VASTU SHASTRA AND ITS ORIGIN

India is an ancient civilization which is renowned for the various progresses it has made on various disciplines like: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, architecture, and Culture. In each of these areas it had established scientific methods of practice like – Ayurveda, yoga, Vastu Shastra, Vedic Mathematics, Astrology etc. These disciplines were conceived and developed based on strong scientific research and patronage of the ancient rulers. These were the some of the factors behind cultural development and economic prosperity along with the fact that India was a very fertile land. Vastu Shastra which is also known as Hindu Architecture is a Sanskrit word. In Sanskrit the word “Vaastu” means a building or structure, or a dwelling and “Shastra” means science, so the expression “Vaastu Shastra” is the science of structures/ buildings to prepare fertile ground for seed of life to flower and eternally experience the sat-chid-anand (the eternal bliss). The fundamental concept behind Vastu Shastra is that world is made up of five basic elements: Earth, water, fire, air and space and it is purely based on some of the following basic principles of science:

·         The gravitational and magnetic force of the earth

·         Rotation of the earth on its axis, and the centrifugal and other forces created by its movement.

·         Energy is neither created nor destroyed. There is a constant flow of energy.

It’s a vast and highly developed branch of learning. This science basically explains how to achieve harmony between all the five elements so that there is balance between human and nature. It gifts us with a technology to create buildings with regenerative properties of peace, prosperity, and love.  Vastu Shastra was used even in 6th Century B.C. But the application of Vastu Shastra along with other indigenous traditional methods of construction slowed down after 10th century AD because of increase in foreign invasions to India. And during the British rule in India Vastu Shastra was referred to as inferior to new scientific out look that was brought in.

ORIGIN OF VASTU SHASTRA

The origin of Vastu Shastra may have taken place well over thousands of years ago. It’s a part of Vedas which are believed to be 4000- to 5000-year-old. The art of Vastu originated in the Sthapatya Veda, a part of Attharva Veda. It used to be a purely technical subject and it was confined to architects (Sthapatis). 5000 years ago in Mahabharata, demon Mayan had designed place Maya Sabha as per Vastu Shastra guidelines.

Vastu finds mention in Ramayana as well. The construction of the holy city of Ayodhya where Lord Ram was born and ruled, shared a similarity with the plan written in the great Vastu architecture text MANASARA. Even in the archaeologically found cites like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro the application of Vastu Shastra can be seen.

VASTU SHASTRA AND ITS PRINCIPLES

Vastu shastra is a science of designing and constructing buildings like Residential buildings of ordinary people, gorgeous mansions of the nobles and princes-like the palace, public buildings - like rest house, libraries, theatres etc. Abodes of Gods - like the temples, the common facilities - like swimming pools, tanks ponds, well etc.                 

It’s an art of correct setting whereby one can optimize maximum benefits of the Panchbhutas (five elements) of nature and influence of the magnetic field surrounding the earth.

The basic principles that are followed in Vastu are:

—  Orientation

—  Site planning

—  Proportionate measurement: MANNA

—  The six rules of Vedic Architecture: AAYAADI-SADVARGA

—  The character of a building, its aspect and prospect or the Aesthetics of the building.

Mathematics and geometry are very important components in Vastu.

Orientation

          In Vastu Shastra the cardinal directions hold a lot of significance. Correct orientation is necessary and to achieve it the Vastu structures are always constructed with respect to a VASTU PURUSHA MANDALA (VPM).

The VPM is a geometric pattern that is expressed in three dimensions. The earth is a living Vastu structure and is rooted in a VPM matrix: the underlying geometry that gives rise to its form. This earth VPM, the seed of which originates from the energetic fiery core of the planet, is expressed in orthogonal energy lines across the surface of the earth. The lines are similar in concept to what we know as longitude and latitude lines. Vastu science refers to the longitudinal and latitudinal lines as Dirkha Rekha and Aksha Rekha respectively.

A simple way to understand the effect of incorrect orientation is to use the example of adjusting a radio tuning dial. As we turn the knob on a radio away from the correct frequency position for a particular radio signal, the quality of the reception deteriorates and distorts. The same is true for alignment of buildings on the earth. The more rotated a building is from the cardinal direction, the more distorted the energy field of the structure.

Site planning

          Vastu Shastra studies in detail the topography, soil conditions, shape of the site, direction, and zoning. It not only adapt to the site constraints, but it also adopts the parameters of design requirements of as diverse a context as a hot and arid Rajasthan and a wet and humid Kerala, as well as the variations in building materials, functional requirements and the social and political context it is used in.

Proportionate Measurements

The proportionate measurement is known as Maana in Vastu. Adherence to Maana is imperative in all Vastu structures. The measurements are divided into six categories:

•       Manna – measurement of height

•       Pramaana – Measurement of breadth

•       Parviaana – Measurement of width or circumference

•       Lamba-Maana – Measurement along plumb lines

•       Ummaana – Measurement of thickness

•       Upamaana – Measurement of inter-space

A balanced relationship between length, height, width, thickness etc. is what vastu tries to achieve. A golden ratio also known as the divine proportion, golden mean, or golden section, is what proportionate measurement tries to achieve. The role of Vastu Shastra in the system of measurements is to achieve harmony between the absolute and quantifiable.

The six Rules of Vedic Architecture (Aayaadi-Sadvarga)

          These are the six main components of a building such as Base (Aadistaana), Column (Paada or Stambha), Entablature (Prastaara), Wings (Karna), Roof (Shikara) and Dome (Stupi)

Aesthetics of a Building

            Applying various aesthetic principles of ornamentation, texture, flow, solemnity, colour, granularity, the interaction of sunlight and shadow, transcendence and harmony is all parts of Vastu Shastra.

Compiled by

Vikas P Deshpande

M. E. Civil, Structural Consultant

Vastu and Feng Shui Consultant

deshpandevikas@gmail.com, 0434681647

 

 

 

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