Shelter is one of the essential needs for Human beings. People spend a lot of their amount of time in their homes. Therefore comfort and environmental conditions are important aspects of a house.
Vastu Shastra is the technology of creating and a skill of managing the structure with environment. Recently the historic Vastu culture has gained a significant role in the look and orientation of personal and commercial buildings in India.
However in modern-day India this early practice has been termed as "myth" or "occult" by almost all. Still this practise demonstrates to be popular with contemporary clients, who insist on their house being built and designed according to Vastu Shastra.
This thesis handles Vastu Shastra's fundamental rules of architecture which derive from now proven methodical facts and addresses those to today's architectural and interior design practices.
The purpose is to prove that Vastu Shastra has a medical backdrop with a request and is not only a superstition. The purpose is to eliminate the anxieties in the mind of the folks about the misunderstanding of Vastu Shastra and its own tenets, worries created by consultants by threats of destruction, loss of life, disease and unpleasant life.
Therefore, knowing and applying the guidelines of Vastu Shastra would be extremely beneficial for any modern day Architect and/or Interior Developer in India.
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The thesis includes four chapters.
The first chapter presents Vastu Shastra and its own guidelines governed by the many elements of aspect. This chapter discuss the history and the present of Vastu shastra in India.
The second section discusses the 'occult' aspect of Vastu. It is an effort to reason out why people have the feeling of Vastu as a superstition and to enlighten and encourage the reader to review Vastu Shastra with an open mind and demystify its occult garb.
The third chapter puts forward various issues interacting with environmental relevance of Vastu Shastra's guidelines and their scientific backgrounds. It uncovers two important aspects of the relevance of solar energy and geomagnetic energy with Vastu. The first part shows the vector examination of the differing directional solar technology field as implored on fixed geomagnetic flux. The next part clarifies the correlation between your movements of the sub atomic debris and the electromagnetic flux.
The fourth chapter discusses a great Vastu structure and also reveals a research study of a modern-day residential task with the application of Vastu rules.
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Chapter 1. Vastu Shastra in India
1. History
Vastu Shastra can be an ancient building technology that governed the Indian structures in the Vedic times. 'Vastu' means building and 'Shastra' means the technology so essentially it's the "building science". It explains the basis of fabricating spaces according to its surrounding.
Vastu Shastra originated around 3000 BC. It was first stated in the historical Hindu scriptures like Rig Veda, Mahabharata etc.
In primitive India, education, medication, horoscopy, astrophysics, occultism, metaphysics and religiousness lived in complaisant proximity, their edges superimposing and one enhancing the other. The guidelines of Vastu Shastra and environmental reflections in home buildings were set up taking into consideration the cosmic influence of sunlight, wind way, magnetic field of the earth and the impact of cosmos on the 'Globe'. House building design, including its internal and exterior environment, has customarily been the duty of the architects. Vastu Shastra scriptures were written in the olden times when architecture was essentially for the rulers, the nobles and then for the divine buildings. The fundamental architectural Rules namely climate, orientations, functions, planning, etc are now forgotten by the architects and designers. Especially in India, the very fact of buying and owning a house is considered as an indicator of high class belonging to community and position in the society.
Considering environmental factors in structures is as old as the structures, the Vastu and the 'Vedic Age'.
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With the rules of Vastu Shastra the architects can design buildings so that it will bring good health, wealth and peace to the inmates. 'Man creates the location so that the location shall build its dwellers'. (Bhaskar1998)
The upcoming occupation of structures has outcast the 'Vastu Vidya' or the customary Indian knowledge of architecture. 'Vastu Shastra' is as aged as knowledge itself, however the practise of the 'Vastu Consultants' is a reasonably new and revised one, it addresses only a part of this science. It is time 'Vastu Shastra' is manufactured free of its incomprehensible guise and exhibited as a rational and judicious branch of knowledge.
Vastu Shastra is furthermore distinguished by the 'Vastu Pundit's (experts) and is termed as
'The Edifice Research' (implication of the rules of this knowledge while planning a building will assuredly bring tranquility and prosperity to its occupiers)
Vastu Shastra has been acknowledged as a science produced from the study of nature and the supernatural by the prehistoric Aryan 'sages'. Vastu Shastra considers the influences of the sun, its light and heat. It considers the impacts of earth's electromagnetic field, bio-chemical results in a body, to be able to lead a healthy and productive life.
Advanced study in neuro-science has turned out that sunlight, the Moon and the Planets which will be the cosmic counter-parts, have a one-to-one relevance to the many fragments of the human brain.
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Hence, the Vedic method for the orientation of the dwelling into the east is to achieve the advantages of the morning sunlight and a perfect square home with a central wide open space to enough time scorching afternoon sun.
Various health problems like insomnia, cerebral palsy, hypertension, etc experienced treating before 15 years with the aid of Environmental energy much before it was acclaimed by the scholars of today through the analysis of 'Matsya', 'Mansara' and so many more epics and were recognised and acknowledged as science including the military knowledge 'Dhanur-Vidya'
'The vocation of the developer or the architect is completely mistaken with the role of the astrologer. ' (Sahastrabudhe 1999)
Traditionally the Indian Structures was acknowledged as unique and was not subject to be analysed by the traditional western examples.
The fundamental guidelines of Vastu Shastra derive from two important aspects
1. The five natural elements sky, air, flame, water and earth and
2. The eight cardinal guidelines North, South, East, West, North East, North Western world, South East, South West.
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2. Fundamental principles of Vastu Shastra
The research of Vastu Shastra considers the earth to be made up of five basic elements referred to as 'Panch Mahabhoota'
Vastu Pundits (experts) believed Existence of Life on the planet is because the balance of the five elements which are present on Earth which is currently proven by today's world researchers. ( Gadge, 2003, p. 93-96)
a. The Five components of the Nature
BHUMI (Globe) - The positioning of Earth is third to be able from the sun. Presence of electromagnetism helps it be a big magnet in the area with the North Pole and the South Pole as centres of fascination. Every living and Non - living organism on Earth is affected by its magnetic field and Gravitational take.
JALA (Normal water)-Water is at a liquid form and is also represented by rain, ocean, sea, and river. It sorts a portion of each nature.
VAYU (Air) - Air is recognized as the building blocks of life and is also a supreme way to obtain life. The comfort value of human beings is directly dependant on the total amount of humidity, temps, pressure, stream and the structure of air and its items.
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AGNI (Hearth) -Flame is symbolised by light and temperature which forms an indispensable part of night and day, climatic conditions, radioactivity, avidity, energy and vigour
AKASHA (Space) - The space or the sky shelters all the above four components of nature. It's the primary conductor of all resources of energy for example light, audio, social energies specifically emotional and internal and cognitive energies specifically intuition and intellect.
There can be an unseen relationship between all the above five elements. Thus various individual conditions can be upgraded by taking into consideration the effectiveness of the five basic natural makes while planning the properties. The role of Vastu Shastra is to combine these components of aspect and balance them with the person and the matter. Taking good thing about the presents bestowed by the type to make a nice living and working conditions in that way promoting religious well-being and boosting health and riches leading to wealth and happy living
b. The Eight cardinal directions
Vastu takes into consideration the eight possible guidelines after analysing and studying the four coordinal guidelines- North, South, East and West and four angular directions - North East, North Western world, South East, South West
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In Vastu Shastra these guidelines are established by making use of a tool called the 'Vastu compass' which really is a magnetic compass. The building site is first analysed with this tool and later inscribed on the layout to start the process of designing taking in awareness the Vastu rules. Vastu affirms that it helps someone to tune with dynamics and derive its free benefits by honouring the five basic elements and the eight cardinal guidelines.
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Chapter 2. The Occult aspect of Vastu
There are three critical indicators that effect the misunderstanding of Vastu Shastra.
1. Personal Motives of the consultants
Human mind has always been intrigued by the Occult and the supernatural. In a lot of instances the values and faiths of common folks have been wrongly used and abused. Hence, it is important to comprehend when and where should one get the series. This concern with being a sufferer to such immoral routines by some Vastu consultants who don't realize the subject but scare people because of their advantage has generated unbelief of Vastu Shastra in India.
The reason for this chapter is to clear the doubts in the mind of the people about the misunderstanding of Vastu Shastra and its own tenets, the fear created by consultants by hazards of destruction, fatality, disease and unpleasant life.
The reality is that the initial Vastu script is lost and everything modern available wording are just compilation, it has made Vastu a victim of unscrupulous interpretation.
2. Mythological Stories
Moreover the terminology utilized by the historic scholars while explaining the scientific regulations of Vastu Shastra also gives surge to the superstitious facet of its understanding.
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In the early times, the 'Vedas', or the data, was limited by a particular cast of people, which explains why it was problematic for one common person to comprehend the principles of the science, if discussed in a clinical way.
The sensible ones used the terminology which was easy for the normal man to understand so for example, when the scholars experienced to state that by building a screen in a particular direction, you can make the the majority of the early morning hours sun rays, they would alternatively say that by positioning the home window in a particular path the deity of that route will bless them with good health and prosperity. Therefore Vastu in India is cured as a religious work more than skill of engineering, which contributes to the misunderstanding of its concepts.
The problem starts off when Vastu Shastra is confusing with spiritual rituals. The wise men of yesteryears infused religious beliefs in Vastu so that individuals will apply it and practise it in worries of the supernatural but today it's been misjudged and wrongly accused in the name of religious beliefs and occultism. Indian mythology explains to testimonies of the deity of Foundation 'Vastu Purusha'. (make reference to fig. 1. 1)
The stories in the Vedas also have a important role to try out in the misconception of Vastu Shastra. There is a Fascinating history about the 'Vastu Purusha' in the Matsya Purana. According to the Vedas, Vastu Purusha is omnipresent in the whole storyline irrelevant to its size. It is situated on the storyline with its mind down and his body folded in a peculiar fashion in order to cover the space and the width of the storyline.
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During his battle with the demons, Lord Shiva got tired and started out sweating too much and away of his drops of sweat a cruel looking famished man was created who started to make penance to appease the deity. Lord Shiva finally was happy with him and awarded him his desire to be the most powerful and largest being on Earth. He then stood between the Earth and the heavens. Terrified by this devotee the deities and the demons together pinned him down to the planet earth. Pitying his condition Lord Shiva blessed him and made him the God of Vastu and called him the Vastu Purusha. Since then it is thought that the being is present in every story with the deities and the demons acquiring and ruling different positions on his body.
People listen closely and have confidence in such stories and overlook the research of Vastu. They do not probe in to the information on Vastu technology and term it as a 'myth'. Moreover since the understanding of Vastu was passed down from technology to generation, it's been modified and more and more reviews are weaved around it to make it sound more mythological.
However early Indian scholars were great mathematicians and also possessed the data of geology this is shown in the next chapter, which clarifies the logical and practical aspect of Vastu.
3. Commercial facet of Vastu
Today new flats and flats in newly constructed buildings are declined if they are not built based on the Vastu concepts. In fact if your building was created by using a Vastu Specialist then it becomes a USP to sell the Flats using elements of India!
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Amusingly some buyers come with a Vastu Consultant to check if it suits their personal needs before making the decision of shopping for the house with their dreams.
This makes the builders to hire Vastu consultants without checking the depth of your knowledge and use them as an extra tag to market their Flats who subsequently mislead the customers into purchasing the flats.
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Chapter 3. Environmental relevance and medical approach to Vastu.
In this chapter I will try to delineate the original narrations in terms of basic regulations, logic and methodology of particle physics, biochemistry and energy dynamics. For correlating the significance of directions and causes in Vastu the next topics are very significant: move characteristics of solar energy, geomagnetic, flux and thermal versions.
1. Solar rays and its own effects
Whenever a structure is created it is exposed to the effects of the suns radiations. In exotic countries the southern side suffers tough heat as the north area remains in the shadow area this result in the formation of thermocouple in the space and throughout the house. In the tropical countries South, South East and Southwest suffer scorching heat as the North. North east and North West stay in the cool shadow section. It can be summarised that disturbance is created due to the high imbalance in the natural order of the geometric flux lines, (flux is defined as the quantity of electromagnetic energy that moves through a product area per product time) building nodes at the intersection of the flux lines. These nodes are factors of distorted energy potential. Such dislocations trap the sub atomic allergens travelling across the flux lines. These contaminants start resonating under specific conditions and off harmful micro level radiation. (Mahatme, 2003) These emissions are likely of working against the lifetime of life varieties. Vastu-Purush-Mandal symbolizes this phenomenon as 'Yama' (Lord of Fatality).
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The thermal imbalance is the primary cause in creating obstructions in smooth energy stream through and around the building. The detailed remedial procedures available in Vastu Shastra make an effort to equalise the thermal difference and offer harmonious and blissful conditions for the dweller.
The sensible men of the past understood this and tried to derive a remedy to offset the disruption in the southern direction by the following measures.
1. Thick heavy wall structure on the south side
2. Blocking of the opportunities in the south side
3. Steering clear of any slopes for the south
4. Orienting the house in that manner that more open spaces are available in the North and East directions
5. By planting some trees and shrubs in the South for availing of humid atmosphere.
7. Bringing up of plinth and compound level in the southern direction.
If honored these rules you can make an effort to create equalise the thermal differentials and create harmonious and healthy living conditions within the composition.
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2. Directions and Deities
The four main guidelines specifically North, South, East and Western world represent channels of negative and positive energies. These guidelines become either the foundation or the sink for energies. (make reference to fig 1. 3)Hence the orientation and positioning of these forces are prearranged in their zones of impact.
Whereas the sub directions vis-a-vis North East, South East, North West and South West represent zones of confluence of two different (positive and negative) energy streams which are in right angles to one another. Any disturbance in the movement of the energies triggers turbulence in the movement of the power which is aligned to the principal direction.
The Vastu Pundits put together the positive north and east guidelines with the negative south and West to determine the ramifications of the sub guidelines.
These guidelines were then from the positions of the deities depending on the results of the effects of the energies.
North East - + + - home of God
North West - + - desirable direction
South East - + - Not desired direction
South Western - - residence of Demon
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3. Scientific Method of Vastu
Below we will take a look at several instances which strongly stand for the actual fact that Vastu Shastra is dependant on solid scientific facts and can be good for the people.
The pursuing Vastu Shastra guidelines can be easily misinterpreted without a rational explanation.
Rule 1. 'Each path has a Presiding deity. Since Riches God tips the North and sunlight God Aditya rules East direction, the window opportunities of the home as well as the placement of the water tank should maintain the North East route to welcome god, the father, who'll then be thrilled and will bless you with the healthy and productive life'
The scientific reason to the aforementioned statement is really as follows.
The sun increases in the East and therefore the sun's rays emit more light and less heat. Sun rays each day are a abundant source of vitamin supplements 'D', which are A vital part in development of healthy bone. Normal water is disinfected by Ultra violet rays, as the hereditary material is modified in bacteria, infections, and protozoa, which damages the dangerous micro organism's example E. Coli. (Hwaa irfan, 2001). If UV coverage is dozed carefully, they have protective results against cancer tumor (Severn, 2001 p. 1). Various diseases are healed using the UV radiations, for example rickets, psoriasis, eczema and jaundice.
So when one has openings in their house towards the East direction, it allows the first morning light to enter the house and these are the ultra violet rays which when penetrate inside your home and bestow their benefits keeping the inmates healthy and fit.
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A healthy and fit person can think and work more effectively leading to a higher earning and a booming life. Now if the opportunities are created in the opposite direction, then it could be detrimental to medical, as the afternoon rays are the infra red rays, that are strong and unsafe.
Rule 2. The beds should be put in such a way so as the head of the person should maintain the south course. The deity of loss of life resides in the South, so one should not face this course while sleeping, as it invites loss of life.
The description to the aforementioned statement are available in the planet earth magnetism. The earth's magnetic field goes from South Pole to north pole, so if you rest in the same fashion then you are aligned with the magnetic stream. Now studies also show that Human mind and north are both positive poles (Ritu 1999) scheduled to that they repel each other hence it is favourable to sleep with the head in the south for a audio sleep. Rest disorder leads to a great deal of health problems
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Chapter 4. Contemporary Indian Structures and Design
1. Ideal Vastu House
In India a home is not only a shelter for humans, it is called as 'Manushyalaya'which means 'human being temple'. As per Vastu both house and temple are sacred areas so a house should be made with the same theory as the temple.
A house design with an "open courtyard system" was a national structure of India before the release of the european concepts. The agreement of the built areas is the foundation of creating a spiritual environment necessary for the health and prosperity. Body--- shows an excellent layout of your perfectly rectangular building with a superimposed modular Vastu grid of 9 x 9 forming 81 squares designed for a family. The centre space 'Brahmasthan' is supposed to be the nuclear energy field which should be unbuilt and retained open to the sky to connect with the outer space 'Akasha'. The central courtyard is not for the living goal it can be used for social and spiritual rituals. Another rows of squares which are adjacent to the centre space are to be used for a walkway and the place squares are to used for the precise rooms.
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Following are the guidelines with the deity that presides them and the specific rooms to be built respectively. (refer to fig 1. 2)
Direction Deity presiding the route Suggested rooms
North East Dharma(God of righteousness) Prayer room
North Kubera (God of wealth) Living room
North West Vayu (God of breeze) Guest Bedroom, Toilet
East Indra (God of Gods) Bathroom
West Varuna (God of normal water) Children's bedroom
South Yama (God of Death) Store room
South East Agni (God of Open fire) Kitchen and dining room
South Western world Niruthi (Goddess of demons) Professional bedroom
2. Research study of a modern-day Vastu House
Vastu House By Khosla Affiliates in Bangalore, India
The space planning in this house was designed in harmony with the Vastu orientation and location idea called Vastu Purusha Mandala.
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To design within dictated predetermined rigid locations specified as per Vastu yet to reach at a aesthetically stunning and cosmetic architecture was the largest challenge of this project. Growing lazily from the North East that was the lowest indicate South East which was the highest point of the home, it was built on smooth break up levels.
The trees on view courtyard are beautifully weaved in its linear horizontal and cantilevered roofing. The massive stretch out of goblet blur the spatial limitations between enclosed space of the home and the open up space of the garden. As you strolls down the open up living spaces one can experience a sense of infinity, these areas are divided with sliding bifold doors and certain places don't have any barrier at all.
All the key areas were placed according to Vastu Shastra. The Master bedroom is positioned in the Earth Area (THE WEST), the positioning of your kitchen is in the open fire zone (South East) and in the area of normal water and air (North and North East) was placed the swimming pool. The primary door was at the North East and the Children's bedroom was at the Western. Even the position the staircase, the orientation of the bed, study table and clothing collection and position in the bathroom lavatories were designed relating of Vastu principles and the flow of the vitality.
The location of the house is strategically located near a occupied street; a small in-house office for the Expert of the house is positioned near the main street.
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The access to the office is included in the canopy of some old trees and shrubs one makes a means paving through them. These trees and shrubs act as a visual barrier to the rushing traffic on the main road.
The black steps that happen to be carved from a local granite leads one from the spacious living room in to the courtyard which is open to sky, perched at the heart are some ornamental trees and shrubs. The roof covering is cladded with local Mangalore tiles. The support for the rooftop is palm carved natural stone columns that happen to be innovative and useful and carry the load of the roof through the diagonal metal struts. Taking advantage of the beautiful climate the dining table is positioned in a semi-outdoor space.
The first floor which is utilized through a wooden staircase has a huge sitting area with an exercise centre. The toilet has huge goblet windows with a lot of day light leading to an enormous walk in closet. There can be an interesting amalgamation of luxury and Vastu subjected concrete ceiling with rough rock steps and courtroom gravel with polished concrete floors compare well with fine teak furniture, italian marble and silk and satin furniture. The park appears interesting with the lap pool on aspect and on the other hand a large rough cut log forming an outdoor dining table to dine under the hues of the large banyan tree!
This is a vintage example showing that a house built with Vastu rules will not restrict the creativeness of a custom made instead presents an issue to achieve the spiritual atmosphere in a concrete beauty!
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Conclusion
To summarize the argument of this dissertation, "Vastu Shastra has fascinated some and annoyed others but it has intrigued everybody" (Gandhi 2006)
The first chapter explains the laws and regulations of Indian architecture and clarifies its important concepts. The next chapter explains the misconception of terming Vastu an occult by rational and scientific method. The 3rd chapter throws light on the metaphysical facet of Vastu Shastra. The fourth chapter explains an excellent Vastu layout by using a research study.
The dissertation by making use of medical proven facts clarifies the incorrect image of Vastu Shastra and induces the Architects and Interior Designers with an open mind and appearance at the insights of Vastu Shastra instead to writing it off in the name of occult practise.
Today's Architects and Designers may take the responsibility to teach this research to the common man (Sarkar 2007)
The building science has its presence worldwide in different varieties plus they all have their own concepts. From Vitruvius theory to Feng Shui to Vastu Shastra all these sciences are from different parts of the world however they all have the same note. The main purpose of building research is to lay out some recommendations for the architects to design building in harmony with the type and taking advantage of the prevailing natural presents of sunlight, wind, cosmic energy also to make a habitat which is beneficial to the inhabitants and make their life happy and successful.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. CHAKRABARTI, V. , 1998. Indian Architectural Theory. London: Curson.
2. DWIVEDI, B. , 2004. Sampuran vastu shastra. New Delhi: Stone pocket literature.
3. GAUTAM, J. , 2006. Latest vastu shastra (some secrets). New Delhi: Shakti Malik.
4. MALGRAVE, I. AND FRANCIS, H. , 2006. Arhitectural Theory. Oxford: Blackwell publishing.
5. PATRA, R. , 2006. A comparative review on vastu shastra and Heidegger's, "building dwelling and thinking". Asian beliefs, 16(3), 199-218.
6. SAHASRABUDHE, N. H. AND MAHATME, R. D. , 2000. Mystic science of vastu. Slough: New Dawn press.
7. SARKAR, B. , 2008. A functional method of vastu shastra. New Delhi: Atlantic web publishers.
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