VASTU SHASTRA

WHAT IS VASTU SHASTRA?

Vastu Shastra, an ancient Indian science developed thousands of years ago by ancient Indian sages lays down rules for the construction of buildings and temples and has been practiced for centuries and used to create old architectural wonders like temples, palaces, monuments etc.

Vaastu Shastra, an intangible part of Indian Architecture, has its roots extended in Indian Philosophy, maths, geology, geography, religion and takes into account, factors influencing a Site, such as topography, roads, structures around, Sun’s effects, Earth’s magnetic field, cardinal directions, Earth’s energy fields and elements of Nature.

WHAT DOES VAASTU SHASTRA TRANSLATE TO?

Vaastu literally means ” house” or dwelling place of human beings and consists of the following:

Bhoomi – which means the site/plot or extent of land where the building is proposed.
Prasada – which includes the compound wall and buildings which are built within the Bhoomi (Site).
Yaana – which means all the vehicles parked within the Bhoomi (Site).
Shayana – which includes all the furniture and utensils in the buidling (Prasada).

Vastu is also derived from the sanskrit word ‘vasathi’ which means ‘comfort’. Comfort is related to the right proportion and positioning of the five elements agni=fire, vaayu=air, vaari=water, prithvi=earth and akash=sky in our surroundings. The complex interplay of the above elements along with the eight directions (E, W, N, S, NE, SE, SW, NW) can profoundly influence the lives of the people living or working in the premises either positively or negatively.

Shastra is the sanskrit word for ’science’ and stands for the principles and guidelines laid down for the construction of a building. Therefore, Vaastu shastra is the science of arranging the above-mentioned elements in their respective places so that they are in harmony which in turn will make the lives of the inmates happy and peaceful.

Vaastu has evolved over centuries and from experience, it has been documented that the improper positioning of rooms with respect to the elements causes  disharmony in the equilibrium of the house. Making the necessary changes to buildings can rectify the above problems, so that the five elements are in harmony.

The fundamental principle of Vastu Shastra is to add ‘Value to the Life of man’ staying in a building by bringing about harmony between man, nature and the built environment. So, buildings designed according to Vastu guidelines are believed to vibrate with Universal Positive Energy and create a feeling of ‘contentment and well-being’ for the occupants.

Here is a very brief introduction to Vaastu Shastra:

• INTRODUCTION TO VASTU SHASTRA
• ORIGIN AND TEXTS ON VASTU SHASTRA

VASTU SHASTRA FACTORS - Vastu Shastra takes into account environmental factors that affect man and his buildings, in laying down guidelines for the design of buildings, so that man can benefit from the positive and useful effects of these factors and is protected from their harmful and negative effects. The environmental factors and their effects on man and his buildings have been explained here, scientifically:

• VASTU FACTORS | FIVE ELEMENTS, PANCHABHUTTAAS
• VASTU FACTORS | SUN AND IT’S EFFECTS
• VASTU FACTORS | EARTH’S MAGNETIC FIELD
• VASTU FACTORS | EIGHT CARDINAL DIRECTIONS
• VASTU FACTORS | EARTH’S ENERGY FIELD
  

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF VASTU SHASTRA - Vastu Shastra lays down fundamental principles of Architecture that should be followed in designing, so as to ensure a beautiful, aesthetic, proportionate, comfortable sized and well oriented building. These fundamental principles are explained here:

• VASTU PRINCIPLES | ORIENTATION
• VASTU PRINCIPLES | SITE PLANNING
• VASTU PRINCIPLES | PROPORTIONS
• VASTU PRINCIPLES | DIMENSIONS
• VASTU PRINCIPLES | AESTHETICS

VASTU SHASTRA GUIDELINES ON SELECTION OF SITE – The Selection of Site is an important consideration since the plot represents a ‘fixed form’ which radiates positive as well as negative energy depending on its, location, shape, orientation, slope and soil condition. The Vastu guidelines for selecting the ‘right’ Site are explained here, scientifically:

• VASTU GUIDELINES | SITE LOCATION
• VASTU GUIDELINES | SITE SHAPE
• VASTU GUIDELINES | SITE ORIENTATION
• VASTU GUIDELINES | SITE SOIL
• VASTU GUIDELINES | SITE SLOPE

VASTU  GUIDELINES ON DESIGN OF HOUSE | INTERIOR ROOMS – Vastu Shastra lays down guidelines on the ‘design of the Interior of a House’  so that the inmates get maximum benefit of  the natural elements like the Sun, wind, Air, etc. These guidelines are based on scientific reasoning and common sense and when applied correctly, create well-lit, bright, well-ventilated, spacious and well-designed spaces (rooms) which then create ‘contentment’, ‘peace’ and ’serenity’ for the inmates.

• VASTU GUIDELINES | VERANDAH
• VASTU GUIDELINES | ENTRANCE DOOR
• VASTU GUIDELINES | LIVING ROOM
• VASTU GUIDELINES | PUJA ROOM
• VASTU GUIDELINES | DINING ROOM
• VASTU GUIDELINES | KITCHEN
• VASTU GUIDELINES | BEDROOM
• VASTU GUIDELINES | STUDY ROOM
• VASTU GUIDELINES | HOME OFFICE
• VASTU GUIDELINES | TOILETS, BATHROOMS
• VASTU GUIDELINES | BALCONIES
• VASTU GUIDELINES | STAIRCASES
• VASTU GUIDELINES | UPPER FLOORS
• VASTU GUIDELINES | DOORS AND WINDOWS
  
• VASTU GUIDELINES | INTERIORS OF A HOUSE
• VASTU GUIDELINES | COLOURS FOR A HOUSE
• VASTU GUIDELINES | CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLOURS
  

VASTU GUIDELINES ON DESIGN OF HOUSE | EXTERIOR – Vastu Shastra lays down guidelines on the ‘design of the Exterior of a House’  so that the inmates get maximum benefit of  the natural elements like the Sun, wind, Air, etc. These guidelines are based on scientific reasoning and common sense and when applied correctly, create a well-lit, bright, well-ventilated, and well-designed House which the inhabitants are proud of as it adds value to them.

• VASTU GUIDELINES | GATES
• VASTU GUIDELINES | GARDEN TREES AND PLANTS
• VASTU GUIDELINES | CAR PORCH, GARAGE
  
• VASTU GUIDELINES | BASEMENT
• VASTU GUIDELINES | WATER TANKS
• VASTU GUIDELINES | RENTING OUT.

VASTU GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION STEP BY STEP – Vastu Shastra lays down guidelines for the Construction of a House, right from the rituals to be done before the start of construction, the preparation for the construction to the actual step-by-step construction of the House. These Vaastu guidelines have been explained here:

VASTU GUIDELINES BEFORE START OF CONSTRUCTION:-

• VASTU GUIDELINES | BEFORE CONSTRUCTION
• VASTU GUIDELINES | RITUALS BEFORE CONSTRUCTION
• VASTU GUIDELINES | DIGGING OF WELL
• VASTU GUIDELINES | STORAGE SHED CONSTRUCTION
  
• VASTU GUIDELINES | COMPOUND WALL CONSTRUCTION

VASTU GUIDELINES | STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSE :-

• VASTU GUIDELINES | FOUNDATION
• VASTU GUIDELINES | CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSE
• VASTU GUIDELINES | MAIN ENTRANCE DOOR
• VASTU GUIDELINES | INTERNAL DOORS, WINDOWS
  
• VASTU GUIDELINES | HOUSE WARMING RITUAL
  

VASTU GUIDELINES FOR OTHER BUILDINGS: Vastu Shastra can be applied to other buildings as well. These have been explained here:

• VASTU GUIDELINES | APARTMENT SITE

LOGIC BEHIND SUPERSTITIONS