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

WHAT ARE THE FIVE ELEMENTS OR THE PANCHABHUTAAS?
Vaastu rests on the assumption that the earth is a living organism, out of which other living creatures and organic forms emerge, and so every particle on earth possesses 'live energy'. Out of the nine planets in the Solar System, only Earth has life because of the presence of the five elements or Panchabhutaas namely:

a) SPACE (Aakaasha) - the unending region beyond Earth in which not only our Solar System but the entire Galaxy exists. It provides shelter to the other four elements.
b) AIR (Vaayu) - the atmosphere above the Earth consists of Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, water vapour, Dust etc which are all essential for living things to flourish. Human physical comfort values are directly and sensitively dependent on correct humidity, air flow, temperature of air, air pressure, air composition and its content.
c) FIRE (Agni) - It represents light and heat without which life will be extinct. Days and nights, seasons, energy, enthusiasm, passion, vigour are because of light and heat only.
d) WATER (Jala) - This is represented by rain, river, sea and is in the form of liquid, solid (ice) and gas (steam, cloud). Every plant and animal is composed of waterin different proportions.
e) EARTH (Bhumi) - Earth, the third planet in order from the sun, is a big magnet with North and South poles as centers of attractions. Its magnetic field and gravitational force has considerable effects on everything on the Earth, living and non-living.Seasons are formed because the Earth is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees and because it revolves around the sun once every year. Day and night are formed because the Earth rotates on its axis from West to East.

ACCORDING TO VASTU SHASTRA, HOW DO THE FIVE ELEMENTS AFFECT US?
According to Vaastu Shastra every living and non-living element on Earth is composed of the five elements - Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Space. There is an invisible and constant interaction between these elements. These forces act for or against each other to create harmony or disharmony. It is upto the Living things, to understand the effectiveness of the five elements and use them to their advantage in creating a harmonius enviornment to live in.

HOW DO LIVING THINGS MANIPULATE THE FIVE ELEMENTS TO THEIR ADVANTAGE?
Animals, birds, insects and plants, have natural defences against a wide variety of unfavourable climates. They adapt their body size, shape or temperature to adjust with the hostile climate. But some creatures like termites, birds, ants not only adapt to nature, they seek to create a comfortable living enviornment by building a suitable home.
For example, the Compass Termites of Western Australia, maintain the temperature inside their nests to within 1 degreeof 31degree Celcius, day & night, summer & winter, while the external temperature varies between 3degree C to 42 degree C. This is achieved by building a wedge shaped tower mound of 3Metres height which always points North. As the tower heats up, air inside rises drawing fresh cool air from below. Also the wind blowing across the top of the mound helps to suck in fresh air through the nest.And the termites regulate the flow of air through their nests, by blocking and unblocking the channels.

Similarly, for centuries, man has manipulated the five elements to build comfortable houses even in the most hostile enviornments. For example, in the Desert, where the heat of the Sun (Fire) can make it impossible to live, man has built houses with internal courtyards (Space), thick walls (Earth), slit windows (Air) and water bodies & fountains (Water) to cool the house by ensuring good ventilation and flow of air, just like the termites mentioned above.

But unfortunately today, man gives precedence to the appearance and size of his house as his social position and personal ego are more important. In the process he has forgotten to manipulate the elements to create a naturally comfortable, airy house. To create comfort he is forced to use gadgets like Fans, Air Conditioners, Heaters etc which consume so much of energy and are beleived to be unhealthy too.

HOW DOES VASTU SHASTRA HELP YOU MANIPULATE THE FIVE ELEMENTS?
Vaastu Shastra guides you to scientifically use the five elements of nature to create a congenial, balanced place to live or work, which will in turn ensure enhanced health, wealth, prosperity and happiness. It lays down some principles on the location, direction and disposition of the building, so that you can absorb the positive effects of the five elements.