What is Vastu?

Introduction

To attain health, wealth, children and many other advantages "Vastu Shastra" helps to a great extent. Affliction of Vastu creates sorrows and disappointments. So houses, villages, towns, and cities shall be built according to Vastu. Hence Vastu Shastra was brought into light by sages for the betterment and overall welfare of society. 



Vaastu is an ancient Indian science of architecture and buildings which helps in making a congenial setting for a place to live in and work in a most scientific way, taking advantage of the benefits bestowed by nature, its elements and energy for enhanced wealth, prosperity and happiness. Records and scriptures are full of testimonials from kings, commoners, artists, saints and traders on how Vaastu helped them reap great benefits.

Be it a home or office, factory or a commercial block, Vastu Shastra is known to reward the follower the benefits and protection from ill effects in life be they economic, emotional or spiritual.
Like any other science, Vastu is considered rational (based on cause and effect), practical, normative (codified and governed by principles), utilitarian and universal.

We live in, and are surrounded by, various types of energy fields which operate freely in open space. When we place a structure in our establishment, the equilibrium is affected. Vastu helps in so designing the structure that it ensures a harmonious flow of energy in the building and restoration of the equilibrium.

The life force contained within the earth is what is called Vastu by tradition. As such all objects containing life energy that occupy the earth are called Vastu. The plants, trees, buildings and architecture are considered to be alive and part of the entire living sub-system. Each substance or Vastu is placed on a plane or a support, which is called Vastu.
The earth is both a Vastu and a Vastu since it is a substance as also a support. Vastu is thus a living space or a dwelling place.

The Five Elements

Vastu is based on the interplay of various forces of Nature involving the five element- earth, water, wind, fire and space and strives to maintain equilibrium as these elements influence, guide and change the lifestyles of not only human beings but every living being on earth. Thus, they influence our deeds, fate, behavior and other aspects of life. All objects in this universe, including our body, are made of these five elements. These elements existing inside and outside the human body have a constant though invisible impact on all activities of life.

• Earth: Earth means composition of the surface of the earth, the soil and other minerals present in the soil. We know that minerals are available in a particular place but are liable to get exhausted sooner or later. Depending on the composition of the surface, its from and size, trees and vegetation, it becomes possible for us to decide whether it would be appropriate to inhabit such a place or not.

• Water: It is the most essential element for all living being and is a basic element required in construction. Water constitutes three-fourths of the body’s weight. Shape and size of the building are designed according to the availability of water and its relation to land. Taking care of water also means that the house is stable even during heavy rains.

• Fire: fire circulates energy in the form of light and heat. The sun is the main source of light and heat for us. Solar energy is of vital importance to structure. Care should be taken to ensure that the building has a constant supply of light, is completely safe from fire, and that the construction  material used is selected in such a way that it is fit for living comfortably in all seasons-be it summer or winter or rain or lightning.

• Air:The atmosphere (i.e. mixture of gases like oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, ozone, etc.) exists around the earth up to 400 km height approximately. Composition of the atmosphere and presence of vapor in it differs from place to place according to local conditions. Air is an essential element for all living beings. It is essential to have the right amount of supply, suitable temperature and pressure, correct percentage of humidity in the air for both kinds of comforts-physical and mental. Therefore, the shape, size, construction and direction of buildings should be such that they have a sufficient supply of air for healthy and comfortable living.

• Space(Sky): Space is the most widely spread element among the five basic elements. The unending spread of the Universe in which all the heavenly bodies exist is called space. Gravitational pull of various heavenly bodies, magnetic power, different kinds of radiation and waves like ultra-violet rays, infra-red rays, light rays, cosmic rays, etc. are constantly present in space. Their effects can be felt in many forms, and many activities and designs (plans) in our life are conducted by their effects. Therefore, the houses should be built in such a way that these invisible forces of Nature and their harmful effects avoided.