There are five basic elements
of the universe in which we all live - Akash (Sky), Prithvi (Earth),
Paani (Water), Agni (Fire), and Vayu (Wind). Vaastu Shastra is
the ancient science that helps us get the natural benefits freely
offered by these five natural elements, by staying in harmony
with them.
Vaastu means the dwelling of humans and gods. Vaastu Shastra
is a science that was developed by our learned elders thousands
of years ago. Its application today is purely architectural
and its principles are based on becoming one with nature.
Many Vaastu rules are derived from 'Vaastu Purusha Mandala'
which is depicted as a man lying with his head pointing north
east, in a grid of usually 64 squares. The different directions
and sectors are assigned to different gods and guardians.
Quick Vaastu Shanti tips
When sitting for any worship, keep your face towards the
north-west and sit in the north-west corner so you can breathe
in air from that direction.
Cash boxes can be located in the room towards the north
(treasury). But if the box is heavy (such as a safe or a heavy
cupboard) then it should be kept in the southwest corner
and the door of the cupboard should open towards the north.
Tvs and computers should ideally be placed in the south-east
corner of the living room or study room. They should not be
placed in the north-east corner or south-west corner.
Telephones can be placed in the south-east or northwest
corners but not in the south-west or north-east.
An aquarium with nine gold fish and one black fish in the
north-east corner/part of a house or factory is very good.
If the north-east area is untidy or of irregular shape,
the well-being of male issues is found to be precarious.
One should sleep with one’s head pointing towards
the south.
For academic excellence, students should be facing east
while studying.
If the kitchen is not in the proper place, some member or
the other is always found to be suffering from severe digestive
disorder.
Keep the gas range in the south-east corner of the kitchen.
Make sure you face the east while cooking.
The drinking water should be in the north east of the kitchen.
While having meals, one’s plate should be in the south-east
direction.
A statue of Hanumanji should not be placed in the south-east,
it may create a fire hazard.
All doors should open inside so that energy remains inside.
The hinges of doors should be noiseless. Grease the hinges
periodically.
Doors should open towards the right.
Beds should not be placed under beams.
There should not be five corners in the ceiling of a room.
Leave the rooms open on the north-east side.
While ascending the staircase, one’s face should be
either towards the north or the east.
The seat of the toilet should face north-south.
There should be no doors or windows on the south-west side.
Cupboards and beds should be set very close to the south-west
wall and at a distance from the north-east wall.
A house should not have paintings depicting depressing scenes,
i.e. an old woman crying, scenes of war or poverty, etc. Put
up pictures of things like a sunrise, an ocean, mountains,
flowers or laughing children.
It is not recommended to have tall trees anywhere close
to the main building. The south is a good place for trees
and so is the west. No tree should be grown in the north and
the east. North-east is the worst position for trees.
Small decorative plants and shrubs may be grown in the north
and the east. The height should not exceed, say, half a meter
at the north-east, increasing gradually to not more than 1.5
metres as one moves from the north-east to the north-west
or to the south-east end.
Except roses and a few medicinal plants, all thorny plants
give rise to tensions in the environment. Plants exuding white
sap should also be kept away. Lime, karonda etc. are alright
in an orchard but not in residences or on business premises.
Amongst beneficial plants, the best is tulsi or basil. It
is advisable to keep at least one tulsi plant in the north-east
area of the premises, but its height should not exceed 1.5
metres.
Growing creepers/climbers using the compound wall or a house
wall as a support are best avoided.
Cactii should not be planted or kept in the house.
In the south-west corner of the house one should sleep with
one’s head pointing towards the south.
If the north of any house is blocked it blocks prosperity.
Water fountains or water flowing from north to east is very good.
Directions and their respective rulers
North-east (Eshan) is ruled by
Sadasiva or god himself. Hence this direction is paramount, which
demands keeping it scrupulously clean, open and highly receptive,
always in welcome mode.
North is the abode of Kuber, the god of wealth.
North-west (Vayavva) is the abode of air or wind, the invisible,
but the most effective blessing for all objects in need of motion
or movement for their efficiency.
West is the abode of Varuna, the god of the ocean. It is also
the direction of the setting sun which gives infrared radiation.
South-west (Nairitya) is the abode of the demoness Putna.
South is the abode of Yama, the god of death.
South-east (Agneya) is the habitat of fire, the storehouse of
energy.
East is ruled by Indra, the chief of the gods, giver of pleasures.
The direction also represents the realm of the rising sun projecting
ultraviolet rays, so essential for health in several ways.
Vaastu Shanti Tips for Offices/Business
In the office, the temple should
not be placed behind the owner's seat.
The owner's seat must face east or north. West is also permissible,
but the seat must not face south.
There must always be a solid wall behind the owner's seat.
The owner's desk must always be a rectangle.
The central point of a factory, house and office should be
empty.
