Temples: history, architecture and distribution

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Vastu Shastra - An Established Science – part 1

Nature has potentially endowed man with the faculty of delving deep into its secrets to be able to ensure good health, happiness and soul progression. The cultivation is a never-ending process, though the momentum, depending upon several factors, keeps on changing. Vastu (vastu) is one such field of occult knowledge that was recognized by the Indian sages (rishis) as the vibratory force of Nature hidden in one’s residence and its surroundings. With the increasing curiosity and fascination of people, past few years have witnessed a mushrooming of popular lectures, books and web sites on this holistic discipline of architectural principles.

Our life is sensitive to not only the environment and the ambience around, but also to the structure and designs of the residence we live in and the type and topography of the plot of earth on which it is built. The rishis were well aware of this fact and had therefore linked the knowledge of architecture and interior and exterior design of residence with the science of vastu and had developed it as one of the sub-vedas entitled “Sthapatya Veda”. This vedic discipline of knowledge is collectively known as the “Vastu Shastra”. Many of the ancient temples stand as living monuments of the awe-inspiring majesty and inspiration emanating from these magnificent houses of worship built according to the Vastu Shastra.

A house provides shelter to someone or the other and hence it is given the importance of a sacred activity in the Indian Culture and is counted as a part of dharma. “Vrahad Vastumala” – a scripture of the Vastu Shatra, highlights the purpose of house construction as ––

Striputradikabho Ârañya, Jananam Dharmarthakama Puram |
Jantunamayanam Sukhasyadamidam, Shitambu Dharmaham ||

Meaning: House (Home) is that which offers the worldly joys of having a family, keeping pets, cattle, etc; which protects from cold, heat, storms and other external hazards, and which facilitates the proper performance of dharma (righteous duties), artha (attainment of wealth/material power and progress) and kama (fulfillment of desires).

The savants of Vastu Shastra affirm that a house constructed according to the norms and guidelines of this vedic science, helps allay the tensions and minimize the chances of familial conflicts and stresses arising out of economic problems, social pressures, sickness, etc. “Vishwakarma Prakash” states that –– “The divine power of Vastu is pervading everywhere on the earth, on which Lord Vastu is (subliminally) lying with his face towards North-East direction (Purvottaramukho Vastu Purusah Parikalpitah). A house built as per the vedic instructions of “Vastu Shastra” is blessed by the grace of Lord Vastu and thus lends enormous support in the progress and happiness of the people residing therein.

The worship of Lord Vastu, along with other manifestations of God, is an integral part of Deva Pujana in the major sacraments and religious ceremonies of the Hindu Dharma. This signifies the subliminal presence of divine powers and energies inherent in the five basic elements (the panca tatvas1) and hence in the visible and invisible forces of Nature and stresses the maintenance of a harmonious balance between them in all activities of life.

Vastu Shastra is believed to be the oldest science of Architecture. It is literally defined as –– the Shastra (a branch of Vedic Literature), which deals with the knowledge of the topography and the design of any construction to be built for residence, worship or any other purpose. The word “vastu” in Sanskrit language is derived from the verb “vasa”, which means living, residing, lodging, etc. The word ‘vastu’ is defined in “Amara Kosha” as ––

Graharacanavacchinnabhumeh |

Meaning: the plot of land suitable for the construction of a house for living is (the base of ) vastu. According to the “Halayudha Kosha” ––

Vastu Samkshepato Vakshye Grahadau Vighnanashanam |
Ishanakoñadarabhya Hyekashitipade Tyajet ||

Meaning: In short, vastukala (the art of vastu) is the art of house construction, which teaches perfect (science and techniques of) designs starting from the ishaña (east-north) angle so as to protect the house from all natural calamities and other adversities.

The scriptures further describe the ‘vastu purusa’ or ‘vastu devata’ as the presiding deity, the divine source of this hidden realm of Nature working in the properties of land and building-architecture. This vastu purusa, is said to be ‘enshrined’ in its global form, facing the ishaña (east-north) direction. This is why the construction of houses according to the Vastu Shastra should be started from the ishaña (east-north) angle.

The ancient science of Vastu stipulates that the basic purpose of building a house is that it should be auspicious and beneficial to the people living in it; it should bring them peace, happiness, success and progress. Therefore, according to Vastu Shastra, the topography and properties of the plot should be analyzed first to examine, apart from its location, solidity, vibration, etc of the land to determine whether or not it would be beneficent to the owner and his family. Then, before laying the foundation stone, the architectural design of the house should be drawn so as to maximize the positive effects (of Nature’s salutary vibrations or grace of vastu devata) from different directions. For example, what should be the direction, location, design, etc of the worship chamber, study room, living room, kitchen, bedroom, storeroom, entrance, water storage, toilet, bathrooms, etc? How many doors and windows should be there and in which directions? What should be the interior makeup and exterior surroundings of the house? The latter includes, the types and positions of trees near the house, etc.

Apart from their individual locations and designs with respect to the position and properties of the plot, all components or units inside and around the house should also be mutually compatible and with respect to the distance and directions of the nearby roads, highways etc. Similar constraints are considered for the construction of shops, offices, hospitals, etc. Wherever necessary, the different aspects of the house (or any other building) architecture are also reviewed in Vastu Shastra with respect to the zodiac sign of the owner.

It is amazing to note that the Vastu Shastra indeed gives detailed guidance in regard to architectural designs and layouts – keeping in view also the constraints of cost, area limitations, appearance of the building, etc. Most remarkably, it also incorporates all the factors like stability and durability, safety, optimal availability of fresh air, sunlight along with the climatic nature of a particular area, which, we in the modern world, regard as the only ‘scientific factors’ relevant for house construction.

The properties of the plot or the piece of land (called g—ahapiñda) –– on which a particular building is to be erected –– that are considered important for detailed vastu-analysis include the colour, brittleness and smell of the soil; the geometrical shape, size, slope and height of the plot from the sea-level; the types of trees, plants, mountains, spring, river, lake, pond, etc, if any, in the surrounding area and the relative position of these from the plot. For example, square shaped or rectangular plots are regarded most beneficial. Triangular, hexagonal, circular, elliptical plots or land pieces in the shape of the musical instruments like mridang or dholak, or in the zigzag shapes of cactus or like the face of a lion are considered maleficent in terms of the Vastu-effects. The downward slope of the land towards the East is regarded auspicious for prosperity. Lands with slopes inclined downwards in the West or South are given least preference. The land in the shape of the back of a tortoise (i.e. protruded in the center and descended on the boundaries is also considered good. The plots in the shape of the back of an elephant, with upward portions in the Southwest and Northwest directions are regarded lucky for the owner. Deserts, barren or swampy lands are supposed to hinder the house-owner’s progress; people are therefore advised not to choose such plots for construction of their houses.

Having selected the most suitable plot, the next important step in the construction of a house, according to the Vastu Shastra, is the selection of the positioning of different rooms according to the directions. Eight directions are regarded significant here – namely, the four principle directions: North (Uttara), South (Dakshina), East (Purva) and West (Pashcima) and the four diagonal directions in between, namely, East-North (Þshana), North-West (Vayavya), West-South (Nai—atya) and South-East (Âgneya).

While deciding the location and size of the rooms as per the guidelines of the Vastu Shastra, ideally, the architectural plan should also take into account the provision for leaving some place free for the concerned Lord(s) in a given direction. The Lords of eight directions are as follows: East- Indra (Vedic Sun has also been called Indra); South-east- Agni; South- Yama; South-west- Niruti; West- Varun; North- west- Vayu; North- Kuber; and North-east- Esana (God). The free space should be left as per the properties (e.g. the magnetic and other effects) of the gross manifestations of these powers. For example, as per the scriptures on Vastu, substantial open space should be left in the East direction; much lesser space in the North direction and very little in the West-South direction. Negligible or no space is to be left free or open in the other directions.

“Samarangana Sutradhar” by Bhoj, focuses on the scientific aspects of why directions are given so much importance in Vastu Shastra. It is described here that the invisible flow of infinite energy waves pervading the space together with the sublime currents of cosmic powers continuously affects every being, everything in the perceivable _expression of Nature. In particular, our minds, our residence (and hence our activities in it), are influenced by these with varying momentum. The principles of Vastu Shastra have been discovered so as to enable people gain maximum benefits from these energy currents and from sublime connection (of the inner mind) with the cosmic forces, and thus get support and help of these divine energies for living a happy, peaceful, progressive and enlightened life. If we follow the guidelines of Vastu Shastra and modify the get up or arrangement of our houses and living-style accordingly, to the best extent possible, we can experience these positive effects and lead a better and more purposeful life.

In the modern times, the architectural studies and practices across the globe have mostly been dominated by the trends of ‘world class’ or gorgeous looks, modern gadgets of comforts, maximum grabbing of surrounding land, etc. Not only the mega cities, the developing towns are also being flooded with concrete jungle of small and big multi-storeyed buildings. Growing populations and greed of real-estate market have further blocked the chances of consideration of any of the important factors of the ancient architectural sciences like that of Vastu. As a result, even if people are able to get plush houses in the well-developed localities, they get no peace of mind there; most families are living under acute stressful conditions.

Although some rising trends of general interest and awareness about Vastu are seen among people across the globe since the past few years, the ground reality hardly shows any improvement. On the contrary, many fake experts or those having half-cooked knowledge or stolen information of “Vastu Shastra” have made it a business to dupe the gullible masses, who want to spend their hard earned money in building a house which will bring them good fortune and ward off evil. The added negative effect is that in their blind craze for ‘Vastu’ benefits or prevention of ill-effects of a house not fitting into the scheme of so-called ‘laws’ of Vastu Shastra, many people have even demolished their houses or sold them off abruptly. Deep study of the teachings of Vastu Shastra has therefore become very important and relevant today.
Source: akhandjyoti