The Science of Vastu Shastra was formulated after a detailed study of various factors that affect us humans, namely:
1) The five elements also known panchabhutaas.
2) The Sun and its effects.
3) The Earth's magnetic field.
4) The eight Cardinal directions.
5) The Vastu Purusha Mandala.
WHAT IS THE COMPOSITION OF SUNLIGHT?
Sunlight has two spectrum - the visible spectrum and the invisible spectrum.
The visible spectrum consists of white light which is made up of seven main colours, VIBGYOR, that is, Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red. These Colours, depending on the colour and intensity, have deep psychological effects on a person's moods and hence have to be used sensibly for creating a good, positive environment.
The invisible spectrum flanks the visible spectrum on either side and consists of the ULTRA VIOLET (Chemical Spectrum) and the INFRA RED (Thermal Heat Spectrum). The Ultra Violet (UV) rays have a shorter wavelength than the visible light rays and can kill bacteria as well as aid in the synthesis of Vitamin D in our bodies, on exposure to the bare skin. The Infra Red rays have a longer wavelength than the visible light rays and are the cause for the heat of the sunlight.
WHY IS SUN CONSIDERED A 'LIFE- GIVING ORB'?
Sunlight has two spectrum - the visible spectrum and the invisible spectrum.
The visible spectrum consists of white light which is made up of seven main colours, VIBGYOR, that is, Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red. These Colours, depending on the colour and intensity, have deep psychological effects on a person's moods and hence have to be used sensibly for creating a good, positive environment.
The invisible spectrum flanks the visible spectrum on either side and consists of the ULTRA VIOLET (Chemical Spectrum) and the INFRA RED (Thermal Heat Spectrum). The Ultra Violet (UV) rays have a shorter wavelength than the visible light rays and can kill bacteria as well as aid in the synthesis of Vitamin D in our bodies, on exposure to the bare skin. The Infra Red rays have a longer wavelength than the visible light rays and are the cause for the heat of the sunlight.
WHY IS SUN CONSIDERED A 'LIFE- GIVING ORB'?
The Sun illuminates the Earth and it sustains life. It is for these reasons that Indians, from time immemorial, worship the Sun God also known as Surya.
* SUSTAIN LIFE - Plants make glucose (energy rich food) from Carbon dioxide of the air and water in the presence of sunlight and release oxygen as a by-product into the air. This process called Photosynthesis, is absolutely necessary to sustain life on Earth, because all living things get a continuous supply of oxygen and animals get food (Carbohydrates) from the plants.
* ILLUMINATES THE EARTH - The white bright light illuminates the Earth and is the reason we are able to see colours. White sunlight contains all the possible color variations. When sunlight falls on a coloured object, it reflects the light of it's color into our eyes while all the other colors of the light are absorbed into that object, giving us the perception of color. Thus, an apple appears red because it reflects red light.
HOW IS SUNLIGHT BENEFICIAL TO OUR BODIES?
* Sunlight synthesises Vitamin D, a very important mineral for supporting and maintaining the overall health, in our bodies by exposure of our bare skin to the Ultra violet rays of the sunlight. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Vitamin D deficiency causes brittle, soft, thin bones, and leads to bone softening diseases like rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, and possibly contributes to osteoporosis. Also recent research suggests that Vitamin D deficiency is linked with a higher incidence of Cancers and Parkinson's disease.
It has been observed that in countries further away from the Equator, like U.S.A., Great Britain, Canada, there is a high incidence of Vitamin D deficiency as there is a need for longer sun exposure in our bodies.
*Sunlight increases endorphins. This means a higher feeling of well being and less depression like SAD. (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a kind of winter depression that affects lots of people during winter due to shortening of daylight hours).
* Sunlight reduces weight caused by water retention.
* Sunlight lowers blood pressure.
* Sunlight strengthens the immune system.
* Sunlight increases the good cholesterol and lowers the bad.
* Sunlight normalises blood sugar, it increases low blood sugar and lowers high blood sugar.
* Sunlight synthesises vitamin D in our bodies.
* Sunlight helps detoxify the liver.
* Sunlight increases muscle tone and endurance.
* Sunlight speeds up healing
* Sunlight kills germs.
* Sunlight boosts serotonin levels which help a body stay alert.
Regardless of the season, it is important for our bodies to get at least 15 to 20 minutes of natural sunlight every single day. While we do need to protect ourselves and watch our sun exposure for long periods of time, our bodies also need full-spectrum natural sunlight daily to provide us with positive health benefits.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO EXPOSE TO THE SUN?
It is best to expose to the sun when it is not too hot to cause sunburn and other harmful effects. The intensity of the sunlight and heat is related to the height of the sun in the sky and the pathway of beam of sunlight through the atmosphere. At mid-day the sun would be almost directly overhead and therefore, the pathway of sunlight is half the length compared to the morning or evening. Hence the intensity is maximum.
* SUSTAIN LIFE - Plants make glucose (energy rich food) from Carbon dioxide of the air and water in the presence of sunlight and release oxygen as a by-product into the air. This process called Photosynthesis, is absolutely necessary to sustain life on Earth, because all living things get a continuous supply of oxygen and animals get food (Carbohydrates) from the plants.
* ILLUMINATES THE EARTH - The white bright light illuminates the Earth and is the reason we are able to see colours. White sunlight contains all the possible color variations. When sunlight falls on a coloured object, it reflects the light of it's color into our eyes while all the other colors of the light are absorbed into that object, giving us the perception of color. Thus, an apple appears red because it reflects red light.
HOW IS SUNLIGHT BENEFICIAL TO OUR BODIES?
* Sunlight synthesises Vitamin D, a very important mineral for supporting and maintaining the overall health, in our bodies by exposure of our bare skin to the Ultra violet rays of the sunlight. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Vitamin D deficiency causes brittle, soft, thin bones, and leads to bone softening diseases like rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, and possibly contributes to osteoporosis. Also recent research suggests that Vitamin D deficiency is linked with a higher incidence of Cancers and Parkinson's disease.
It has been observed that in countries further away from the Equator, like U.S.A., Great Britain, Canada, there is a high incidence of Vitamin D deficiency as there is a need for longer sun exposure in our bodies.
*Sunlight increases endorphins. This means a higher feeling of well being and less depression like SAD. (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a kind of winter depression that affects lots of people during winter due to shortening of daylight hours).
* Sunlight reduces weight caused by water retention.
* Sunlight lowers blood pressure.
* Sunlight strengthens the immune system.
* Sunlight increases the good cholesterol and lowers the bad.
* Sunlight normalises blood sugar, it increases low blood sugar and lowers high blood sugar.
* Sunlight synthesises vitamin D in our bodies.
* Sunlight helps detoxify the liver.
* Sunlight increases muscle tone and endurance.
* Sunlight speeds up healing
* Sunlight kills germs.
* Sunlight boosts serotonin levels which help a body stay alert.
Regardless of the season, it is important for our bodies to get at least 15 to 20 minutes of natural sunlight every single day. While we do need to protect ourselves and watch our sun exposure for long periods of time, our bodies also need full-spectrum natural sunlight daily to provide us with positive health benefits.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO EXPOSE TO THE SUN?
It is best to expose to the sun when it is not too hot to cause sunburn and other harmful effects. The intensity of the sunlight and heat is related to the height of the sun in the sky and the pathway of beam of sunlight through the atmosphere. At mid-day the sun would be almost directly overhead and therefore, the pathway of sunlight is half the length compared to the morning or evening. Hence the intensity is maximum.
On the other hand, in the morning and in the evening, the intensity of the sunlight is much less because the pathway of the sunlight through the atmosphere is much longer. However it feels hotter in the evenings as compared to the mornings, because the ground reflects and re-reflects the heat waves back into the air. While in the morning, since the sunlight just starts to heat up the cold Earth after a dark night, it feels a lot more pleasant. Also, since the morning air is thick with carbon dioxide (exhaled by living things through the night), it filters out most of the UV radiation, allowing only a small amount which is not harmful to us.
Hence it is most comfortable and beneficial to expose ourselves to the morning sunlight - when it is not too hot - for at least 15 to 20 minutes a day.
HOW ARE THE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF THE SUN USED IN VASTU SHASTRA?
Vastu Shastra takes into consideration the the changing intensity of the sunlight from place to place, sunrise to sunset and from season to season in designing.
HOW ARE THE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF THE SUN USED IN VASTU SHASTRA?
Vastu Shastra takes into consideration the the changing intensity of the sunlight from place to place, sunrise to sunset and from season to season in designing.
* In India, since it is in the northern hemisphere, there is constant light from the north side throughout the year.
* When the sun rises in the East in the morning the intensity of the sunlight is much less while at midday, the intensity of the sunlight and heat is maximum. Also, the Earth is cool because of the night before.
* When the sun sets in the West in the evening, the intensity of the sunlight and heat is reduced. However, the Infra Red heat rays of the sun are projected to the South and West sides. And since the infra red rays get reflected and re-reflected by the ground, the West side and the South side are much hotter in the evenings and even at night.
Keeping all this in mind, in India, it is most comfortable to expose oneself directly to the Sun only in the mornings since the heat is much less. Hence the East side, the North side, South-East side and the North-East side assume importance in designing.
* When the sun sets in the West in the evening, the intensity of the sunlight and heat is reduced. However, the Infra Red heat rays of the sun are projected to the South and West sides. And since the infra red rays get reflected and re-reflected by the ground, the West side and the South side are much hotter in the evenings and even at night.
Keeping all this in mind, in India, it is most comfortable to expose oneself directly to the Sun only in the mornings since the heat is much less. Hence the East side, the North side, South-East side and the North-East side assume importance in designing.
Some of the planning considerations as per Vastu Shastra are as follows.
* There should be no obstacles, tall trees, high compound walls on the north and east sides of the house, so that the sunlight can enter the house directly and thus brighten it and kill the germs and bacteria that would have multiplied during the night.
* More windows, balconies, terraces and open spaces are desirable in the East and North sides again for the same reason as above.
* The water source, wells etc are preferred on the East and north sides of the house, so that the UV rays can kill the germs and keep the water purified.
* It is advisable to have the kitchen platform on the eastern side, so that the morning sunrays will kill the germs on the kitchen counter and keep the food from spoiling. Also, the lady of the house will face the morning sun while cooking and thus benefit from the sun rays ( in the olden days, women stayed at home and never stepped out, and so this was a way for them to get exposed to the beneficial sun rays).
* There should be fewer windows on the South and West side, and the walls should be thicker to reduce the heat.
* It is better to have the lesser used rooms like the toilets, store rooms etc on the west side, as they tend to be hotter and will be uncomfortable in the evening and night.
* Also it is advisable to have tall trees on the south and west sides, to protect the house from the direct sunlight and also to give pure oxygenated air to the inmates (since trees and plants produce oxygen during the process of photosynthesis)
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