Vaastu Sastra
CHAPTER 3
What is Vaastu ?
Directions & Zones in Vaastu
The five fundamental principles laid down for architectural conception and construction of buildings are:
1. Selection of location based on directional orientation.
- Planning of site based on the Vaastu Grid Map
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The measurement of a building in proportion.
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Application of rules as per Vedic Archeitecture.
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Aesthetic aspects of the building.
We shall deal more about selection of sites based on directional orientation now.
Cardinal Directions
Selection of the site as per Vaastu Shastra involves the understanding of the Eight Directions. There are four cardinal directions and four intermediate directions (corners) where they meet.
The corner directions retain properties of the two main directions (sides) which make the corners and also has some unique and independent characteristics of its own with which it forms an amalgam.
The corners are more important than the main directions. The various directions can be understood with the help of the following diagram.
This diagram is known as “Pitha” as per ‘Mayamata’ in fig-1. Responding to the needs of the four corners alone could cover major aspects of Vaastu, as the effects of Vaastu are highly specific and sensitive to the zones, i.e., if the zone varies, they do not have the original powers and characteristics attibuted to them. Therefore establishing the zones are very important.
The widely followed method for segmenting the plot into zones is explained in fig-1, where each side is divided into three equal parts. The central part constituted the zone of the cardinal direction; the part on the either side constitutes the respective corners. Each of the eight directions of the universe is presided over by a separate deity and these dieties have their own influence on the prospects of the building.
The central portion of the plot is called “Brahmasthana” and the presiding deity is “Brahma”. A thorugh knowledge of Indian mythology will tell us what to expect from each of these dieties. Treating each form of nature as a divine power was quite common in the ancient Indian, Eqyptian, Greek and Norman civilizations.
Magnetic Directions
The most precise way is to use a magnetic compass for accurate determination of the directions. The compass consists of a magnetised metallic needle pivoted on an axis and encapsuled in a circular or square box. In most of the compasses, the magnet might even float on a fluid. The end of the magnet pointing North is coloured, usually with a fluorescent colour. The property of the hinged magnet is that it will always align with the North-South axis.
We all know that the earth always act like a gigantic magnet. Once the North direction is determined, South is the direction opposite to it. While facing the North, the East is on the right and West is on the left. In Vaastu, magnetic directions are most important to determine how much tilt the plots are not aligned to the directions. There is always a degree of tilt.
Upto 10 degrees of tilt in plots can be somewhat acceptable. But always care should be taken that at least the South and West sides of the plot. should be aligned with the magnetic directions. And these tilts actually cause expansions or extensions and contractions or retractions in the plots in different directions.
However, shortly we will discuss about the acceptable expansions/contractions separately. The plot may tilt to a maximum extent of 45 degrees on either side. This causes a ‘Dig Mudha’ plot which will be analysed later.
This research article is submitted by Guruji Dr. K. Venkatesan, BE, MTech, EdD, PhD, DDiv