The Essence of Vaastu Shastra: The underlying philosophy “Let the everlasting air and light make comfortable the
house that is built up with skill and knowledge and measured and erected by learned architects.” - Atharva Veda Among the oldest literary works known to mankind, Vaastu Vidya or Vaastu Shastra , written around 2500 B.C. stands out. The Atharva Veda discusses it at length.In this article I have only tried to bring out the essence of Vaastu and its underlying precepts. Vaastu Vidya, rooted in ancient Indian philosophy means the sacred science related to designing and building houses.It is older than Feng- Shui and is considered by experts and practitioners as the distant ancestor of Feng-Shui. Vaastu rests on the belief that the external and the internal are interchangeable. As per it the energies that govern the elements like fire and wind are similar to those that control the elements of the human body. Therefore, when the buildings echo the underlying cosmic principles, they vibrate in harmony with the universe. These vibrations also affect those who are housed in the building and can determine their health, wealth, happiness, progeny and prosperity. The primary goal of Vaastu, thus is to realign home with the cosmic principles and restore the balance between the two to bring health, wealth and happiness to those who follow its principles based on ancient Indian philosophy and common sense. Vaastu belives that
energy lines run like a large grid across the earth, from
north to
south and from
east to west. The electromagnetic field that is thus generated affects the human body at the cellular level. Vaastu also uses the cardinal directions. The
sun rises in the east, ushering in the day and so represents the beginning; the setting sun in the
west is an indication of endings; the pole star in the north denotes stability and security and the south represents the past. Vaastu focusses on a plan for any forms, be it a room or a building based on the right proportions. A four sided structute is generlly favoured as the energy flow in it is similar to the energy that flows through the earth.Therefore, the home should mirror the earth and be designed accordingly. The plan used in Vaastu is Vaastu Purusha mandala which is a three dimensional Yantra containing all the forces acting on any given space. Vaastu Purusha symbolises a man with his stomach facing the earth, his head facing the north east and his feet folded and facing the south west. He is symbolic embodiment of all cosmic forces. It is then belived that the area under the consideration of Vaastu becomes body of the Purusha. From the Mandala that is prepared, any working and living situation can be properly aligned. The Mandala is in the form of a square with eight compass directions. When a house is based on the Purusha Mandala plan of Vaastu, certain rules have to be followed. For example, offerings to the Goddess of wealth have to be placed at his head facing the north east as this is the direction through which the Prana or cosmic energy enters the house , meanders towards the south east and north west before heading to the south west. His head indicates the direction in which the positive Pranic energy enters the house. His heart is considered vulnerable, so no heavy furniture is to be positioned on it. It is belived that if prana or cosmic energy is proper in the environment, there will be happiness, health, prosperity and harmony. In the traditional concept of Vaastu Vidya, the layout of a house and the corresponding functions of each room have been prescribed according to the position of the sun throughout the day. Accordingly, the period between three and six in the morning i.e. before sunrise when the sun is in the north eastern section of the house is called the Brahma Muhurta which is good for meditation. From six to nine in the morning the sun is in the eastern part of the house which is a good time for bathing. Thus, the east, logically is a good location for the bathroom. From nine in the morning to noon the sun is in the south eastern part of the house. It is good time to cook and to eat and the direction is a good location for the kitchen. Between twelve and three in the afternoon the sun is in the southern direction of the house, it is the ideal time to rest and by implication the bedrooms should face the southern direction. Between three and six in the evening the sun is in the south western section of the house . It is a good time for study and therfore the study should be located in the south west. During six to nine in the evening when the sun is in the west is a good time for eating.West is a good location for the dining room. The time between twelve midnight and three in the morning is ideal for sex, secrecy, rest and sleep. During the time the sun faces north of the house.
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