Indian Vastu Shastra
Introduction
Introduction
Vastu Shastra or Vastu, the science of Indian architecture is an integral part of the Vedas, the knowledge books of ancient India. The Vedas are said to be Apourusheya or that which cannot be dated. However we can safely date back the Vedas to about 6000 years. In fact Vastu Shastra also known as Sthapatya Veda is said to be a minor veda of one of the four Vedas, Atharva Veda. Vastu is both a science and art and aims at making human habitation not only a thing of beauty and joy but more importantly, it provides in the long run a level of comfort, delight and happiness to the inhabitants.
Glory of Indian Architecture
Indian architecture was seen in its glory and referred to as the Golden Age during the reign of the Guptas (300 to 600), Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, Chalukyas and most importantly, during the period of the Vijayanagar empire (1336 to 1646). It was during the reign of these kings that great temples and temple-towns were built. Their outstanding contributions include the temple-town of Madurai which houses the Meenakshi temple complex in its center, the temples of Mahabalipuram (near Chennai) and Siva temple at Kanchi, the imposing Tanjavur Brihadeeswara temple, the temple complex of Chidambaram, the temples of Hampi and the Chennakesava temple at Belur and Halebidu. The wealth, grandeur and the engineering skills of the Indians are very much reflected in the forts, palaces and temples of India such as the Fort of Agra, Red Fort of Delhi and the Golconda Fort of Hyderabad, the Jaipur and Mysore palaces and the gigantic temples hewn out of the huge rocks of Elephanta, Ellora and Ajanta.
Framework
The classical works referred to above speak of a set of formulae called Ayadi Shadvarga. Every site and building is said to have life and hence, has to be built to perfect proportions based on certain formulae. When a building is so constructed, it contributes to the health, harmony and happiness of the residents.
The science of Vastu takes into primary consideration the energies radiating from the four directions viz., North, East, South and West. It explains in simple but in an effective manner the selection of site, construction of a residence, apartment, business complex, hospital complex, educational complex, homes for the senior citizens and handicapped, etc. as well as the placement of various rooms in these buildings. It also extends to such fields as construction of ports, townships or cities.
Vastu is more than the science of architecture. It also encompasses the science of cosmology, astronomy, metaphysics, geography and geology. The cosmological aspect is best illustrated by observing the solar system. In the vast universe, apart from the earth that we live in, there are many other systems, including planetary systems, which influence or impact human lives. The astronomical aspect is best demonstrated by the Ayadi shadvarga or six formulae that are used in defining the various measurements of temples and residences.
The metaphysical aspect is best understood when one becomes aware of the importance of drawing the Vastu Purusha mandala or plan before a building construction is initiated. The mandala symbolizes the metaphysical principle of the all-encompassing celestial energies. Coming to the geographical and geological facets of Vastu Shastra, the ancient texts saw the importance of studying the topography of the land and the surroundings apart from studying the whole universe with its array of stars, planets, continents, rivers, seas, mountains etc. The examination of soil in terms of sound, touch, smell, taste and color highlight the geological aspects of this great science. In a nutshell, within the framework of Vastu Shastra, information and knowledge from a variety of subjects are included.
Vastu Sastra can also be defined as the science of energy that turns into material form. Einstein’s theory E = mc2 is reflected in this ancient science. The cosmic energies are converted into material benefits for the residents of the Vastu-based home. Vastu Sastra helps us to live in harmony with Nature. It converts living spaces in a particular order that sets an equation between cosmic energies and the people living in the building to ensure physical, spiritual and material well-being. It creates a rhythm and balance in the building to ensure a qualitatively better life for the inmates.
Although deeply concerned with the panchamahabhootas or the five primary elements of Nature viz., earth, water, fire, wind and space, and their balancing, it takes into cognizance the various other known and unknown cosmic energies. The ancients deeply understood these energies and tried to harness their positive influences on human life by a methodical placement of doors and windows, rooms, hearths and ovens, water bodies, open space in and around a building, landscaping etc.
The ancient masters on Vastu had tremendous knowledge about engineering and other sciences. Varahamihira talks about the different building materials like sila or stone and ishtika or brick. Much importance is laid on the strength and stability of the house when he says that the thickness of the wall should be 1/16th the width of the house. The recommendation of a certain thickness of the wall was, perhaps, based on the fact that the load distribution of bricks was through comprehensive or load bearing strength and not tensile strength which is negligible.
Varahamihira also tells us it is auspicious to have the same height as the breadth of the house. Could this mean that he was not only emphasising the aesthetic beauty of a building but also saw the necessity of a proper and optimum distribution of loads acting on the wall ?
Brihat Samhita
A building becomes majestic if it has massive supporting pillars. The strength aspect is emphasized when Brihat Samhita says that the thickness of the main beam should be the same as that of the pillar. The pillars are described as being divided into several parts, each part being carved with various designs and few at the bottom being worked in gold. Here, apart from the strength of the pillars the aesthetic beauty is brought into focus. There is also the mention of minor beams relating to the modern secondary and tertiary beams*.
Let us consider the general Vastu theory that the North and East should be free and open. The morning rays of the Sun are a known source of positive energies and probably, our seers wanted these rays to flood the house and benefit the inmates. It is also precisely for this reason that the bathroom where one takes one’s bath every morning, is also recommended in the east. Similarly, the placement of the prayer/meditation room in the North-east and the kitchen in the South-east were also related to the fact that the morning rays are as much required by the house-wife in the kitchen as by the elders in the prayer/meditation room.
Similarly, the location of water bodies in the North-east could, perhaps, be related to the need of having water available near the fire ovens in the South-east kitchen in case of any fire hazards.
Another aspect of the scientific thinking of our ancients is reflected in the position one is advised to sleep.
It is normally recommended for people to sleep with their heads to the south. The human body is said to have the ability to acquire the property of magnetism because there is a large percentage of iron in the blood circulating all over out body. The feet for the most part of the day are in contact with this huge magnet. The South polarity is said to be induced in the feet and consequently North polarity, in the head. This arrangement of poles in the human body is natural to it and, therefore, conducive to health.
Hospitals, nursing homes, mental asylums etc. can expect to have faster recovery of their patients if they insist that the patients lie with their heads to the South.
The Vastu Mandala or grid is given importance not only for the structure but also for certain daily activities like sitting for food etc.
Every human being has a definite energy pattern or vital force around his body, normally called the aura. Depending on the evolution of each individual, this energy-flow round the body is weak or strong. The ancients felt that whenever a person sat for food within a square traced on the floor (or a wooden peeta or platform) without touching his neighbour, the aura or the vital force would not be disturbed.. The non-disturbance of the aura would actively assist in proper digestion of food, thereby keeping the individual in good health. Many traditional families, even to this day, squat on the floor and have their food sitting in a pre-drawn Mandala, not touching each other.
The same reasoning can be extended to explain why most Indians prefer to do the Namsakaram (form of greeting with both palms pressed together and raised to the chest) rather than shake hands with others and dissipate their energies.
Energy Fields
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Vastu refers to the form of construction of the house and the energies or force called into existence by the arrangements made and the materials used in the construction. The subtle results, affected by the energy interaction of the various materials, though not obvious to the naked eye do exist. Any malefic tendencies they may produce could harm the occupants of the house or building, and they need to be neutralized or counteracted.
Vastu takes into account natural calamities like earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones, floods, etc. when it tells us about ways and means of construction. Vastu speaks of soil evaluation before construction begins. A foundation of a building is much more than a combination of bricks, mortar, concrete, steel etc. Laying a foundation was a symbolic homage to Mother Earth by man and every possible care to strengthen it was necessary.
Depth of Foundation
Vastu particularly speaks of depth of a foundation (bhumilamba). Teatises on Vastu Sastra have customarily advised a foundation that is equal to a man’s stature plus his length of hand. Today’s engineers tell us that six to seven feet of foundation is necessary for a normal height building to be firm and secure. Our masters also highlighted the importance of the base (adhishtana) being as high as the foundation.
Vastu highlights the importance of pillars and columns in making a building strong. Decreasing heights for each floor of the building are recommended. During an earthquake or other natural calamities such a designed building could sway but may not fall.
Earthquakes themselves do not kill people, but badly constructed buildings do. Importance to every aspect of foundation including the materials used is given. Vastu stress the need to vibe with Nature by using construction materials like bricks (Ishtika), stones (Sila) and wood. Wood can be the basic material not only for doors, windows, and cabinets but also for structures too. In fact it is commonly known in engineering that wood absorbs shock evenly and a house built out of wood is unlikely to collapse. Wood and steel are said to be ductile and less prone to seismic disturbances.
Importance of spacing out buildings
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An area is divided into four concentric zones. The inner zone is Brahma, the next is Daiva, the third zone is Manushya and the fourth zone is Paisacha. Construction is approved in the Daiva and Manushya zones and totally disapproved of in the Paisacha zone. In modern times, it means we segregate the main building from the compound by sufficient distance. Modern Engineering tells us that adjacent buildings should be separated by sufficient distance to prevent hammering each other in case of seismic disturbances!
Structural and Sital Shapes
Another important uncompromising thumb rule of is the shape of a structure. Recommended shapes are square, rectangular, circular and other regular shapes. Irregular shapes have been prohibited. The square (Chaturasra) is the fundamental, essential and perfect form of Indian Architecture. A square presupposes the circle and in fact results from it. Expanding energy shapes the circle from the center and then establishes itself in the shape of a square. In a square, the primary elements of Nature (Pancha Mahabhootas) are also said to be in perfect balance We find today’s engineering principles telling us that geometric shapes like squares, rectangles and triangles disperse seismic forces equally in all directions and are therefore safe in the case of natural calamities. Irregular shapes result in uneven distribution of forces thereby making buildings prone to collapse!
Disturbing Energy Directions
Generally Vastu refers to the energies from the north-west and south-east as disturbing energies It is pertinent to note here that the earlier earthquakes of Gujarat, India and Seattle, USA took place in the northwest of the respective countries.
The earthquake in Indonesia at the fag end of the year 2004 devastated crores worth of property and killed more than 1,50,000 people spread across 12 nations. The tidal waves that were generated moved along the north-west—south-east diagonal to hit India and Sri Lanka. The powerful earthquake that rocked parts of Pakistan and India recently and caused enormous damage to lives and property also occurred to the northwest of India.
Floor plans
Thirty-two plans for construction are elaborated. These plans are called Vastu Purusha mandalas beginning from the single cell mandala known as the Sakala to the 1024 cell mandala called indrakanta. The sakala is recommended for homa kundas or fire altars and the indrakanta for planning of towns and cities.
The paramasyika mandala or the 81 module plan is ideal for modern buildings. The centre nine modules of the mandala relate to the brahmasthana and the central module is called brahmanabhi or brahma bindu.
The Vastu Purusha mandala is divided into four concentric zones. The central zone is called the Brahmastana or the space corresponding to total awareness. The next three zones are daiva, manushya and paisacha zones and are said to denote enlightenment, consciousness and grossness, respectively. The terms daiva, manushya and paisacha perhaps denote the energy flow pattern which begins from the centre or brahmabindu which is the point of awareness and flows outward as three basic Gunas viz. sattwa, rajasa and tamasa. A building structure is normally recommended in the Daiva and Manushya zones.
Vastu is particularly concerned with the panchamahabhootas and studies the five elements viz. earth, water, fire, wind and cosmic space. The plan used is the Peeta Mandala or the module plan that also identies the four cardinal directions as relating the the four Vedas. Proper selection of a site, placement of water bodies, cooking areas, hearth and ovens, doors and windows and open space within the building and in the plot are said to infuse life energy.
Selection of Site
Selection of a site is of prime importance. Sites and the buildings in them should be oriented to the cardinal directions, viz., North, East, South and West. Rectangular or square sites are best. Avoid irregular shapes. Sites sloping down towards north and east contribute to health and happiness. Sital growth in the southwest, southeast and northwest are normally not recommended. Corner sites are better avoided.
Building Material
Foundations were built with two types of bricks — Stone bricks (Sila) and Baked bricks (Ishtika). Different sizes based on the need are suggested and those laid out in specific directions were identified with certain seed syllables. While the foundation was exclusively built of stone and/or brick, the walls were built of wood and mud too.
Landscaping
Gardening or landscaping has been connected closely with town planning and house building. Ancient masters have laid down certain guidelines for planting and placement of trees.
Directional Colors
Colors can also be used based on directions. Colors can be used in a variety of ways. Colors have the strength to either depress or exhilarate and play a very important role in health and happiness. Interfacing colrs with certain basic Vastu guidelines will enhance the quality of one’s life.
Importance of the Main Door
The placement of the main door is extremely important. Divide each side into nine parts. The exalted zone would be the fourth from your right as you face the building. A door each in the exalted zone of each direction with an unbroken verandah is said to be the best and fit for Kings and Gods.
The importance of auspicious time comes into play at four stages of construction, viz., a) laying the foundation, b) creation of the of the water area, c) installing the main door and d) entering the completed house.
Summing up, the ancient masters of Indian architecture took into account all aspects of celestial and terrestrial nature — cosmological, philosophical, metaphysical, astronomico-astrological, geographical and geological— to make man live in harmony with Nature and Her laws!
Our architects and engineers have just to take what our Vedic seers have handed over to us on a platter and apply it to the modern buildings and layouts so that the residents live in security, safety and happiness.