Importance of Vastu Vidya (Article)

INTRODUCTION

Man has no separated life. The life of all flora and fauna is totally inter related. According to sacred books of Vedas, "Yatra Viswam Bhavathyeka Needam" i.e. this universe is situated as a bird nest. The exceptional universal outlook of Vasthu Vidya is derived from the Theory of Advaitha. This thought will elevate our mind beyond the modern Chaos Theory and Uncertainty Theory.

Today is an age of specialization and architecture has metamorphosised into several disciplines. This has resulted into fragmented approach and disruption of age-old traditions; the insular thinking is due to present changing socio-cultural structure-from rural to urban, from social to economic and from community to individualistic. Architecture has, usually, not been able to recognize the social, economic, environmental and other changes that are taking place in the country. There is a widespread restlessness and lack of psychological fulfillment, in spite of higher level of physical comfort. The people are searching for alternatives to these problems in a rather simple manner and adopting geometric patterns and codes of the so-called Science of Vasthu. However, due to the growing awareness, it has other side also. Architecture is in the process of precipitation and there is a strong urge to relate architecture to metaphysical and psychic experience. With the renewed interest in heritage of Science of Vasthu, the scholars and architects are studying and exploring the traditional Indian literature.

VASTU VIDYA

Vastu vidya is the knowledge evolved as a result of our unrelenting enquiry into the need of planning and constructing habitats. Although the term Vastu vidya is a common term for the most of the population, much of the basic concepts of it are shrouded in mystery and perhaps lie hidden in the complicated terminologies and practices of architecture.

In the context of modern times with varied building requirements, vast developments in materials, techniques and in the changing socio cultural values the rigid canonical approach of vastu vidya may appear impractical and outdated. But an enquiry of this ancient science will help us to get an insight into the development of this ancient architecture and possibly integrate this traditionally evolved system with the present day practice.

The word "vastu" means the physical environment and the term "vidya" means knowledge. So, in a simplified form, vastu vidya means the knowledge of the physical environment around us.

Vastu is one of the oldest forms of architectural science. It dates back thousands of years to the Vedic ages. The main function of vastu is to ensure the harmonious balance of the five basic elements within an enclosed space. The five basic elements are Earth, Fire, Wind, Sky and Water. According to the tenets of vastu, if these five elements are in balance, then the people living and working in those spaces will have a balanced life as well.

The sages in ancient times set down very specific rules and regulations concerning each and every aspect of architecture. From the buying of the land to the actual construction - there are guidelines for it all. In the old days, builders and architects were expected to follow all the rules of vastu to build structures that were free of any negative energy.

The main principle of vastu is to maintain a balanced union with the nature around us. According to vastu, there are positive and negative energies all over the earth. These energies are constantly interconnecting with each other and for a balance to be maintained, they have to be evenly distributed.

In the modern age, we are slowly beginning to realise that there is a close connection between our environment and our physical, mental and spiritual health. We are constantly stressed out because of the enormous amount of pressure that we are faced with - at home, in office or in everyday routine life. To combat this stress, the vastu principles can be applied to our home or office. It will be useful to know the history of vastu vidya with the principles of vastu for a better understanding of it.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF VASTU VIDYA

Vastu vidya, the ancient architectural science, was first mentioned in the Indian holy texts called The Vedas. More specifically, it was mentioned in the Stapatya Veda, which is a part of the Atharva Veda. The Vedas are more than five thousand years old. The sages in those times plotted the course of the sun and set down rules that governed each and every aspect of building temples and royal palaces. It was only later that these rules grew to encompass buildings of every kind.

The word vastu is derived from the word vastoshpati which is found in the Rig Veda. This concept is aimed at the preserving the happiness, health and prosperity of human beings in this life and the afterlife. Vastu also believes in the existence of the Vastu Purush, the god who resides in all buildings. The main function of vastu is to maintain the balance that we have with everything around us.

The science of vastu spread to other parts of Asia, including Japan where it became the basis for the development of Feng Shui. In India, proof of the existence of vastu can be found in many sacred texts and epics. The Ramayana and Mahabharata mention buildings that were constructed according to vastu principles. Vastu was also used for the buildings in the Indus Valley Civilization. Excavations at Harappa and Mohenjadaro are proof of this.

The first official thesis on Vastu was written by the sage Kasyapa. It was called the Kasyapa Silpa. A dissertation called the Agama Shastra talks about how vastu can be used for any type of construction. Vastu shastra, being a technical science, was initially taught only to architects. The architects passed the knowledge through the generations verbally and by written monographs.

Ancient Buddhist texts also mention vastu. In fact, Lord Buddha talks about how overseeing the work on the construction of a building is one of the duties of a monk. Monasteries, multi storey buildings, workplaces and residences were built using vastu principles.

Apart from the solar movements, vastu also places importance on the eight directions and the five basic elements. The directions are north, south, east, west, north-west, north-east, south-west and south-east. The elements are earth, wind, fire, water and sky. Vastu believes that if there is a balance between all these elements, then we will have a happy and prosperous life. The balance in our outer surroundings will bring balance to our inner selves.

ECO FRIENDLY ARCHITECTURE

Vasthu Vidya is relying out and out on the eco-friendly bio-human methods. It prefers human experience to mechanical engineering when it begins by checking the soil, simply by tasting it. It will convince you that water is but the blood of earth. Like the blood circulating through nerves lying downwards and upwards in parts of the human body, the water circulating through the internal nerves of the earth. Here the earth is not an object of consuming; but a pulsating life!

Vasthu Vidya suggests various eco friendly building materials. It rejects the terrible and harmful 'concrete culture'. Vasthu Vidya pleads for diversity in this matter according to geographical peculiarities of plots. Vasthu Vidya insists on land fertility and environmental pleasure. 'Green Belt' is a modern idea in European thought; but it has been practicing for centuries by Vasthu Vidya. There is a concept of planting the Tamarind Tree in the south direction of the house. So, that it checks and absorbs the strong flow of solar wind. Some new Indian studies have also proved the scientific basis of this outlook. This is the time of terrible environmental pollution. There is hole appears in the ozone layer, which helps the earth to protect it from the dangerous rays of the sun. Here Vasthu Vidya shows a path of salvation.

VASTU AND SCIENCE

Vastu is the scientific study Of directions, which aims at utilizing the natural energies that are available free of cost, for the benefit of humans, by creating an equilibrium between man and material. As a science, it extracts the positive energy from the natural elements of the universe - the panchbhootas, namely, earth, water, air, sun and sky. It all these five elements, for creating a congenial setting or a place to live or work in, in most the scientific way, exploiting the benefits bestowed by the five basic elements. The equilibrium in nature can be easily seen among all the moving bodies by the human beings, but unfortunately they are unable to see such equilibrium in a static body. Vastu shastra aims at guiding construction in such a way that establishes the equilibrium, so that there is no hindrance to the flow of magnetic waves, from the North Pole to South Pole. It is believed that creating such a balance helps people avoid various calamities, diseases, accidents, etc, which might have occurred otherwise. Vastu is an old practice that was evolved by learned men of the past, for the welfare of mankind. It is a vast field of study that lays down certain principles, paving way for good health, wealth and prosperity to enter our house. The principles of Vastu, which were laid down in the ancient times, are purely based on the effect of sunrays during different times of the day. They continue to be used by people till date, while undertaking any form of construction, to keep everything in equilibrium.

The theories of vastu have also been scientifically proven. We know now that the earth's magnetic poles have an influence on us. We also know that there is something called the Natural Law which is responsible for all life in the universe. Vastu complies with all these theories. It ensures that our houses and offices are built in such a way that we make the best of all the positive energies present around us and reduces our exposure to negative energies.

Vastu principles are based on the theories of electromagnetism. The amazing thing is that these principles were developed thousands of years before electromagnetism was discovered!

Apart from noise, water and air, electromagnetism is another pollutant in our environment. None of us can really escape from it. Vastu plays an important role by using space to decrease our exposure to this magnetism. More space helps in reducing electromagnetism. Emphasis is also placed on the different directions and the five main elements of earth, water, air, fire and sky.

The wise men in ancient times studied the movements of the sun and laid down very specific rules regarding the construction of any structure. The eight directions - north, south, east, west, north-east, north-west, south-east and south-west, are very important in vastu.

The principles of vastu are also based on the balance of the five basic elements - earth, sky, water, fire and wind. Earth symbolizes the stability of the mind and body. Fire symbolizes energy. Water symbolizes purity. Air symbolizes movement and space represents creativity.

As modern researchers dug deep into the theory of the Unified Field of Natural Law, they found that vastu is in complete accordance with the Natural Law. This Law is the intelligence that guides the evolution of every single atom in the universe. It is the architect of all life in the universe. Vastu is a natural extension of this Law. It helps support Natural Law and enables us to have a better quality of life.

REFERENCES

Monier-Williams, Monier, revised by E. Leumann, C. Cappeller, et al. A Sanskrit-English Dictionary 1899, Clarendon Press, Oxford

D. N. Shukla, Vastu-Sastra: Hindu Science of Architecture, Munshiram Manoharial Publishers, 1993

B. B. Puri, Applied vastu shastra in modern architecture, Vastu Gyan Publication, 1997

Vibhuti Chakrabarti, Indian Architectural Theory: Contemporary Uses of Vastu Vidya Routledge, 1998

Building Architecture of Sthapatya veda, Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati

Fabric of The Universe: The Origins, Implications, and Application of Vastu Science and Vaastu Science and Technology, Dr. Jessie Mercay