VASTU AND FENG SHUI

VAASTU AND FENG SHUI The lord Vaasthu means ͞spiritual architecture.͟ Or it is an ancient set of guides laid down to improve the way we live. It covers every aspect of house design and construction. It also influences the direction of the house, size, dimensions etc Our modern understanding of it comes from the twelfth century writer and mystic sukhananda yathi. The first book on this subject is believed to have been written about 3000 years back by Saint Vishwakarma. Vaasthu is generally concerned with squares and straight lines it is the most re occurring shape. This is because according to vaasthu irregular shapes upsets the flow of energy. Such as octagons and triangles.

THERE ARE FIVE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES ON WHICH THE VEDIC SCIENCE OF ARCHITECTURE STANDS UPON: 1. The Doctrine of orientation: In vastu, east and north direction are given great importance. The sun’s rays, being a rich source of vitamin D are vital for the sustenance of life on earth; and the rays early in the morning from the east emitting more light and less heat are the best. Doors and windows in the east would allow the sun’s ultraviolet rays to penetrate into the house, bestowing their benefits to the inmates of the house. In the afternoon on the other hand the sun would be coursing to the west emitting infra-red rays which are detrimental to the health and hence less number of windows and thick walls in the rooms in west and Southwest. 2. Site Planning: Vaastu Purush Mandala Forty-Five Gods are constituents of the body of the Vastu purusha, the extent allotted to each of the deity differs but not their relative position in the plan. The lord of central square is always the Lord of Cosmos The house is compared to the human body and the central courtyard with Brahma, the eternal soul and their relationship is evoked when grahepravesha (housewarming) ceremony is performed with traditional prayers and rituals. 3.The Proportionate Measurements: Mana The adherence of mana is as old as Indian architecture and is imperative to all creative activity, of which angula (3/4th. of an inch) or hasta (18 inches) is the standard of measurements. The measurement is divided into 6 categories: Measurement of height, breadth, width or circumference, along plumb lines, thickness, and interspace. Proportional relationships of these categories are laid out for various functional usage. 4.The Six Rules of Vedic Architecture: There are six main component part of the building:  Aadhistaana (Base), Stambha (Column), Prastara (Entablature), Karna (Wings), Shikhara (Roof), and Stuupi (dome). 5.Aesthetics of the building: Chanda is the structural aspect of building; its rhythmical disposition is like that of poetry. The science of rhythm (Chanda =beauty) extends to the rhythmical disposition of the ground plan of the building and their vertical section (urdhva chanda). Each brick and each building unit is filled with rhythm, it is a charged and compelling weight and shape in the hands of the builder. Cosmic ENERGY ;͚PRANIC͛ ENERGY As we know our Earth is tilted 23.5 degrees towards the North-East direction and it is moving from West to East direction. For an example, when we run, we feel the air is coming against our direction. We feel the air. Similar thing happens to the movement of Earth towards the North-East direction vis-à-Vis the Cosmic Energy ;͚Pranic͛ EnergyͿ, which comes from the North-East direction. This is the reason that much focus is paid towards the North-East direction. If this zone is blocked, then the breadwinner will face many difficulties in life. No obstruction should be along the North-East zone; like bathroom, toilet, storeroom, staircase, master bedroom or even kitchen should not be placed there. Only prayer room is allowed there.

1. The Doctrine of orientation: In vastu, east and north direction are given great importance. The sun’s rays, being a rich source of vitamin D are vital for the sustenance of life on earth; and the rays early in the morning from the east emitting more light and less heat are the best. Doors and windows in the east would allow the sun’s ultraviolet rays to penetrate into the house, bestowing their benefits to the inmates of the house. In the afternoon on the other hand the sun would be coursing to the west emitting infra-red rays which are detrimental to the health and hence less number of windows and thick walls in the rooms in west and Southwest.

2. Site Planning: Vaastu Purush Mandala Forty-Five Gods are constituents of the body of the Vastu purusha, the extent allotted to each of the deity differs but not their relative position in the plan. The lord of central square is always the Lord of Cosmos The house is compared to the human body and the central courtyard with Brahma, the eternal soul and their relationship is evoked when grahepravesha (housewarming) ceremony is performed with traditional prayers and rituals.

3.The Proportionate Measurements: Mana The adherence of mana is as old as Indian architecture and is imperative to all creative activity, of which angula (3/4th. of an inch) or hasta (18 inches) is the standard of measurements. The measurement is divided into 6 categories: Measurement of height, breadth, width or circumference, along plumb lines, thickness, and interspace. Proportional relationships of these categories are laid out for various functional usage.

4.The Six Rules of Vedic Architecture: There are six main component part of the building: Aadhistaana (Base), Stambha (Column), Prastara (Entablature), Karna (Wings), Shikhara (Roof), and Stuupi (dome).

5.Aesthetics of the building: Chanda is the structural aspect of building; its rhythmical disposition is like that of poetry. The science of rhythm (Chanda =beauty) extends to the rhythmical disposition of the ground plan of the building and their vertical section (urdhva chanda). Each brick and each building unit is filled with rhythm, it is a charged and compelling weight and shape in the hands of the builder. COSMIC ENERGY ;͚PRANIC͛ ENERGY. As we know our Earth is tilted 23.5 degrees towards the North-East direction and it is moving from West to East direction. For an example, when we run, we feel the air is coming against our direction. We feel the air. Similar thing happens to the movement of Earth towards the North-East direction vis-à-vis

the Cosmic Energy ;͚Pranic͛ Energy which comes from the North-East direction. This is the reason that much focus is paid towards the North-East direction. If this zone is blocked, then the breadwinner will face many difficulties in life. No obstruction should be along the North-East zone; like bathroom, toilet, storeroom, staircase, master bedroom or even kitchen should not be placed there. Only prayer room is allowed there.

TOOLS USED IN VASTU

Sea Salt & Salt Lamp. Sea salt has the capability to absorb all the negative vibrations.

Camphor Crystals. Pure camphor crystals are used to remove the negative vibrations and stagnant energy

Copper Plates & Wires. Copper is supposed to be the best metal used in Vastu and astrology. Copper wire is used for correcting the shape of the plot and especially used for concealing the wrong entries. Copper plates are used extensively in making astrological yantras.

Colours. Colours also work as a strong enhancing tool. To enhance the Vastu power and build up an enjoinment which is posit and inspiring.

FENG SHUI

Many things in life can be changed for the better. According to Chinese philosophers, life presents us with three kinds of luck: Heaven Luck, Mankind Luck, and Earth Luck. HEAVEN LUCK is the circumstance of our birth, the family we will be born to or in another words the things we have no control of. MANKIND LUCK is the luck we create for ourselves through work, education, living habits and personal attitudes. We do have control over these. EARTH LUCK, the luck we create with our surroundings. This is FENG SHUI.

WHAT IS FENG SHUI?

Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese practice of harnessing the natural forces of nature, to promote prosperity, harmony and vitality. In Oriental countries, Feng Shui practitioners have strived to manipulate the metaphysical forces of nature known as 'Chi' to enhance their career, relationships and business success.

There are 8 major life areas found in the basic Feng Shui template known as the Bagua. The octagon shaped ͞Bagua͟ is placed over your floor plans, and each of the following areas is analysed If you want a new career or to advance your present one you would go to the area that represents Career and create positive energy by adding something, like a lush healthy plant, a fountain (moving water represents prosperity in Feng Shui) or a picture that inspires you. You may also need to take something away from the area, like clutter. The lines correspond to the binary system of mathematics, the same system used in computers. The yang is represented by a solid line, and the yin is represented by a broken line.

PRINCIPLE OF FENG SHUI - YIN AND YANG The concept of Yin and Yang is one of the most fundamental and profound theories of Feng Shui. It is the Chinese perspective on balance and continual change. Yin and Yang are dependent opposites that must always be in balance. The opposites flow in a natural cycle always replacing the other. Just as the seasons cycle and create times of heat and cold, Yin and Yang cycles through active and passive, dark and light, etc. Yin and Yang evolved from a belief of mutually dependent opposites that cannot live without the other.

FIVE ELEMENT THEORY OF FENG SHUI Fire is red, an auspicious colour. It represents summer and is placed south Water is black or dark blue, a solemn colour. It represents winter and is placed north Wood is green, a prosperous colour. It represents spring and is placed east.

Metal is white or golden, an intense colour. It represents fall and is placed west. Earth is yellow or brown, a colour of attainment. It represents the centre.

SHAPES AND FENG SHUI You can also bring the five feng shui elements with specific shapes, and here is how the feng shui elements are expressed in shapes: WOOD: Rectangular FIRE: Triangular EARTH: Square METAL: Round WATER: Wavy.

Feng Shui practice requires that these individual symbolic elements be incorporated into the positioning of homes and workplaces using the Chinese system of categorising everybody's date and hour of birth according to the elements.

In feng shui, as in Chinese medicine, CHI is the term for the universal energy, or the energy that permeates everything around us. This feng shui term applies to the energy inside your body, as well to the energy inside and outside of buildings. Chi, or feng shui energy, is manifested in yin yang characteristics and in a variety of forms according to the feng shui five elements theory.

• Most common feng shui Chi leakage (loss of feng shui energy) occurs when there is a direct door alignment in a home, especially of the main door with the back door, as well as a direct alignment of a big window with a door. • Most common feng shui Chi blockages in a home are Chi blockages at the main door, such as when the main door opens into a wall.

Compiled by

Vikas P Deshpande

M. E. Civil, Structural consultant

Vastu, Astro Vastu and Feng Shui Consultant

0434681647, deshpandevikas@gmail.com