VASTU PRINCIPLES- A Remedial Measure
It has been well established that Vastu principles can be easily applied to modern living. However, Vastu practitioners should have complete knowledge and sufficient experience before they go into the application of Vastu principles.
The principles laid down in Vastu Shastra were obviously formulated keeping in view the cosmic influence of the Sun; its light and heat, solar energy, directions of the wind, the position of the moon, the earth’s magnetic field and the influence of the cosmos on our planet. The Vastu influence on any type of building and human beings is like the cosmic influence of the sun (solar system) on our ecosystem. It is equally important to balance the placement of the five elements, Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Space.
The system is an admixture of science, astronomy and astrology. It is influenced by the sun, moonlight, heat, the earth’s atmosphere, wind direction, magnetic field and gravitational force on human beings. It gives practical guidelines on site selection, its contouring level, orientation of the building in relation to the climatology and micro weather, arrangements of areas/rooms in relation to the different activities of the proposed building, their proportion as well as rituals for successive stages of house building.
Vastu Principles also suggest the living condition and standard in the house arrangements as well as plant and machinery layout in factories, business houses and the placements of furniture layout, internal colour scheme, the sitting and working arrangement, business administration, raw material and finished goods, arrangements for their storage, positioning of boilers, furnaces, transformers, water storage, kitchen orientation and toilet block etc.
In Vastu, North and East directions are given great importance. East is the gateway to the sun’s rays. The North is identified as the pole star, the roof of the world.
Energy lines have been found to emanate from the Earth’s surface by forming a grid around the globe. The energy is oriented magnetically in the North -South and in the East -West direction. These are called Bio Electro Magnetic (BEM) fields and affect human mind and body, since each body cell acts like a radio receiver with its own vibratory levels. We are most affected by these subtle energies in our daily activities, our places of work and sleep where the body is stationary for long periods.
The magnetic field of the earth has significant influence on the human body and the mind itself acts as a magnet with the head, the heaviest and most important part of our body as the North Pole. While sleeping with the head towards the North, the North Pole of the earth and that of the human body repel each other, affecting the blood circulation, causing disturbed sleep, tension and other connected problems. Vastu strongly suggests never sleeping with one’s head towards the North.
The effect of Vastu is permanent, because the earth has been revolving around the sun, in a geostationary orbit for over 400 crore years due to the magnetic effect caused by its rotation.
Due to the magnetic properties of the earth, the magnetic needle of a compass always tends to point towards the North. Since Vastu is based on the permanent magnetic property of the earth with an inclination towards the North, the effect of the Vastu principles also becomes permanent.
However, its applications differ from site to site, building to building, city to city based on the climatical conditions.
It is more interesting to know that the genesis of Vastu principles lies in the nexus between the earth and the sun. Since these two planets are of universal nature and beyond any religion, caste and nationality, the principles of Vastu have also become universal and secular.
Life exists only on planet earth. No other planet in this Universe has life, because the five elements (Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Space) are existing only on this planet and our life is also based on these five elements. Vastu also suggests the balancing of these five elements in the building.
VASTU PURUSHA
Ancient sages believed that Vastu Purusha exists in each and every plot with his physical posture aligned on North -Eastern tip and the folded legs in the South -West.
The entire body occupies the Vastu Purusha Mandala with the abdomen occupying the centre of the Mandala that is known as the Brahm Sthan, which belongs to Lord Brahma.
The Mandala generally consists of 64, 81, 100 or 169 squares (Yogini). Each square represents different applications in relation with the Northern orientation as shown in the diagram.
While designing the building it is advisable that the heavier structures are proposed in the South -Western corners or along with the Southern or western zones. In view of the fact that all four corners of a building are not equal in nature, the lighter structures should be towards the North-Eastern sides, because the South-West comer is the hottest and North-East corner is the coolest.
Similarly, it is always advisable for the roof slabs to slope from West to East or South-West to North-East.
It is also advisable to propose more openings (doors and windows) towards the North or East or North -East, considering the prevailing direction of the wind in the area. This can keep the interiors cool. The sunrays in the morning contain more light than heat, and contain Vitamins D & E, which are very good for the bones.
Keeping this in view, the North -Eastern side of the plot should be kept at a level lower than that of the South-West side. This is because the sun’s intensity in the North- Eastern zone is prolonged and remains for the longest duration.
Scientifically, the human eye needs more soft light than intense heat (a glare) for keeping eye diseases at bay, thus energizing the eyeball’s ‘Fundus’ for their proper upkeep and keeping them healthy.
Similarly, there is scientific proof that the placement of other house activities is recommended as explained below:
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