What is Vaastu Shastra?
Vaastu Shastra – Science or Fiction
Vaastu Shastra is a science that traces its roots to ancient India. It is related to construction technology and makes use of procedures to design buildings that are environmentally friendly. The factors that are considered in the design aspects include the natural environment surrounding the construction site, cosmic energy, electromagnetic waves and gravitational forces within the universe.
Origin of Vaastu Shastra:
When one attempts to trace the origins of Vaastu Shastra, it is seen that the science has been mentioned in different perspectives in most ancient Hindu texts and scriptures. The fountain of Hindu religion, the Vedas, has referred to Vaastu in some form or the other. Vaastu Shastra has been said to offer a path one can take to achieve happiness, although it is not the only path to achieve the same. Effective usage of this science dates back to norms of town planning used in the Indus Valley Civilization, with specific reference to ancient cities like Harappa and Mohenjodaro. In those ancient times, people made use of astronomical knowledge to finalize the location and direction of different buildings used for specific purposes.
Essential ingredients of the Science:
Vaastu Shastra tries to encompass all matters that influence human life. The main role of this science is to ensure that these matters interact with each other in a positive, proportionate and harmonious manner. Significant importance is given by this science to all factors that have the power to govern human life. The essential ingredients that constitute Vaastu Shastra are aesthetic outlook and artistic view of things.
Role in Modern Architecture:
As is known by all, the primary aim of modern architecture is to ensure that the structure is functionally effective as well as provides physical comfort to its inhabitants. Vaastu, on the other hand, strives to ensure that the inhabitants of the constructed building enjoy prosperity, happiness and good health. So while contemporary architecture focuses on physical happiness, Vaastu focuses both on physical as well as mental happiness of the residents. Hence, it is necessary that these two are combined while building any structure in order to get fullest result for the inhabitants.
Matching of the two worlds:
Through Vaastu Shastra, the physical and abstract worlds are equitably and properly matched for constructing the best dwelling possible. The Physical world pertains to basic construction aspects including construction equipment, building material, estimated costs, time for completion as well as the labor quantity and type. However, it is the Abstract world that happens to be a mysterious and complex science. These are a combination of a number of small things that are not visible to the eyes, but have to be experienced. Some factors that are related to the Abstract world include traditions, religions, effects of the five natural elements (water, air, fire, sky, and earth), geomagnetic and related fields, eight directions, influence of the planetary positions and the likes.
Importance of directions in Vaastu Shastra:
One of the key factors that forms the basis of Vaastu Shastra is its relationship to directions. North-East is the most favored direction in Vaastu Shastra as it indicates the position of ‘Heaven’; hence it is considered that the stressful energies are least concentrated here. The exact opposite direction i.e. ‘South-West’ refers to the positioning of ‘Hell’. Deficiencies, pertaining to directions that exist in any construction structure, are effectively tackled in Vaastu Shastra using symbols, light and sound, colors etc.
Vaastu has great scientific relevance:
The credentials of Vaastu Shastra can be established from the fact that it involves mathematical formulae, attributed to Pythagoras and Archimedes. However, similar concepts are found in ancient scriptures, written at a time period much before the birth of these mathematicians. Microscopic effects that are documented in Vaastu are similar to modern concepts that we study in electromagnetism, particle physics, radiation, gravitation and biophysics.
Conclusion:
The science of Vaastu Shastra is witnessing a revival of some sort in modern times. This revival is being attributed to the growing consciousness amongst people to dwell in harmony with the natural environment. However, the science is being used in broader perspective these days and research is being extensively done on this subject, combining it with other ancient science forms including Astrology, Yogashastra, Mantra and Tantra.
