Brief Introduction
Vasthu Sasthra and Human Life
A home is the dwelling place for all living and non-living beings in the Universe. It is not just a privilege but also the right of a human being to have a house. Constructing or buying a house should serve three purposes: utility, protection, and aesthetics.
All activities and functions performed in the home such as resting, sleeping, cooking, studying, working, raising children, caring for parents, living with joy and peace, and leading a healthy life are considered utility. The second goal is safety – protection from elements such as storm, rain, thunder, lightning, snow, fire, and other natural calamities as well as protection from wild animals and intruders. The third objective is beauty. The second and third purposes can be achieved through the use of proper materials and other resources as well as the involvements of skilled artisans.
However, to achieve the first goal, the environment and atmosphere inside and outside the home must be energetically balanced. The main energies are cosmic energy and geomagnetic energies from Sun and earth respectively. If a balanced energy is not maintained, one may suffer from mental agonies and ill health. To harness and build these energies, one has to follow, the principles of Vasthu Sastra during construction and internal arrangements of the house.
Vasthu Sastra (or Vasthu, for short) is a systematic study of the geological impact of the energies of the Sun and earth. Vasthu prescribes certain rules and regulations, which are governed by the principles based on geological conditions and inalienable properties of the earth. The soul aim of Vasthu Vidya is to make the lives of the individual on earth, more and more comfortable, through habitability. The genesis of the science of Vasthu lies in the link between the earth and the Sun.
Each and every parameter in Vasthu Sastra is formulated with an aim of attaining ‘happiness’ or ‘sukham’ for the inmates. The word ‘sukham’ itself is the manifestation of Vasthu Sastra. ‘Su’ means good and ‘kham’ means the place or space. Therefore ‘sukam’ or ‘happiness’ refers to good place to live. If that place become unfavorable or unsuitable, it results in ‘dukham’ or bad place for living.
The Sun, filled with radiant energy and being the center of the Universe’s consciousness, governs the planets that revolve around it, along with the stars, the earth and all living beings on earth. The gravitational force of the Sun influences and provides energy to the planets and stars, nurturing life and enabling various experiences of happiness and sorrow to all inhabitants. Eventually, after completing their life, living beings return to the place where they came.
The rays of the Sun spread heat and light to all living beings and non-living beings in the Universe. Similarly other planets and stars also emit energy streams to all entities on earth. The energy beams from the Sun are so strong and harsh that the living beings on earth cannot withstand its intense heat and power. However, the geo-magnetic energy from earth help to maintain a balanced atmospheric condition for all to live in this Universe with good health and happiness. In order to achieve this, all the eight directions should be properly aligned, and the house should be designed with proper orientation and alignment based on the principles and guidelines of Vasthu Sastra.
The Five Elements and Vasthu
Medical science (Ayurveda) regards the human body as a combination of the constituents (dhatus) derived from the five elements (panchabhutas) which constitute the physical Universe. All the substances in the physical Universe – within and outside the human body – are composed of the five elements which are space (akasha), air (vayu), fire (agni), water (ap) and earth (prithvi). They exist in countless varieties and combinations. They interact constantly and their levels would fluctuate within a range between excess and deficiency. A state of equilibrium of the constituents (dhatu samya) is integral to the well-being of the individual. When equilibrium is disturbed by any constituent or constituents becoming excess or deficient, the result is disequilibrium of dhatus or ill-health (dhatu vaishamya). Panchabhutas regulate and distribute all essential energies - heat, light, sound, water and air.
The vital requirements of the body such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals and fluids are also regulated and controlled by panchabhutas. Whereas, the panchabhutas pertains to the provenance and structure of the body constituents, tridoshas – vatha, pittha and kapha - relates to the sustenance and functions, with reference to the human body. When tridoshas remains in equilibrium or in normal range, it provides good health and their disequilibrium end up in ill-health.
Significance of Eight Directions
The Sun, the stars and several other planets including earth and moon revolve and rotate in the ethereal space in their respective orbits. Sun is a star closest to the earth and emit light and heat for humans and other living beings, whereby we are able to live and feel the presence and direction of the objects. When we face the rising Sun, the direction is termed as East, behind us would be the West, towards our left would be the North and towards our right would be the South, the four cardinal directions. Apart from the cardinal directions there are four intermediate directions or corners. An intermediate direction formed when two directions converge and make an angle, viz – North -East (Eesanya) in between North and East, South -East (Agneya) in between South and East, South – West (Nairuthi) in between South and West, and North – West (Vayavya) in between North and West. These corners are more important in the sense that they have in them the effect of both directions.
According to Vasthu Sastra, it is crucial to accurately determine the main directions: East, West, North, and South while building a house. The house should be built facing directly towards any of these four directions. The house should not build facing the corners. The day time is governed by the Sun and the night time is governed by moon and stars. The best plot for constructing a house is one with a gentle slope towards East and North directions, allowing water to flow in these directions. Alternately a plot with a slope towards East and South and North and West is acceptable to an extent. But it is not advisable to construct a house in a plot with a slope towards South and West. If the plot is bigger in size to construct the house, one must divide it into four block or kshethras and select either North - East or South-West kshethra for the house.
The eight directions distribute and circulate the required cosmic and terrestrial energies into the house. The favorable energy waves of nature reach the house through these directions. The East direction is associated with the energy of light. East is referred to as ‘Indradik'. The Sun rises in the East and receives abundant solar energy. The residents of a house facing East will experience happiness due to the availability of fresh energy and soothing Sunlight.
The South-East is known as ‘Agnimoola’ (origin of fire). It is the most potent direction. The intense and powerful energies emanating from this direction need to be harnessed carefully. During the mid of the day, the Sun reaches South-East and the Sun rays falls become very hot and fiery. If this corner is not maintained safely the inmates face severe mental agony and fall sick. However, with proper Vasthu adjustments, one can gain benefit from the elemental energy of fire in this direction.
The South direction is controlled by ‘yama’, the lord of death. And this direction known as ‘direction of death’ faced with the strongest impact of the Sun rays. It is associated with strong heat and energy. The radiation and the negative energy from this direction will be harmful to the inmates. However, the inmates receive gentle cooled breeze from this direction.
South-West (Niruthi) direction is associated with the earth element and bring stability. The cosmic and geomagnetic energies enter the house through North-East and passed on to South-West, bringing comfort and well-being for all inmates. The Sunset occurs at this direction.
The West direction is referred to as the direction of water. It is known as the direction of dark. This direction brings strong heat having high intensity. The rain falls from this direction and will get heavy wind and breeze.
North-West direction (vayavya) is also associated with air and provide prana, the life force energy into the house. It provides a gentle breeze having a soothing experience and comfort.
In Vasthu Sastra, the North direction is considered most significant. It is called the direction of life. This side receives the maximum beneficial solar energy. The wind that flows from this direction is considered sweet and brings a sense of well-being.
The North – East direction is the purest and most sacred among all the eight directions. It functions like the cosmic axis (antenna) receiving the required cosmic energy and nourishes the entire house.
By following the principles and guidelines of Vasthu Sastra and maintain the eight directions, one can create a harmonious environment and atmosphere promoting good health, wealth, well-being and prosperity to one and all.
Vasthu and Astrology
Vasthu Sastra encompasses several fate and fate denial conditions. It warns that by denying the principles, one can incur severe consequences, even up to fatal outcomes. Vasthu Sastra emphasizes that the good and bad experiences of human beings such as good fortune, prosperity and elevated living etc are determined by the positive or negative aspects of the dwelling or the place of residence. However, it is not fully accurate to claim that the quality of life solely depends on Vasthu or the place of dwelling. To obtain a correct answer, one must also examine their horoscope predictions. By considering individual’s horoscope, one can ascertain whether he will experience positive or negative aspects in life and possess a good or bad house. Therefore, in order to accurately decide on a matter, it is necessary to combine both the negative aspects of Vasthu as well as one’s horoscope.
Vasthu Sastra and Jyothisham (Astrology) complement each other. The outcome of both must be combined when deciding on the fate of a person. Most of the mathematical calculations in Vasthu Sastra are interconnected to astrological principles. Horoscope and prasna are the two main pillars of astrology. Through horoscope analysis astrologers predict the life experiences from birth to death of a person and prasna provides a proactive prediction on present and near future events. In horoscope or jathakam the time of birth is the basis of prediction whereas in prasna the basis of prediction is the time of one’s enquiry or question.
Humanity and Astrology
Astrology or Jyothisha vidya is the science of time. It governs creation, existence and destruction of all living beings. It is through astrological predictions that humans can understand the time and its influence. By understanding the auspicious time, one can expect to get good fortunes and inauspicious time one can expect negative outcome.
Jyothish means ‘light’ which is the manifestation of astrology. Jyothish focuses on the planets, illuminating stars, their position and movements. The sky, which houses countless stars and planets is the integral part of the Universe. It is from the arrangement and movements of these celestial bodies, including the earth, emits various energies and showers upon all living and non-living beings. This cosmic influence extends to the life force and shaping it. Even a seed cannot grow without the light and energy emitted from the Sun, moon and earth. Similar is the case with human being too.
The position and energies of the celestial bodies at the time of birth of an individual decide various aspects of their life, such as physical well-beings, health, wealth, life span, education, career and so on. Astrology predicts one’s past, present and future events to occur in their life by studying the position and status of the planets at the time of his birth. Jyothisha vidya is not based on any superstition or false belief; it is a science that relies on logical deductions. However, every individual has the freedom to believe or disbelieve these facts.
Astrology indicates the past actions performed in their previous life as auspicious or inauspicious, identify them through the positions of celestial bodies (grahas) at the time of a person’s birth. It is based on astronomy, which is a branch of science that encompasses the Universe, stars, planets, nature and their interrelationships. Astrology predicts the influence of these planets and stars on an individual’s life journey. Jyothisham is not a sensory – perceptible science but requires the acquisition of knowledge through hard learning.
It is a known fact that the writing (celestial position of planets) on one’s forehead (Jathakam or horoscope) cannot be changed or erased by any means, whether it be Lord Vishnu, Shiva, Indra, or Brahma. Whatever one is destined to experience in life, be it happiness or sorrow, will be experienced as it is, and no one can escape from this fate.
Subham