What is Vastu Shastra

Habitation is the basic need of every living being. Man builds houses for his living. Any piece of land and structure built on it is known as 'Vastu'. It has been derived from the word 'Vaas' which means 'to live'. It’s practice started with Vedic period. We can find many references in Vedas, Puranas and other subsequent literature. Our ancient saints have concluded that anything living or non-living in the universe is made up of five basic elements or Panch Maha Bhoot. They are Prithvi (earth), Jal (water), Agni (fire), Vayu (air) and Aakash (space). When these five elements are in harmony in our body, we are healthy and active and when their equilibrium is disturbed one is devitalized or unhealthy. Same is true with our place of living or work. Vaastu shastra is the only science which instructs how to maintain best equilibrium of these five elements in a building and make best use of them to energize mental and physical energies of inhabitants to the maximum extent. In other words vaastu tells us how to make use of these five elements for the maximum convenience, comfort and security keeping them in perfect harmony in our home or place of work so that one should enjoy health, wealth, prosperity and growth. It has many branches like grih-vastu, nagar-vastu, prasad-vastu, devalaya-vastu etc.

EARTH: When we talk about Prithvi, we mean the piece of land on which the structure of our residence or place of work is built or is to be built. It’s the most important element. The points, which are observed while selecting a piece of land are as follows. First of all its facing is seen. For this we must know that there are eight directions. They are East, South-East (SE), South, South West (SW), West, North West (NW), North and North East (NE). Each direction is governed by a specific planet and different provisions are designed in a particular direction according to lord or god of that planet in that direction. Next is geographical location, it’s relative location within a city, atmospheric conditions of that place, quality and consistency of the earth, its surface, inclination of the surface, it’s auspicious and inauspicious-ness, presence of any inauspicious material (Shalya) like bones etc., shape of the plot, area, length and breadth ratio, other structures near it like road, temple, big tree etc. Level of seismic activity is also considered.

WATER: Since ancient times, be it humans or other living beings, they have colonized near water bodies like river, lake, pond well etc. Availability and source of potable water like well, hand pump, boring, piped water supply, direction of the water storage, direction of the flow of used water like sever are some of the main points which are taken care of under it. If the house is in the cold region  where snow fall takes place then roof has to be slanting and if it is in the in the region where rain fall is scanty then provisions are made for rain water collection and harvesting.

SUN: Our sole source of maximum free energy is the Sun and role of proper Sunlight has been well established by the modern sciences as well as ancients. Sunlight has three kinds of rays - they are called ultra violet, white light and infrared rays. White light consists of seven colours. These seven colors can be seen in the rainbow after the rain. They are V.I.B.G.Y.O.R or Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red. The rays shorter in wavelength than red light are called infra red rays and longer wavelength than violet rays are called ultra violet rays. Ultra violet rays kills harmful germs and are abundant in the morning light. Infra red rays are harmful and are abundant when the Sun is setting. Main door of the house, ventilation, windows, veranda are planed accordingly to accommodate geological situation and atmospheric conditions to maintain internal heating and cooling.

AIR: We all know that every living being requires fresh air. Its proper circulation and its freshness has to be maintained. In order to have proper ventilation, relative humidity, open space, veranda, height, size and position of ventilators, windows and doors, and height of the roof is decided.

SPACE: Internal space of a building should be utilized in such a manner that it should not obstruct the ventilation and entry of Sun light. Therefore the height of the ground floor, planning upper stories, multiplex, cupboards, other internal fixtures, placement of furniture, bed etc. are decided accordingly.