WHAT DOES VASTU SHASTRA MEAN?
Vastu Shastra literally translated means the 'Science of Buildings' since 'Vastu' means all places of dwelling and 'Vaastu' means the actual physical manifestation of the dwelling. Both terms 'Vastu' and 'Vaastu' are from the root 'Vas' which means 'to dwell, live, stay, abide' (cognate with the English past tense was)and 'Shastra' means a 'science'. So basically Vastu Shastra means Architecture (Art & Science of buildings). There are four categories of Vaastu-
BHOOMI - The earth/site, the principal dwelling place on which everything else rests.
PRASADA - Structures on the earth.
YAANA - Movable objects like Vehicles
SAYANA - Furniture
As these categories suggest, the principles of Vaastu Shastra extend from the macro level to the micro level - site selection, site planning and orientation, zoning and disposition of rooms, proportional relationships between the various parts of buildings, the character of buildings and the minute details like furniture.
WHAT IS VASTU SHASTRA?
Vastu Shastra is an ancient Indian Vedic Science of layout and planning of buildings with an intention to create peace and prosperity for the inhabitants by managing the flow of cosmic energy through and around them. Vastu states that when buildings and forms are in tune with the underlying cosmic principles, they become a part of the basic structure of the universe and vibrate in harmony with it. These positive vibrations have a positive effect on the inhabitants.
According to Vastu Shastra 'peace and contentment' for the inhabitants is acheivable by just following some basic principles while planning the building. Common sense tells us that a properly designed house will be aesthetic, hygienic, comfortable and easy to move around and hence a pleasure to live in. Naturally the inhabitants will be happy and content whereas, a poorly designed house will be unaesthetic and not comfotable to live in and hence create irritation in the minds of the inhabitants.
Vastu Shastra takes advantage of and manipulates the natural resources like sun, wind, air etc. and the topography of the site, the surrounding roads, trees, water sources, structures etc. to channel positive energy and prevent imbalance in the building and thus bring about harmony between man, nature and his built enviornment.
Though Vastu Shastra is conceptually similar to Chinese 'Feng Shui' in that it also tries to harmonize the flow of energy, (also called life-force or 'Prana' in Sanskrit and similar to 'Chi' in Chinese) through the house, it differs in that, Vastu gives the exact directions in which various objects, rooms, materials etc are to be placed.
Vastu shastra incorporates Architecture, Sculpture, Mathematics, Geometry, Geology, Geography, Religion and Philosophy. It lays down priciples on all aspects of Construction - Site selection, orientation and location of the building on the site, space to be left on all sides of the building, orientation and location of each and every room and element of a building, direction of the front door, location of wet areas, water sources, fire, slope directions, trees to be planted, colour scheme and even the best date and time for having the 'Foundation Laying Ceremony and the 'Griha Pravesham' or 'House Warming' Ceremony.
IS VASTU SHASTRA A SCIENCE OR SUPERSTITION?
Vastu Shastra as the name suggests is a 'Shastra' or a rational Science based on observations, facts, laws of nature and governed by a set of principles. It was formulated by our ancestors nearly 4000 years ago and has evolved over centuries and generations. The very fact that it has survived the test of time and has shown itself to be practicable, indicates that it is a Science and not a Superstition.
The ancient Rishis who formulated Vastu Shastra, in all their wisdom knew that unless they enforced the principles of planning very strictly, people would build as they please and create ugly and unhygienic structures as people have differing tastes and ideas on aesthetics. (This can be seen today- on any street, you may find just 1 or 2 aesthetically designed houses while the rest can be termed ugly or monstrous. Also the space left around each house is so little for the inhabitants to get proper light or ventilation). Perhaps to prevent such a situation, the principles of Vastu Shastra were made strict rules. It was said that if one followed the Vastu principles strictly, one would be happy, content and prosperous whereas if they were not followed, the inhabitants would be sick, unhappy, quarrel with each other and even die early. As a result, this 'Science' became a 'Superstiton'. Even today most people insist that we, Architects, follow the basic Vastu principles when designing their house, as they fear that there could be adverse effects if not followed.
Unfortunately, there are people to exploit the common man's fears and superstitions, the self proclaimed Vastu Consultants. They charge exhorbitant fees by exploiting the ignorance and beleifs of the people. Not all, but most of them give solutions by blindly following the standard thumb rules of Vastu Shastra, without considering that each site is unique by virtue of the surrounding structures, trees, water sources, orientraion, topography etc., and hence should be planned accordingly.
To really create a positive energy in a building, one has to study Vastu Shastra in depth and understand the logic and reasoning behind each and every principle and only then apply them to the specific site and building.
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
I am not a Vastu Specialist but in my experience as an Architect, I have applied the principles of Vastu logically in the buildings that I have designed as well as in my own house and I can say with certainity that they do make a positive difference to the state of mind of the inhabitants. These Vastu principles are based on common sense and when applied correctly, create a well-designed, well-ventilated, bright, hygienic, beautiful building that stands apart and is noticed by others. Naturally the inhabitants are happy to be in this building and are proud of it as it adds value to them. My aim is to explain Vastu Shastra scientifically with whatever knowledge I have, so as to make you realise that it is a 'Science' which can bring positive effects to your lives by its correct application.
No comments:
Post a Comment