by
Kowtha Lalith Manohar
The word Vaastu is derived from the Sanskrit root 'vasa' which means 'to live'. Vaastu Shastra is the science, which deals with the layout of the site and the building to be constructed. It also gives elaborate details about the construction of townships, places, complexes etc. The main objective of this Shastra is to make humanity live in as perfect a harmony as possible with Mother Nature. This shastra was given to us by the Maharishis.
The area is divided into eight parts. East, South, West, North, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest and Northwest. Each of these directions has got a deity, called "Dikpalaka". The Dikpalakas are as follows:
East - Indra
South - Yama
West - Varuna
North - Kubera
Southeast - Agni
Southwest - Nirruthi
Northwest - Vaayu
Northeast - Eesana
The Vedic texts have given different hymns to the eight Dikpalakas. Indra is the king of the devatas. Sun rises on the Eastern Horizon. Hence East is given the most prominent place followed by North - the direction of Kubera, the lord of wealth. East is the point of health, virtuous living and fame. North is the point of wealth, name, and prosperity. North has got an astronomical significance also as it points towards the "polestar" the "Dhriva Nakshatra". Whenever we discuss about the Vaastu of a plot or building, we first fix the North and East points and then proceed with the mapping out of the building.
While fixing the norms for a dwelling house, Sastra has fixed Southern side for bedroom. It also states that more space is to be left on the northern side of the plot. Let us examine the logic behind this. Cool breeze comes from the southern direction, which is described as Malaya Maruta. To enjoy this breeze we require space on the southern side. 'A' and 'B' construct one building each side by side. The northern side of 'A' will be the southern side of 'B'. So, automatically when 'A' leaves more space on the northern side, 'B' will have more open space on his southern side, which will facilitate free flow of air. The bedroom, which is supposed to be on the southern side, will have lot of fresh air. This means that when one retires to bed after a tiresome day's work, he will enjoy the beautiful cool southern breeze, which will induce good sleep. On the eastern side also one is supposed to leave more open space. This enables the early morning sunrays to fall on the front yard and the building. Sunrays are an antidote for many evils.
This Vaastu Sastra has been discussed in our scriptures. We find references to Vaastu in Ramayana at many places. Vaastu shastra lays down separate norms for dwelling houses, palaces, complexes, public utility buildings etc. For the capital of a kingdom to be constructed, the lay out is given in detail. For the palace of an emperor or king, the lay out is given. One can get a broad idea about the layout of a capital and more so of the palace of the king from the Sundara Kanda of Ramayana. What we now call as "lung space" has been described as Udyanavana in the texts.
They have also narrated the types of trees to be grown in these "parks". Water fountains, well with steps to go up to the water, ponds, lakes and the surrounding greenery is vividly described. Imagine the kingdom of Ravana - "Lanka", the total area of that land, the size of the persons at that time and the millions who lived in that kingdom as described by Valmiki. In spite of all these, the lay out could be so well designed. (Refer cantos 6, 7, and verses 1 to 8 of canto 9 and verses 1 to 8 of canto 15 of Sundarakanda).
Grihaani naanaa vasu raajitaani - devaasuraischapi supoojitaani
Sarvaischa doshaih parivarjitaani - kapih dadarsha swabalaarjitaani
Taani prayatnaabhi samaahitaani mayena saakshaadiva nirmitaani
Maheetale sarva gunottaraani dadarsha lankaadhipateh grihaani
"Hanuman saw the houses in Lanka which were devoid of all Vaastu defects. They were constructed with the self-acquired wealth and were full of prosperity. They were acclaimed by Devas and Asuras as masterpieces".
"These houses of Ravana, though designed by Vishwakarma, appeared as though they were constructed by Maya himself personally with absolute perfection, lot of care and effort".
This clearly establishes that critical adherence to Vaastu Shastra has been a tradition from time immemorial.
Now a days, we argue that cities are overpopulated. It does not mean that the regulatory authorities should allow haphazard constructions. Persons with a clear perspective of Vaastu shastra should head the town planning departments, exercising full control over the construction activities adhering strictly to the laid down norms without fear or favour. Had this been done, the present state of affairs could have been avoided. "Better late than never". Let the persons who matter take the initiative in this regard and bring out a code for construction of buildings in the whole country. If this can be achieved, we would have done a great service to the country, which will be remembered with gratitude by the posterity.
For construction of temples too, Vaastu Shastra coupled with Agama Shastra is scrupulously followed. There are varieties of Agama Shastras. Shaivagama, Vaikhanasagama, Pancharatragama are a few to be mentioned. For preparing idols in the temples, Shilpa Shastra is followed in consonance with Agama Shastra. All these are independent Shastras and are very vast. These are mentioned here to enable the readers to understand our glorious and rich tradition and culture. A good knowledge of Sanskrit is a prerequisite to understand these traditional texts. But, over the years, the Sanskrit language was totally ignored by successive governments and the people also did not evince interest to learn this knowledge. The results are obvious.
The presiding deity of Vaastu is called Vaastu Purusha. While laying foundation stone for anew building, or while entering a new building, Vaastu Pooja and Vaastu Homa are performed as prescribed by our scriptures to propitiate the Vaastu Purusha and to ward off the evil aspects. I invite the attention of the readers to canto-56 of Ayodhya Kanda and canto -15 of Aranya Kanda of Ramayana. In the first reference, Sri Rama mentions to Lakshmana the efficacy of Vaastu and Vaastu Pooja as follows:
Kartavyam vaastu shamanam sowmitre chirajeevibhih
It means, "this Vaastu Pooja has to be done by those who wish to live long".
In his commentary on this passage, Mahesha Teertha states:
"Vaastu shabdena grihaadhishthita shikhi parjanya prabhriti pancha chatvarimshat devataah uchyante - taasaam shamanam homa naivedya balibhih poojanam bodhayanenoktam"
"By the word Vaastu means the 45 deities starting with Parjanya who occupy the house. Sage Bodhayana has given in the Grihya Sutras the procedure to propitiate these deities with Homa, offerings etc. this has to be done by everyone while entering the new house to have a long and happy life".
"Tatah pusupabalim kritvaa shaantim cha sa yathaa vidhi
Darshayaamaasa raamaaya tadaashrama padam kritam"
"Lakshmana, after constructing the Parna Shala i.e., the dwelling house with leaves performs Pushpa bali i.e., offering with flowers and the shanti as per the scriptures and shows to Sri Rama the hermitage.
So, even for a hermitage, which was only a temporary abode for a few years, a person like Lakshmana had taken all precautions to construct it as per Vaastu and to perform the rituals as ordained in the scriptures. This should be an eye-opener to everyone as to how much care one has to take while constructing the building, fixing the Muhurta (auspicious moment) and propitiating the Vaastu Purusha before entering the premises.
If one takes the initiative and pains to have a deep insight into our age-old texts, one will find clear-cut instructions for keeping the idols of different gods in the Pooja in different directions. Even in Panchayatana Pooja the idols of the five gods-Aditya, Ambica, Vishnu, Ganapati and Shiva have to be kept in a particular order, placing them in different directions. When we perform Satyanarayana Pooja, we place the Grahas, Dikpalakas and others in different places. All these indicate that each direction is controlled by a particular power - Dikpalaka.
This power is like electricity, which will not be visible to the naked eye. Electricity can only be seen through a light or felt by a fan or any other appliance. If one does not have the required apparatus, this electrical energy cannot be experienced. Similarly, to experience this divine invisible power one has to be thorough with this subject and must possess the power of concentration. Without these prerequisites, one will definitely be not able to understand or experience the efficacy of this shastra. It is not proper to advise with half-backed knowledge, which, in the long run, will prove dangerous to all concerned. Of late, we are finding some persons trying to interpret this science with their own logic. By mere chance some of their versions may come out correct. But unless the authority of the Shastra supports it, the same cannot be confirmed as right.
Let us take a case where the ancestors constructed a house. The grandfather and father have prospered well in that house. But in the third generation, the person living in the same house has lots of problems. What could be the reason? Vaastu pandits examine the building and state that all the troubles are only due to Vaastu. If the Vaastu was good for his ancestors, how could it become suddenly bad to him? This will be a valid question. One answer for this will be that the horoscopes of the grandfather and father must have been very powerful such that the impact of the Vaastu defects were not felt by them. Since the Since the horoscope of the present person has some lacunae, the Vaastu defects have come to the fore. So, it was observed that while one looks at Vaastu he should also look into the natal chart of the resident and corroborate the readings. If the placement of planets in the natal chart is such that the native has to undergo troubles, however much we try to set right the Vaastu defects, the troubles persist. Vaastu defects play their part and contribute to the overall bad situation. Corrections made to rectify the defects will reduce the intensity of the problems.
Vaastu and Astrology are the two divine sciences with the help of which one can plan to have a peaceful and happy life. These two sciences deal with invisible forces, which make one's life happy or otherwise. The persons practising these two sciences should exercise proper care while giving predictions or advising their clients about their future. They should also be conversant with the remedial measures as detailed in our traditional scriptures.
From the above we find that Vaastu Shastra is not of modern origin but has been a part and parcel of our traditional glorious past.
Before I conclude I would like to touch upon one most important saying from our scriptures:
"kim kurvanthi grahaassarve sanyarkaangaarakaadayah
ekaadasasthe govinde vaasudevekhilaatmani"
"When one's mind is filled with the thoughts of the lord of the universe, Govinda, and one's body is engaged in the service of Vasudeva, what effect can the planets like Saturn, Sun, Mars have on such noble person".
Saint Tyagaraja propounded the same theme in the last century:
"grahamulatho pani yemi raamaanugrahamundaga"
"I have no work with the planets as long as the merciful Sri Rama is with me".
May the Almighty shower his blessings on all of us to understand and interpret such divine sciences in the right perspective and to lead a happy and peaceful life. May this universe be a paradise filled with peace, prosperity and happiness.
Kowtha Lalitha Manohar is the Vice-Chairman of the Indial Council
of Astrological Sciences, Secunderabad Chapter.