VASTU SHASTRA FACTORS | FIVE ELEMENTS (PANCHABHUTAAS)

• Space (Aakaasha) – the unending region beyond Earth in which not only our Solar System but the entire Galaxy exists. The most effective forces are light, heat, gravity, magnetic field and waves. It provides shelter to the other four elements.

• Air (Vaayu) – the atmosphere above the Earth consists of Oxygen (21%), Nitrogen (78%) Carbon Dioxide, water vapour, Dust etc which are all essential for living things  and even fire to flourish. Human physical comfort values are directly and sensitively dependent on correct humidity, air flow, temperature of air, air pressure,  air composition and its content.

• Fire (Agni) – It represents light and heat without which life will be extinct. It also represents days and nights, seasons, energy,  lightning, volcanic heat and all other aspects of the Sun and the solar system. The enthusiasm, passion, vigour in living things are because of light and heat only.

• Water (Jala) – This is represented by rain, river, sea and is in the form of liquid, solid (ice) and gas (steam, cloud). It is a combination of Hydrogen and Oxygen in the ratio of 2:1 and is perfectly neutral. Every plant and animal is composed of water in different proportions.

• Earth (Bhumi) – Earth, the third planet in order from the  Sun, is a big magnet with North and South poles as centers of attractions. Its magnetic field and gravitational force has considerable effect on everything on the Earth, living and non-living. The Earth rotates about its axis from West to East, resulting in day and night. It revolves round the Sun once every year (365.25 days) and is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees, because of which seasons are formed. Because of the Earth’s tilt, a year is divided into 2 periods – Uttaraayana from Jan 14 – July 15, when the Northern Hemisphere (India) is tilted towards the Sun and Dakshinaayana from July 16 – Jan 14, when the Southern Hemisphere (Australia) is tilted towards the Sun. In Uttarayaana, the days are longer than the nights and vice-versa during Dakshinaayana.
  

ACCORDING TO VASTU SHASTRA, HOW DO THE FIVE ELEMENTS AFFECT US?

• All these five elements sustain life on the planet and are neutral, unbiased and impartial to us – yet we cannot control them. There is an invisible and constant interaction between these elements. In an open field these elements operate freely and are in equilibrium. However, when a structure is placed in this field, the equilibrium is affected because these forces act for or against each other to create either harmony or disharmony. If there is disharmony, then it needs to be restored so that the energy flows harmoniously, making our lives well-balanced.
• Vastu Shastra helps us to understand the effectiveness of the five elements and use them to our advantage in creating a balanced and harmonious environment to live in. Living things – animals, insects, birds, plants and humans have for centuries manipulated the 5 elements to create comfortable dwellings or environment, as explained below.
  

HOW DO LIVING THINGS MANIPULATE THE FIVE ELEMENTS TO THEIR ADVANTAGE?

• Animals, Birds, Insects, Plants – have natural defenses against a wide variety of unfavourable climates. They adapt their body size, shape or temperature to adjust with the hostile climate. But some creatures like termites, birds, ants not only adapt to nature, they seek to create a comfortable living environment by building a suitable home.

• Compass termites - For example, the Compass Termites of Western Australia, maintain the temperature inside their nests to within 1 degree of 31 Celcius, day & night, summer & winter, while the external temperature varies between 3 C to 42 C. This is achieved by building a wedge shaped tower mound of 3 Metres height which always points North. As the tower heats up, air inside rises drawing fresh cool air from below. Also the wind blowing across the top of the mound helps to suck in fresh air through the nest.And the termites regulate the flow of air through their nests, by blocking and unblocking the channels.

• Humans- Similarly, for centuries, man has manipulated the five elements to build comfortable houses even in the most hostile environments. For example, in the Desert, where the heat of the Sun (Fire) can make it impossible to live, man has built houses with internal courtyards (Space), thick walls (Earth), slit windows (Air) and water bodies and fountains (Water) to cool the house by ensuring good ventilation and flow of air, just like the termites mentioned above.

• But unfortunately today, man gives precedence to the appearance and size of his house as his social position and personal ego are more important. In the process he has forgotten to manipulate the elements to create a naturally comfortable, airy house. To create comfort he is forced to use gadgets like Fans, Air Conditioners, Heaters etc which consume so much of energy and are believed to be unhealthy too.

HOW DOES VASTU SHASTRA HELP YOU MANIPULATE THE FIVE ELEMENTS?
Vaastu Shastra guides you to scientifically use the five elements of nature to create a congenial, balanced place to live or work, which will in turn ensure enhanced health, wealth, prosperity and happiness. It lays down principles on the location, direction and disposition of the building, so that you can absorb the positive effects of the five elements.

This post is about the Panchabhutaas- Five Elements of nature and their effects on Man. Read about another  Vastu Shastra Factor that affects us and the design of our buildings, namely:

• VASTU FACTORS | SUN AND IT’S EFFECTS.