Vastu

Basic Vastu

Core principles of Vastu Shastra

The five elements

Vastu aims to balance the five elements, or Pancha Mahabhutas, within a home to ensure the well-being of its residents. 

• Earth (Prithvi): Associated with stability, patience, and maturity. The southwest direction is connected to the Earth element, making it an ideal location for the master bedroom.
• Water (Jala): Represents health, wealth, and spiritual rejuvenation. The northeast is the ideal direction for water sources like fountains or borewells.
• Fire (Agni): Symbolizes energy, confidence, and money. The southeast is the designated zone for the kitchen, where fire is used.
• Air (Vayu): Linked to joy, happiness, and social relationships. The northwest governs the Air element, and spaces here should be well-ventilated.
• Space (Akasha): Connected to spiritual growth and intellectual pursuits. The center of the house (Brahmasthan) is associated with Space and should be kept free of heavy objects to allow energy to circulate. 

The Vastu Purusha Mandala

This metaphysical diagram is the foundational blueprint of Vastu design. 

• It is a square grid, typically divided into 9×9 (81) parts, that serves as a floor plan.
• The mandala represents the “Vastu Purusha,” a cosmic man pinned down by deities, and incorporates the movements of celestial bodies.
• Placing rooms and objects according to the mandala’s grid is believed to bring prosperity, health, and happiness. 

Directional energy

Every direction has a deity, element, and specific energy associated with it. 

• North: Direction of wealth, ruled by the god of wealth (Kubera).
• North-East: The most sacred and powerful direction, ideal for the prayer room (puja room).
• East: Governed by the Sun, representing prosperity and health. It’s an auspicious direction for the main entrance.
• South-East: Governed by the god of fire (Agni), making it the ideal location for the kitchen.
• South: The direction of Dharma and stability, suitable for the master bedroom.
• South-West: Represents stability and relationships. Ideal for the master bedroom and placement of heavy objects.
• West: Represents prosperity and stability.
• North-West: The direction of air and movement, often suitable for guest bedrooms or bathrooms. 

Basic Vastu guidelines for a home

• Main Entrance: Should ideally face north, east, or north-east to welcome positive energy.
• Master Bedroom: Place in the southwest corner for stability and good sleep. Avoid placing it in the northeast or southeast.
• Kitchen: The southeast corner is best for the kitchen, as it aligns with the fire element. Facing east while cooking is also recommended.
• Pooja Room: The northeast direction is the most sacred and suitable location for the prayer room.
• Living Room: Should be located in the north or northeast. Arrange seating so guests face north or east.
• Central Area (Brahmasthan): Keep the center of the house empty and free of pillars or walls to allow for unobstructed energy flow.
• Bathrooms and Toilets: These should be in the northwest direction. Avoid locating them in the sacred northeast.
• Natural Light and Ventilation: Maximize natural light by having more windows on the north and east walls. Good air circulation is essential for a healthy environment.
• Decluttering: Regularly remove clutter, broken items, and unused objects, as they block the flow of positive energy. 

Advance Vastu

Advanced Vastu involves moving beyond basic directional guidelines to address complex structural and energy imbalances. It provides detailed solutions for specific problems (dosh) that arise from modern architectural challenges, land irregularities, and improper placement of objects. 

Advanced principles

Energy mapping

• Advanced practitioners use techniques to precisely map the energy flow, or prana, within a space. This involves not only analyzing the cardinal directions but also the subtle energy points and how they interact.
• This mapping can be used to identify blocked energy zones or areas of negative influence, allowing for more precise remedies. 

Micro-zoning

• Instead of just assigning broad directions for entire rooms (e.g., kitchen in the southeast), advanced Vastu divides each room into micro-zones, assigning specific functions to each zone.
• For example, within a home office, the desk might be placed in the productive north zone, while a relaxing seating area is placed in another quadrant. 

Geopathic stress and electromagnetic fields

• A deeper understanding of Vastu considers the impact of Geopathic stress, which are energy imbalances from the Earth’s natural magnetic field.
• Advanced Vastu incorporates the detection and neutralization of these harmful energy lines, as well as the effects of electromagnetic fields from modern appliances, which can disrupt a home’s natural harmony. 

Color therapy

• Advanced Vastu uses specific color schemes to address imbalances in a particular direction or zone.
• For example, using blue and green colors in the north or northeast direction can enhance calmness, while splashes of yellow or orange in the right place can promote positivity. 

Advanced remedies (vastu dosh nivaran)

Pyramids

• One of the most potent and widely used advanced remedies is the placement of Vastu pyramids.
• These are used to correct Vastu defects without major structural changes, neutralize negative energy, and amplify positive cosmic energy.
• A pyramid can be placed near the main entrance to filter and amplify incoming energy, or in the corners of a room to improve energy flow.
• Placing specific types of pyramids, such as crystal or Egyptian gray, in a workspace can enhance stability and ward off negativity. 

Crystals

• Crystal balls can be used in advanced Vastu to absorb negative energy and redirect positive energy.
• Certain crystals, like sea salt or camphor, are also used to purify the atmosphere and remove negative vibrations. 

Mirrors

• Beyond simple placement, advanced Vastu uses mirrors strategically to correct flaws and manipulate energy.
• They can be placed in a way that effectively removes the negative effects of a toilet in the wrong direction or extends a cut corner of a house. 

Industrial and commercial Vastu

• Advanced Vastu extends its principles to large-scale projects like factories and offices.
• This includes planning the slope of industrial plots, positioning machinery, and arranging offices to boost productivity and profitability.
• For businesses, it involves using precise guidelines for cash counters, furniture placement, and managing the main entrance to attract financial prosperity. 

Applications of advanced Vastu

• Solving problems without reconstruction: Advanced remedies are valuable for older buildings, rental properties, or situations where major renovations are not possible.
• Irregular plots: Advanced techniques offer solutions for buildings on irregularly shaped plots, which can cause severe Vastu imbalances.
• High-rise buildings: With the rise of multi-story buildings, Vastu principles are adapted to account for the energy flow on different floors.
• Astro Vastu: Combining Vastu with astrological charts (Astro Vastu) is an advanced practice that creates a deeper, more personalized analysis and remedies based on an individual’s horoscope.