Aak Plant, Laughing Buddha and Concave Mirrors

The white aak plant should be planted near or in front of the main gate of the house or should be kept outside the house near the gate. Plant an Aak plant in such a way that whenever you come out of the house, this plant should be on your right side. The Aak plant should be planted on any auspicious day like full moon, Ekadashi, Tuesday or Monday.

Some plants are considered very auspicious in Hinduism. It is believed that God himself resides in them. The greenery around us not only gives us oxygen and fruits, but also has many other religious and astrological benefits. The most prominent names of such plants are Tulsi, Neem, Peepal and Banyan. These plants are considered sacred and are worshipped in Hinduism.

The Aak plant and Lord Ganesha

Lord Shiva likes the Aak plant very much. It is said that Lord Ganesha resides in this plant. The plant comes in two colours -- black and white, and is especially used for tantric purposes. It is extremely beneficial if it is worshipped properly and kept in the house. It should be worshipped during an auspicious time. Ganpati or Ganesh mantra should be chanted while worshipping to garner his blessings.

THE DIRECTION

The Aak plant should be planted in front of the house. Aak plant can be planted between southeast, that is it can be planted in south or north direction. The white aak plant should be planted near or in front of the main gate of the house or should be kept outside the house near the gate. Plant an Aak plant in such a way that whenever you come out of the house, this plant should be on your right side. The Aak plant should be planted on any auspicious day like full moon, Ekadashi, Tuesday or Monday.

This plant is mostly used in Tantra Vidya. If you regularly worship the Ganapati idol made out of the root of this plant, you will get 'Trisukh' or all the pleasures of life. The root of this plant can be hung on the main door of the house to remove financial worries.

The Aakplant brings good luck and saves you from evil eye of others. Aak plant should be planted in front of the main door to ward off evil eye and witchcraft.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LAUGHING BUDDHA

The Laughing Buddha is a symbol of happiness, contentment and prosperity. In Feng Shui, it is believed that the Laughing Buddha takes away all the troubles and worries with him. In Japan, he is known as Hotei and is considered one of the Seven Gods of Fortune. The Laughing Buddha is not worshipped. He is there only to help bring good energy, prosperity and luck.

Different kinds of Laughing Buddhas raise unique vibrations at home. There are mainly six types of Laughing Buddhas.

1. Buddha with both hands raised: He Brings good luck, happiness and helps you get by any difficult situation in life.

2. Laughing Buddha with fan: It signifies that you are saying goodbye to your troubles and worries and welcoming happiness and prosperity in your home and office

3. Laughing Buddha with sack: This one symbolises a traveller. It is said that the Buddha is collecting everyone’s sadness and worries and putting them in a sack. The sack also symboliz=ses wealth and fortune. This statue of Laughing Buddha can be comfortably placed on any table or desk in the home and office. It is a popular belief that gifting a Laughing Buddha is considered as very auspicious.

4. Laughing Buddha with children: This one is an ideal gift option for the couple who are trying to conceive for very long time

5. Laughing Buddha with coins: Coins depict money and gifting a Laughing Buddha with gold coins to someone means wishing for their prosperity and good fortune

6. Laughing Buddha with a bowl: This is very good to give as a Vaastu gift ]to someone focusing on their spirituality

VAASTU USES OF THE CONCAVE MIRROR

The convex Pa Kua mirror which is commonly used in Vaastu as well as Feng Shuito reflect negative energy or obstacles. The concave Pa kua mirror is used for just the opposite functions. Since its surface is concave, it will attract the energy towards it and absorb it. So, the concave mirror is relatively safer to use but it should not be kept inside the house because it may bring in negative energy too. This is particularly useful whenever there is a slope at south and west; a negative vaastu phenomenon. Depression at south or west drains energy. Houses,which have a lower road at west and south, can also use cancave Pa Kua mirrors outside facing the roads. This is widely used in hilly terrains where there arelots of ups and downs in undesirable directions.

THE TORTOISE

Tortoises are known to live a long life and that is exactly what they symbolise in Vsastu. A variety of tortoise figurines are available in resin, glass, clay, crystal, wood, and metal. They are known to bring career growth in a house and add to the patriarch's luck in the house. A definite hit in the vaastu gifts for home category, the tortoise when placed near the entrance of the house also safeguards from negative energy.

For a family that needs more financial gains, a wooden tortoise will work as a good gift and for a couple starting a new family, choose the tortoise with a baby tortoise on the back, whereas a metal tortoise is great for a home with kids as it helps sharpen minds and boost concentration.

Tip: Keeping the tortoise in water or near an artificial water body like home fountains amplify its powers.

Q. I have bought a parrot for my daughter. Where should I keep it? Is it alright to keep a parrot?

R Barthakur,Jorhat via Whatsapp

Ans. Vaastu considers parrots to be lucky as they bring good health and love between the occupants of the house. Parrots should always be kept in the North direction. Love birds are also lucky and should be kept in their cage in the Northwest, Northeast or East direction.

But personally, I will not advise anyone to keep anything in captivity. However, hybrid Love birds cannot survive in the open.