Vastu Shastra is the traditional Indian system of architecture and design of Vedic origin. Vastu means the dwelling of humans and Gods. Many Vastu rules are derived from ‘Vastu Purusha Mandala’ which is depicted as a man lying with his head pointing north-east, in a grid of usually 64 squares.
The different directions and sectors are assigned to different Gods and Guardians. It aims at providing guidelines for proper construction. Vastu orientates, places and dictates the proportions of every detail in building lines, skylines, elongations, levels, slopes, water (underground and overhead), kitchen, bedrooms, restrooms, staircase, heights of ceilings and roofs, entrances, loci of doors and windows, compound walls and so on.
Vastu is affected with positive power of five elements: the earth, the water, the fire, the space and the air. Vastu Shastra comprises philosophy and theory of architectural works to construct any building and as well as living style of people. Vastu Shastra is based on various natural energies like Solar Energy; Lunar Energy; Earth Energy; Electric Energy; Magnetic Energy; Thermal Energy; Wind Energy; Light Energy; Cosmic Energy. Ancient sages of India laid down several principles for constructing buildings by taking advantage of the nature.
Knowledge of directions and their significance
In Vastu Shastra, eight directions namely North, East, West, South, North-east, South-east, South-west and North-west are considered as important. Each of these directions and sub-directions has its own merits and demerits and yields results accordingly. Every direction has a deity or lord that rules it.
If you are planning to build your bungalow or any other building on the basis of Vastu Shastra, first of all you should have knowledge of your plot’s direction. Then you should decide in which direction you ought to keep your main gate. You may if necessary, take the help of a compass to know the directions.
As the numerals have their apparent influence of human life, similarly influence of the directions is also apparent. Richness or penury of a person can be known from the location of his house. In which direction is the house located? Which direction does the entrance of his house face? How is the interior decoration?
These and other related things reveal the economic condition of a person. Similarly, changes that must be made in order to bring prosperity and to prevent imminent danger or crisis can also be known with the help of Vastu Shastra.
EAST: ‘Indra’ is the ruling deity of the east. He is capable of destroying enemies. The east is also known as a direction of lineage. During the construction of the house, some portion must be left open in the east. It leads to long life for the owner.
WEST: The west is the opposite of the east. No work can progress in the west. ‘Varun’ (Neptune) is the lord of this direction, which is under the influence of sage ‘Agastya’. Sea is the abode of ‘Varun’ (Neptune). He therefore, has most influence on the water bodies. A proper utilization of westerly portion of plot leads to reputation, fame, prosperity and success for the owner.
NORTH: ‘Kuber’ is the lord of this direction. Literally, ‘Kuber’ means the one who controls the imminent events and causes increments. He has inaccessible wealth and property. Mercury is the planet that rules the north. North is also a place of mother. Leaving some portion open in north leads to prosperity of maternal side as well as provides wealth, comforts, peace etc. for the owner.
SOUTH: ‘Yama’ is the lord of this direction. South direction weakens human life, hence all the auspicious tasks are forbidden in the south. In all the south direction yields nothing but mourning, depression and pain.
‘AGNEYA’ (South-East): Direction that lies midway between the east and the south is known as Agneya (south-east). ‘Agni’ (fire) is the lord of this direction. He is the preserver and defender of every being. Agni also provides them with comfort, peace, prosperity and progeny. While constructing a house, the first pillar must be erected in the south-east direction.
Alternatively, kitchen of the house should occupy a place in this direction. This is the foremost and an important rule of Vastu Shastra. A warm ‘Agneya’ direction makes a man healthy, whereas a faulty use makes the owner short tempered.
‘NAIRITYA’ (South-West): It lies midway between the south and the west directions. ‘Nairitya’ is the ruling lady of this direction. Literally, Nairitya means repeated happening, whether be it the birth of a baby or any other event. If the house is built in this direction, the home suffers continuous decay. South-west portion of the house should never be left open, nor should a pit be dug is this direction.
This direction is an abode of demons and ghosts. To prevent the accumulation of inauspicious and pain causing things, digging of pit in south-west is prohibited. If for some reason, digging is necessary it should be covered as early as possible or a sapling be planted in its place.
‘VAYAVYA’ (North-West): It lays mid way between the west and the north. ‘Vayu’ (wind) is the lord of this direction. North-west angle is the progenitor of friendship or enmity. Hence, a faulty use of this portion of plot may result in majority of the enemies. If you use this angle of your plot wisely and flawlessly, you will have many friends who will undoubtedly benefit you.
‘ISHANYA’ (North-East): The angle that lies midway between north and the east is known as ‘Ishanya’ (north-east) direction. ‘Shiva’ is the lord of this angle. Portion of the house in this direction must be kept holy for it yields many kinds of divine powers to the owner. Proper utilization of this portion of house provides wealth, reputation, property and every kind of excellence for the owner. A faulty utilization of this angle, however, may block successful continuation of progeny.
This collectible article on Vastu Shastra is provided by Rewa Kumar of Divine Vastu Consultations and Research Center
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