ARCHITECT'S IDEAS & ADVICE ON A TO Z OF HOUSE CONSTRUCTION IN INDIA

The ancient Indian text Mayamatam on Vastu Sastra, written thousands of years ago, explains the legend of the VASTU PURUSHA.

According to Hindu mythology, in the beginning, Brahma, the creator of the Universe, experimented with the creation of a new creature. He created a large cosmic man, who grew rapidly as he began to devour everything in his path to satisfy his insatiable hunger. When he became unmanageably big, that his shadow fell on the earth as a permanent eclipse, the gods Shiva and Vishnu begged Brahma to do something before everything was destroyed by this Creature. Brahma realised his mistake and called the Astha Dikapalakas, the Gods of the eight cardinal directions. Together, they overpowered the monster and held it flat against the earth. Then Brahma jumped in the middle and held the monster down.
Then the Monster cried “You created me like this. So why am I being punished?” Brahma offered him a compromise and made the Monster immortal with the boon that he would be worshipped by any mortal that builds a structure on earth. He was named Vastu Purusha. Vastu Shastra gives the directive principles regarding construction of buildings so as not to displease the Vastu Purusha. These principles are explained with the help of the diagram called the Vastu Purusha Mandala.

The diagram alongside, known as Vastu Purusha Mandala, is a metaphysical square plan that illustrates how the Vastu Purusha was pinned down by Brahma and 44 Gods - face down, with his head to the North East and feet towards South West. The diagram is divided into 9x9 = 81 parts. The positions of the 45 gods who are holding down the Vastu Purusha are shown. (32 in the external enclosures and 13 in the internal enclosures). These symbolic Gods rule various aspects of life and have certain inherent qualities. The central portion ruled by Brahma was kept open in the form of a central courtyard. (This was mainly to allow proper flow of air and cross ventilation). The purpose of the rooms placed in each area of the house was in tune with the nature of the deity ruling that particular area. This has been shown in the two examples given below:

THIS DIAGRAM SHOWS THE IDEAL POSITIONS OF DIFFERENT ROOMS IN A BIG HOUSE, BASED ON THE THE VASTU MANDALA ON A GRID OF 5X5.

THIS DIAGRAM SHOWS THE IDEAL POSITIONS OF DIFFERENT ROOMS IN A SMALLER HOUSE, BASED ON THE VASTU MANDALA ON A GRID OF 3X3

According to Vastu Shastra, if the house is designed as per the vastu purusha mandala, a perfectly balanced enviornment which ensures enhanced health, wealth and happiness is created.

This is actually based on scientific principles wherein, the Sun, the five basic elements (panchabhutaas), the earth's magnetic field and the eight directions are manipulated to create an atmosphere beneficial to man. The ancients figured out that when the different rooms were placed according to the Vastu Mandala, good disposition to the sun, proper ventilation and lighting and privacy would be ensured

WHAT IS THE LOGIC BEHIND THE POSITIONING OF DIFFERENT ROOMS IN A HOUSE DESIGNED ACCORDING TO VASTU SHASTRA?
The Ancients believed that the mind and body have different activities depending on the time of the day. They divided the 24 hours into eight parts, representing the eight cardinal directions. They designed and oriented various rooms of a house in the Eight cardinal directions, to be in harmony with the daily human cycle and according to the position of the sun through the day.

*NORTH-EAST -The period between 3 am and 6 am, just before sunrise is called Brahma Muhurta.This time, the sun is in the North-Eastern part of the house. These hours are ideal for Yoga, meditation, or study as it is very quiet and peaceful.Therefore, the North-East corner is the best position for the Puja Room or meditation room.
*EAST - From 6 am to 9 am, the sun is in the eastern part of the house, and should have lots of openings and no obstructions in order to absorb the beneficial ultraviolet rays. This is the time for bathing and preparing for the day, so East is a good location for a bathroom used for bathing purposes only.
*SOUTH-EAST - The time between 9 am to 12 in the noon, when the sun is in the South-East part of the house, is the best time for preparing food to be eaten later in the day. Therefore, the kitchen can be located here as it can receive the UV rays of the sun that keep the kitchen counter free from germs that spoil the food.

*SOUTH - After lunch it is time for rest, so the time between noon and 3 pm is called Vishranti, the resting period. The sun is now in the south, and hence the best position for a bedroom.

*SOUTH-WEST - After rest, from 3 pm to 6pm is the time for studying and work, and the sun is now in the southwest section of the house, the ideal location for a study or library.
*WEST - The period between 6 pm and 9 pm is the time for eating, sitting or reading. The sun is in the west and this is the best location for dining or sitting room.
*NORTH-WEST - The time between 9 pm and midnight, when the sun is in the North-West part of the house, where cowshed is located, was the time to attend to the animals. This part is a good location for another bedroom also.

*NORTH - The time between midnight and 3 am, when the sun is in the Northern section, is the time of darkness and secrecy. The North is the best place to hide treasure or valuables, to keep them protected.