Introduction to Vastu ShastraIn recent times Vaastu has gained prominence in our day-to-day life. Vaastu is derived from the Sanskrit word “VAAS” which means “to reside” or ”to Dwell”. Vista’s concern is not only material prosperity but also mental peace and happiness and also harmony in the family, office etc. Vaastu is a boon to the modern world Vaastu is the science of direction that combines all the five elements of nature and balances them with the man and the material. Vaastu Shastra is creating a congenial settings or a place to live or work, in most scientific way taking advantages of the benefits bestowed by the five elements called "Paanchbhootas" of the nature thereby paving the way for enhanced health, wealth, prosperity and happiness in an enlightened environment.The world comprises of five basic elements, also known as the Paanchbhootas. They are Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Space. Out of the nine planets, our planet has life because of the presence of these five elements.The DirectionsA building is important not only for saving energy but also for a better house design, which not only gives us a comfortable living but also gives us a good health, wealth and prosperity to the owner or occupant of the house and to their families.The house is designed keeping in view of the different directions with respect to the NORTH.A building of any type and its construction meets the purpose if proper orientation has been given using suitable building material. This increases not only its life span but also improves the condition of occupants. There are instances where buildings are not planned according to required local orientation were lost or deteriorated much faster then the buildings having built with proper studies of orientation.The proper orientation means the proper knowledge of all the eight directions. It is a common knowledge that the direction from where the Sun arises is known as East and where it sets as West and when one faces the East direction, towards one's left is North and towards one's right is South. The corner where two directions meet obviously is more significant since it combines the forces emanating from both the directions. SO in all there are eight directions, North, Northeast, East, southeast, South, Southwest, West, Northwest. Every direction has its own significance and has its own construction. The basic rules of Vaastu Shastra are based on these eight directions.Vaastu is EssentialAs Vastu is the basic of every construction and so one must follow the Vastu rules from the beginning of choosing a plot/house/flat to shifting in the house. While selecting a plot one must look at nature of soil, shape of plot, direction of plot, slopes, surroundings, size, leveling of plot etc., and of flat. While constructing a house the interiors, choosing the colors, muharats (when to shift) etc. are to be seen. Each and everything should be according to the principles of Vastu as it is a Science which brings balance between man and the nature. Vaastu is UniqueVaastu is a science that has originated from India. Feng shui is an art of harnessing energies. Though both have a same objective, the benefit of humanity but the principles are very different. I am a strict follower of Vaastu as it is originated from India and it’s based on our culture, traditions, geographical conditions, climatical conditions and everything for India. And Feng shui is originated in China and based on their culture and traditions.What is Vaastu?Vaastu is an ancient Indian science of architecture and buildings which helps in making a congenial setting or a place to live and work in a most scientific way taking advantage of the benefits bestowed by nature, its elements and energy fields for enhanced wealth, health, prosperity and happiness.Vaastu Shastra unifies the science, art, astronomy and astrology, it can also be said as an ancient mystic science for designing and building. Vaastu Shastra helps us to make our lives better and will secure from things going wrong.Vaastu is the science of directions that combines all the five elements of nature and balances them with the man and the material. Vaastu Shastra is creating a congenial settings or a place to live or work, in most scientific way taking advantages of the benefits bestowed by the five elements called "Paanchbhootas" of the nature thereby paving the way for enhanced health, wealth, prosperity and happiness in an enlightened environment.Our sages and seers have knew the secrets of using all the five elements of this universe and their special characteristics and influences such as the magnetic field, gravitational effect etc. of Earth, the galaxy in the sky, the directions and velocity of the winds, light and heat of the SUN including the effects of its Ultra-Violet and Infra-Red rays, the volume and intensity of rainfall etc. for the advantage of the mankind in suitably planning and constructing buildings for dwelling, prayer, entertainment , education , working , production and other purposes . They evolved scientific methods and systems and confined them over the years as 'VAASTU SHASTRA'. Our sages SEARCHED it; we are only RESEARCHING it and building the concepts.Man is the subject, object and the cause of architecture. He perceives and conceives architecture in relation to his experience of himself with the surrounding world. Through art of design, he alters and moulds the elements of natural environment. The world comprises of five basic elements, also known as the Paanchbhootas. They are Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Space. Out of the nine planets, our planet has life because of the presence of these five elements. Earth and Water have limited and localized availability for the human habitat and growth. They form apparent and fundamental choice makers in the location and the physical form of architecture and habitat. Sun, Air and Space are universally available and can be moulded to human needs by the act of design. In order to understand the act of design with these five elements, we shall have to take each one separately to appreciate their meaning, role, and workability in architecture.(1) 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 telling effects on everything on the Earth, living and non-living. It is tilted by about 23 ½ degrees at the meridian. It comprises of the land structure, landform, landscape, flora and fauna. It also establishes availability of local construction materials and their workability. In India, we worship our Bhumi and give her a place of our mother.(2) WATER (Jal): - This is represented by rain, river, and sea and is in the form of liquid, solid (ice) and gas (steam, cloud). It forms part of every plant and animal. Our blood is nothing but water with hemoglobin and oxygen. The habitat and physical life are where water is present. This is true for all life forms and eco-cultures. The type, form and pattern of life also greatly depend on relationship of earth and water. If we see our history, all the cultures had developed on the bank of any water bodies, so this shows the influence of the water on our life, since ages.(3) AIR (Vaayu): - As a life-supporting element, air is very powerful life source. Pure air with oxygen is good for brain and blood. Atmosphere of earth, which is about 400 kms. , In depth, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon-dioxide, Helium, other gases, dust particles, humidity and vapour in certain proportions. Human physical comfort values are directly and sensitively dependent on correct humidity, airflow, and temperature of air, air pressure, air composition and its content. In this aspect, air deals with the entire body surface through skin, blood system - through respiration. Air also represents the movement.(4) FIRE (Sun): - It represents light and heat without which the life will extinct. All the days and nights, seasons, energy, enthusiasm, passion, vigour is because of light and heat only. Sun is a source of mental energy too. Best minds evolve in a natural process where the sun was temperate. Not very hot, not very cold, just the right temperature of 24 degrees. The different zones with the variety of climate have distinctive culture and architecture. Sun has played an important role in development of visual qualities of architecture in terms of textures, colors and above all the expressions of vitality.(5) SPACE (Aakash): - All the above elements are skillfully engineers towards the creation of physically comfortable, emotionally pleasant, intellectually determinant, totally vibrant and blissfully satisfying spaces for human shelter and habitat. It is unending regions remote from the earth, in which not only our solar system but the entire galaxy exists. Its effective forces are light, heat, gravitational force and waves, magnetic field and others.The ideal habitats, cultures, architecture and life have naturally shown exhilarence where all the five elements, to support life, are abundantly available and are suitable to human growth and evolution. This is an invisible and constant relation between these elements outside and those within an individual and in his living and working places. Thus, the man can improve his conditions by properly designing his buildings by understanding the effectiveness of these five natural forces.Why One Should Follow Vaastu?Vaastu considered the interplay of various forces of nature involving the five elements of earth, water, wind, fire and ether and strives to maintain equilibrium as these elements influence, guide and change the living styles of not only human beings but also every living being on earth. Thus they influence our deeds, luck, behavior and other basics of life.Vaastu Shastra is the sublime elucidation of your surrounding and their influence on your life. Vaastu literally means " house" or Dwelling Place and its principles establish to create a harmony between the fine elements viz. Earth, Sky, Fire, Water and Air in the environment.Vaastu Shastra unifies the science, art, astronomy and astrology, it can also be said as an ancient mystic science for designing and building. Vaastu Shastra helps us to make our lives better and will secure from things going wrong.• Solar Energy from Sun. Lunar Energy from Moon• Earth Energy• Sky Energy• Electric Energy• Magnetic Energy• Thermal Energy• Wind Energy• Light Energy• Cosmic Energy Vastushastra is an ancient building science which covers the philosophy and theory of Architectural works to construct any building and as well as living style of people. Vastushastra is based on various natural energies, which are available free cost in atmosphere like:Utilization of such energies gives us pleasure peace, prosperity and money etc in our life. Now a days we are having National Building code, whichgives us certain regulations to construct building, whereas in past our ancestors were having Vaastu Shastra as a religious & rigourics code. As per shastra Vaastu Purush is god of building science, hence let us pray. Thus Vaastu is rational, as it is scientific, it is permanent as it is based on directions and directions are unchangeable. It is beneficial as it is a bridge between man, material and nature and above all it is practical, as it is very simple to follow. Build your house according to the guidelines provided by vaastu and lead a healthy and happy life.Vaastu can be used for every room, every house, every temple, every shop industry, town planning, tour, cities and even for earth. Vaastu can be used for micro as well as for macro level.Every creature on earth starts its life with sunrise as it performs day & night. Hence there is much importance of sun in every one life. It gives ultra violet rays in morning and infrared rays in evening which one basic need to reduce / generate bio-chemical germs, N2/ Oxygen / CO2 on earth.Sun indicates light (illumination) will power, generosity, solar system, luck or fate, mobility and in body. It rules over bone, eye, heart, spinal cord, blood circulation and soul etc. Hence east direction is auspicious; it belongs to lord Indra. North is considered auspicious since magnetic lines of forced moves from North to South, thus origin of all the life.There are three forces in action to create harmony. Wind, water and fire or, Vaayu, Jal and Agni. If these forces are kept in their appropriate places, then there will be no disturbance. But if water is put in place of fire and wind in place of water or in any other combination, the forces will start acting accordingly and create disharmony and unpeacefulness.Role Of Vaastu In IndiaIndia is the mother of vaastu as our saints formulate principles of vaastu here. Vaastu was written down thousands of years ago where our sages kept in mind the effect of energies and sunlight and balance all the five elements in a manner to have the maximum benefit out of it.Vaastu Shilpa Shastra, the ancient mystic science and the art of designing and constructing buildings finds its origin in Stapatya Veda, which in turns is a part of Atharva Veda, one of the four Vedas. According to modern historians Ferguson, Havell and Cunningham, this science developed during the period of 6000 BC and 3000 BC.Proofs of vaastu shastra can be found during the time of Ramayana and Mahabharat. In the cities of Mohanjodaro and Harappa the application of vaastu shastra can be seen. In the Matsya Purana, seventeen preceptors of Vaastu have been mentioned.These principles, called Vaastu Shastra, were evolved over thousands of years out of experience and foresight of ancient Sages of India and are very valuable for the well being of mankind. According to Shastras, if we worship, revere and respect the lords of these eight directions, they will shower on us their blessings and benefits. Our saints have searched vaastu shastra; we are only researching it.The following lines depicts the importance of vaastu shastraSHASTRENANEN SARVASYA LOKASYA PARAM SUKHAMCHATURVERG PHALA PRAPTI SHLOKSHCH BHAVEDYUVAMSHLIP SHASTRA PARIGYAN MRITYOAPI SUJETAAM VRAJETPARMANAND JANAK DEVANAMI DIMIRITAMSHILP VINA NAHI JAGTISHU LOKESHU VIDYATEJAGAD VINA NA SHILPANCH VARTATE VASAU PRABHOMeaning - Because of VAASTU SHASTRA, the whole universe gets good health, happiness and all round prosperity. Human beings attain divinity with this knowledge. Followers of VAASTU SHASTRA get not only worldly pleasure but also experience heavenly bliss. With the above shloka, it is very much clear that VAASTU SHASTRA is universal. It is not confined to any particular group of people in the development of all human being irrespective of any caste, creed or religion.Authenticity Of VaastuThe biggest Proof of vaastu shastra can be found during the time of Ramayana and Mahabharat. Even in the cities of Mohanjodaro and Harappa the application of vaastu shastra can be seen. Since the science goes far back to the times of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna there are many interesting mythological stories concerning the origin of Vaastu Purush (the deity).If you consider it a mythological fact then here are the most unbelievable examples that Vaastu is a science and one must follow it wholeheartedly.Geographical situation of an area affects the nature thus the vaastu for every place changes. We see that some countries are much advanced, developed and prosperous while others are much backward.Apart from the geographical conditions and different nations, if we take examples within our country, you will be surprised to see. Have you ever thought that why tajmahal is so famous that it has become the 7th wonder of the earth and why exactly similar structure called “chandbibi ka makbara” situated in the people does not yet know Aurangabad. Why is so that the Tirupati balaji is world famous and other temples situated in the same regions are still waiting for the pilgrims to come…. This is all vaastu; they are famous because they are made according to vaastu.Thus to achieve the happiness, peace and prosperity, one must follow the principles of vaastu.Vaastu is an empirical science. Over the years, based on the knowledge in the Vedas, repeated studies on a number of buildings, offices, temples, houses, apartments have shown a positive correlation between the application of Vaastu principles and success. It can be extensively applied to various edifices natural and man-made landmasses, temples, factories, homes, office buildings and corporate headquarters.Water in the Northeast is considered most auspicious and Japan has the largest water body in this direction, a reason for its being one of the most prosperous countries in the world. Mumbai again has water in the North East and the Atomic Power Plant (Agni) in the South East thus according to Vaastu principles and the most powerful, prosperous place in India.The location and construction of the famous Balaji Temple, the most prosperous in India, are all according to Vaastu: Water tank in the Northeast, Kitchen in Southeast, and the Lord in Southwest facing East and so on. Studies conducted on cities like New York, London, Singapore, Hong Kong etc have shown they are according Vaastu principles.The most famous prosperous industrial houses have also been studied; The Tata head quarters in Mumbai, Akbarallys the most successful retail store in India, factories of FACOR a highly successful industry in A.P. and many others have been found to be according to Vaastu.**********************************Geographical situation of an area affects the nature thus the vastu for every place changes. We see that some countries are much advanced, developed and prosperous while others are much backward. For e.g.• Japan, existence of deep water in North and the East is considered most auspicious according to vastu shastra. The eastern side of Japan is widely spread and open. Thus Japan gets full benefit of the rays of the sun. This is why Japan is rich and prosperous. There is sea in Southeast and south of Japan, which is a place for Fire, this is why it suffered the attack of atom bombs explosion and earthquake.• If we take Africa as a continent, we all know the northeastern corner of this continent is interjected. Northwest portion is projected, southeast and south have unlimited water, these all conditions are inauspicious according to vastu, that's why African countries are backward, uneducated, poor. But on the contrary, in the north of this continent, there exists Mediterranean Sea, which is favorable according to vastu. In the eastern part, river Nile flows and that's why civilization developed in Egypt and now Egypt got name and honour for its world famous pyramids.• Why to go far, lets discuss our own INDIA, we know we have the Himalayas in the North and Northeast side of our country which is against vastu, thus there is lot of poverty in our country. There is water in Southwest and southeast side of our nation, thus we have to face the attacks of foreign empires. One thing that makes India famous is that we have our slope towards east, which is a very favourable and auspicious sign.The Origin of VaastuThe origin of vaastu shastra may have taken place well over thousands of years ago. The learned men of those days may not have lived in houses themselves but they most definitely dedicated their lives to the development of the science "vaastu shastra" or "vaastu", as it is popularly known today.The principles of the science laid down during those days were based purely on the effect of sunrays during different times of the day. The observations and corrections made were noted and concluded only after in-depth screening of the situation.Vaastu 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 Vaastu originates in the Stapatya Veda, a part of the Atharva Veda.It used to be a purely technical subject and it was only confined to architects (Sthapatis) and handed over to their heirs. The principles of construction, architecture, sculpture etc., as enunciated in the epics and treatise on temple architecture, have been incorporated in the science of vaastu. Its description is there in epics like Mataysya Purana, Skanda Purana, Agni Purana, Garuda Purana, and Vishnu Purana. There are some other ancient shastras that pass over the knowledge of vaastu shastra to next generation, like Vishvakarma Prakash, Samraangan Sutradhar, Kashyap Shilpshastra, Vrihad Sanhita, and Praman Manjaree.In the Mahabharata it is said a number of houses were built for the kings who were invited to the city Indraprastha for the Rajasuya Yagna of King Yuddhistira. Sage Vyasa says that these houses were as high as the peaks of Kailasa Mountains, perhaps meaning that they stood tall and majestic. The houses were free from obstructions, had compounds with high walls and their doors were of uniform height and inlaid with numerous metal ornaments. It is said that the site plan of Ayodhya, the city of Lord Rama was similar to the plan found in the great architectural text Manasara. References are also to be found in Buddhist literature, of buildings constructed on the basis of Vaastu. They contain references to individual buildings. Lord Buddha is said to have delivered discourses on architecture and even told his disciples that supervising the construction of a building was one of the duties of the order. Mention is made of monasteries (Viharas) or temples, buildings, which are partly residential, and partly religious (Ardhayogas), residential storied buildings (Prasadas), multi-storied buildings (harmyas) and Guhas or residential buildings for middle class people.The Vaastu, 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 Vaayu (air), Agni (fire), Jal (water), Bhumi (earth) and Aakash (space), which are known as Paanchbhootas. Everything on earth is built from these elements.