Vaastu Shastra and Feng-Shui
The Ancient Science of Living
Within a system which denies the
existence of basic human rights, fear tends to be the order of the day. In
fear, out of fear and due to fear, greatest endeavours and greatest efforts are
made in every corner of this universal existence to provide us with a
comfortable, secured shelter. Yet, even under the most crushing state, most
crucial and critical circumstances, our inner most courage divinely rises again
and again to overcome fear the un-natural, non-static state of the civilised
humankind, because fear is NOT normal or natural environmental state of
civilised society in which one trusts another and one believes another and one
helps another. Removing darkness, from the darkest corners of the world is the
essence of light of VASTU purusha – the divine cosmic God of happy living and
environment.
To be happy, in a happy home, with happy
vibrations is what every one aspires. Each one of us innately wishes to be
happy; none of us wish to be ill or unhappy. When we are not happy we question
life, we question our environment, we question our relationships, and we
question our lifestyle, our habits, our thoughts, our routines, our daily
religion, our emotions, our mental and psychological states, our spiritual
health and above all our karma. In Feng-Shui or Vastu shastra we examine the
environment, the earth, the karmic earth, the position of the house, the
inter-relationship between the house and the location, the surrounding
environment, the lay out of furniture, the layout rooms, the energy flows from
the entrance and the windows, the direction of the entrance, the main tap water
(aka ‘Ganga’ in Indian Vedic terminology or the blood circulation in the
Chinese Fengshui), and the vibrations each corner of the environment produces.
In Feng-Shui or Vastu, each object,
every single thing, form, ‘sarguna swaroop’ (entity), ‘pancha-mahabhutta
sharirra’ (a body of five elements), ornament, and even a picture/painting or
sculpture statue, bears with it an energy field and an aura. Hence, every
single grain, every single particle of sand, gem, stone, naturally formed from
the earth bears with it energy field, magnetic fields, auricle field, and
vibrations. This is a proven science of the living from the ancient Tibetan and
Chinese doctrines. Einstein believed it, so did Pluto and many other
scientists. We are constantly affiliated with the space, its energy and the
environment in every single experience of our living life here on the earth.
Every creature in this world tries to
arrange for a place in which to live comfortably, enjoying all the luxuries and
happiness of this world getting maximum benefits of heavenly boons.
Every one is an aspirant of having sound
health, sound life, sound house, beautiful wife, healthy children, wealth, and
means of earning through business, profession or state service, high reputation
in society and over all mental and spiritual peace.
Almost in every corner of this universe
manifests the urge of building a secure shelter may it be a cocoon, or a nest,
or a shed, or a house. The sea animals and amphibians prepare a dwelling place
on the sea shore, the birds build nests in the trees, the insects make a hive,
and the human beings are ambitious of making a house on the earth where all the
liabilities towards this world and towards heaven can be fulfilled without any
disturbance and trouble. To dwell on things that are interestingly joyful,
giving joy, and happiness, harmony, health, and wealth is an ideal livelihood
and living aspirations within us all.
Therefore, aware of the need of a house
and in order to avoid troubles, each of us wants to construct a house or have a
house on such a ground where one can feel secure, sheltered, comforted with all
sorts or happiness and can lead a peaceful life free of troubles and enemies,
thereby deriving spiritual peace, wealth and prosperity in the spiritual sense.
Growing in the physically material sense but depreciating in the spiritual
sense and emotional sense can lead to misery of illnesses, separations,
quarrels, and imbalance in the self. Usually where the extreme materialism and
selfishness enhances, there appears a sudden or tragic end and even unexplained
karmic upheaval.
With the aim to be happy, one sets out
in search of the learned wise persons who can guide one in the selection of a
site (plot) of one’s choice, and also in construction of the house which
will become a home to render security, shelter, comfort, protection, rest,
happiness, prosperity, and longevity. One wants to know the appropriate and
relevantly proper auspicious time, and principles (laws) of construction
of the house, the karmic consequences and also the future of the house.
The very first thing a wise person or a
learned person or a responsibly experienced person considers in the process of
acquiring a house is the LOCALITY (we Indians term it is “RADHI” or “Sampatth”
or “Shantih”). How peaceful and how
serene an environment is for resting, how cheerful and how wonderful the
environment is with the laughters of the children playing, how benign and how
rich the surrounding looks. All these matter to a wise person!
One has in mind the colony or city,
neighbourhood, sources of water, natural environment, means of transport,
communication, linking with the rest of the town, etc. while selecting a plot
for building a house, at the same time one thinks of his own interests and
profits.
The external features of the plot can be
known with the help of persons living around or nearby the flat. The external
features may also be bought by local searches and local council.
However, the quality and the nature of
the land can be judged only by Vastu-Shastra or Feng-Shui. Therefore the
selection of a site and the plan of the building is materialised only after
consultation and seeking advice of expert astrologers, Vedic counsellors, and
Vaastu Specialists.
There are some beautiful Vedic sayings
like:
“Nadi
Shotriyo Raja Devagyo Na Chikitasak Tatra Vaso Na Kartavaya”
A place where there is no river (Source
of water - pond or well etc.), scholar, astrologer, ruler and medical
expert, should not be selected for living thereon, it should be rejected. All
Vedic inspirations emanate from the river banks, from the water sites, and
waters falls.
“Dushta
Bharya Shath Mitra Bhratiyaschottar Dayak; Sasarpe Ch Grahey Vaso Mirturev Na
Sanshaya.”
If there is house in which lives an
unfaithful wife, a foolish friend, an outspoken servant and a snake, the owner
of such a house may die any moment. I have seen this happen in many cases. If
such things are associated with the house constructed by some one, the life of
the inmates becomes troublesome and unhappy, and there is always a fear of
death. I expect to pass through life but once. Only once, shall I experience
each moment in its entirety and in its fullest originality. I can give
kindness, I can offer love and compassion but I cannot offer the same
experience twice. Every experience is lived only once in life.
Therefore everyone is curious to know as
to what is Vaastu Shastra, and what principles and methods regarding
construction of buildings have been given by the ancient saints and seers on
the basis of their experience and commands in the divine scriptures. With the
help of Vaastu Shastra and Shilpa-shastra more like Feng-Shui, knowledge
about the better and auspicious way of construction of a house, the positions
and direction of gates, doors and rooms etc. in it, is gained so that a house
may be built which will provide all round prosperity and happiness to the
habitants. Thus Vaastu Shastra provides some principles and rules on the
guidelines of which suitable and comfortable buildings for residence, temples,
etc. are built and towns, colonies are planned.
Vastu Shastra is an ancient
science which helps one to get the natural benefits freely offered by the five
basic elements of the universe in which we all live. These basic elements are
Akash (
One sometimes feels that despite having
all the required resources for achieving success in the work field one is not
getting the desired and deserved result and it should not be a surprise to
oneself that it could be due to the fact that either ones office or factory is
not planned according to the science of Vastu Shastra. Similarly, one’s house
may not be lucky for one.
Similarly one might feel that the wheel
of family life is not moving smoothly and there is lack of peace, harmony,
affection and well being in one’s family. One should get the architecture of
his house examined and if need be modified as per Vastu Shastra, Feng-Shui,
Vedic Astrological permutations, and even numerology. One is bound to expect
good results and well being gradually and steadily. We sincerely hope that
Vastu Shastra one day will end all miseries and sorrows and bring joy and
happiness in everybody’s life. By conducting HOMAM, we dispel any negativities
remaining from the karmic earth and we bring peace and harmony into our
dwellings by cleansing all the negative vibrations. Regular ‘Deepam cha
Dhoopam’ rites of Indians are an excellent way of maintaining good positive
environment.
Crucial to understand:
Each one of us has an astrological birth
chart janma kundali or patrika that is influenced by main transits, current
planetary phase (dasha), main karmic phase and life path. The realm of Vastu
does NOT work in isolation without due consideration of astrological birth
charts and Vedic astrology. Each individual therefore has its own constellation
that favours its own personal career point, career path, career place,
location, etc and life purpose, life path and life destiny. Each one of us is
affected directly and indirectly by the 27 constellations of stars called
nakshattara, the 12 zodiac of the 360 degrees kaal rashi chakra divided into 30
degrees each, the 12 houses of the zodiac called bhavas (each representing key
specific purposes). When the astrology charts are inter related to the cosmic
energies and the cosmic transits, we have to take into consideration the
environmental influence to evaluate our life so that any major imbalances may
be rectified or remedied. There are all
together ten cosmic points namely the eight directions, the centre or the
centrifugal point and the dynamic solar plexus of the Rahu and Ketu that hold
the time and transform time from the akaal into kaal by rotations and
revolutions, by days and nights, by years and seasons, by the grace of the moon
and earth moving around the sun, we have the dawn and the dusk that represent
the two moments in time known as samndhya at which the time is neither day nor
night – it is a moment of flux or the moment of spiritual quintessence. Most of
us must have noticed the tranquillity and the peace that prevails during such
moments, and these are moments of COMMUNION WITH GOD or the higher order
(whatever you perceive). Based on my broad experience, Vastu-Shastra,
Feng-Shui, Vedic Astrology, Numerology, and house purification must be
undertaken all together in collaboration and in conjunction with one another
rather than in isolation or in exclusive measures of Vastu only. I have seen
several aspects of Vastu-Shastra and Feng-Shui in CONFLICT, and later found
from deeper research that Vastu-Shastra is not wholly and fully suitable and
appropriate to the kaal-Yug and modern day living whereas Feng-Shui
accommodates and takes into consideration the modern day living and the modern world.
However, the Vedas and the Chinese wisdom meet together on like to like.
Metal energy in Feng-Shui is co-related
to the north and ‘akasha’/ sky and ether so if we take empty ‘kalash’ or conch
shell, the same ether is found. Like for example: the tree or the wood energy
in the eastern is related to the fire as is ‘agnee’ or sun or pitta in the
East. The water energy is same in both Chinese and Indian. The earth energy is
the same in both Vastu and Feng-Shui. The air energy is related to the wind in
Chinese philosophy and Vayau in Vedic philosophy. Just as an ancient Chinese
wise man would extrapolate birth charts, numerology, karmic readings, and
auricles, the Vedic astrologer who is composite professional in all together
science must be able to draw inferences making use of all together tools to
arrive at a uniform conclusion and then to analyse the location from the karmic
point of view to ensure that the surrounding DOES NOT have any crematoriums, or
cemetery, or butchers shops, or any negative influences like heavy metal
industry, scrap yard, sharp roads, etc. The history of the earthen clay plays
an important part in the habitation of individuals as well as the directional
position of the entrance doors, the main in-flowing kitchen tap, the drainage
of the toilets and the bathrooms, the flowing of the chi energy throughout the
house, the layout of each rooms, the directions of the beds, the praying
position, and much more. The difference between the “ki” and the “chi” energies
must be understood in fullest. We Hindus call “pranna cha swastha” (healthy
circulation) and both are equally important. The circulation of the water
flowing into the house from the south western point will be destructive towards
the harmony of the family and I have seen this exemplified in many cases that
have ended in divorces, separations, and even emotional drain. My experience
also teaches me that Karma is superior to everything is above and beyond all
the Feng-Shui and Vastu-Shastra. A spirit of life with ‘Satt-karma’ and surplus
karma bank will always be guarded and guided by Shiva and goodness. Eventually
such a spirit of life will be abiding automatically by the Vastu and Feng-Shui
almost as though God planned it rather than the human mind planning it with
ego, selfishness, lower mind, and intellect. Therefore, we need to discriminate
between the absolute darkness that is the totally wrong or deliberate blunder
from the illuminating light of ancient wisdom of happy living. The wisdom is
there to guide us. Whether we make use of this wisdom in a positive manner and
apply the relevant aspects to our lives is up to us.
God did not create KARMA. Our
intentions, our aspirations, our attitude (bhavna), our perceptions, our wise
higher mind the spiritual mind and our spirit of life must listen to our
conscience and higher consciousness and our intuition or the soul’s ultimate
guide must help us in our living. When we start to dismantle the altruism of ‘satt-karma’
(virtue) and ‘satt-dharma’ (spiritual wisdom), and begin to build umbrellas of
personal power centres, we have lost all aptitudes to perceive the truth and we
become slaves to the mundane gross material living without any spiritual
essence and sooner rather than later, peace and harmony disappears. A lot of
masculine macho egocentric people slag off Vastu and Feng-Shui and even Vedic
Astrology as ‘mambo-jambo’. Mainly this is due to overwhelming
commercialisation of sacredness and sacred spiritualism. However they do so out
of ignorance and stubbornness. My suggestion is that we must try and analyse
and evaluate our living based on past trends and circumstances and then to
consider the principles underlying the Feng-Shui, Vastu, Vedic Astrology, and
then to assess the eligibility to our present and future potential. Remembering
that we cannot alter the yesterdays but we can change the present and the
future such that we can improve our karmic living, our overall family living,
our environmental living and our homes.
Environmental Energy
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Solar Energy from Sun |
Lunar Energy from Moon |
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Water energy from sea |
Water energies from rivers |
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Earth Energy |
Sky Energy |
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Electric Energy |
Magnetic Energy |
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Thermal Energy |
Wind Energy |
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Light Energy |
Cosmic Energy |
Utilisation and inter-action of such energies at
their optimum blissful states and balanced states would produce environment
that will give us pleasure peace, prosperity and money etc in our life.
Now days we
are having
“Hey Vastu Deva, Hey Vastu Purusha! Saluting and obeisance to Vastu-Deva. You
always manifest on earth and fulfil our houses with happiness and property.
Just as Meru hills are place for all gods, you bless us that all gods including
Brahma stays at our house bringing joy, happiness, health, wealth, and
spiritual growth. May our houses transform from the bricks into the shrine
wherein all the deities reside in love, compassion, humanity, and plenty of
warm plants and cleanliness.”
Vastu can be used for every room, every house,
every temple, every shop industry, town planning, tour, cities and even for
earth. Vastu can be used for micro as well as for macro level. As per Vedas and
as a matter of fact human body or every creature human beings, livestock,
animals, birds, fishes, plants and trees are depends upon pancha maha tatva or
bhuthas; (five basic elements of survival), these are:
1) Pritheevi (Earth) - Gives shape of body through bones,
tissues, muscles, skins & hairs.
2) Vayu (Air) - Helps respiration and stimulates the nervous
system.
3) Agni (Fire) - Gives motion, vigour & vitality to body also
helps in digestion, stimulation etc.
4) Jaal (Water) - Represent blood, secretions of glands etc.
5) Akash (ether/ atmosphere) - Builds the character and man's mental
and spiritual faculties.
Every creature on earth starts its life
with sun rise as it performs day & night. Hence there is much importance of
sun in every one life.
Sunlight gives ultra violet rays in
morning and infra red rays in evening which one basic need to reduce / generate
bio-chemical germs, N2/ Oxygen / CO2 on earth. Sun
indicates light (illumination) will power, generosity, solar system, luck or
fate, mobility and in body. It rules over bone, eye, heart, spinal cord, blood
circulation and soul etc. Hence east direction is auspicious, it belongs to
lord Indra. Earth has four cardinal directions but here in Vastu, we
consider eight directions and lord for each direction are as under:
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East - Lord Indra.; Surya Sun South – Lord Yama. |
All these correspond to the five senses of human
body, the seven dhattus (bodily tissues), and seven koshas (sheathes of
metaphysical existences, and the pranna (chakras). Our individual composition
or prakrutti may be more YIN or more YANG depending upon the three constituents
in each prakrutti namely the vatta (air), pitta (fire) and kapha (water), the
pranna, and the karmic journey of our collective life. Just as pranna is the vital
life breath of the senses-indriyanis, Indra-devata is similarly the illuminator
of the cosmos.
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1) Sight ( Eye ) |
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Collective human life comprises many karmic lives
put together. |
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In the south is the YamaRaj, the south
is also where excretion takes place. In Chinese Feng-Shui, southwards entrance
is considered auspicious provided it tilts towards the east hemisphere and
provided the kitchen is in the south east corner of the house. South west
entrance is not auspicious and is considered death house in both Feng-Shui as
well as Vastu especially and in particular when there is cloakroom adjacent to
the entrance and in the corridors like most modern houses. It is inauspicious
to have a toilet or cloakroom by the entrance of a south-west entrance.
Feng-Shui rules the directions by numbers known as 9ki
chart. Hence, in Feng-Shui, when the year is for example 2008, the number 1
represents the south and the south facing entrance for a house bought in 2008
is considered auspiciously lucky and to bring changes that are positive.
However, the south west is a number
eight and the south east number 6 as if we are looking at the 9ki chart from
the opposite direction. So, if the birth chart numerology works out to be a
number 1 and the year is number 1, acquisition of a south facing entrance is
considered auspicious. There is NO definite proof that south facing entrances
are all bad. However, there are definite evidences from my experience on
various case studies that the south west entrance outside the cusp and in the
proper angle of the degrees is considered as inauspicious. Many cases I have
dealt have proven that a north entrance with large hall way to be an isolated
house and a house without much joy and laughters. Whereas, many cases the
westerly facing entrances have proven to be very auspiciously lucky and
beneficial for love, romance, wealth, prosperity and growth in the business. Some
cases, I found that the eastern entrance brought plenty of knowledge, and most
of the eastern entrances were houses owned by scholarly Brahmins. Furthermore,
the numbers of the houses like 9, 2, 47, 7 ,are numbers of Brahmins. Here is
the 9ki Feng-Shui chart:
One case client who was in the moon
dasha and has very powerful gaja-kesari yog came to me and I advised this
person to move to a south direction from the
One metaphysician has co-related the cosmic
planetary configurations to the human brain and human mind. As we can see that
the Surya is right in the middle of the forehead whereat the ‘third eye’ chakra
manifests. Each planet is associated with the respective parts of the brain and
the human mind.
The direction north vertical down is ruled by
Brahma and the Vertical upwards is ruled by the ‘Ananta Shesha-Naaga’. The axis
is ruled by the Rahu-Ketu and the energy (Shakti) of the Naagas (serpents).
CRYPTIC
ASPECTS
VAASTU Shastra
believes in the existence of VAASTU Purusha who is the main deity of a
building. In this regard Rig-Veda says: "TAVA TVAM VAASTUNYU
As per the
scriptures, once a fierce battle took place in ancient times between a demon
Andhakasura and Lord Shiva. During the battle, a few drops of Lord
Shiva-Shankar’s sweat fell on the ground and gave birth to a formidable
monster. The monster at once began to kill the gods. Acting united then, all
the gods captured the monster and buried him with his face facing down. The
gods also granted a boon to pacify him: "You shall be worshipped in all
auspicious tasks." Since the gods made an abode on the monster, he came to
be known as VAASTU Purusha. And since all the gods have an abode on him, he is
worshipped by prudent people. Vishwakarma is regarded as the father of VAASTU
Shastra. In his treatise Vishwakarma Prakasha, he writes about the origin of
VAASTU Purusha: “TAMEV VAASTU PURUSHAM BRAHMA SAMA SRIJATPRABHUH
KRISHNPAKSHE TRITIYATA MASI BHADRPADE TATHA”. In Treta Yug on the third day
of the dark phase of the lunar month Bhadrapada, Brahma created a formidable
man. Even the gods were frightened by his appearance. Then by Brahma's consent,
all the gods pushed him down, with his face downward and they sat on him. The
formidable man then appealed to Brahma: "O Lord, you have created this
cosmos. This body is also yours. Why then these gods are torturing me without
reason? Tell me how I should behave with the gods." Pleased Brahma said:
"Since this moment your worship shall be indispensable in every auspicious
construction work because of your presence beneath the gods. Those who won’t
worship you for any reason shall have to suffer penury and untimely death. They
shall have to face your wrath and hence obstacles in everything they do.”
"ATRIYAM
MRITYUMAPNOTIVIGHN VAKTASAYAPADE- ADE VAASTU PUJAM AVARNAH TAVAHARU
BHAVISHYATI.” Therefore in the beginning of a building's construction,
installation of doors and on the occasion of making first entry into newly
built home, worship of VAASTU is more than must. Apart from these occasions, on
every auspicious task offerings ought to be made into fire according to one’s
strength.
ORIENTATION OF VAASTU PURUSH IN A PLOT OF
VAASTU Purusha is laid with his face
downward. His head points to north-east, while feet point together to
south-west. His right hand and the joint of right leg point toward south-east,
while left hand and joint of left leg point to
KNOWLEDGE OF DIRECTION
EAST: Indra is the ruling deity of the east. He was born
out of Brahma's mouth and is capable of destroying enemies. He can appear in
any form as per his wishes. He is also the lord of rains and has the wind as
his assistant. Increment in wealth, cereals and animal stock can be affected
through worshipping Indra. Indra is also the king of the heaven. Elephant
Airavat is Indra’s vehicle and Vajra (lightning) in his weapon. The east is
also the abode of gods like Surya, Agni, Indra, Jayant, Ish, Parjanya, Satya,
Bhup and Akash. The east is also known as a direction of lineage. During the construction
of the house, some portion must be left open in the east. It leads to long life
for the owner.
WEST: The west is the opposite of the east. No work can
progress in the west. Varun (Neptune) is the lord of this direction, which is
under the influence of sage Agastya. Sea is the abode of Varun (Neptune). He
therefore, has most influence on the water bodies. A proper utilization of
westerly portion of plot leads to reputation, fame, prosperity and success for
the owner.
NORTH: Kuber is the lord of this direction. Literally,
Kuber means the one who controls the imminent events and causes increments. He
has immense wealth and property. Kuber is the king of Yakshas and Kinnars and
is a friend of Rudra (Shiva). Kailash is the abode of Kuber who has three legs,
eight hands and a yellow dot in place of eyes. Mercury is the planet that rules
the north. It is more influential in the dark phase of every lunar month. North
is a also an abode of the gods like Kuber, Diti, Aditi, Shail, Naga and Bhallat
etc. North is also a place of mother. Leaving some portion open in north leads
to prosperity of maternal side as well as provides wealth, comforts, peace etc.
for the owner.
SOUTH: Yama is the lord of this direction. He is the son
of Surya and is hostile towards Vishnu. Nakshatra Bharani is the most important
for him. During the last eight days of the lunar months of Ashwin and Kartika
this nakshatra is more influential. South direction weakens human life, hence
all the auspicious tasks are forbidden in the south. South is also an abode of
the gods like Yama, Gandharvas, Mriga, Pusha, Vitath and Kshat. In all the
south direction yields nothing but mourning, depression and pain.
AGNEYA (SOUTH-EAST): Direction that lies midway between the
east and the south is known as Agneya (south-east). Agni (fire) is the lord of
this direction. He is the preserver and defender of every being. Agni also
carries the message of people who worship and offer oblations with devotion to
God. Worshippers of Agni are economically strong and long living. Agni himself
takes care of the people who make offerings into him. Agni also provides them
with comfort, peace, prosperity and progeny. While constructing a house, the
first pillar must be erected in the south-east direction. Alternatively, kitchen
of the house should occupy a place in this direction. This is the foremost and
an important rule of VAASTU Shastra. First day of every month also represents
the element fire. A warm Agneya direction makes a man healthy, whereas a faulty
use makes the owner short tempered.
NAIRITTYA (SOUTH-WEST): It lies midway between the south and
the west directions. Nairitya is the ruling lady of this direction. Literally,
Nairitya means repeated happening - whether be it the birth of a baby or any
other event. It also means that anything not done at proper time can’t have a
repetition. If the house is built in this direction, the home suffers
continuous decay. South-west portion of the house should never be left open,
nor should a pit be dug is this direction. This direction is an abode of demons
and ghosts. To prevent the accumulation of inauspicious and pain causing
things, digging of pit in south-west is prohibited. If for some reason, digging
is necessary it should be covered as early as possible or a sapling be planted
in its place.
VAYAVYA (NORTH-WEST): It lays mid way between the west and
the north. Vayu (wind) is the lord of this direction. Five kinds of Vayu -
Prana, Upana, Samana, Vyana and Udana are necessary for human life. Hanumanta
and Bheema are the representations of Vayu. Those who worship Vayu in the form
of Hanumanta, get their desired results at once. North-west angle is the
progenitor of friendship or enmity. Hence, a faulty use of this portion of plot
may result in majority of the enemies. If you use this angle of your plot
wisely and flawlessly, you will have many friends who will undoubtedly benefit
you. Position of the cosmic deities’ does not imply that the placement is
static.
Vedic cosmic sky is in a constant flux
of rotation and revolution and changes.
ISHANYA (NORTH-EAST): The angle that lies midway between
north and the east is known as Ishanya (north-east) direction. Shiva is the
lord of this angle. Pashupat is the weapon of Shiva. Nakshatra Ardra is the
symbol of Lord Shiva. Semul (silk-cotton) tree is considered auspicious in this
direction. Worshipping of ruling God of this direction yields many virtues in
the life of the worshipper. Portion of the house in this direction must be kept
holy for it yields many kinds of divine powers to the owner. Proper utilization
of this portion of house provides wealth, reputation, property and every kind
of excellence for the owner. A faulty utilization of this angle, however, may
block successful continuation of progeny.
Choosing a House to Live in:
Where we live can influence our
happiness, wealth, health, and prosperity. The Vastu Shastra is the Vedic
science of building. In accordance with Vastu Shastra, we are able to create
buildings that favourably influence those things that bring us good health,
spiritual wealth, growth, prosperity and happiness. The Vastu Shastra considers
the astrological placement of the Sun, Earth, and other planets during the
actual construction. It also considers where the building site is located, the
site’s shape, the proposed building’s shape, the direction the building will
face, and the location of gates, entry doors, room doors, windows, and the
building’s general design. North and east are considered important
directions—east because it is the direction from which the sun rises.
Assessing and
choosing the right Land:
When purchasing a property, it is a good
idea to stand on the land and feel its vibration for a few moments. Trust your
feelings. If you feel positive about it, consider buying the land. If not, it is
probably not good for you. It is best to buy land where happy and successful people have lived. A house
sold by a person in distress or who is impoverished, should be purchased only
with caution. A dilapidated or haunted house should not be purchased at all.
The land should be cultivatable and should smell good. It is best not to build
on any arable land. Land that contains many rocks, anthills, many worms, bones,
broken pottery, sludge, and thorny trees should not be purchased.
If the centre of the land is
humped like the shell of a turtle, it should not be purchased. The colour of
the soil should also be considered. White soil is good for Brahmans (priests,
teachers, scientists, or intellectuals), red for Kssatriyas (rulers, soldiers,
or administrators), yellow for vaisyas (businessmen, farmers or bankers), and
black for sudras (labourers, artisans, craftsmen, or servants). When you assess
the soil, do not just make a surface check, but also dig about 4m (12 ft) down.
If the soil is black up to 1m (3 ft) down and white or red below that, the land
can be purchased. According to Vastu Shastra, black and clayey soil is not good
for building. If the soil is crumbly rock, money can easily be gotten. Yellow
soil is good for businessmen.
Another test of land quality is to dig a knee-deep
hole (2/3m or 2'x2'x2') and then refill it. If after filling the hole you have
some soil left over, the land is good. If there is no soil left after filling
the hole, the land is average. If the returned soil does not even fill the
hole, this is not a good sign. Such land should not be purchased. This shows
the soil’s natural moisture and aeration. Again dig the same sized hole. This
time, fill it with water. If it takes more than an hour for the water to be
absorbed, this is a good sign. If there are many cracks in the hole after the
water has been absorbed, the construction may cost more than you expect. This
is a percolation test done even in the
Do
not purchase land that has been used as a crematorium, cemetery, or a samadhi
(tomb for a holy person). The land should not be purchased if in the recent
past someone has committed suicide on it, or if there have been several deaths
over the period of a couple of months.
It
is usually best not to purchase land next to a bridge. If the bridge is
on the north or east sides, it definitely should not be purchased. If it is on
the south or west sides, that is a safer purchase. It is also usually best not
to purchase land that shares a well with another property. The land can be
purchased, however, if the water supply is a common well on the north, east, or
northeast side. Such is not the case for communal estate that is built on
modern rules.
A plot of land situated on a hill is also not a
good purchase in most cases. It is better to purchase level ground. If the land
to be purchased is on the side of a hill, however, and the land slopes down
toward the north or east, that is all right. If the land slopes to the west, do
not purchase it. After choosing and purchasing land, plants should be grown on
the land. Also, if possible, keep a cow and her calf on the land for a while to
make it more auspicious.
The Land
The
direction that the front of a property faces is important. The best shapes for
plots of land are square or rectangular, facing squarely on the four cardinal
directions. A land tilt of 20 degrees, off square by 20 degrees, is acceptable.
If the plot is rectangular, it is better that the longer sides run north to
south rather than west to east.
If
the plot of land does not squarely face the four cardinal directions, and if
the road does not run in one of the four cardinal directions, the house should
be built facing the four directions The house should be square or rectangular,
and the faces of the building should each be toward a cardinal direction, and
not built facing the road.
It
is not good to purchase a piece of land squeezed between two larger pieces of
land as such land will bring its owner poverty.
The
northeast side of the land should be the lowest side. If the northeast side is
at a higher elevation than other sides of the property, you can dig soil from
that one side and use it to build up the other parts. The land should either
slope down toward the north or east, but not toward the west or south. Land
sloping north brings riches, sloping east brings good fortune, sloping south
brings ruin, and sloping west brings financial loss. It is auspicious if tall
buildings or hills do not obstruct the north, northeast, and east sides of the
land. Do not purchase land with such obstructions to those sides because the
sun’s rays will be blocked. Having those same obstructions blocking the west or
south sides, however, bring health and wealth—light coming from the southwest
is not beneficial.
The
sun’s rays travelling westward are considered harmful. Thus such obstructions
block out harmful rays. For the same reason, a water source located on the
southwest side of a building will cause the owner misery. Similarly, there
should be a minimum number of doors and windows set into the southwest side of
a building; the majority of windows should be set in the northeast side. The
boundary walls around a property should be higher in the west and south and
lower in the north and east.
It
is auspicious if the plot has a river or a stream flowing through it on the
northeast, or if there is a lake on the same side. It is not auspicious if
there is an electrical power supply or large electric pole on the northeast
side of the plot. A telephone pole is not negative in the northeast, however.
There should not be any valley, a depression in the land, or large pit around
the land. A down ward slop in a building is not auspicious. In
particular if the main entrance is lower on the ground then the rest of the
building site. Houses that are below the building level are inauspicious as are
flats under the ground floor level. The basement must NOT be utilised for
living purposes nor for sleeping purposes, only for playroom or storage or
excess room.
Construction
of the house:
Construction
should not stop once it begins. Workers should not be unnecessarily pushed to
speed up their work; work for the day should stop at sunset. No construction
should be done at night. A qualified engineer should always oversee the construction.
Building
materials should be stored in the southwest corner of the property during
construction. The storage area or structure can also be built in the southeast
corner, at least 1m (3 ft) from the property boundary. The guard should stay in
a house in the southeast corner. Thieves will be a danger if the guard stays in
the northwest corner, and the guard should not stay in the southwest corner.
Order
of construction: the well, the storage house, and then the boundary wall.
Roads in
Relation to Land
A
square piece of land surrounded by roads on four sides is considered very
auspicious. It should be purchased even if at a high cost. A person who owns
this land will become wealthy, healthy, and happy. If a road runs alongside the
property and ends at the northeast corner that is also very good. If a road
ends on any other parts of the property, however, that plot is usually not
good. A road on the north side of the property is good, but a road on the south
side is not so good. If there is only one road, it is best if it is located on
the east side. It is not so good if it is located on the west side. If there
are roads on only the east and north side, that is good. If there are roads on
the west and north, it is average. Roads on the north, west, and east—that is,
only on these three sides—is considered not so-good. Roads on the north, south,
and west is also not so good. It is inauspicious if there are three roads only
on the east, south, and west. Land should also not be next to a T or Y
intersection.
Negative Location of Land: There are other aspects of land
assessment that should be considered. The plot should not be within twice the
distance of the height of the house to a public place—a hospital, factory,
temple, church, marriage hall, courthouse, cemetery, or cremation grounds.
There should not be a laundry place, shoe shop, meat shop, or workshop with
loud machinery opposite the property. The house should be at least 25m (80 ft)
from the entrance of a temple. The property’s gate should not face a temple or
church, and the shadow of a temple or church should not fall on the house. If
the public place is twice the distance of the height of the house away from the
house, it will have no effect.
Building Material: Only new bricks, wood, and materials should
be used when building a new house. Materials from an old building should not
usually be used to build a new one in case those old materials repeat negative
incidents that occurred in the old house. There is unhappiness in using old
things. If there are old materials available, better to sell them and use the
money to buy new materials. Wood from thorny trees should not be used, as it
will have a negative effect. Materials that have been stored for a long time
should also not be used. Iron grills should only be used when needed.
Shape of the Land: The
best properties are either square or rectangular. If the plot is not a perfect
rectangle, it is best if at least the southwest and southeast sides of the land
are at 90º angles from one another. The southwest side of the quadrilateral
should definitely not be extended past the southeast side, even if that means
giving away a portion of the plot. Land that extends past the northeast side of
the quadrilateral, however, brings wealth, happiness, and good name. Land
extending on the northeast side is very good. Extensions on any other side are
inauspicious. Extensions of the northwest side will cause you to lose money and
peace.
If
the land is cut in the corner this is not good. If possible the land to fill in
the missing corner should be purchased. If the land is cut short on the
northeast side it is very bad and is not auspicious; do not purchase it. It is
like a headless body. Round, oval, and triangular plots should be avoided. The
house should not be built in the shape of a diamond, with the corner facing
north. L-shaped plots are also inauspicious and should not be purchased. It is
good if the plot is narrower at the entrance and wider at its rear, but the
opposite is not good.
Well or Water Source: It is advised that the first
construction project for the new house is to dig the well. If water is used
from this well for the construction, it is auspicious for the family who will
live in the house. It is best that the well or water source is on the north or northeast
side of the land, or if water comes from the municipality, it should enter from
the northeast side. If you draw a line from the southeast corner to the
northeast corner, the well should be to the right or left of the line, not on
it. The well can also be in the north or east sides of the property. The well
should not be in the northwest or southeast corners, as this is inauspicious.
It is especially inauspicious if the well is dug in the southwest corner. It is
also inauspicious to have a well in the middle of a house. Wells should be
round. Ideally, the well water should be exposed to sunlight for five hours a
day. It is not recommended to share wells between two properties. The well
should be dug after puja (worship) has been performed on the land at an
astrologically auspicious time. This will insure that the water will be pure.
The
well should be dug under an auspicious star, such as Rohini, Hasta, Uttara
Bhadrapada, Uttara, etc. It should be dug on an auspicious day—a Monday,
Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. The well should be dug during a downward-facing
constellation or star, such as, Krittika, Purva Phalguni, Mula, Bharani,
Ashlesha, Purva Bhadrapada, or Purvaashadha. Water departing from the kitchen
and bathroom should flow to the northeast and leave the house from this side.
Compound Wall and Gate: The compound wall should be built before
the house is constructed. Construction should begin during an auspicious
constellation, and on a favourable day—a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, or
Friday. It should also be begun during an auspicious day of the lunar
month—Pratipada, Panchami, Shashthi, Dashami, Ekadashi, or Purnima. The
compound wall should not be higher than the house, and construction of it
should begin on the southwest side. The southwest part of the wall should be
higher than the rest of the wall. The walls on the north and east sides should
be 53cm (21 inches) shorter than on the west and south sides. If this is not
possible, then the north and east sides should be a minimum of 8cm (3 inches)
shorter. Do not set the gate on the south side. It is best that there are two
gates to the compound, so evil things entering one gate will exit from the
other.
Outside of
It
is considered inauspicious to block the entrance to a house, such as with a
tree or telephone pole. If one of these things is more than twice the distance
of the house’s height away, it will not have any effect. Trash or dirty water
should not be kept near a house’s entrance (or the entrance to a place of
business), and neither should it be kept near the property’s entrance. An
unclean stream or pool of unclean water should not be located in front of the house.
Annexes or outhouses should not be on the north or east sides of the house, and
they definitely should not touch the eastern or northern boundary walls.
A
garage, building, or servants’ quarters built separately from the house should
be located to the southeast or northwest of the main house but should not touch
any of the boundary walls. Ideally such quarters should not touch the southeast
corner, but should be slightly west (without touching the east wall). They
should also not touch the northwest corner but should be slightly south
(without touching the north wall). They should be established about 1m (3 ft)
from the wall.
Parking
Cars should be parked facing east or north. A car should never be parked facing
south. If a car is parked facing west or northwest, the owner will spend a long
time travelling. The parking lot should be in the northwest corner of the
property. It should not be located to the southwest or northeast. Parking can
also be located in the basement, on the north or east side. A parking garage
should not be connected to the compound wall or the main building. The parking
garage should be painted a light Color, not a dark Color.
Roof
The roof of the house should slope towards the northeast and rainwater should
flow to the north, east, or northeast direction.
Balconies and Verandas: Balconies, verandas, and terraces should
ideally be built on the north, northeast, or east sides of the house, not on
the south or west sides. If a balcony is on the southwest side of a house, it
should be covered and closed.
The
floor or roof over a balcony or terrace should be lower than the floor or roof
of the main building. It is best if the veranda’s roof is slanted toward the
northeast. Tin is a good roofing material for such structures. The veranda’s
corners should not be rounded, and balconies should not have arches. Flowerpots
on the veranda should be small. No creepers should be planted on a veranda. The
seats on the veranda should be set on the south or west sides.
Shoes
can be removed and placed on the veranda. They should not be placed to the
northeast.
Inside the Building: Furniture, such as sofas, should be
placed in the southeast, south, or west sides of a room. The house’s owner
should sit facing north or east, and his guests should sit facing west or
south. It is best that the northeast corner of each room in the house be left
empty. If furniture must be set in the northeast corner, it should be set 15cm
(six inches) from the wall. Do not align doors within the house. One door
should not lead directly into another. It is best when a student studies that
he faces north, northeast, or east. Therefore a table in a study room should be
placed in the south or west sides of the room. Books should be stored in the
southwest side of the room. Do not keep money in a place facing south. When one
prays, he should face either north or east. Beds should face either west or
south to insure that when a person rises in the morning, he is facing either
north or east. While asleep, one should place his head to the south, east, or
west, not north. If one’s place of worship is in the bedroom (in the northeast
corner), one should sleep with his head facing east and to avoid pointing his
feet toward the altar. Mirrors should be placed on the north or east walls, not
on the south or west walls. Do not keep broken mirrors in the house. Clocks
should be placed on the west, north, or east walls. Clothes should be washed in
the southeast corner of the house. Medicine should be kept in the northeast
corner of the house/room, and a person should face northeast while taking it.
It is best to nurse those who are ill in the southwest corner of the house,
although the northwest corner is also good.
Rainwater
and wastewater should leave the house from the northeast side. It should flow
west to east or south to north.
There
should be an even number of columns and beams in the house, not odd. Doors
should generally be made from a single piece of wood and should open on the
left side. A television can be placed in the southeast side of a room. An
overhead water tank should be located in the southwest side of a building.
Stairways should be on the south, southwest, or west sides of a building.
Certain pictures should not be hung in a house such as nudes, animals fighting,
captured elephants, hunting scenes, trees without fruits or flowers, snakes,
owls, bats, vultures and pigeons.
Entrance Gate and Main Door: The main door of the house should be
larger than the other doors entering the house. The main door should have two
shutters and open to the inside of the building. Teak is a good material for
the entrance door. It is best that a house has two entrances. The exit door
should be smaller than the entrance, and it should have only one shutter. If
there are two external doors for the house, they should not be set in a
straight line.
When
one enters the house, there should not be a wall in front of the entrance.
There should be a door that opens to the next room. A shadow should not fall on
the main door. The main door of the house should not be below ground. Neither
should the main door be in the centre of the house, nor in the extreme corners.
If the door is set in the north wall, move it east of centre; if it’s in the
east wall, move it north of centre. If it is set in the south wall, it should
be moved east of centre; if it is in the west wall, move it south of centre.
Some authorities say that if the house’s entrance is in the west wall. It
should be centered. Some Vastu authorities say that to figure out where to
place a main door, divide the house into nine parts. The door should be in the
fourth section of the house from the left hand side. From the right side of the
house, the entrance is in the sixth division from the right.
The
main door should not be situated across from the main door of another house.
The entrance doors of two houses should not be exactly opposing one another.
Neither should two houses share a common entrance. If there is no distinct
segregation and separation than one must avoid purchasing the house that has
lesser privacy in relation to the entrance and passage way.
If
the entrance of the house is to the south, there should not be a balcony or
veranda in front of the door.
It
is good to set gates to both the property and the entrance to the house on the
north or east sides. It is also all right to have the main door on the west
wall. It is not advised to have the main entrance on the south side.
It
is considered auspicious if the entrance to the property and the main door of
the house are on the same side. It is not considered good if the main door to
the house is on the opposite side to the entrance of the property.
There
should not be an underground tank, septic tank, or canal under the main
entrance. There should not be any abandoned, wrecked buildings in front of the
main entrance.
It
is good to decorate a house’s entrance with pictures or statues of Laxshmee,
Ganesh or Kubera and auspicious signs such as
Overhead Water Tank: The overhead water tank should be in the
southwest (best) or west corners of the building. An overhead water tank should
not be located in the northeast or southeast corners, or in the middle of the
roof. It is also best that it is not located in the northwest unless the tank
is small and is located approximately 1m (2 or 3 ft) from the building’s
corner. The tank should be elevated at least 1m (2 or 3 ft) above the roof, on
a platform. If possible, the tank should not be made of plastic. If it must be
plastic, however, it should either be black or dark blue plastic, because such
colours aid the absorption of sunlight. A dark water tank while absorbing sun
for heat doesn’t encourage microbial growth as quickly as a light-colour tank
would do. If possible, there should be different tanks for the kitchen and
bathrooms.
The House walls: It
is best if the building’s walls are higher on the west and south sides and
lower on the north and east sides.
Also,
the south and west walls should be thicker than the north and east walls, if
possible. The building’s floor and roof should be higher on the south and west
sides, lower on the north and east sides. Neither the ground nor the building
should be higher in the northeast than in the southwest.
Rooms in the House
Worship (
Toilets should never be above or below the place of
worship. White, light yellow, or light blue are good colours for a temple room.
It is good if the worship room is shaped like a pyramid, sloping inward as it
goes upward toward the roof in the four directions. Toilet seat must
always be closed by loo lid.
Kitchen: The kitchen should ideally be in the southeast
corner of the house, its windows on the east and south sides. There can also be
a window on the west side. If the kitchen cannot be in the southeast corner, it
is all right to place it in the northwest corner. But in general, the kitchen
should not be in the north, and should certainly not be in the northeast
corner. Locating the kitchen to the southwest will cause problems. The kitchen
should not be next to or across from a toilet, nor should it be directly in
front of the main door. Cooking should be done in the southeast corner or on
the east side of the kitchen. It is best to cook while facing east, but facing
north is also all right. It is advisable not to put the stove on the northern
wall. The cooking platform should not touch the wall but should be placed at
least 8 cm (3 inches) from the wall. The stove should not be in front of the
kitchen’s door.
Electrical
items such as microwaves, grinders, and mixers should be placed in the
southeast corner of the kitchen. The sink should be in the northeast corner.
The southwest wall should be used for storage. The refrigerator should be in
the northwest, southeast, south, or west. It should not be placed on the
northeast side. If it is on the southwest side of the kitchen, be sure to set
it away from the wall. If there is a dining table in the kitchen, it should be
placed on the north or west side. The door to the toilet should not face the
dining table. Kitchens should be painted yellow, rose, red, orange, or
chocolate brown. If possible, do not paint the walls white or black.
Living (Sitting) Room: The living room should be on the north
side of the house. Furniture should be square or rectangular or round never
oval. It is good if the ceiling slopes down toward the northeast direction. The
air-conditioner should be in the west, not the southeast. Furniture should
mainly be in the west and south section of the room. The walls should be
painted white, yellow, green, or blue, never red or black. Depressing paintings
should not be placed on the walls.
Bedrooms: The main bedroom should be on the southwest or
northwest side of the house. If there is an upper story in the house, the
master bedroom should be on this floor, in the southwest corner. Adult married
children can also use this room. Younger children, however, should not use it
because that will cause trouble in the household. Bedrooms on the northeast
side of the house will also cause trouble.
The children’s bedrooms should be in the northwest or west. The
younger children’s bedroom can also be on the east side of the house. Newly
married couples should not use a bedroom on the east side. Guest bedrooms are
best located in the northwest corner, but can also be located in the northeast
corner. Bedroom walls should be painted a light rose, dark blue, dark green, grey,
etc. Some authorities say that the walls should not be painted white or a light
yellow. The door should be set in the east, west or north, and should ideally
be one shutter.
One should sleep in his own house with
his head facing east or south. If one is staying in someone else’s house, or whilst travelling, he
should sleep with his head facing west. One
should never sleep with his head facing north. Upon rising from bed, the
right foot should be placed on the floor first. If one is to study in the
bedroom, the east side should be used. The wardrobe should be located on the
northwest or southwest side of the bedroom. TV, heaters, and air conditioners
should be located in the southeast corner. The southwest corner of the room
should not be vacant. An attached bathroom could be built on the west or north
sides of the room. It is best not to keep the safe in a bedroom, but if this is
the only place for the safe, it should be located on the south wall, opening
north.
Safe Room: Money, valuables, or a safe should be stored in a
room on the north side of the house. This is the side of Kubera, the god of
wealth. The door to this room should be facing north or east. The walls should
be painted yellow, because yellow leads to an increase of wealth. If a safe is
large, it can be placed in the south, southwest, or west sides of the house,
but it should always be set a few inches from the wall. It should not be in the
southwest or southeast corner, and should definitely not be in a northeast
corner. The safe should face north and open toward the north or east. It is
inauspicious to have a safe opening to the south—this will cause a loss of
money. The safe should not be located under any beams. Safes should be
installed on a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, when the Sun is in the
constellations of Dhanishtha, Rohini, Uttara, Swati, Shravan or Punarvasu.
Dining Room: The dining room should be located on the west side
of the house, or on the east or north side of the building. If the kitchen is
on the ground floor, the dining room should not be on an upper floor but should
also be located on the ground floor. The door leading into the dining room
should be on the east, north, or west side of the room. It should not have
arches. The house’s main entrance door should not face the dining room’s door.
It is best to face east or west while eating. The head of the family should
face east during meals. Other members of the family can face east, north, or
west, but it is not advisable to face south.
The
dining table should not be oval but either square or rectangular or round. It
should not fold from the wall or be attached to the wall. A sink can be located
in the northeast corner of the dining room, or on the north or east sides of
the room. No toilets should be attached to the dining room.
Bathrooms: Bathrooms can be on
northwest sides of the building, on the eastern or north eastern sides. The
toilet room should also not be located on the southeast, the southwest, or in
the centre of the building. The morning sun falling on the body after bathing
is good, so windows should be set in the north or east sides of the room. Ideally,
toilets should face south, not east or west (in the direction of the sun). The
toilet should be located on the west or northwest side of the room and should
be built 30–60cm (1 or 2 feet) above the ground. An attached bathroom should be
on the west or northwest side of a room, never on the northeast side. Sinks
should be placed on the northeast, north, or east sides of the room. Bathtubs
should be located on the northeast, west, or east sides. Bathroom walls should
be painted white, sky blue, or another light shade. Do not use black or dark
red. Water should leave the bathroom from the east or northeast side. Water
should not leave from the southwest or southeast directions. The overhead
septic tank should be on the northwest side of the house.
Study Room: The library or study should be located on the west
side of the building, but should not be located in the corners of the house.
When using a library or study, it is best to sit facing east or north. The
bookshelves should not be in the northwest or southwest corner. Books should be
in the east, north, or west sides of the room. The door should be two-shuttered
and should be located in the northeast, north, or west. Windows can be set on
the east, north, or west walls. The walls should be painted white, sky blue,
cream, or light green. If one will not sleep in the room, a pyramidal shape
(walls sloping inward as they go upward towards the ceiling) will help study
and meditation.
Storage Area: The
storage areas should be located in the northwest part of the building, but not
in the north or east. The storage room door should not be on the southwest side
of the room. Feng-Shui recommends NOT having any storage on the north-eastern
corners as this is the point left very quiet.
Stairways: Best to build stairways on the southwest, or if
necessary, on the south or west sides of the house. Do not build stairways on
the northeast side, as it will cause loss of wealth. The staircase should go up
from east to west or north to south. The same stairway that goes to the upper
floor should not also go down to the basement. Stairways should be built with
an odd number of stairs—9, 11, or 15 steps, for example. The number of stairs
should not end with a zero if you must build an even number—there should not be
10 or 20 steps—because it is best to begin climbing steps with the right foot
and also to end the climb on the right foot. This is not possible when there is
an even number of stairs. The right foot is equated with gain, the left with
loss. Circular stairways are not good. The doorway at the top of the stairway
should be at least 20cm (8 inches) lower than the doorway at the bottom of the
stairs. Broken stairs should be repaired immediately to avoid accidents. The
stairway should be painted a light colour. The
worship room, safe, or toilet should not be located under a staircase.
Basement: Basements should ideally not be built
under the entire house. If that is impossible, use only the northeast section.
Heavy equipment can be kept on the south and west sides. It is best that the
basement should only be in the northeast side of a house. It can also be
located on the east side of the house. It should not, however, be located only
on the south, southeast, or west side. The floor of the basement should slope
downward towards the northeast. The walls should be at least 3m (9 ft) high.
The basement should be painted white but should not be blue. The heater, water
heater, or electrical panels should be in the southeast corner of the basement.
Since sunrays do not enter basements, this highly reduces the basement’s
positive effect on the persons living in them. Therefore, a basement should not
be used for living as far as possible. Basements are also not good places to
conduct business. The basement’s effects will be improved if one-fourth of the
basement is above ground.
Mezzanine: A mezzanine or loft should be built on the south,
west, or southwest sides of a room.
Feng-Shui does not
reflect planets into the circumference of 9ki chart/ bagua.
Position of Rooms [not always practical to
the modern living]
|
Directions |
Ruling Planet |
Room |
|
North |
Mercury |
Living (Sitting) room safe |
|
Northeast |
Jupiter |
Worship room living room |
|
East |
Sun |
Living room bathing room (no toilet) |
|
Southeast |
Venus |
Kitchen |
|
South |
Mars |
Kitchen storeroom |
|
Southwest |
Rahu |
Master bedroom heavy storage |
|
West |
Saturn |
Children’s bedroom store room
study |
|
Northwest |
Moon |
Guest room bathroom grain storage room |
Upper Floor: It is best that there are more doors and windows on
the north and east sides of the building. There should be fewer windows and
doors on the upper floors than on the lower ones. It is also said that the
number of doors and windows on the upper floor should not equal the amount of
doors and windows on the ground floor. The ceiling height of the rooms on the
upper floor should be less than the ceiling height of the rooms on the ground
floor. If only part of the upper floor is used, this part should be built in
the southwest area. The balcony should be on the north, east, or northeast
side. The balcony should not be in the southwest corner. Bedrooms and studies
should be located on the upper floor. A storage area for heavy items should be
located on the lower floor, and not the upper.
Trees and Plants: It is always good to grow a Tulsi plant
on one’s property. Tulsi should be located on the north, northeast, or east
sides of the house, or in front of the house. Trees should not be planted
directly in front of the house’s main entrance. There should be an even number
of trees on one’s property, not an odd number.
Trees
should be planted on the south or west sides of the house. Ideally, they should
be planted on both these sides rather than on only one side. It is not good to
plant a tall tree on the north, northeast, or east sides of a building. Smaller
trees may be planted on the east or north sides, but no trees should be planted
in the northeast corner. Tall trees should not be too close to a building as
they block the sunlight. A tree’s shadow should not fall on the house. Large
trees should not be located too near the house as their roots can damage the
foundation and compound wall. Also, the roots of large trees absorb sunlight
quickly, meaning these positive rays will not be received by the building. Do
not allow tree branches to touch the house. Stone sculptures and rock gardens
should be located on the southwest side of the house because they are heavy.
Thorny plants should not be planted near the house. Cactus should not be
planted at all. Thorny plants other than roses have a negative energy. Ideally
all thorny plants should be pulled up and destroyed. A list of good trees to
plant: coconut, neem, betel, sandalwood, lemon, pineapple, bilva, almond,
jackfruit, pomegranate, mango, amla, and katha. Banyan and pipal (aswatha) are
sacred trees; they should usually only be planted near a temple or at a sacred
place. Creepers or other plants should not be grown by using the building or
compound wall as support. Creepers should only be grown in a garden, and they
should have their own independent supports. Plants should be planted during
auspicious constellations. Saplings should first be planted in clay pots and
only later placed in the ground. This enables them to grow better. If a tress
is to be removed because it is considered inauspicious, then it should be removed
in the months of Magha or Bhadrapada. The day before cutting the tree, worship
it and express regret that it must be removed from its rooting. Promise to
plant a new tree in its place. Do so within three months. When cutting the
tree, it should fall east or north, not south or west.
Worship of Land: Certain rituals can be performed before
construction on the plot begins. The land should be installed at an auspicious
time, during an auspicious constellation. Mondays and Thursdays are auspicious
days for such rituals. Ideally, a qualified astrologer should set the time of
installation. Worship should be done in the northeast corner of the land.
Before
installing the land, it should be cleared. Dirt, stones, holes in the ground,
and trash should be removed. Thorny bushes should also be uprooted and removed.
The installation should not be done if a woman in the household is more than
seven months pregnant. The groundbreaking ceremony for the house should only be
done during the Uttarayan period, when the sun is in the northern hemisphere,
and when the days are longer than the nights, from June 21 through December 20.
House Warming: Before entering a new house, a house-warming
ceremony should be performed. A good time to enter a new house is in the period
of Uttarayan, from June 21 through December 20, in the months of Vaishaka,
Shravan, and Margashirsh, in the constellation of Uttara, Magha, Ashwini,
Swati, Pushya, and Revati, on an auspicious day. It is good to confirm this
time with a qualified astrologer. Ganesh-puja, Navagraha-puja (worship of the
nine planets), and worship of the Vastupratima (building deity) should be
performed. The residents of the building should then circumambulation the
building. Then puja should be done to the threshold.
Purchasing the Adjacent Plot: If one wishes to purchase the land
adjacent to one’s own property, it should be purchased on a Monday, Thursday,
or Friday, during an auspicious constellation such as Vaishaka, Purva,
Ashlesha, Mrig, Revati, Mul, or Anuradha.The land one already owns can be
extended to the north, east, or northeast. The northwest corner should not be
extended. If a plot is available in the southwest, west, or south sides, it
should not be purchased, as it will cause misfortune and loss. If the northeast
plot is available, purchase it. It is best if the adjacent lot on the northeast
side is at a lower elevation than the land already owned. If such land is
purchased, the dividing wall should be taken down. As far as possible, you
should not construct buildings on this land.
General Information: One should not sit or sleep under a
beam. One should not hang paintings depicting violence, war, crime, or distress
on the walls. Sweep all cobwebs from the house—they are inauspicious. Cobwebs
are signs of the mode of ignorance. Creaking doors are also inauspicious and
should be oiled immediately.
Such
sounds cut the ether and allow subtle living entities to enter through the
“hole,” as does whistling. The shadow of a temple should not fall on the house.
There should not be a mountain on the east side of the house, close enough that
its shadow falls on the house. The sun’s rays from
Some of the more prominent Vastu points:
- Ideally, the
auspicious main entrance should be in the East or North or
- The foundation
wall of the house in the North-Eastern side should have minimum clutter
and minimum height from the ground in comparison to the rest of the
structure – beams and support under the ground included.
- If the wall of
the house in the East is taller and higher than the rest of the house, it
stalls the entry of prosperity, the Goddess Laxshmee, into the house.
Therefore, it should be small in height or otherwise lower in the height
in comparison to the rest of the block.
- The southern
side of the house should be as tall and heavy as possible.
- In any room of
the house the beam or column should not cross in the centre. This is
inauspicious and causes bad dreams.
- Terrace or
balcony in the house should be either in the East or the North. South-Westerly
Balcony seem to be emotionally draining or otherwise slow illness.
Westerly balcony is good for love, romance and lust.
- A well, pole or
a temple should not be there in front of the main entrance of the house.
- The slope of the
house should be towards East, North or North-East. Similarly, the slope of
the plinth also should be towards East, North or North-East.
- The height of
the plinth should be maximum in the direction of South - West.
- The main
entrance of the house should not be in front of that of the opposite
house.
- The house should
be equipped with the protective wall.
- The upper
storeys of the house should be constructed on the Southern or Western
part.
- The cupboard in
the wall should be the Southern or South-Western part direction of the house.
- God is present
in the direction of North - East, it is believed. That is why our
ancestors always insisted on having water body on this direction to ensure
prosperity.
- In a house,
always ensure that all the sharp corners are remedied by blue and red ribbons
or dots or otherwise plants.
- Keeping salt
bowls with rose water on all windows and behind entrance doors will
minimise arguments and quarrels.
Now
let us see the geographical location of a small nation like
The
city of
Take for example an overview study of
the location and construction of the famous
Tirupati temple reigns high in its
prosperity legendary, thanks mainly to the exemplary implementation of the
principles of Vastu Shastra. The main temple is situated on the South - West side
of the temple precinct. On its North - East direction is a lake and pond. The
dining hall of the temple is on South-East side while the North-West and North
side of the temple is allocated to the go down for grains and items require in
the kitchen. The entire temple precinct is of square shape as a result of which
its axis and that of the Earth are perpendicular to each other. The main temple
is occupying only the one fourth area of the total precinct and on its Eastern
and Northern side is open area. Thus the Tirupati
Important
Notes combining Vastu and Fengshui wisdom:
Hanging
red ribbons on doors with knocking knobs, using a fringe to hide and resolve
slanted beams in house, and placing 9 pieces of chalk in a rice bowl with a
little uncooked rice and placing under the bed where your back is to cure
backache. Sharp corners must be blocked by plants or red spots.
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
Office room:
- Sit at your desk
and make sure your back is not to the door. This avoids unwanted
surprises.
- Try not to put
your desk in line with the door because this is the "mouth of the
chi" where energy enters the room. According to Feng Shui
practitioners, sitting in the direct line of the incoming chi can cause
distraction or a feeling of anxiety, and a variety of health problems.
- Try to avoid
clutter or at least pinpoint where you keep clutter. This will indicate
the aspects of your business that need attention or issues that need to
"cleaned up."
- If possible,
have a solid wall behind your desk. This represents the backing and
support a business needs in order to advance.
- Sitting in a
high back, black chair represents power.
- Add a guest
chair, or two. This energetically invites in new business.
- Choose to
enhance your wealth with the addition of a re-circulating water fountain.
This represents money, as currency equals the current of a river.
- A crystal may be
added to pull in auspicious universal energies.
- If your office
is large enough to have a reception area you may choose to
"energetically link" the CEO's office with the reception area to
align the client's first impression of the company with the vision (CEO)
of the company.
- If you can,
consult a practitioner, to employ the use of the Five-Element Theory to
adjust and balance the space.
- Facing westerly
will bring prosperity as facing east will bring enhancement in the career.
- Always have a
window in the office.
- Bring some character
like fish tank or something interesting.
- If you are to
place Deities, place them either in the west or east or north east or
North West BUT not in the south.
Bedroom tips:
Always
sleep with a bed that has plenty of space beneath to allow ‘qi’ to circulate
when you are sleeping, so that you do not end up with a backache or simply
feeling tired after waking up in the morning.
Do
not place boxes or anything under the bed. Choose a high bed made of metal or
wood.
There
should not be any TV set in the bedroom. If there is, cover it with a plastic
table cloth. This will prevent the static energy from zapping at you when you
sleep, thus you will not feel tired after waking up.
Do
not allow young children to sleep on mattresses that are placed on the floor.
This will cause frequent sickness in young children.
Always
place a few writing tables in any part of your house for your children to
study. Do not force them to study at designated places or they may not be able
to concentrate.
Always
sleep with your bed against a flat wall so as to get support from your family
members and also to have a good sleep.
The
ceiling light in the bedroom should not be in the centre of your bed as it
gives out heat. This is considered bad for a couple. White light is more acceptable
than warm light. Warm light is yellow and it represents fire.
Do
not live near factories or any electrical building, e.g. a power station. Hang
a metal wind chime to weaken the "fire" from these buildings.
Please
be careful as to where you hang your wind chime as wind chime will attract
spirits if it is hung near graves or trees. Fish tank cannot be placed anywhere
you like, and especially in the west direction. It is not advisable to have a
fish tank at all. Do not pluck beautiful flowers and do not leave them in the
bedroom as spirits live in them.
If
you wish to buy a new flat/house, bring along a new born baby, about 4-5 months
old. If the baby cries, it means that the fengshui for the flat/house is no
good. If the baby smiles, it means OK. Do not buy a house with a swimming pool
in the west direction during the period 1984 to 2003. Choose one which faces
the East or South West, or, if not, you will lose money. East – 1984 to 2003;
South West – 2004 to 2023.
- For
private house, place 2 stone lions at each side of the gate/entrance of
the house. The stone lions not only give the house a solid ground but can
also guard against burglary.
- When
shifting to your new house, the item that you consider the most important
should move in first, e.g. the Buddha’s statue, money, bed, etc.
- The
main door is the main "mouth" of the house. Do not place shoes
outside the door as it will bring the ‘qi’ of the shoes into the house.
If you need to buy a shoe rack, buy one with doors.
- Do
not sleep with the toilet door directly opposite your bed. It is very bad
for health. If it gets too serious, the person may be admitted to
hospital.
- If
you want to know where your "wealth" spot in your house is,
observe the children. If they like to play at a particular spot all the
time (based on their own intuition) and feel comfortable, it could be
where your "wealth" spot is. You can try putting a water
fountain at that spot to circulate the good ‘qi’ around the house. If
nothing happens after a few weeks or so, it means that you may have not
chosen the right "wealth" spot. In my experience, this is true
of many cases I have undertaken in the past. Children are the best guide
in establishing the best wealth spot in the house without the shadow of a
doubt.
- Do
not paint yellow for the house as it can enhance the sickness star,
causing your family members to fall sick. Acceptable colours are white,
light green and beige.
- Do
not place the wall clock at the top of the doorway. It should not also be
facing the main door or bedroom door as it signifies ticking away your
life.
- For
most HDB flats, there are usually vertical rectangular holes at the
external walls along the corridors outside your house. If your main door
is directly facing one of these holes, cover it fully with Styrofoam to
prevent "sa qi" from hitting your door.
- For a
person who is still single, she/he can activate a romance by putting a
stalk of fresh flower in a vase and place it in any part of the house.
When the petals fade, change the flower unless you wish to have a sour
relationship. Roses should not be used as they have thorns. Sorry,
nothing was mentioned for married couples.
- Do
not complain all the time as it creates negative ‘qi’. Do not talk bad
things about others if you do not want others to talk bad about you.
- You
should always walk with confidence and dress well. Observe the people
around you and you should be able to tell whether they succeed in life or
not.
Vaastu is affected with positive power of five
elements:
the earth, the sky, the air, the water, and the
fire (the sun):
- Earth: was
formed about 460 corer years ago and it was a fiery ball. In due course of
time, the rocks melted and the surface has formed and acquired magnetism
due to the magnetic particles embedded within. It has two poles, North
Pole and South Pole.
- Sky: is the
endless space surrounding the universe. The universal concept of sky is
beyond the imagination and reach of human beings as it is never ending and
eternal.
- Air
(Atmosphere): is a composition of gases like oxygen, nitrogen,
carbon-dioxide, helium, neon, krypton and vapour. Oxygen is life saving
gas indispensable to living organism.
- Water: due to
rainfall from clouds, water flowed into low lying area of earth's surface
and oceans were formed. The eternal water cycle is mystery of nature.
- Sun: sun plays a
vital role in Vaastu Shastra. It is a source of life on earth and this is
the reason why Sun is worshipped as an incarnation of god or the potential
source of creation on the earth.
Does Vaastu Shastra promise prosperity?
No, not really. Vaastu Shastra cannot be
directly linked with prosperity. It only suggests ways in which we can live in
tune with the laws of nature, so that we can be healthy and peaceful and work
efficiently. The ancient texts of Vaastu Shastra have probably claimed to bring
prosperity, as an indirect consequence or being able to perform well at home
and work. The legitimate truth of Vastu Shastra is certain in some respects and
not certain in other perspectives as Feng-Shui remedies the arrangement and layout
that is not always perfectly available in all circumstances.
Role of religion in Vaastu Shastra
Vaastu Shastra is a science - it has
nothing to do with religion. It is true that over the years Vaastu Shastra has
imbibed religious overtones, but that does not seem to have been the original
idea. The religious implications were probably inculcated by the proponents of
the science, when they realised that the society of that time, being a God
fearing one, would not accept norms that strayed away from the notions of God.
Religious icons have no place in science. The ancient text of Vaastu Shastra
did mention various Gods from Hindu cosmology fixing their locations on the
site and prescribing the offerings to be made to them, but that also seems to
have been a ploy created by ancient scientists to convince the people to accept
the Vaastu norms.
The
'Vaastu Purusha' is
said to be the spirit of the site. It's in the form of a human male and lies on
the site with his head towards the east, his posture fitting exactly in a
square. It was easier to get the anthropometrically and aesthetically correct
dimensions of rooms, doors windows and even the structural members like plinth
and pillars. Even the interior planning was governed by the posture of the
'Vaastu Purusha' and the norms which specified where and how the structure must
be built, so that it does not injure him. All the ancient doctrines of Vaastu
Shastra may not be applicable in the
present scenario. Hence, I personally combine elements of Vastu with Feng-Shui.
Some of the tenets particularly show a strong social bias, which was relevant
to the social structure which existed at that time. Such tenets have certainly
lost their significance. However the fundamentals of the theory can be adapted
to the modern world. Unfortunately, again, most of the modern Vaastu exponents
are also exploiting the layman ignorance and gullibility. It is a fact that the
original Vaastu tenets prescribed the type of site and then specified the
layout materials and construction techniques. In an urban milieu, one can
hardly indulge in choosing dwelling sites. Thus the macro level implications
can be successfully adapted to contemporary needs.
Limitations: The original texts of Vaastu Shastra
were confined to the architecture of temples, places and homes of the
commoners. However, those very norms can be easily applied to other structures
such as offices and industries. So if, facing a particular direction brings in
negative solar energy, the large machinery may be kept there to block it. It
must first be noted that Vaastu Shastra is not a religion. However God fearing
you may be, you should not feel threatened by Vaastu Shastra, because it is a
science. Science does not condemn God, or disprove its identity but it does not
accept it. Vaastu Shastra is the science of structure, formulated to help us
live in tune with nature. It does not give solutions to your domestic or
financial problems. A Vaastu consultant assesses your home or work place, and
suggests changes that will improve it's Vaastu compliance. Merely changing the
orientation of the interior fixture helps in achieving a Vaastu-positive
environment. However, conducting Homam and purification helps along with the
cleansing. Feng-Shui is the art of rectifying all the snags and imperfections
in modern living.
What is the ideal plot/house?
The ideal plot is the one whose length
and breadth are same and ideally facing each side of plot to exact north
direction, south direction, east direction and west direction, and the house
constructed in this plot shall also be ideal. If utility rooms are constructed
as per the norms of Vaastu Shastra the foundation should be 9 feet but due to
the construction of sky rise multi-story buildings coming up, the depth of
foundation shall depend on the load bearing capacity of soil, the number of
storey that are going to be constructed and the materials used. The right hand
corner is always the best for prosperity.
Why directions are important in Vaastu
Shastra?
The Sun, as our ancestors revealed, is
the only source of light and heat for human and other living beings. It directs
and sustains life on earth. Therefore, the Sun, the rising Sun is like God, and
its direction of rising is considered pious and is taken as a point of
reference. If we face the rising sun, the facing direction is called the East,
behind us shall be the West, our left hand denotes the North direction and then
right hand denotes the South direction. Therefore, the effect of the direction
affects the building/house constructed therein.
What is the best direction of the house?
An auspicious direction for the
house/building to face is the east or north direction. West facing house with
west entrance is auspicious provided the kitchen and the dinning room is in the
east and south. This is subject to other factors laid down as per Vaastu
Shastra. The zodiac sign of the owner of the house, on whose name the deed of
house is made can be taken as reference and according to zodiac sign of the
owner, the main entrance door can be fixed. But since the houses are used
generation after generation and in every generation the owner of house is
changed the main door if fitted as per the location of plot and road abutting.
Per Feng-Shui, the ‘9ki’ chart and the astrological permutations are taken into
considerations in choosing the house.
Residential
Flats are being
constructed like pigeon boxes. No open space is left in front of the main
entrance door. If one door of a flat opens fully (outside which again is
against Vaastu rules) another adjacent flat-owner will not be able to open his
Main Entrance door fully. Then we observe that door is spliced into two parts
1/3 & 2/3 is recommended. The real problem starts here. Nowhere in the
ancient literature, is the splitting of the main entrance door in portion 1/3
& 2/3. Kitchen is health and kitchens in such flats are not designed as per
the tenets and rules of Vaastu Shastra. Many a time, we observe that toilets in
such flats are located in north-east. A family, having a toilet in the
north-east region of their place of residence, will not be able to prosper in
life.
Planets associated with the directions
in Vaastu Shastra
|
East |
|
Sun (agreed) |
|
South East |
Shukra |
Venus (contradictory) |
|
South |
Angaraka |
Mars (agreed) |
|
South West |
Rahu & Ketu |
Dragon's Head/ Tail |
|
West |
Shani |
Saturn (agreed) |
|
|
Chandra |
Moon (contradictory) |
|
North |
Budha |
Mercury (agreed) |
|
North East |
Guru |
Jupiter |
According to the Vaastu Shastra
scriptures, the various directions denote the following aspects: East (Purab) Pitrustaan
(Manes): It should not be blocked, since it is the source of male issues.
South-East (Aagneya) (Fire) source of health, place of fire, cooking and food. South
(Dakshina) - Source of wealth, crops and happiness. South-West (Narittaya)-(Earth)
source of character, behaviour, cause of longevity and death. West (Paschima)
Source of name, fame and prosperity. North-West (Vaayavya) (Air) Source of
change, income from business, enmity and friendship. North (Uttara)
Maathrusthan-This should not be blocked as it is the source of female issues.
North-East (Eshanya) (Water) Source of health, wealth, prosperity and of male
issues.
Magnetic field of the earth: The magnetic field of the earth plays
and important role while formulating Vaastu Shastra which can significantly
influence human life. According to Vaastu Shastra, one should never keep
his/her head towards the north while lying as it obstructs the circulatory
system causing irregular sleep, tension, paranoia and other mental problems.
The magnetic fields of the same poles repel each other while the opposite
attracts each other; therefore a person should keep his/her head towards the
south or east.
Conclusion: There is no evidence of any impediment or any
proliferations resulting from the stringent rules and regulations of the
Vastu-Shastra as yet apart from the few proven incidents of typical prosperous
house, fertile house, death house, depression house, and many other such
succinct experiences. However, in accordance with Feng-Shui, the worst kind of
house is the south west entrance with north east windows facing the entrance
such that energy never actually remains in the house. Feng-Shui as well as
Vedic astrology recommends culmination of all together consultations such that
each one is compatible to the other. It is dangerous firstly to rely solely on
Vastu shastra and not consider any of the Feng-Shui elements. Astrology,
particular, numerology, Vedic astrology, Family chartings, and independent
consultations are most advisable. Number 4 is considered inauspicious in Chinese
Astrology. Number 13 is considered inauspicious in western astrology but very
lucky in Chinese and Vedic astrology. House numbers must correspond with the
birth constant number based on science of numerology.
“Happiness comes from the enjoyment of one’s
own self and then from the friendship and inter action with few understanding
companions. One is happy as a result of one’s own efforts, once one knows the
necessary ingredients of happiness – simple tastes, a certain degree of courage
and self-confidence, self-denial to a point, love of work, and above all
servitude to humanity with a clear conscience and good intentions. Happiness is
not a vague dream nor an imaginary illusion, but a reality of the spirit of
life.” – Jyotikar ©
“Our basic problem, in the modern world
of living is that we constantly make a mistake of comparing and competing and
becoming critical rather than trying to be correct. Often we overlook and
oversee the real true accomplishments, achievements, and capabilities and focus
too much on the economical and political factors of how much prestige and how
many big things one owns rather than how much wealth of wisdom and how much
character of integrity one has. The human society living in the modern world
has forgotten to laugh and to be childlike. We have so much to learn from
younger children to win the respect of wise intelligent people and the
affection of children is indeed the marked criteria of success. Let us realise,
that when we make another life better, even if it means that we do not get
appreciated, means we have succeeded in living our own life. To leave this
earth, the modern world with wisdom and light, to give light to the modern
living, is redeeming our own karma and social conditions here and now to give
HOPE to the future generation children.” – Jyotikar ©
“Once we realise within ourselves that
even between brothers and immediate families, infinite distances continue to
exist, a wonderful living side by side can grow up, if they succeed in loving
the distance between them, which makes it possible for each to see the other
whole against a wide sky.” Let there be space in our togetherness, let there be
space in our living, let there be space in our minds, let there be space in our
relationships, let there be enough room for one another so that each one of can
respect the privacy and integrity of other. Let us learn to learn to understand
and to appreciate what makes relationships. To encourage means to give
compassionate love. To discourage another especially our loving brethren or our
loving ones means tremendous weakness and vulnerabilities on our own part, that
which we knowingly and unknowingly impose upon another.” – Jyotikar ©
This paper is dedicated to my beloved
parents.
© Jyotikar Pattni ©
References:
The Little
Book on Vaastu, by Gyan
C. Jain, published by BPB Publications.
Vaastu
Shilpa Shaastra, by
Derebail Muralidhar Rao, published by S.B.S. Publishers.
Vastushastra, An Edifice Science, by AR Tarkhedkar,
published by Cosmo Publishing House, is a three-book set containing good,
detailed information.
The Pocket
Book of Vaastu, by
Rakesh Chawla, published by
Library of the
Association of Feng-Shui References
Encyclopaedia
of the Indian Vastu
Indian Vedic
Heritage books.