The four basic sciences in Indian culture via Ayurveda, Yoga, Jyotisham and Vasthu-Shastra explain and relate all the facts and phenomena related to the human mind, body and intelligence. These sciences are interrelated and interdependent and have great beneficial influence over life on earth if they are implemented according to the principles.
We live in, and are surrounded by, various types of energy fields, which operate freely in open space. When we built a house or building without measurement and principles, the equilibrium is affected. Vasthu helps in designed the structure to ensure that a harmonious flow of energy is present in the building and equilibrium maintained.
Vasthu 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, behaviour and other basics of life.
What is Vasthu?
An ancient Indian science of architecture, Vasthu, 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 and prosperity.
This science deals about how to construct merit-full houses, temples, business centres etc and is purely astrological science based on the happenings of cosmic rays illuminated by nine major planets of the globe. The merits and demerits of the structure fully based on the Vasthu Science in connection with creation of the built-up body. The Vasthu science deals about the measurement details, shape details, nature of earth in construction of buildings in order to strengthen the health of the structure.
'Vasthu' - 'A Place of Dwelling'
The Sanskrit word 'Vasthu' means 'dwelling place' and it is derived from the root verb 'Vas' that means to 'dwell'. It is the mystic study of designing & positioning of architectural structures.
Vasthu finds its references in Vedic knowledge and has come down to us through these years. It considers the five elements - Fire, Water, Air, Earth and Ether - as forces, which originate from a single source but have different characteristics. We are born out of them, we grow with them, we live in them, we are surrounded by them and we go back to them. So why not channelise them during 'life here'? Vasthu helps us utilize this energy to make our lives comfortable.
Be it a home or office, factory or a commercial block, Vasthu shastra is known to reward the follower the benefits and protection from ill effect in life-be it economic, emotional or spiritual. Like any other science, Vasthu is considered rational (based on cause and effect) practical, normative (codified and governed by principle), utilitarian and universal.
Vasthu Vidya: A History
The word Vasthu Vidya calls your attention the wonderful world of a practical science, which is too ancient, but still alive! It has been building social life of a nation for centuries! Above all, it suggests a counter life culture towards our modern problematic culture. That is Vasthu Vidya, the Indian science of Architecture.
Vasthu Vidya, the intrinsic building technology of India, originated beyond 10000 B.C at Indus Valley Civilization. The Archaeological remnants of this culture including multi-storied buildings, towns with efficient drainage system and ship docks, situating at northern India remain a piece of wonder for modern technology. Remember, this is the birthplace of Indian Vasthu Vidya!
The Jain- Budhist architecture and Maurya - Pallava- Chola - Pandya cults are only some branches of this great ancient tree. Great numbers of theoretical books have written in this subject. Large numbers of old Temples, palaces and other archaeological monuments have been remaining without any flow of history, proclaiming the greatness of this science. Now in India, the major portion of people following the system of Vasthu Vidya in their construction works. The builders are traditional caste in India also.
Here we should note a valuable fact. The all other civilization had their own architecture. But now all of them exist only in archaeological pieces! But Vasthu Vidya is still alive and expansive. This Miracle of history is only the result of its scientific practicality. Vasthu Vidya covers the universe by its universality.
Residence construction, Temple construction, Settlement located in between two nations or two large cities, Military settlement construction, Urban settlement, Commercial town settlement etc have been specialised in Vasthu Vidya. Above all, it considers the planet earth as 'Vasthu' as a whole. It scientifically favours financial prosperity and smooth management by an office arrangement.
Vasthu Goes With the Nature!
Vasthu Vidya emphasises utmost coherence with nature. The sublimity and scientific basis of this sacred science have been proved undoubtedly by the recent earthquakes happened in Gujarat. The disaster could not make any harm on any temples there.
Vasthu Vidya accepts the nature as it is. The nature and its life power appear before man not as atoms or elements, but as Panchabhutas (Five principal elements). They are Prithvi (Earth), Paani (Water), Vayu (Wind), Agni (Fire), Akash (Ether). The Hindu mind recognised the fact that the life on earth is a divine symphony, conducting by these elements. So, the human being should accord with its rhythm.
All these five elements sustain life on the planet and are neutral in their attitude towards us. They are unbiased, impartial and universal in effect - yet we cannot control them. In an open field, these elements operate freely and there is equilibrium. When a structure is placed in this field, the equilibrium is affected (sometimes in a chaotic manner) and needs to be restored. When this is achieved - energy flows harmoniously, making lives well balanced. Vasthu sets our position in creating balance between human beings and the environment in a manner to absorb the benefits of the five elements, the cosmic influence of the Sun, its light and heat, the direction of the wind and of our planet's magnetic field.
Theory Behind Vasthu
Man has no separated life. The life of all flora and fauna is totally inter related. According to sacred books of Vedas, "Yatra Viswam Bhavathyeka Needam" i.e. this universe is situated as a bird nest. Here you enter the realm of 'Advaitha' (Theory of Non-Duality). The exceptional universal outlook of Vasthu Vidya is derived from the Theory of Advaitha. This thought will elevate your mind beyond the modern Chaos Theory and Uncertainity Theory.
We can see that Vasthu Vidya combines human endeavor with the rhythm of the echo system, through a wonderful planning. You can build your house in large or small plot. But here Vasthu Vidya strictly demands to study and obey the geographical features of your plot. The reasons are too simple but majestic. For example, according to Vasthu Vidya a house should build towards east-west or south-north direction. There is strong reason in it. The earth rotates from West to East per day and by one year it revolves to North from South. When we travel, it is better to be seated in same direction of our vehicle.
Ayurveda discovered that the flow of air and the fall of sunlight in a region excert great impact upon man's emotions and bodily requirements. Thus, ancient architectural works could provide rare conclusions in the construction of houses where light and air abide plenty. Recent researches proved that these houses nurture the mind, the body, and the sexual well-being of the users.
Vasthu and Architecture
Today is an age of specialization and architecture has metamorphosised into several disciplines. This has resulted into fragmented approach and disruption of age-old traditions; the insular thinking is due to present changing socio-cultural structure-from rural to urban, from social to economic and from community to individualistic. Architecture has, usually, not been able to recognize the social, economic, environmental and other changes that are taking place in the country.
There is a widespread restlessness and lack of psychological fulfillment, in spite of higher level of physical comfort. The people are searching for alternatives to these problems in a rather simple manner and adopting geometric patterns and codes of the so-called Science of Vasthu.
However, due to the growing awareness, it has other side also. Architecture is in the process of precipitation and there is a strong urge to relate architecture to metaphysical and psychic experience. With the renewed interest in heritage of Science of Vasthu, the scholars and architects are studying and exploring the traditional Indian literature.
Eco-friendly Architecture
Vasthu Vidya is relying out and out on the eco-friendly bio-human methods. It prefers human experience to mechanical engineering when it begins by checking the soil, simply by tasting it. It will convince you that water is but the blood of earth.
Like the blood circulating through nerves lying downwards and upwards in parts of the human body, the water circulating through the internal nerves of the earth. Here the earth is not an object of consuming; but a pulsating life!
Vasthu Vidya suggests various eco friendly building materials. It rejects the terrible and harmful 'concrete culture'. Vasthu Vidya pleads for diversity in this matter according to geographical peculiarities of plots.
Vasthu Vidya insists on land fertility and environmental pleasure. 'Green Belt' is a modern idea in European thought; but it has been practicing for centuries by Vasthu Vidya. There is a concept of planting the Tamarind Tree in the south direction of the house. So, that it checks and absorbs the strong flow of solar wind. Some new Indian studies have also proved the scientific basis of this outlook. This is the time of terrible environmental pollution. There is hole appears in the ozone layer, which helps the earth to protect it from the dangerous rays of the sun. Here Vasthu Vidya shows a path of salvation to you.
Vasthu - An Applied Science
Vasthu Vidya is an applied science of all Indian learning. The Indian Astronomy, which discovered the structure of solar system and eclipse of stars at first, leads Vasthu Vidya; The great Indian Mathematics gives it exactness; The Indian art tradition, which wrote poetry in metal and stone, make it beautiful; The great Indian medicine which discovered surgery before Christ gives it a human phase; The Indian Botany, which includes the great visions of Saint Athreya who proclaimed that there is no single plant in this nature that is not useful to mankind, gives openness to it. Yes, it is the only way of natural life of which the modern world wants!
Vasthu Purusha
The God concept in Vasthuvidya. Vasthupurusha is a formless being encompassing the earth and the sky in all directions. The vasthu, whether microscopic or macroscopic in form, is depicted as a field in which Vasthupurusha is lying incarnate. This mythology of Vasthupurusha perhaps represent the symbolism of creating a built environment from the nature.
Vasthu: How much Beneficial for You?
Vasthu, in the built form, is the way to achieve a rhythmic inner space, which would give the necessary strength for acting in the world outside despite the pain and the problems of life. Vasthu harmonizes one's life with nature, allowing one to unfold to their optimum potential.
A building designed with the principles of Vasthu and numerical calculations of Ayadi (receiving more and spending less energy) affects the individuals in three ways- physical, psychological and spiritual.
Physical
Provides comfort, ease of use, convenience achieved by paying attention to space, high, ventilation, good circulation, comforts, color, form.
Psychological
Creates well-being, unlocks the tensions, enhances relationships inwardly and outwardly.
Spiritual
Awakens the urge for understanding the meaning of life and death and evokes the quest for touching something more deep within and without.
By ensuring that all three aspects of a person's life are touched, evoked, activated and harmonized, the entire universe of the spirit is opened up and made ware. This complete or holistic action is the strength of Vasthu.
The use of this science is fast spreading in modern day India, with more and more people paying attention to the principles of Vasthu while planning for their residential and commercial premises.
Vasthu consultation could be very helpful if you are purchasing or renting a house, or designing a home. It is especially recommended if you are facing problems and hurdles in life, or if there is lack of harmony at home or work.
What we need today is a perfect Manifestation of our old heritage, i.e., Vedic Architecture (Vasthu) and the house which is consistent with times prevalent, and thus the emergence of Vasthutecture as a need.