Last month we briefly introduced Vastu Shastra and identified the fact that there are many benefits to overall health and wellbeing when a home, building or even community is designed and constructed in accordance with this ancient Vedic practice. Many temples in India are built in strict accordance with these principles which add to the positive, healing vibrations within and surrounding these spaces.
Below are a few basic Vastu principles that can make a positive impact on the lives of those who occupy the building space:
Right Direction:The orientation of a building has an important impact upon the quality of life of its occupants. The sun’s nourishing energy as it rises from the east puts east-facing buildings at an advantage, as this brings great benefits. From eight possible directions, i.e. the four cardinal and the four diagonal directions, only two directions – east and north – produce wholly auspicious influences. Buildings should be constructed in alignment with the cardinal directions. If your home or building is not constructed in this manner, which is often the case, there are simple Vastu remedies that can be followed without undertaking any demolition work to ensure the right alignment. This will be covered in the next article.
Right Placement of Rooms:As the sun moves across the sky during the day, it brings different energies at varying times of the day. The sun, our star, is the most powerful object in our solar system and so the different activities that we perform within the various rooms of a home are to be aligned with the appropriate angle of the sun.
The layout below shows the typical placement of rooms in a Vastu-designed home. There are other possible arrangements which can be guided by a Vastu consultant.
Right Proportion:Proportion is a key to successful design in nature. If you closely look at nature, for example a flower, they are designed with perfect symmetry and proportion adding to its natural beauty. The same goes for a building. The right measurement in buildings strengthens the connection of our individual intelligence to the Cosmic Intelligence. Astrology, astronomy and numerology also play an important role.
Green building: The use of natural, non-toxic and eco-friendly sustainable materials play a huge role in Vastu buildings. Green Vastu homes and communities consist of buildings that are powered by clean, pure energy like that from the sun, wind, water (renewable energy). They often re-use the water collected from rainfall on the roof (i.e. rainwater harvesting) and treat it without the use of chemicals such as chlorine. It may even be used to produce its own organic food. More about this in upcoming articles.
Other considerations such as the slope and shape of the land, unobstructed rising sun, influences of the physical environment, including water bodies, and auspicious timing are also considered when designing a Vastu building.
There is a lot more to share about this precious Vedic science of architecture, so stay tuned. Jai Swaha Maataa!
By Lydia Singh
BSc. Eng., PMP, LFA
