Do we know what really Vaastu Shastra means?

According to the Vaastu Shastra, the human body is the combination of Pancha Tatwa (five elements namely; fire, earth, water, air, and sky). The principles of Vaastu Shastra say that if these five elements are positioned appropriately in a home, they will release positive energies from all directions. For instance, air signifies satisfaction, joy and happiness which control the eastern direction. On the other hand, earth gives constancy and stability, which remains at the center of the house. Water connotes new thoughts, the stream of new chances and wellbeing, which rules the North direction. Fire signifies heat and light and provides self-reliance, zeal, confidence and power, which exist in the southern direction of a house. The sky helps in receiving new prospects and considerate new artistic thinking. 

The term Vaastu is composed of two Sanskrit words 'Vaastu' and 'Shastra' where Vaastu means house, habitation, building on land or ground and Shastra means teaching or doctrine. Hence, Vaastu Shastra is the doctrine of designing houses. Vaastu Shastra is an old scientific theory that is over 5000 years old. The texts on Vaastu Shastra can be found back in 1500-1000 BCE. The initial archives of the account of Vaastu Shastra lie within the Vedas, (oldest scriptures of Hinduism).

Among the four Vedas, the Rig Veda explains about the Vaastu Shastra and mentions Vastospati as the protector of the house. Vaastu Shastra has been explained in numerous Hindu Puranas, Sanskrit treaties, Hindu literature and Manu Scriptures written by sages in the past. These are essentially the main sources of Vaastu Shastra. One of its theories can be found in The Brihat Samhitha by Varamhira. This document has altogether 106 chapters, among which Chapter 53 has a full description on Vaastu Shastra. Likewise, other few Hindu scriptures such as Chakra Shastra, Devalaya Lakshana, Agni Purana and so forth elucidate a lot about Vaastu Shastra.

Vaastu Shastra, the ancient system of building construction incorporates traditional Hindu beliefs. Basically, Vaastu Shastra is the literal part of Vaastu Vidya – the wider knowledge about building construction and design scheme models from earliest history. It is not something that deals with permanent procedures and plans but instead defines a theory of various designs, the pool of thoughts and perceptions; with different types of layout, figures and sketches. These ideas are mostly the collections of the internal decor, building outlook, gardening and house plan.

According to the Vaastu Shastra, the human body is the combination of Pancha Tatwa (five elements namely; fire, earth, water, air, and sky). The principles of Vaastu Shastra say that if these five elements are positioned appropriately in a home, they will release positive energies from all directions. For instance, air signifies satisfaction, joy and happiness which control the eastern direction. On the other hand earth gives constancy and stability, which remains at the center of the house. Water connotes new thoughts, the stream of new chances and wellbeing, which rules the North direction. Fire signifies heat and light and provides self-reliance, zeal, confidence and power, which exist in the southern direction of a house. The sky helps in receiving new prospects and considerate new artistic thinking.

These five elements are somehow linked with the five senses of taste, touch, smell, hearing and sight and any kind of imbalance affects the well-being of humans. Therefore, the architecture of a town, city, or house of people has to be in synchronization with these five elements and the five senses for their well-being. Further, it is also believed that the movement of the magnetic currents and the magnetic fields, gravitational effects of earth, the direction and the velocity of winds and light and heat of the Sun affect the well-being of humans as well.

Vaastu does not mean that people do not have to rely on modern means of architecture. Vaastu Shastra are small pieces of advice, which one can incorporate while building homes to get a better outcome for happiness and prosperity.

Te correct application of Vaastu Shastra, can ensure the following things:

• Positive energy in the house and protection from evil eyes

• Spiritual growth

• Progress, success and financial abundance.

• Balanced and happy interpersonal relationships

The Ramayana, mentions about architect Maya who built Mayasabha with correct Vaastu application. Similarly, Mahabharata mentions the architect Vishwakarma who built Dwarka. Besides, Ayodhya, Taj Mahal and many more ancient structures were made as per the principles of Vaastu Shastra.

Vaastu Shastra is hence something that needs to be considered while building houses inorder to maintain a happy and healthy family life. It is of course difficult to abide by everything that Vaastu Shastra suggests but one can still make an effort to at least obey a few of its suggestions and advice.

Source: This article has been compiled after going through various credible websites on the subject.

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