VASTU : Feng Shui of Vedas

 VASTU  SHASHTRA

Vastushastra is an ancient indian science dealing with construction technology and techniques for building environment friendly dwellings which are in harmony with nature, surrounding environment, cosmic energy, gravitational forces, electromagnetic waves and the universe.

Tracing the origin of the vastushastra, we find that it’s different versions have been associated with various vedic scriptures and ancient texts.

Rigaveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda in one form or other have vastushastra related topics. Vastushastra can be understood as a road to happiness, but not being the only one. It’s effective use can be seen in the town planning norms observed at Indus valley civilisation as represented by ancient cities of Mohanjodaro and Harrapa. People at that time used the knowledge of stars and astronomy to determine the direction and location of various buildings for various purposes.

Vastushastra can be defined as harmonious, proportianate, and positive interaction of all the matters encompassing human life.Vastushastra offers adequate representation to all factors governing life to create, in a sense , harmonious and melodious music in human dimension. Artisitic view point and aesthetic outlook are essential ingredients of vastushastra. Vastushastra can be explained in terms of constructive or destructive combination of the various oscillatory fields.

Vastushastra effectively manipulates the web of cosmic energy for the betterment of humankind. It’s well defined rules and regulations ensure that all the houses, buildings and other structures are in harmony with the surrounding environment.

Where modern architecture aims at bodily comforts of a dweller and functional effectiveness of the structure; the vastu aims at ensuring the health, happiness, prosperity, and well being of the human being occupying the dwelling and endows him with a sustained peace and tranquality of mind.

Through vastu the physical world and the abstract world have to be matched properly and equitably in order to build the best possible dwelling. Physical world includes aspects as building material, contruction equipment, budgetary estimates, time duration to complete the contruction, the contractor, skilled and unskilled labours.
In the Abstract world we encounter the mysterious and the incomprehensible.There are numerous minor things that can’t be seen but can be felt or experienced. Some of them are religion, traditions, effect of five great elements (air, water, fire, earth, sky), eight directions, geomagnetic and other fields, frequency spectrum of sound waves and light waves, influence of planets.

In vastushastra, the north east direction is considered as the diredction of ‘heaven‘ as stress concentration of energies is minimum in this direction. Similarly, the south west is considered as the direction of ‘hell‘. The deficiencies in the vastu can effectively be tackled by employing symbols, colours, light, and sound as prescribed in the vastushastra. The ill effects of  ‘vastudoshas  ‘ can be diluted through these techniques.

Vastu is the reflection of love and affection between a man and his abode. From symbols like Swastik   and Omkar  flows the cultural affinity which in turn creates an atmosphere conducive to the proper development of the mind. The symbols serve as catalysts in inculcating positive thoughts for all round development. In the same manner the vibrational energy levels created by these conches serve in enhancing the functional efficiency of human body and mind through a type of ‘auto-suggestion’.

It is to be noted that the mathematical principles attributed to Archimedes and Pythagoras can be traced to ancient scriptures written much before these mathematicians. The microscopic effects documented in vastushastra reflect many of the modern concepts from the fields of particle physics, electromagnetism, biophysics, radiation and gravitation.

Vastushastra gives fruition to these ideas by using different entities like soil, stone, mortar, water, fire and direction to provide a harmonically balanced living environment for thee human beings. A broader perspective is used these days and vastu is studied extensively in corelation with other sciences as yogashastra , astrology , jyotisha  and tantra  and mantra..

Solar Radiation And Vastu It is observed that one side of a house or a vastu is subjected to intense solar radiation, while the other side remains in shadow region.This leads to formation of ‘Aushnik Dwandwa ‘ or a thermocouple in the space around the house. In tropical countries , the southeast, south and southwest directions suffer scorching sun, while the north, northeast, and northwest directions are in shadow region.
This higher imbalance creates disturbances in the naturally ordered geomagnetic flux lines, with formation of nodes at the points where flux lines cross each other.The nodes represent distorted energy potential and sub atomic particles travelling along the flux lines can get trapped at such dislocations. Under specific conditions, these particles can start resonating to give micro level hazardous radiations. These emissions can work against the existence of life forms. Vastu Purush Mandal  represents this phenomenon through the symbol of ‘Yama’  (death).
	This thermal imbalance creates imbalance in the smooth flow of energy through and around the vastu. The vastushastra tries to equalise the thermal differentials and provide a harmonious living conditions for the dweller. some of the measures to offset the disturbance in the south are –1. Thick , heavy walls and no openings in the south side. 2. Avoiding any slopes towards south. 3. More open spaces in the north and east direction. 4. Raising of plinth in the south direction. 5. Planting of trees as ‘Audumber’ in the south to have humid environment. Any pits or basements in the south direction distort the electromagnetic lines and result in severe dislocations due to thermal variations during daytime. Vastushastra considers these pits in south zone as ‘sins of planning’ and advises raised plinth and loading in these zones. The ordered electromagnetic field in the north and east zones represent ‘Godhead’ or ‘bliss of nature’. The disordered elctromagnetic field patterns in the south, southwest zones represent the ‘curse of nature’. Source And Sink Directions The east, west, north, and south directions are called the main directions of vastu , while northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest are the sub directions.. The main directions of vastu represent streams of specific energies. Since these directions act as source or sink for energies, orientation and alignment of forces are predetermined in their zones of influence. In absenece of such constraints, sub directions play important role. It is because sub directions represent zone of confluence of different energies that are at right angle to each other. As such any disturbance in flow in any sub direction initiates turbulence in energy flow which is aligned to the main directions. In ancient texts, sub directions are called ‘Marma – Sthan’   or focal points. The east and north represent source directions for ‘Pranik’ and ‘Jaivik’ energy flows respectively While the west and south represent the sinks for these energies.This leads to the following source and sink combinations – Northeast – It is a source-source focal point. Minimum or no load and maximum side margins lead to ample positive energy flow for vastu. Southeast -It is a sink-sink focal point. Maximum loading and minimum side margins allows for balancing hte energy-matter equation.Similarly, comparatively reduced charges are indicated for the southeast and northwest zones, which are sink-source and source-sink focal points respectively. Aura Of Directions Main directions north and south are related to geomagnetic organic flow. East and west are related to solar pranik flow. Hence flow in main direction have direct effect on one stream only. But any flow in the sub directions (the most effective zones) contributes to disturbance in both streams. A fault in sub direction leads to cut and break in the flow of cosmic helix of energy. The reason behind this is that in a spherical sky of 360 º., there are in all 12 points (30 deg. each) alloted for main and sub directions together. This implies that main direction controls 30 deg. of space whereas sub direction rules over 60 deg. of adjacent space.Hence in ‘Dwar Nivesh Phal’  main doors are not situated in the sub directions. Dwar nivesh phal considers the hidden source-sink and energy -matter relationship while determining the position of the enterance to the vastu. The specific deities, virtues, and vices in dwar nivesh phal symbolically represent the micro variations in the energy levels. Directions And Flooring Pattern Selection of flooring material and patterns can be finalised by making use of the qualities of the five great elements, energy, source-sink relationship, and energy matter equation as applied to sub directions. The flooring pattern is selected in such a manner that the pranik and jaivik urja create positive energy envelope for the vastu. North-east zone – White marble enhances positive energy sources as it reflects and polarises sunlight. Also white color is the color of ‘jal tatwa’  and the north-east zone requires the qualities of the jal tatwa. South-east zone – Agra red stone or any other pink colored stone provides the necessary loading to compensate the energy sink and the red color representing ‘agni tatwa ‘  satisfies the requirements of this zone.South-west zone – Yellow colored stone as yellow jaisalmer stone represent the ‘prithvi tatwa’  and hence orients the ‘gurutwa’ (heaviness) towards this zone. Gurutwa is required to compensate the sink-sink combination in this zone. North-west zone – Kota or blue tandoor stone is suitable for this zone. Blue color represents ‘vayu tatwa’  matching the qualitative requirements of this zone. Jaivic Urja And Pranik Urja The north and south geomagnetic flux is termed as ‘Jaivik Urja’  or organic energy. This force field helps in locating the energy medians in living beings and providing them with natural orientation. This eternal unidirection flow defines, directs and propogates the existence at cellular level. The solar energy flux keeps on changing as per the position of the sun relative to the earth. This force field with photon quanta as energy packets is termed as the ‘Pranik Urja’. Energy DynamicsVastushastra essentially deals with two energy sources – the solar energy flux and the geomagnetic energy flux. The science of vastu aims at controlling the flow of these energies in a vastu by selecting proper directions and alignments for the vastu. Location of doors, windows, color scheme, flooring patterns, planting of trees – all these parameters play an important role in enhancing energy field for human being to live in harmony with nature.The south, southwest and the west are the directions subjected to excessive cosmic particle activity. Conventionally, the north is source and the south is the sink for electromagnetic flux lines. Sub atomic particles travelling along the geomagnetic flux lines end up at the southern tip. Excessive cosmic radiation particles, particularly, positively charged particles, enter the earth from the west rather than the east. Specially, in Indian context, excessive solar radiation come from south, southwest, and southeast directions. It is always suggested that the compound walls in the south direction should be greater in height and thikness. Also, the plinth of all the rooms in the south should be more. It is suggested to construct basements, underground water tanks and extra floor on the south side, with terraces towards the north and east directions. Cosmic Energy, Helix And Golden RatioTo contain these vortices of cosmic and thermal imbalances, vastushastra offers a remedy in the form of the helix concept. Helix , the natural growth shape is known as the mystery and the magic of the almighty. It finds refrence in all the ancient scriptures as the centre of energy balance is located at the origin of a a logarithmic helix fitted in a rectangle with sides having proportianate golden ratio of 1:1.618. The effects of most of the vastudosha diminish automatically if this helix centre lies in side the vastu. The idea of constructng the vastu in the south west zone implies arranging of the centre of energy balance in the actual building area.This center is the nabhi or the focal point of the plot and is the source of all cosmic energies. The centre is confined to the vastu by constructing the vastu in the south west zone. Rather the vastu experts should try to position this power in the north east zone of the vastu.Before planning any vastu, the plot should be demarked in the ratio 1:1.618 (length:breadth) known as the golden ratio. A helix flowing from north east to south west should be marked to fix the nabhi (energy centre) of the vastu. The nabhi is treated as the brahamsthal (focal point) of the vastu and around this focal point, equidistant borderlines should be drawn. With nabhi as vastu centre, other rooms can be planned easily. The two activities, breathing of vastu and manifestation of energy, are centred around nabhi. If the nabhi and brahamsthal of the vastu coincides, there is an enhancement of the vital characteristics and virtues of the vastu. The flaws in the vastu can be traced to and technically analysed on the basis of the difference between the nabhi and the brahamsthal of the vastu. If the north east, north and east sides of the plot are provided with slopping terrain and then the massiveness is increased systematically from south east to south west, with a gradual rise towards the south west and slope towards the north east, then the nabhi of such a plot acts as the centre of all energies emerging from the interior of the earth and other cosmic energies. This results in the creation of an envelope of life sustainig energy vibrations around the entire vastu. Raising of the plinth in the south direction, having a underground water tank or open water body in the north, east or northeast direction and all such tenets of vastu planning as explained before, help to achieve the golden ratio and implement the helix concept in a house. A few predominant effects are – 1. Interrupting the south pingala current flow. 2. Achieving energy-mass balance through, proportionate compensation for geomagnetic and energy disturbances. 3. Augmenting the north idla current flow, bestowing the vastu with drive bliss. 4. Regulating the excessive southern zone temperatures through water vapour emission processes of trees like nilgiri and neem. 5. Creating healthy atmosphere in the house through the scent and aroma of herbal plants. 6. Enhancing the quality of the vastu through beneficial effects of transverse polarisation of sunlight falling on an open water surface. The Importance Of ShapeEvery shape in nature has definite role to play. Environmental circumstances and conditions dictate shape, and other qualities of living and non living entities. The helix or the spiral has been considered as a shape that is union of right angle and a sphere. The right angle represents the existence, a thought (purush) and the sphere represents the shadow of existence, a sentiment (prakriti). The right angle with the spiral flow of energy forms the sacred and growing shape. The circle represents a state of flux, the expanding energy from it’s centre evolving it’s shape, ultimately culminating in the square. Squares and rectangles represent dynamically balanced figures and shapes. Squares and rectangles match their axes with geo-magnetic axis. Force lines of gravitation and magnetism do not form any zigzag pattern in square and rectangle. The flow of elementary particles through such figures will hardly intersect the network of force lines. This will lead to a healthy, good and salubrious cosmic environment. The most prefered shape in the vastushastra is square as it does justice to all the eight directions. The square symbolises order, stability, and the final state of evolving life. It is perfection beyond life and death. The essence of the square is retained by any mandala as long as the area is kept unaltered. It embodies prithvai tatwa which in turn symbolises shabda (speech), sparsha (touch), roop (shape), rasa (taste), and gandha (smell), the entities catalysts of wordly pleasures. Rectangles with the minor axis along the east-west direction and major axis along the north-south will have the least lateral perimeter exposure to the sun, resulting in cooler and shadow sections, whereas in the reverse case where the minor axis is along the north-south direction, a very large perimeter gets exposed to the sun which is objectionable in vastushastra. Any excessively high temperature characteristics create disturbance in magnetic force lines, imparting them with random zigzag pathways leading to cosmic hazards. Hence in old structures, thick walls are found on the south side which has outstanding characteristics to resist radiation effects.  Planning Vastu In Plots Of Irregular Shape The position of house in a plot, the size and the shape of the house are of extreme importance for attaining requisite virtues in a vastu through balancing of known and unknown forces made possible by proper location of the vastu in a vastu kshetra. A good balanced posture of a house in a plot bestowing divine bliss on the household can be planned by giving due consideration to the effective influence of each direction. Extended south direction means reduced stress concentration requiring reduced matter content. Elevate the south east and south west plinth sides.Construct additional floors on the south east and south west sides simultaneously and add heavy gravitational mass to the shaded direction. Additional length on the south side and narrowing of the north side require the usual treatment of normal gravitational mass on the south side and maximum open spaces on the north side.Creating maximum terraces on the north zone is the basis of planning for this case. Due to additional northeast and reduced south and southwest, there is excessive stress concentration towards the south due to coagulation of magnetic force lines from extended north region getting focus on a small width of south region.Creating basements towards the north and noth east, with provision for higher and dense zones towards the south, south west and south east sides. can reduce the vastudosha in this case. Landscaping and plantation should also be considered to minimise the stress on the south. Extended south implies reduced stress concentration, thereby allowing normal loading on the south side. Load in the south east zone is to be increased by raising south east plinth or adding extra floor in south east. Reduced north can be compensated by construction of basement and placing some water source in the north direction.Availability of excess southeast zone permits the building alignment to be shifted to the south east corner to match the overall centre of construction with the shifted centre of energy of the entire plot.

Vastushastra And Modern ArchitectureModern architecture as taught in India borrows from weestern architecture which has it’s base total utilitarian view of life, and superficially draws sustenance from concepts from concepts like balance, harmony, rhythm, form, shape,proportion, functional utility, efficiency and beauty. These concepts are valid in vastushastra also but inspiration differs.
	The North MarkPresent day practioners use the north pointer for designating the roads and placement of plots. The electromagnetic flux from the north direction is not given importance whereas in the ancient vastushastra, immense importance was given to alignment of the geometric axis of the vastu and the geomagnetic axis. Hence, the north flow and the north marking were paid special attention in planning of a vastu. The energetics of the vastu is influenced by the north flow, as discussed elsewhere in the book.
	Windows And OpeningAs discussed earlier, the tropical countries are exposed to solar radiations for 8 months of the year. To avoid the malignant effect of solar radiation and to keep the house in the shady, cool zone, openings towards the south direction should be normally avoided. Hence, thickness of walls on the south side and provision of enterance on the north side has been a standard practice.
	Water Bodies In North And North-East ZonesWater bodies in the north/north-east zone as found in the ancient buildings have a scientific basis as far as dynamics of human mind are concerned. It is in relation to the energetics of the vastu.
	Avoiding Roof Slopes Towards South, South-West And South-EastThe roofs sloping towards the south, south-west and south-east project excessive area to solar radiation, leading to a very hot and unhealthy environment inside the dwelling. Hence, now roof slopes in these directions should always be avoided.
	East – The Important DirectionWide openings towards the east direction always channelise the pranik urja throught the dwelling. On the other hand, toilets and staircases in the east block the morning solar bliss. It is a medically proven fact that sunlight is essential for life. Hence, ventilators in the east directionensure that the entire household is exposed to the beneficial morning sunrays for a maximum possible duration.
	Avoiding Large Openings To The SouthIn tropical countries, the direction of the wind is generally aligned to the west, north-east and south-west directions. The Indian vastu concepts dismiss the wind as a carrier of dust and believe in the creating shadow regions for the cooler homes that do not need wind for ventilation. By providing thick walls in the south direction and openings in the north direction, the houses are made thermal radiation proof. The western concept of providing ample ventilation from the west zone if applied to Indian houses can only lead to spread of air-borne diseases through dust and pollutants.
	Symmetry and Discipline In FormsLeast perimeter exposure to the sun and modular planning are the keys to vastu concept. In Indian context, the form of the building should be such that the exposure to the sun is minimized. This is done by a form of building with shorter north and south walls and larger east and west walls. Vastushastra principles expound that the length of north – south axis of a vastu should be greater than the east – west axis.
	Use Of Local Materials In ConstructionHouses built from locally available materials, endows happiness through organic harmony and interrelationship between matter and energy spectrums. It rhythmically showers on the dwellers, a bliss of oneness with the surrounding nature.
	Vastu And ArchitectureArchitecture defines spaces and creates spatial forms in order to allot living spaces and utilitarian spaces amongst the occupants of a dwelling. Modern architecture emphasises more on economy and lifestyle and pays less attention to the pyschological needs like peace and tranquillity of a individual residing in the house. Vastushastra deals with four kind of spaces – space within human form, contructed space, terrestrial space, and cosmic space. A vastu shastri tries to achieve harmony between all these spaces and in this process creates microcosm in the built up space that replicates the qualities of the macocosm. Vastushastra aims at building houses that are beneficial to the body and mind of the dweller. In vastu as well as in the modern architecture, the shapes like square and rectangle indicate safety, completeness and stability. But the aesthetic shapes like triangle and rounded shapes representing grace and progress, which are popular in modern architecture, are avoided in vastushastra. Vastushastra considers that the energetic space within a square or rectangular form create vibrations appropriate for peaceful and tranquil pattern of life. Modern architecture, though outwardly elegant, has not yet acieved the balance between symmetry and asymmetry in designing structures as the vastu has done. The modern architects are now borrowing concepts from other sciences as climatology, environmental engineering and cosmic energy flow principles to design dwellings that are in harmony with nature and closer to vastushastra logic.
	Vastushastra And Other Building TechniquesVastu lays down construction norms similar to the building codes by modern day municipal and other regulatory authorities. These norms were in terms of symbols and religious tenets so that a God fearing society may accept them. Vastu extracts the finest aspects of art, astronomy, astrology, ayurveda, yogashastra, biology, chemistry and physics. It understands the minutest influence of the sun, the moon, the stars, the planets, the geomagnetic fields, the earth’s atmosphere, wind direction, gravitational force, electromagnetic radiation on living organism and human life and gives feasible solutions on site selection and establishes a logical sequence of house building activities as excavation, soil selection, wall thickness, orientation and dimensions of rooms, decoration,etc. Vastushastra And Geomancy Vastu studied the effects of the natural and built environment on the human systems through geomancy or the divination skills. A recent development in this field is the science of geobiology, which uses simple instruments as biometer to measure subtle energies being emmitted by the earth, trees, living organism and inanimate objects. The swastik symbol is also considered important in vastu as it minimises the sources of negative energy and creates an environment full of positive energy useful for the body and the mind. Vastushastra And Feng-Shui Feng-shui is the other eastern design method that originated from China. In chinese language the feng means wind and shui means water. This implies that the feng-hui is a technique to achieve harmony with the cosmic forces. Feng-shui endows a house or a structure with Qi, the cosmic breath, which must have a free passage in the world governed by Ying Yang(the male and female principles) forces. Much similarity is found in the vastu and feng-shui techniques. Both support the concept of the panch maha bhutas and cosmic as well as geomagnetic forces but with different names. Both insist on the golden ratio for dimensions of the dwelling and consider the white or yellow soil the best for construction. The direction of the water body is not mentioned in the feng-shui technique though it’s being is insisted. But the difference in the two techniques are also quite apparent. Where the vastu insists on the openings on the north side, the feng-shui considers the north as evil direction. This is because of the yellow dust and sand which flows from north in the chinese mainland. Though the direction of kitchen, person cooking and sleeping directions are almost same, little differences are because of the criteria used while specifying them. Vastu though shrouded in mystery and symbolism, follows certain scientific principles acceptable to the modern world and has universal applications. Techniques like feng-shui, based more or less on local geography and traditions, may virtually be ineffective when employed beyond the chinese mainland.

Selection Of Soil Characteristics (Bhoomi Lakshanam)The suitability of soil fir individual entities is decided on the basis of the biorythmic and organic origin of a class of society. Characteristics of social classes are dependent on the nature of work or job normally pursued and exposure to the environment . The holistic logic of soil selection is related to virtues of five great elements as projected by qualities of the soil. In vastu texts, properties of soil or earth are described in terms of appearance, taste, odour, sound, color shape, touch and slope of plot. These qualities find their equivalent attributes in human classes. Naturally, a correlation between soil characteristics and requirements of human groups can easily be established.
	Intellectual ClassesFor intellectual classes, a square plot in north zone is preffered. Audumber tree should be present on the plot and the soil should be white, representing jal tatva. Slopes towards the north direction are considered advantageous. Astrologically speaking, north zone is under the influence of jupiter and moon, which are the governing planets for education, culture, and religion. Hence, north zones should be reserved for intellectuals in any town planning.
	Military And PoliceFor military and police personnel, rectangular plots in east zone are preffered. The soil should be reddish in color, having bitter taste. The presence of pipal tree on the plot with slopes towards the east is considered advantageous. A rectangular shape represents strength and force, red color represents agni tatva, and slope towards east leads to better correlation with qualities of planet mars who is known as the warrior. Pipal tree symbolically exhibits the activity of vayu tatva. All the above attributes and parameters are a must for military and police personnel. Astrologically, the sun and mars having agni tatva qualities and characteristics of a warrior govern east zone. Hence, east zone should be reserved for military and police cadre in town planning.
	Traders And BusinessmenA rectangular plot with excess length compared to width is preferred for traders and business class. The plot should be in southern zone with yellow colored soil having acidic taste. The plot should slope towards east. The excessive length in rectangular shape allows for better stream flow characteristics. The yellow color simulates prithvi tatva symbolising stability, and the eastward slope reinforces aditya pravah. This means that stability is achieved along with alacrity because of the favourable role played by the color, the form, and the shape. These attributes are a prerequisite for a stable and a enhanced growth pattern for the business. Astrologically, the tenth house in a horoscope represents business, profession, and work. Hence, the south zone is suitable for traders and businessmen.
	Working ClassesRectangular plot with length far in excess of width is preferred for housing of working classes. The soil should be black in color and bitter in taste, with slope towards east is preferred. Geologically black and bitter soil is rich in mineral contents, and can be suitably used for vegetation and plantation. Excessive length of a house can be used for constructing separate rooms to accomodate different activities which are part of daily routine of the working classes and need to be carried out without disturbing their work assignments. The task areas include storage place for grain, workshops, etc. Slope towards east allows aditya pravah inside house. Astrologically, west zone is ruled by planet saturn, which represents working class activities. Hence, west zone is suitable for working classes.