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Dec 21 - 2024
An Introduction to Vastu Shastra: History and Principles
Vastu Shastra is the ancient Indian architecture and design science that has been in practice and conduct when constructing buildings and spaces for thousands of years. Highly associated with the Hindu philosophy, which essentially presents a balance between nature and human dwellings in order for proper spaces with accordance to the laws of the universe.
Let's discuss the history and principles of Vastu Shastra in detail tracing its origins and importance in modern-day living along with how it has continued to influence architecture all over the world even today in this blog.
The History of Vastu Shastra
1. Originated in Ancient India
Vastu Shastra is the oldest known science, which originated in the Vedic texts, specifically one of the four Vedas that form the basis of ancient Indian knowledge systems-Atharva Veda. Hence more than 5,000 years old, Vastu Shastra finds its creation at the hands of the ancient sages and scholars who knew that the environment significantly influenced human well-being. They created guidelines to harness the energies of earth, water, air, fire, and space - the five elements referred to as "Pancha Mahabhuta" - with the aim of enhancing a person's physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
As the word "Vastu" itself represents dwelling or structure, and "Shastra" represents a science or body of knowledge, Vastu Shastra can be literally translated as the "science of architecture" or the "science of dwelling." It would appear that the ancient texts "Brihat Samhita" and "Manasara" do contain the principles of Vastu, and therefore, it has been a part of Indian culture and tradition through the ages.
2. Evolution Through the Ages
Vastu Shastra gained more regional and dynastic demands over time and gradually spread. Its importance grew in the time of Mauryan and Gupta empires of Urban planning followed by principles of Vastu for constructing temples, palaces, or cities. According to these principles, temples, palaces, and cities were built and thus get aligned in perfect symmetry with the directions and in harmony with natural surroundings.
For example, the magnificent and structured city of Jaipur, popular for its organized streets and architecture, was developed based on Vastu Shastra. Even today, many ancient temples and forts, which are mostly seen in South India, manifest the effect of Vastu that makes the buildings gather positive energy as well as radiate a smooth look of balance.
The principles followed by Vastu Shastra were so sacred that they went beyond the lines of religion and culture to influence Islamic, Buddhist, and Jain architecture as well. It was not limited to merely residential buildings; full cities, markets, gardens, and public spaces were conceived and constructed based on those principles with the purpose of maintaining health, affluence, and peace in residents' lives.
3. Vastu Shastra in the Modern World
Vastu Shastra declined with the beginning of modern technology and methods of construction, specially when the West started dominating architectural practices during periods of colonization. However, the last few decades have seen a renewed interest all over the world as regards traditional knowledge systems. As people became aware and conscious about their surroundings and its role in their mental and physical well-being, building design and interior space regained its importance through Vastu Shastra.
Increasingly, architects and home builders now infuse Vastu guidelines into their house and office construction projects, integrating modern architecture with ancient insight to create spaces that are not only beautiful to look at but also filled with harmonious energy.
Principles of Vastu Shastra
In short, the basic idea of Vastu Shastra is an interlinking of the whole cosmos and adjustment in harmony with cosmic energy, through which life may be balanced and harmonious. The core of Vastu Shastra only deals with the orientation, layout, and design of buildings, which are assessed according to rules and principles related to directions, elements, and spatial arrangements.
1. Direction and Significance of Directions
Vastu Shastra considers cardinal directions such as north, south, east, and west highly significant and their intermediates. Northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest are various directions because each particular element, planetary influence and deity are associated with each, thus affecting different features of life.
East: It is connected with the sun, which is regarded very lucky. It is associated with good health, energy, and prosperity too. According to vastu, the entrance must always be kept along the eastern direction since it allows the maximum flow of positive rays from the rising sun.
North: Since Kubera, the god of wealth, faces this direction, the north is affixed with prosperity and success in finance. One should keep the safes, cash boxes, etc., there only.
South: Though this is an arrogatedly avoided direction since Yama, the god of death resides here, the south direction can be well exploited provided proper placement of elements is done, especially in bed rooms and the store rooms.
West: It has been associated with Saturn (Shani) and is thought to bring material gain or education. Using the west side of a building suitably has said to give stability and success.
All these directions influence the design of a room and its placements, like putting the kitchen, bedrooms, prayer rooms, and even bathrooms in such a position that would help achieve the right flow of energy in a house.
2. The Five Elements (Pancha Mahabhuta)
In Vastu Shastra, the entire universe comprising everything in it is constructed by five: earth, water, fire, air, and space. Ensuring balance to all these in a construction becomes an indispensable process toward having a very peaceful abode.
Earth (Prithvi): Earth is about stability. It is related with the southwest direction as a stabilizing influence. This last emotion of earth is the satisfaction that comes when one knows they are grounded, what there is to their place.
Jal-Water, northeast, and purity, flow, abundance: There can be nothing more auspicious than putting a well or a water tank in the northeast corner because it would surely bring prosperity and clarity of thought.
Fire (Agni): Fire is associated with the southeast because it represents energy and power. The house stays in the southeast corner because it accommodates much of the fiery element, which stays there to make the individuals or occupants more energetic and charged.
Air (Vayu): Air is believed to be associated with the northwest because it incorporates movement. For proper health and wellbeing, proper ventilation and air circulation must remain in this direction.
Space (Akasha): Space is the last element and all others are enclosed in space. It is like the middle of the house. This space should not be occupied by anything, so that energies can move free of restrictions all around the place.
3. Design and Configuration
Vastu Shastra also provides a few prescriptions about the design and configuration of the space: they recommend it to be symmetric and to have proper proportionality. Normally, it is a grid system based on the "Vastu Purusha Mandala," which is a symbolic plan diagrammatically describing the cosmic man, Vastu Purusha, lying with his head to the northeast and his feet to the southwest. It divides the plot into squares, each of which corresponds with a specific area of life and is overseen by respective deities. This ensures balanced distribution of energy in the space.
The size, shape, and symmetry of the plot or building constitute another important aspect dealt with by Vastu. Plots are assumed to be square or rectangular; irregular plots are considered as breaking energy flow. It should so lie in such a way that every element and direction must be counterbalanced and optimized to create an environment favorable for health, prosperity, and peace.
4. Importance of the Brahmasthan
The architecture calls any building's central area the "Brahmasthan." It is a heart of space where all energies assemble. Its point supposes to be the most sacred of the building. That one has to stay as open, free from walls or heavy furniture clutter. The flow of energy must be maintained. In a traditional house, the central part was usually kept as an open courtyard through which light and air could freely traverse the entire structure.
Vastu Shastra Today:
Vastu Shastra has acquired a new meaning nowadays since people are interested in constructing healthy, well-being-generating, and prosperous spaces to live and work. Architects and designers are increasingly making use of the principles of Vastu Shastra to create modern architectural designs by recreating ancient wisdom into modern beauty.
Where some parts of Vastu can be easily incorporated, such as the alignment of directions and/or balancing elements, other aspects require a slightly more accommodative adaptation in modern use. Yet, the very fundamental principles of Vastu-where the rooms, doors, and windows should be-place just as well in high-rise buildings and apartments to gain optimum energy flow and serene living spaces.
Vastu Shastra is not just any set of rules to go about constructing buildings; it is a holistic approach to environments that nurture the mind, body, and soul. As per the natural forces of the universe, Vastu Shastra ensures that the built spaces support our being.
Whether designing a home, office, or public space, the principles of Vastu Shastra could create a real and tangible space that enriches one's well being, prosperity, and happiness. But how it combines the ancient with the modern sense helps us find valuable insights in understanding how we might live well within our world.
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