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Vaastu
Introduction
Vaastu is a
Sanskrit word meaning 'dwelling' or a building used for residential
purposes. The first mention of Vaastu is found in the Yajurveda, the
ancient text of Hindus believed to be over 4000 years old. They
cover a wide variety of buildings like places of worship, marriage
houses, party houses, palaces and chariots and dwellings. The first
book on this subject is believed to have been written about 3000
years back by saint Vishwakarma. Vaastu is a science that is
complete in itself and can bring happiness to the whole world.
What is Vaastu ? Habitation is the basic need of every living being. Man
builds houses for his living. Any piece of land and structure built on
it is known as 'Vastu'. It has been derived from the word 'Vaas' which
means to live. It’s practice started with Vedic period. We can find many
references in Vedas, Puranas and other subsequent literature. Our
ancient saints have concluded that anything living or non-living in the
universe is made up of five basic elements or Panch Maha Bhoot. They are
Prithvi (earth), Jal (water), Agni (fire), Vayu (air) and Aakash
(space). When these five elements are in harmony in our body, we are
healthy and active and when their equilibrium is disturbed one is
devitalized or unhealthy. Same is true with our place of living or work.
Vastu is the only science which instructs how to maintain best
equilibrium of these five elements in a building and make best use of
them to energize mental and physical energies of inhabitants to the
maximum extent. In other words vaastu tells us how to make use of these
five elements for the maximum convenience, comfort and security keeping
them in perfect harmony in our home or place of work so that one should
enjoy health, wealth, prosperity and growth.
Legend of Vaastu Purusha
Lord Shiva had killed a devil
named Andhak after a long war which had continued for
years. A spirit originated out of the perspiration of
Lord Shiva and consumed all the blood from the body of
the devil. His hunger was still not satisfied. He then
undertook penance. Lord Shiva was impressed and highly
satisfied by his penance and offered him a " Vara " that
he can eat anybody he likes . The spirit then went wild and started
eating men and animals. This terrified even the Gods in heaven and
to conquer him the various deities representing the various
directions sat on his back making it impossible for him to get up. . When the spirit
asked for forgiveness Lord Brahma offered him a blessing
that :
"After building any structure, the people who offer
you prayers and worship you as Vaastudevta will be
blessed with pleasures and prosperity. However
those people, who do not offer you prayers shall be at
your mercy and you may trouble them in any way". As
the head of the Purusha is in Northeast
the northeast of the plot therefore should be kept vacant.
Directional Layout of Vaastu
Purusha
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