An Introduction to Vastu Shastra
Why Positive Flow Matters Where You Live
Begin to Breathe Life Into Any Space and Attract Harmony, Health, and Happiness Through Cosmic Energy Conscious Design
While many Easterners have grown up with the concept, Vastu Shastra is a term that many Westerners are not likely to be familiar with. The literal translation of Vastu Shastra is the ‘science of buildings’. The word “Shastra” means ‘science”, and the word ‘Vastu’ refers to “all places of dwelling”. So, if we were to relate this to modern technologies Vastu Shastra will simply refer to “Architecture”.
Vastu Shastra is a belief system originating from the Vedic Age in India. It is based on outlining and constructing buildings in a way that is harmonious with the natural environment. The building must allow for the flow of cosmic energy within and around the building for the peace, prosperity, and stability of the dwellers of the building. It is sometimes better understood in terms of its Chinese cousin Feng Shui, although there are stark, dramatic differences between the two. Yet, Feng Shui did find more mainstream popularity outside Asia as the concept became more ‘boho/hippy chic’ in western pop culture for a time.
Those who practice the Vastu Shastra believe that when buildings are constructed in line with underlying cosmic principles, cosmic energy becomes part of the building’s basic structure, fully aligning it with the universe. This allows for the flow of positive energy and vibrations through the building, which inevitably benefit its inhabitants’ love, health, wealth, and happiness.
Even without Vastu Shastra, building a house properly has a positive effect on its inhabitants. A competently designed and constructed building with the necessary aesthetic features is simply more pleasant to live in, while a poorly executed construction will hardly interest anyone. The concept of a dwelling should also take into consideration the overall comfort of its occupiers. Vastu Shastra simply takes this to the next level, by including concepts of cosmic energy, cosmic positivity, and universal vibrations. Ancient India has always been known for propagating the science and practice of maintaining internal balance and channeling the proper energy through a person. Beliefs relating to the chakra system, astrology, and Ayurveda (all of which have their roots and origin in ancient India) are all about maintaining the balance and channeling the right energy from the right sources. Vastu Shastra can be seen as the architectural version of these beliefs. It simply proposes that if you want to live or reside somewhere, it might as well be a place with the proper energy running through it.
Vastu Shastra: The Approach
Vastu Shastra strongly takes nature into consideration in determining the proper dwelling and the right way to approach its construction. The elements have always been major factors in the study of balance and channeling cosmic energy. Vastu Shastra therefore includes natural resources like the sun, the direction of wind, the land topography, the positioning of trees, the frequency of rain, the surrounding roads, and other environmental factors in constructing a building. It is believed considering these factors, to go a long way in preventing imbalance in a building, thereby allowing for free-flowing energy between man, his home, his environment, and the cosmic space. It further strengthens the belief that everything is indeed connected.
Rational Science, Not a Superstition
Due to the cosmic reference made by Vastu Shastra in its development and formation, there may be doubts and skepticism as to how accurate or authentic it is as a concept. However, Vastu Shastra is, in reality, just as much science as spirituality. The rationale behind Vastu Shastra is achieving order, comfort, peace, and positivity, which are all elements that constitute a good home. Regarding Vastu Shastra, a superstition virtually equal to saying these elements are not necessary in having a perfect home. The ancient architects who formulated the Vastu Shastra saw the danger of everyone building houses according to their whims and personal instincts. We realized that without strictly laid down principles, most people will end up erecting ugly structures and feeling miserable for as long as they live in the building.
The ideas conceived by certain people when it comes to aesthetics can be quite baffling and self-destructive, especially if proper steps are not taken to save them from themselves (even in present day, we still have many of these people in charge of important building projects). In the old days, the environment surrounding the proposed building was not taken into as much consideration as it should be. The space surrounding the home, the penetration of light into the building, the possibility of ventilation, etc. were all alien concepts to people at the time and led them to build ginormous, ugly buildings. This made the creation of strict and universal building rules very necessary. The primary goal and consideration of the formulators of Vastu Shastra was the happiness of the dwellers of the home; therefore, every step taken from design to construction to interior decoration must be aimed at achieving this end. By following the Vastu Shastra tenets, it is believed that people can proactively control their current and future destinies, creating and inviting happiness and success. Considering the importance placed on divine and cosmic energy in ancient India, it was only logical these concepts be prioritized in the building of their homes as well.
Even in present day, many prospective homeowners insist that architects include the basic principles of Vastu Shastra when designing their home and see to it that these principles are followed until the building’s construction is over. The reasons are quite obvious and understandable. First, nobody wants to live in the potentially negative environment; therefore, whatever can make a building as balanced as possible should be done. Secondly, whether or not you believe in the positive effects of channeling proper cosmic energy, you certainly do not want to risk experiencing the negative effects of not doing so. Besides, modern day architects are more than happy to implement Vastu Shastra principles. It helps with their reasoning, planning process, and general meticulousness as they work. And most importantly, who wouldn’t want to contribute to bringing a positive aura to the lives of others?
Peace in the Home
Deciding on a place to live, where to live, or the design in which to live is never as easy as it seems, especially when it comes to considering all the factors that can and will affect living conditions. Your home should be a reflection of your person, your desires, and your general way of life. It should be a place that brings you feelings of positivity, comfort, peace, and protection. If presented with the opportunity to achieve all these integral physical and emotional needs in a home with simply applying the tenets of Vastu Shastra, why would anyone resist the opportunity to consciously make their living environment feel like a home rather than just a building? Not me!