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VASTU SHASTRA
"If
Man is the reflection of Nature, Architecture reflects Man.
The word vastu is derived from the word vasu, or the earth, and shastra, is defined as "science or technology". Other translations define vastu to mean "the place where people dwell". The place may be the earth, the land itself, or a structure where people may reside. Together, these words describe a methodology of constructing a building site that brings harmony and well-being to those who would dwell within. An
expert in vastu shastra would not only know architecture, but is expected to be
well-versed in astrology and yogashastra. Traditional compass feng shui
from China is also an astrological-based system. The horoscope of the
individual (usually the patriarch of the house) is used to evaluate the
physical dwelling of the site. In both of these sciences, the belief is
that man is connected, not only with the Earth, but with the cosmological
effects of the Universe. Hindu
mythology explains the history of how things have come to pass. In
the beginning, the first living creature was Brahma. He
is the creator of the Universe and the first god in the Hindu triad: Brahma,
Vishnu and Shiva. But, Brahma had a
nasty habit of experimenting with some rather impractical creations.
Out of the Void, Brahma created a large and monstrous creature that grew
so rapidly and large that its shadow fell across the Earth as an eternal
eclipse. Then this ever-expanding
Monster began to devour everything in its path for nothing could satisfy its
insatiable hunger. Shiva and Vishnu complained bitterly to the elder Brahma. They begged that something be done before all of Creation was destroyed by this Creature. Brahma listened to these complaints and it made him aware of his sovereignty to the other creations. He then called forth the asthadigapalakas, the devas of the eight cardinal directions. Together they overpowered the Great Monster and in one cosmic tackle, they held it flat against the Earth. The god Brahma jumped in the middle and held the Monster down. He then employed forty-five gods to join him and help hold it in place; their positions can be seen on the classic mandela of the Vastu Grid. But, the Monster lamented “Why am I being punished for being the very thing you made me?” And, alas, Brahma heeded to its complaint. “We shall compromise”, Brahma said. So, he made the Monster immortal and promised that he would be worshipped by any mortal that built a structure over him. The Monster was pleased and Brahma then named him Vastu Purusa and blessed him with these words: “All works on the earth will have to be commenced and concluded only after propitiating you”. In essence, without respecting Vastu Purusa nothing will happen on the earth. The Mandala grid is constructed the same way as the bagua, which is used in Chinese geomancy, with every direction having significance in the well being of its residents. The position of Vastu Pursua and the direction of the natural elements are shown in figure #1.
Before construction starts on a building, an astrological chart of the owner is done to determine the most auspicious day to move in, the position of the main door and the placement of the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and so on. When a house faces the four main directions it is considered beneficial, as opposed to a house that faces the corner points, which forbade evil. Their significance is as follows: West: It is called “banner” and it secures prosperity. Northwest: It is called “smoke” and spells disaster for its residents. North: This is called the “lion” and foretells enjoyment. Northeast: It is “dog” and forebodes total loss. East: It is the “bull” and predicts happiness. Southeast: It is the “donkey” and spells ruin. South: This is the “elephant” and the outcome is wealth. Southwest: It is the “crow” and predicts death and disaster. According to the Upanisads, Brahma created the Universe out of the Five Elements, which are, Air, Fire, Water, Earth and Ether (Akasa). Besides the above Five Elements, the sixth element, Dhananjaya and the seventh, Sukra are responsible for the life and happiness of all living beings on earth. Each of the 45 gods you see placed on the grid are chosen to govern a certain aspect of the household. Ishana presides in the northeast, which is suitable for the household gods. The kitchen may be placed here. The east is Indra’s direction and the dining room may be placed here, although some ancient texts place the bathroom here. The fire-god Agni resides in the southeast and the kitchen is located here. And, the South is Yama’s direction and here the bedroom may be placed. Nirrti, the goddess of evil & deceit, governs the southwest and this will be the storage area. The bathroom may be placed outside the house but still within the SW. Some texts place the toilet between the south and SW, thus confusing the gods as to its exact location. The west belongs to Varuna, the Lord of the Cosmos who moves the sun & stars. This is where the water supply is stored. Although, other texts would prefer that either the dining room or library should be situated in this quarter. Now, we move on to the northwest, which is presided over by the wind spirit, Vayu. This will be the storage room for grains. Outside the house, the NW direction will be the placement of the work shed. In the North, we find Kubera, the god of wealth. All money matters shall be dealt with in this area. Between the north and NE it is suggested that we store our medicine and herbs here. If you understand who the above gods are you will see the correlation between their personalities and their function in a built structure. The Lord of the house will have complete cooperation with the guardian-spirits when you abide by their metaphysical laws. And, this is how us mortals can reside with the immortals. The Vastu Pursua is said to be lying with his face and abdomen touching the ground. His head is at the Northeast and his feet are at the Southwest. The chakras in the human body, which are lined up along our spine, are placed on the Vastu grid to show its placement within a structure. Each organ and body part governs an assigned portion of the Mandala grid. Keeping these areas “healthy” will help to keep the body healthy. It is known that it is He who, in every human dwelling, is responsible for good and for bad fortune, that is why the wise man must avoid tormenting His limbs with the ‘limbs’ of the house for, if not, sorrows innumerable will fall upon the limbs of the owner of the house. Thus the sage must always spare the body of the Spirit (Mayamatam, chapter seven; line 56) In feng shui, the five elements create and control each other in a cyclic system. In Vastu, the five elements rise. In the design of temples and other structures, every part fits into a particular section of the human body. Not in a horizontal pattern, but vertical where the cosmic-man could reach upward. The top of the temple is the head, the sanctum is the neck, and the theater is the abdomen. The structural walls are the legs and the doorway’s entrance is the feet. Figure #2: Rajarajeshvana Temple, Tanjore, Chola
In feng shui and vastu shastra, rituals or pujas may be performed before and after the construction of the building. It is believed that there are spirits or devas in the earth that must be appeased before moving the dirt or entering the site for the first time. At dawn, the architect, having fasted, purified his mind and understood all things, must apportion amongst the gods the common and particular offerings to the rulers …(Mayamatam, chapter eight; line 17) When the house is ready to be occupied, a puja to the god Ganesh is performed. The home is decorated with garlands of mango leaves strung across the threshold of the main door. Sometimes, an archway of banana leaves is erected just outside the main door. The idea here is that mango and banana leaves are symbols of fertility and prosperity. Before entering the home a ceremony called Vastu Shanti is performed. This ceremony is to appease the gods and the planets of the owner’s personal horoscope. The ceremony begins by drawing a mandala to evoke the gods and the nine planets so that they may witness the event. Next, a small fire is built within a censer (havan kunda) and offerings of camphor, sesame, grain and fuel sticks are used as incense. The family now must carry the censer throughout the house, from room to room, to cleanse the air of negative energies. The next step is to take a red thread and starting from the east, circle the home three times. At the same time, someone pours a continuous stream of water also around the house as they chant the Rakshoghna & Pavamana mantras. Next, a pit is dug in the southeast corner of the homeowner’s property. A brick box containing corn, moss and flowers is lowered into the ground and then covered up. This is done to ensure fertility and prosperity for the home. To protect the home from evil spirits the family invite the Brahmins (a caste of priests who are proficient in the vedas) to recite mantras and to sprinkle the home with holy water. Once this is done, the ceremony is now completed and the Brahmins and other guests sit down to dinner. Photos:
Rajarajeshvara Temple & Temple carvings by Robert Arnett, from his
award winning book “India Unveiled”, Atman Press, 1999. Next Article - Peach Blossom Love
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