balance within your home from natural elements . Vaastu here means mansion or dwelling and Shastra refers to study or science.

Vaastu in fact combines all the five elements of nature namely Earth, water, fire, air and space and balance them with man and material. Vaastu Shastra is also about creating a congenial settings or a place to live or work in , in a scientific way taking advantages of the benefits bestowed by the five elements. These five elements are referred to as "Pancha bhootas" of the nature. This balance that one achieves through vaastu is supposed to pave the way for enhanced health, wealth, prosperity and happiness in a very positive environment.

Vaastu shastra is one of the most ancient building sciences which covers the philosophy and theory of Architectural works . When we decide to construct any building there are certain things that need to be considered like the site as well as the lifestyle of the people who would be living there.. Vastu shastra normally takes many different things into consideration depending on personal data of the people who want a building constructed on a particular site based on various natural energies, which are available free of cost in the atmosphere namely - Solar Energy from Sun, Lunar Energy from the Moon, Magnetic energy, Thermal energy, Wind energy, Energy of the Earth, Energy got from Light, Electric energy and so on, we are in fact constantly surrounded by various energies and forces that are naturally there in the environment.

However, there are three major forces are considered in vaastu which need to be balanced to to create harmony. They are Vaayu ( the force of wind ) , Jal ( energy and force of water ) and Agni ( fire). According to vasstu science these forces have to be kept in appropriate places to strike that balance and harmony . According to their theory when and if there is a mismatch with water being put in place of fire and wind in place of water or in any other combination, the forces will start acting in disarray and create disharmony and imbalance which in turn can affect us adversely.

There is also a lot of importance given to direction in vasstu. There are a total of eight directions namely Uttara (North), Dakshina (South), Purva (East), and Pashima (West) which are called cardinal directions and the point where any of the two directions meet is called inter-cardinal or ordinal point like Eeshanya(North East) , Agneya(South East) , Nairutya(South West) and Vayuvya(North West). These directions are given a lot of importance in Vastu Shastra as they combine the benefits of two directions in totality.There is also Urddhwa which means skywards and Adhshta which means downwards..Directions are very significant in vaastu because the entire building concept depends on orientation. Each of these directions are defined with respect to the sun. If the living and the working spaces are oriented accordingly, they tend to have a positive effect on the residents.

There is also a Bramhastana which is the core of the entire structure and the different activities are arranged around this structure.We see and experience such an arrangement everywhere in nature like we have the sun as the center of our solar system and there is always a nerve center, a head in an institution, school , within a family, even a nation from where the activities and energies flow towards others.

History of Vaastu shastra

Most vaastu enthusiasts may already know about vaastu and its history. However, let me add some relevant facts about the history and evolution of Vasstu as a science or study. According to most scholars vasstu is many thousands of years old in fact it is difficult to find an actual time frame for it. It must have originated with the more intellectual people studying nature and its effects on human beings and also on their dwellings since nature is highly unpredictable at times and those people must have noted down all the different conditions that prevail with regard to sun rays, wind effect and also rain and kept on making in depth screenings of the situations and drawn certain conclusions.

Vasstu also has been mentioned in Vedas, one of the most ancient scriptures that exists in the world today, and from records it is clear that a mention of vaastu is made in Atarva Veda. In fact details have been given about building heights,wall thickness and also what materials are recommended depending on the area and climate. When temples were built a lot of care was taken to balance the energetic forces of the nature so that nothing is taken for granted. We see most of the ancient temples standing tall in spite of being in existence for hundreds and some for thousands of years. In fact evidence suggests that in Ramayana and Mahabharata there is a lot of reference made to the subject of vaastu, where at one instance Veda vyasa the great saint comments on the houses of certain kings having no objectionable forces against their dwellings. They also discuss about the uniformity of height with reference to doors and windows as also compound walls and the numerous metal ornaments like brass handles and iron latches which are all supposed strike the right balance.

Evolution

The science of vaastu has had a lot of impact on the study of architecture in the Indian context and according to many modern historians this art got developed during the period of 6000 BC and 3000 BC. Vaastu at that time was beyond the reach of common man, but was extensively used while building temples and royal palaces. Most of the old sages and saints made a study of it and further added on many useful information that they arrived at. It was during the time of  Sage Kashyapa , that vaastu shastra became a book of knowledge.He went on to author Kashyap Samhita which is considered to be the classical reference book for Ayuveda as well as the divine forces of nature that contribute to our well being or affect us in our day today lives. He wrote Aagama shastra in which he mentioned in details the construction of temples and the different steps involved in it.

Indus valley civilisation as we all know was very advanced for its time and many archaeologists are constantly surprised by what they find as they dig deeper. Excavations at Mohenjadaro and Harappa have substancially indicated that vaastu in fact influenced most of the architectural findings that was found there.

Vaastu Shilpa shastra ( the science of building ) has been developed in India based on the ancient texts that I have mentioned above and most of Indian architectural studies find their roots in those. There has been changes as new concepts take shape and new revelations come from other parts of the world especially those who ruled us and left a mark on our entire lifestyles including architecture and interiors. The influence has been mutual and many countries have taken back the rudiments of vasstu with them and have incorporated it with their own style of designing homes and interiors.

Vaastu as applicable to modern day constructions

Basically while planning a house and the interiors or even a building there a few things that need to be considered and they are the shape of the land, the soil level, the direction of the sun and the wind and the preferences of the people who are going to stay there. The architect/interior designer has the job of incorporating all of this when he or she is planning the blue print of the structure.

Rooms are planned and constructed taking all the above factors and another most important consideration , the budget ! Once everything gets sorted out the house takes its shape.Most people these days depend on Vaastu compliance and prefer to stick to the basic rules although at times it may not be possible.However, rules are flexible and there is always a way out as we fond out when we were getting our house renovated. A little change here and there and it all falls in place. I am sure this must have happened even during the good old times when the great saints and brains of those days dd some minor adjustments here and there and with time they become the rules and norms for the present.

Vaastu has become an important consideration even when large scale buildings and government building are planned.No one wants to take a chance, just in case! So most people plan carefully where to place the prayer room,kitchen,bed rooms even wash basins and sinks. I have come across houses where you entered from the kitchen because of vaastu .There are times and instances when people go to ridiculous lengths to get things right as far as vaastu is concerned , even forego the practicality and the convenience that is needed with respect to their daily lives.It is the same within the house when you plan your wardrobes and shelves,instead of choosing the best option, they go for the most inconvenient one and live with it complaining all the time about the inconvenience it causes them.

I came across a home that was supposed to have been perfect in all respects in compliance with every single requirement of vaastu, and  with money not being a probelm it was a superb house. But what the owners failed to realise was the huge waste water ditch that flowed some distance away which at times tended to stick away to glory and one simply cannot ignore such a fact nor do anything about it. So, what is needed is to be practical right at the time of buying a plot, because later no matter what precautions you take with regard to vaastu ,there is very little one can do.

Vaastu interiors

According to vaastu, interiors are planned with respect to the following criteria and considerations..

• East of the structure - Physical comfort and mental peace
• South- moksha or salvation,freedom from earthly worries
• West - Material prosperty
• North - General prosperity

The above four form the main criteria and everything revolves around the four directions.Normally a vaastu expert suggests that you build the kitchen in the South East, The master bedroom in the South West, Pooja room in he North east and build the toilets off the center lines and so on. Entrance of the house, the main door is given a lot of importance since the external forces and energies come into our dwelling through that way. Most Indians prefer to have a north facing ( general prosperity) or east facing (for complete well being) door. West facing too is good since it brings in wealth and prosperity but for some reason south facing doors don't find much favor.

Most vaastu based houses revolve around a Mandala, which is supposed be an energy pattern that maps out the entire universe. A vaastu expert while planning a house will orient the mandala properly with respect to the cardinal points with a compass to make the structure resonant with cosmic energy and force of the earth.In effect the building or house that is planned will have the forces and energies flowing outside as well as inside.

The center of the house is normally left free without cluttering it with either walls or even too many furniture , but,practically speaking this is impossible since very little space needs to be utilised given the size , which is either not enough or just about enough for most home makers. So there are  many alternatives suggested by the experts to make it more user friendly. 

A few basic vaastu principles to bear in mind while constructing and planning a house

1. The land Levels towards East and North should be lesser than West and South to make for water flow during rainy season and drainage.
2. Make sure that there are no trees or steps exactly in front of the main door blocking out your vision. This also blocks out breeze and fresh air circulation to a great extent.
3. Most vaastu experts insist that a well, temple or any other religious structure, heavy pillars, garbage bins or dilapidated house, or a hillock should not be present opposite to the house or in front of the main entrance of your house.
4. Make sure that your house is constructed towards either the South and West but not towards the East or North.
5. It is very essential to make sure that sun rays regularly fall into the house preferaby early morning rays .
6. A rectangular or a square plot is the most preferred and a triangular plot should be at any cost avoided. It is not practical to plan a house properly since it restricts your choices.
7. It is better to construct the Compound wall before starting the construction of the house. This is supposed to safeguard and protect the place.
8. As far as possible never use old construction materials for new constructions and even if you are doing so take all the necessary precautions as suggested by a certified architect.
9. According to the blue print of your house plan the plot can be extended to northeast but should not be reduced by constructing on the offsets. Make sure that all legal requirements are met with .
10. Never buy a plot close to a burial ground and even if you do so make sure that it is at least 1000 yards away. There have been people who have felt morose and negative by constantly watching the activities in the cemetery which is not good for your mental health.

 Beware of quacks

This issue of deviating from the vaastu principles also brings in issues like altering an existing structure to make it vaastu compatible. I have seen the house of a relative who is unbelievably dogmatic when it comes to such issues, going through that and at the end of it all, the once beautiful house began to look like a jigsaw puzzle , when the inmates and guests had to go round in circles. The entire family was constantly grumbling and complaining about the change that had made life difficult for them. Later,  they had to go through another process of renovation to get it a little more organised this time through a moderate vaastu expert/architect, who right at the beginning took a look at the house and couldn't help laughing out loud. He is supposed to have said that the person who had earlier distorted  the shape of the perfectly alright house had absolutely no knowledge about anything leave alone vaastu, and had used cheap building material and duped them.Just imagine their shock ! In the end the house was brought back to its normal shape with of course the added expenditure.

With the importance that vaastu has gained of late there is also the fear of falling prey to quacks who are there in plenty. It is better to go through a reputed vaastu expert who is also an architect, so that there will be no costly mistakes.

To conclude, many architects and builders are of the opinion that vaastu is not just about planning a building and its interiors but it also deals with many different aspects  right from the time you decide to buy a plot and construct a house or building on it. It is an ongoing process that continues all through your life since you may need to reconstruct or add on to your present building. While it is good to go in for vaastu compliance it is even more important  to see it from a practical point of view .