Vastu Shastra

Vastu Shilpa Shastra is a blend of science, art, astronomy and astrology, it can also be said as an ancient mystic science for designing and building. Vastu Shastra helps us to make our lives better and will secure from things going wrong.

Vastu is a part of Vedas, which are believed to be four to five thousand years old. Through penance and meditation yogis of that period acquired answers believed to have come from the cosmic mind itself to their questions. Hence Vedas are heeded with divine knowledge. The art of Vastu originates in the Stapatya Veda, a part of the Atharva Veda.

A brief account on Yugas and Vedas

As per the Indian Vedas and other sacred writings, there were mainly 4 yugas i.e ages. These Yugas or ages are counted from the origin of earth. First one among this is Kritha Yuga - It lasted for a period of 1,728,000 years. Treta Yuga of 1,296,000 years was the second one, people performed rituals and their age kept declining during this period. Then came the Dwapara Yuga, which lasted for 8,64,000 years. The final one is the Kaliyuga, the current age.

During the Kaliyuga, Vedas were divided and brought into the written form making it easier for people to understand. Sacred writings are arranged in-groups.

1. Vedas
2. Upavedas (supplementary vedas)
3. Vedangas (limbs of Vedas)
4. Upaangas (supplementary parts)

Vedas are considered to be the eternal document of Indian culture and of messages that lays the foundation for Indian religions and thoughts. They are composed in beautiful metrical verses, generally of three or four lines.

During the earlier periods the Vedas were considered so sacred that they were only transmitted orally from one generation to the next. Later the passages of the Vedas were written in Sanskrit, and primarily consist of four collections, which are altogether referred to as the Samhitas,

1. Rigveda, the heart of the entire Veda comprises of 10,552 verses.
2. Yajurveda, sacred selections from Rigveda to chant with rhythm have about 2000 verses.
3. Saamaveda, holy selections from the Rigveda arranged for melodious chanting, is enriched with about 2000 verses.
4. Atharvaveda, combination of all the three Vedas with nearly 6,000 verses is considered to be a unique one.

The final Veda, the Atharvaveda, is attributed to a sage named Atharvan.

The Vedangas and Upavedas are collections of texts that succor the Vedas to be systematic as a sacred living. Upavedas are: -

•    Artha Veda, which reveals statecraft
•    Ayur Veda, which deals with medicine and health
•    Dhanur Veda, is the military science derived from Yajur Veda
•    Gandharva Veda, the science which enlighten music and arts
•    Sthapatya Veda, dealing with the architecture.

Vastu Shastra is a part of Sthapatya Veda.

The Vastu, with word meaning ‘dwelling’, is believed to be the residing places of god and man. According to its modern meaning it covers all buildings irrespective of their use like residences, industries, business establishments, lodges, hotels etc. It is based on the five basic and essential elements, such as Vayu (air), Agni (fire), Jal (water), Bhumi (earth) and Aakasha (space), which are known as Panchabhutas. Everything on earth is built from these elements.

The rules prescribed for Vastu is called ‘Vastu Shastra’.

Vastu Shilpa is divided into two categories:

Deva Shilpa, which deals with the construction of temples. They are classiffied into

1. Nagara, building of the temple dome in a spherical shape
2. Dranda, contruction of the temple in a hexagonal or octagonal shape from the bottom to the top
3. Vesara is constructing in a circular form.

Maanava Shilpa deals with the construction of buildings for people, even if it is to reside, or for office set-up.

Basics of Indian Architecture

Vastu Shastra, which accentuates on protection, is the brainchild of Rishis, our adigurus. But today the modern architects give more prominence for the comforts in living. While constructing buildings for men, every aspect and life style of the person should be kept in mind. It is hence, essential that an architect should know all about the Shastras and the condition of the places, and must act in accordance to that.

These are some characteristics on which Indian architecture mainly depends.

•    Diknirnaya - Principles of orientation
•    Vastupada vinyasa - Site planning
•    Maana - Proportions
•    Aayadi Sadvarga - 6 principles
•    Pataakaadi Sadchandas - Aesthetics of the building

Vastu and directions

As per the Vastu rules, while constructing a building it must be located in such a way that it receives the maximum benefit from the solar and cosmic energies. Thus the orientation attains a vital part. The various directions are:

North, South, East, West, NorthEast, NorthWest, SouthEast and SouthWest. Every corner is again divided into 2 sides. Namely:

NorthEast -	East North East North North East
SouthEast -	East South East South South East
NorthWest -	West North West North North West
SouthWest -	South South West West South West

The NorthEast corner is stated to receive the cosmic energy, which is a combination of energy from different planets apart from sun, in abundance. And from there it moves in the opposite direction i.e to the SouthWest.

Vastu Purusha

According to the ancient mythology the Vastu Purusha or the plot organism is a cosmic man who is believed to be present in every plot. According to the legend he was a giant and to conquer him the various deities representing the various directions sat on his back making it impossible for him to get up. The giant prayed to God who appeared in the Northeast corner and blessed him with a boon telling him that he will look after the inhabitants who do not hurt him. As the head portion is in Northeast the northeast of the plot is therefore kept vacant.

Vastu Purusha Mandala is infact the planned site. Purusha, the cosmic man resides in the planned site and Mandala represents any closed polygon. Calculations for the time and place of construction are done according to the Vastu mandala.

Vastu Pada Vinyasa (Site Planning)

Plots with Uniform level, rectangular or square in shape. Square is supposed to be the best, as it is supposed to be connecting all the 4 points i.e. East, West, North and South. If it is a rectangle the length to breadth ratio should be within 1:1.5.

Vastu Shastra provides us with directions for choosing a land either it is for residence, industry shops or any other purpose. It will then tell us how to construct buildings on that plot and the various amenities located therein, taking into consideration the movement of the sun in the skies and will suggest layouts in connection with the four magnetic directions i.e. North, South, East and West.

All houses, villages, towns and cities should be built as per ‘Vastu Shastra’. This will enable for the prosperity and overall welfare of the Universe. An accurate plot with a correct layout and designing can elevate a person with all success in life. And a wrong application of Vastu can lead to unexpected serious negative results like failures in business, death or accidents to the family members, theft etc.

Vastu, if applied in the right manner can bring invaluable peace of mind, boost up the financial status, and grant many other advantages.