Vastu Shastra: Indian Feng Shui
Vastu Sastra (Indian Feng Shui) is an ancient Indian science of architecture which assures a dweller health,
prosperity, happiness, love, bliss and peace of mind. How to create a "home sweet home" in accordance to the
5,000-year-old Indian science which can still be applied in modern times? It can be practiced without tearing
down walls or carrying out renovations as it is an art of the placement of things. Vastu is not magic,
superstition, a religion or religious ritual, and does not work on a belief system.
Vastu Shastra: Indian Feng Shui
Written by Brook McCarthy
Vastu Shastra (vstu stra) is the Vedic science of architecture and design of temples, homes and buildings.
While the yoga asanas and pranayama breathing techniques apply to our interior environment, similarly,
applying Vastu Shastra to our physical environments facilitates health, harmony and balance in our external
environment.
Often referred to as Indian feng shui, Vastu Shastra actually pre-dates Chinese feng shui by about 1500
years. Vastu derives from the root vas, which means to dwell, live, stay, abide, while the Shastra loosely
translates to science, doctrine, teaching.
Vastu Shastra was originally restricted to temple architecture, but in recent times, has been applied to any
structure including houses.
Five elements: Pancha Maha Bhoota
All ancient cultures refer to the elements which make up the human body and the physical world. In Vastu
Shastra, these are Earth (Bhumi), Water (Jala), Air (Vayu), Fire (Agni), and Space (Akasha). According to
Vastu Shastra, Planet Earth sustains life because of the presence and balance of these five elements.
The five elements are also related to our five senses of taste, smell, hearing, touch and sight.
EARTH (Bhumi) Earth is known for its gravitational and magnetic qualities. It is the only element that is
connected to all the five human senses which is why it influences us the most. It is associated with the south-
east direction.
WATER (Jala) This is represented by rain, river, ice and gas. It is linked to our sense of taste, touch, sight
and hearing. Its direction is north-east.
Vastu Shastra, and
ancient science of
architecture, bestowing
the advantages of
nature, its elements,
and energy fields for
enhanced wealth,
health, prosperity, and
happiness: Residential
Vastu, Commercial
Vastu, and Spiritual
Vastu.
AIR (Vayu) The air on earth is a mixture of various gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, helium, and hydrogen,
which are essential for humans, so air is fundamental to our survival. Air relates to our sense of sound and
touch and is associated with the north-west direction.
FIRE (Agni) Associated with the sun, fire represents light and heat which accounts for day and night, the
seasons, vitality, enthusiasm, passion and strength. The element of fire is related to our sense of sound, touch
and sight, and its direction is south-east.
SPACE (Akasha) Space is infinite with no boundaries. It is linked to our sense of hearing and related to the
central position, known as brahmasthan.
Applying Vastu in your home
Each direction is governed by a planet and each intermediate direction relates to one of the elements. So, for
example, north is ruled by the planet Mercury while south-east is associated with the element fire. So an ideal
position for the fireplace or kitchen of a house is the south-east corner.
The fire element rules good health, sound finances and familial happiness, so the south-east corner of every
room should include a spotlight or lantern with the light pointing towards the ceiling. Electricals such as the
television, fridge, computer, microwave, etc, can be placed in the south-east corners.
The central part of a house is ruled by the space element. As all directions meet in the centre, it is holiest and
most powerful zone of the house. Ideally, it should be kept open and uncluttered so that light can illuminate the
centre. Traditionally, houses in India used to have an open courtyard in the center of the house, providing open
sky, sunlight and cross-ventilation.
Air should enter a building from north-east. There are various guidelines for placement of doors, windows,
ventilators, balconies, trees and plants, to balance the air element. Bodies of water bodies in the north or east
are considered good. The flow and drain of water should be towards the north-east.
Best sleeping position
The direction that your head points while lying in bed is important. Our bodies have a positive north- and
negative south-charged pole. It is best to avoid sleeping with our heads directed north because, as with a
magnet, the two positive poles repel each other. Sleeping with the head towards the west is also not advisable.
Sleeping with the head towards the south is highly recommended, bringing sound sleep and increasing the
wealth and prosperity of the household. Sleeping with your head resting in the east enhances memory, health
and spiritual inclination so it is often advised for children.
