Vaastu Sastra
CHAPTER 1
What is Vaastu ?
Vaastu Shilpa Shastra,
the ancient mystic science of designing and constructing buildings, has its origin in the Stapatya Veda, which in turn is a part of the Atharvana Veda, one of the four Vedas. In fact Vaastu is a composite whole or professional blend of five elements viz., Earth, Water, Ether,Air and Five (Heat). Their Equitable proportions creates bio-electric magnetic energy which bestows health, wealth and prosperity on man. Vaastu is characterized by the facts it is:
- Rational
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Practical
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Permanent
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Normative
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Utilitarian
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Universal
West North
South East
While the building aspects of architecture remain a pure science dealing with construction, Vaastu is an allied science dealing with the social dealing with the social effects of living in differently planned structures, Principles of Vaastu as enumerated in classical texts are universally applicable irrespective of religion or place.
The principles of Vaastu can be suitably adopted to modern conditions to derive not only material prosperity but also mental peace, happiness and harmony in the family, business etc. We all know that accepted theories in the history of science were either proved or disproved in the last 300 years. Even the earth was thought to be flat, and the sun was thought to be revolving round the earth just a little more than 400 years back.
Many of the so called pure sciences were derived by observation and experience rather than scientific tests. And in the process of finding scientific theories to back ancient science, many of the ancient science, many of the ancient skills could still be proved beyond doubt. And Vaastu is one such science which will, in our life times be proven beyond doubt. And it is also possible to find exact formulae to correctly estimate the effect for particular combinations and configurations in Vaastu.
History of Vaastu:
Vaastu dates back to the pre- Ramayana and Mahabharata periods. It is believed that the site plan of Ayodhya city was similar to the plan found in the great architectural text Manasara. The ancient epic Matsyapuranam mentions ” 18 wise men (from Brihu to Brihaspathi) who were experts in the science of Vaastu”.
Divine architect Maya and divine builder Viswakarma were also included in the list. The Sage Kashyap and the Sage Brihu were attributed with the most important works by saints in this field. Several books were written between the 12th and 16th centuries based on the earlier works.
The most important works on the science of dwelling (Vaastu Shastra) are Manasara, Samarangana Sutradhara and Mayamata. Mayamata occupies the most important place among the various treaties on Vaastu. The Chinese have a science of determining comfort levels for buildings which is called Feng Shui.
This science is an offshoot of Vaastu and probably went to Chine with Buddhism and through the ancient traders. Even today Feng Shui, a most popular method used thoughout the Orient, has some similarity to Vaastu. The Pyramids of Egypt were build 4000 years ago prior to the invention of wheel and hard labour went into pushing up blocks of huge stones over inclined planes.
The pyramids have more scientific background than just serving as stone structures.Many theories have been propounded on the need for pyramids. Remarkable mental changes have been reported on meditation inside the pyramid. Our ancient Asian cultures took great care to design the towers of their prayer sites.
The domes of the mosques, the temple towers of Hindus the stupas of Buddhists are striking examples.These domes and towers which serve as roofs generally are also mathematically three dimensional parabolas. These three dimensional parabolas concentrate all energy on to a point focus. In fact these similar structures are today utilized to concentrate the rays of the sun on one linear focus for alternate energy equipments.
Scientific Introduction to the Science of Vaastu:
Science should be of use to society. We find that Vaastu Shastra allows us to live in perfect harmony with nature and our surroundings and increases comfort levels. All beings, trees and plants in this world are dependent on the sun for their existence.
It can be even concluded that the sun is the source from which life emanates. Vital force surfaces in this universe when the sun rises because sun rays have the inherent capacity to decimate diseases. As the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, that is why direction assumes a significant role in the process of orientation.
Also solar, air and lunar energies cast their effect on building construction. And therefore if houses are built as per laws of nature, most of the natural pollution can be dispelled. And also natural resources of energy can be utilized for the good of the house owner.
All the five elements or Panchabootha (ether, fire,air,water and earth) play an important role in generating energy, and the interacting energies in a building create an environment which affects the thinking ability of a particular human being living in that dwelling. It can also be understood that:
( a ) The solid human body and soils (earth) emanate geomagnetic currents and the flow direction is from south to north.
( b ) Watery liquids above the ground and the human body produce hydro currents in the flow direction of water.
( c ) The fire within the earth, the five within the human body and the fire in the environment interact and produce thermal currents in the direction of heat flows.
( d ) The space outside the human body and the sky is the medium for producing sensitive environment currents.
( e ) The air flow in the environment surroundings and the air flow within the human body produce aerodynamic forces in the direction of air flow. When the above energies produce a state of equilibrium as per the laws of nature through Vaastu Shastra, there will be an effect based on equitable proportion of these energies called bio- electric magnetic energy which bestows health, wealth and prosperity on human beings.
This research article is submitted by Guruji Dr. K. Venkatesan, BE, MTech, EdD, PhD, DDiv