What is vastu shastra?
In Sanskrit, Vaastu means to build environment and a surrounding and Shastra means a perfect system or a by-laws. The word Vaastu came from the Vastva, means anything that provides shelter. Vaastu Shastra tells the methods for building any kind of shelter that have congenital environment due to the combined positive effects of the five elements called Panch Mahabhuta. Vaastu Shastra encompasses the techniques to decide directions, placement and positioning of various aspects related to building. If any shelter, be it home, commercial establishment or industrial premise, is built on the guidelines of Vaastu Shastra, if certainly bless the owner with health, wealth, prosperity and happiness.

History Of Vaastu-Shastra
The Vaidic social system and all its elements were based on logical reasons essentially required for the overall welfare of individual. This whole social structure was aimed at defining a proper system that creates synergy between cosmic energies and human shelter. In Vaidic times, the scholars were well-versed with advanced scientific applications known as subhavaastu. After proper permutations and combinations of various elements involved in building construction, suitable directions for everything related to building can be effectively drawn. Each guideline described in Vaastu Shastra is strongly backed by the scientific causes and vivid impacts of natural powers are also explained.

Vaastu Purush- The Demi God
Though Vaastu science has been described by various scholars through different epics, yet the essence and logics are the same. According to the theory of Brihat Samhita, an imaginary person in the form of God called Vaastu Purush or Demi God who governs each house. Vaastu Purush is present in every human dwelling and is responsible for good or bad fortune. Therefore, Vaastu Purush should to be appeased for the betterment of house and its inhabitants. To appease him, sacred ceremonies should be followed. Therefore, the master of any house must always spare the body of the spirit in the course of construction through ignorance of the architects. If any of its several parts were rendered defective, the results for the master could be catastrophic.

Vaastu Mandala
Mandala means configuration, enclosure or network and it is particular to time, place, person and purpose. They are in the holistic tradition of Vedic science, Purusha and Mandala are associated with Vaastu

Vaastu Impact on Geographical Regions
In India, few cities have made praiseworthy progress whereas the others not. For example, Mumbai and Trombay for Bhabha Atomic Research Center have registered tremendous growth. Internationally, Japan has progressed a lot in spite of its small area. All these observations can be explained on the basis of Vaastu Shasta. Pacific Ocean lies on the northeast side of Japan. Again, south and west sides of Japan are also covered with water, which causes natural hazards like frequent earthquakes. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki may even be the result of this situation. Although situated in east, Japan is titled towards the northeast. This is an important property of Vaastu Shastra.

The Concept of Cosmic Energies
There are different Granthas on Vaastu Shastra like Mansar, Vishwakarma Prakash, Samrangan Sutradhar, Vaastu-Ratnavali, Sthapatya Veda, etc. All these are based on the principle of cosmic energies. The scholars at Vaidic times wrote down texts that show influence of various celestial bodies on each other like sun, moon, planets and asteroids as well as light and heat on the earth. They also described about the various scientific and geographical factors such as atmosphere, wind, directions, gravitational forces, Electro magnetic field, etc.

Five Elements – Panch Mahabhutas
Panch Mahabhutas greatly influences life on earth. They are as follows:

Space (Aakash)
Space is most expanded in term of its spread and volume. The unending part of the universe beyond the earth’s atmosphere in which all other planets and stars exist is known as space also referred as outer space.

Fire (Agni)
Fire contains heat energy and is the basis of all energy including solar energy, earth’s inner energy, atomic energy, thermal energy and human energy.

Air (Vayu)
Air is supposed to be life supporting for all living organism. Though very light in nature, it is considered heavier than sun.

Water (Jal)
Rain, river, seas and oceans all represent water. Water constitutes lives on earth and physical life is not possible without water.

Earth (Prithvi)
Earth is said to be a part of sun and it provides space to the living and non-living organisms.

Five Elements in Vaastu Shastra
The Panch Mahabhutas is closely associated with man and the environment. Going against them would lead to destruction. For example, a place or premise is purchased just after considering the monetary aspect and without paying any attention to its usefulness or harmfulness. Therefore, it is good for future to consider the dimensions according to the principles of Vaastu Shastra. Indeed if the plot is purchased using the principles of Vaastu Shastra, the all round growth definitely occurs and the owner gets peace and prosperity. However if the selection goes wrong, it may lead to health problems and financial losses. Mental peace is definitely assured if someone follows the principles of Vaastu Shastra.

Vaastu Science in Indian Tradition
The importance and value of Vaastu science is well recognized by the people since Vaidic time. During Vaidic period, any construction including houses, temples, palaces and recreation halls were built on the ground of Vaastu Vidya. Old masons were well versed on fixing the number of girders or beams by the series like Indra, Yama and Raj, which never ended on Yama. Even today in Indian villages, owners prefer to have east facing premises. It was the general saying in Indian tradition that if a house receive the first morning sun rays, it is blessed with prosperity and all round growth.

Muhurat & Their Significance
In Vaidic system, all the days, dates & time are classified in Muhurtas that provides details about useful and useless impacts of times and periods. Muhurtas decides the time to start any auspicious occasion. As for example, Dev-Shayan period means the period or months when the Deities take their rest and willing to be calm and undisturbed. Therefore, this time is not advised to start digging of land or construction of buildings. The Muhurat have their own logics. For example, four months of rainy season are not very comfortable to start with a new construction related project work. In Muhurat, this four months period is thought to be the DEV SHAYAN period. The weather in this period also registers high humidity and heat. Again, only this season brings floods, muddy ways and water logging. The brick kilns are not operative during this period too.

Vaastu Application for Built-up Areas
Applying Vaastu principles are feasible without demolition. There is a general opinion that Vaastu correction cannot take place without demolition, but it is not the actual case. One needs not to bring in complete structural changes. Though Vaastu application is extremely easy in the planning stage of a project, yet fully constructed buildings can also be modified using the principles of Vaastu.

Muhurat & Their Significance
In Vaidic system, all the days, dates & time are classified in Muhurtas that provides details about useful and useless impacts of times and periods. Muhurtas decides the time to start any auspicious occasion. As for example, Dev-Shayan period means the period or months when the Deities take their rest and willing to be calm and undisturbed. Therefore, this time is not advised to start digging of land or construction of buildings. The Muhurat have their own logics. For example, four months of rainy season are not very comfortable to start with a new construction related project work. In Muhurat, this four months period is thought to be the DEV SHAYAN period. The weather in this period also registers high humidity and heat. Again, only this season brings floods, muddy ways and water logging. The brick kilns are not operative during this period too.

Vastu for selection of plot
Vastu advice is essential while selecting a plot, be it a residential or a commercial vastu. The selection of the land is the primary stage, hence it is very crucial. If one gets a vastu positive plot, he shall be able to enjoy a prosperous life. In a positive vaastu plot, the building is constructed very fast and without any hindrances whereas the negative plot first takes years to construct, it has multiple litigation and monetary problems and causes lot of health, wealth and harmony related problems in the life of owner. It is non but your vastu consultant who saves from such indecent happenings.

Vastu for Main gate
The main gate is known to be the opening or the mouth of a house. The main gate should be located in one of the any opening of a SWASTIK or Saatiya (a symbol of lord Ganesha) made imaginary on the plot. This plays a vital role in Vastu science.

Vastu for entrance door
Quite similar to the main gate in the boundary wall, the entrance door vastu also plays a vital role in defining the comforts and discomforts of the inmates living in the abode. If the internal doors of each bedroom, kitchen, toilets, store, staircase, etc. shall be in a vastu-positive area, then all the members shall enjoy good health and career growth in the house. So it is a must to take the vastu guidelines from a good vastu adviser who shall define the entry-doors of each room.

Vastu for other internal doors
According to Vastu science, total number of doors and windows also play a vital part in deciding vastu factors emphasizing on the inlets of positive cosmic vibrations and at the same time – blocking of the negative energies. Vastu defines a certain thumb rule to decide the location, direction, size, shape & material for each door. Ignorance of the above confronts the main purpose of Vastu benefit.

Vastu for windows
The total number of windows also plays a vital part in deciding vastu factors emphasizing on the inlets of positive cosmic vibrations and at the same time – blocking of the negative energies. Similarly Vastu for windows is also an important topic in Vedic Vastu shastra because windows are the part of a building that can receive various types of energies in the form of air, light, sun rays, freshness & view etc. Hence it should be decided at the time of making drawings for exterior walls and managing natural lights arrangements for each area, especially Pooja place & all the retiring or bedrooms.

Vastu for bedroom
Vastu is a detailed science that speaks about the bedroom of each person living in the house. For example, the seniors should be placed in the Nairutya direction of the house located in south-west direction. Similarly other should also sleep in their Vastu defined area only.

Vastu for drawing room
This is the key area where the family members pass some time together and discuss various happenings of the day. Not only the above, this is the place where all of us re-charge the fuel of life to our body. So if the food shall be positive, we shall have the positive health.

Vastu for Pooja room
Pooja place or worship place for home carries the utmost value to define the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual status of all the inmates living in the abode. We get peace of mind from a positive or Sakaratmak Pooja place.

Vastu for toilets:
The toilets should be away from the residence, but in today’s scenario, it has entered into our house and gradually set adjacent to our bedrooms. It is a negative vibration part of a house, hence one should be much careful while building a toilet in the house. Ensure that it should be in the negative directions of the premises located in southern or western sectors.

Vastu for guest room
We expect the regard and value from our formal and informal society. So we need to arrange the guest room in such a manner that the outsides, our relatives and friends admire us and give us due regards. Not only the above, the guest while staying at our house should remain cheerful, happy, contended and relaxed at our home. Therefore the guest room should also be made positive with the help of detailed guidelines explained hereafter.

Vastu for kitchen
The kitchen is a place where the source of our life-positive energy is cooked for whole of the family. The food be cooked good for everyone’s health, then kitchen matters. Its direction, location & internal positioning & placement like Sink, Slab, Gas stove, facing, Fridge, Washing Machine etc. all are of high importance, says Vastu consultant Dr. Anand Bhardwaj.

Vastu for Business & Corporate House
Under the title of Vastu for business & corporate house, we shall discuss all the building aspects for better profits and performance. The key result area in Vastu terminology is defined here under:-

Vastu for Director’s office
The Director of a corporate house or a business house should be so designed, defined and placed that he is always in powerful position than any one else in the entire business house. He should be placed in the most dominating & strongest area so that he may convince every one in the premises. So, vastu defines the most dominating area in the business house. This is a must for smooth running of the business.

Vastu for main gate
Entrance is the part of building or boundary wall vastu from which every one enters and exits. If all the staff members shall enter in the premises from a Vaastu positive gate, then only we can have optimum performance and make their better use. Human recourses is the key factor in the business house or corporate house which may lead the business to extreme heights, but on the other hand if the HRD is weaker, the results are not fruitful. Therefore it is a must that everyone enters from a positive entrance, defined as per vastu.

Vastu for entrance door
Similar to the main entrance in the boundary wall, the entrance door vastu also plays a vital role in defining the comforts and discomforts of the fact as to how to increase business profitability. If the internal doors of each chamber, cubicle, partition etc. shall be in a vastu-positive area, then only the output shall be increased. So it is a must to take the vastu guidelines from a good vastu adviser who shall define the entry-doors of each room or chamber.

Vastu for windows
The total number of windows also play a vital part in deciding vastu factors emphasizing on the inlets of positive cosmic vibrations and at the same time – blocking of the negative energies. Similarly Vastu for windows is also an important topic in Vedic Vastu shastra because windows are the part of a building that can receive various types of energies in the form of air, light, sun rays, freshness & view. Hence it should be decided at the timew of making drawings for exterior walls and managing natural lights arrangements for each area, room, chamber, hall or cubicle.

Ratio of industrial plot’s length & width
This is a very common term used by the vasthu consultants that the ratio of length and breadth of a plot puts a long term impact on the people. It should be in a balanced ratio as per Vastu advice. Too long premises are not appreciated as per Vastu. Similarly, too broad plots are also considered to be unbalanced.

Vastu for productivity
If north-south line of premises receives the positive vibrations, the productivity increases. On the other hand, if there is any negative vibes in north-east to south west, the productivity decreases. A perfect Vastu advice comprises all the precautions to retain the sanctity of north-east so that there should be no loss to the business.

Vastu to stop accidents
Vaastu says that each workman working on the machine, should be so aligned with the directions that he not only produces a good quantity of production, but also he feels safe, secured and protected from any thing wrong that may impact his personal, family or financial life. Therefore “Industrial Safety & Health, Act 1948” has defined certain parameters. One should follow them. Along with the above, Vastu defines the proper facing and layout of each machine in terms of its weight, size, function and productivity. If one follows the Vastu guidelines, the business avoid accidents.

Vastu for stable business
Though ups & down are the uncalculated factors of life, even than every business man wants the stability factor in his business. It is believed in Vastu science that if a director or CEO is placed in perfectly the most dominant area, his second in command sits in the second most powerful direction and junior & staff are located in their respective third stable area or direction,

Vastu for meeting room
Meeting room is a small or middle sized chamber, cubicle or cabin, mostly made with see through material like glass. Here routine small or inter departmental meetings are held. Normally, if such cabin is located near the reception area, then it is for outsiders, customers, clients and other such general meets. In all the cases if this area is built as per vastu tenets, it receives the positive environment. Not only the above, the company’s representatives and officers are advised the most dominating chairs and outsider is advised to use the comparatively weaker direction so that the outsider may not suppress our representative.

Vastu for machines
Machines are the most important component of an industrial site. Vastu suggestions are always helpful to us in avoiding unwanted breakdown in the machines. At the same time, it is expected from a perfect & experienced Vastu consultant that he shall chalk out the proper position of each machine being used and to be used in future. The excellent output of machines is expected for a good industrial growth. Various machines being used to produce the target items i.e. products. These can be heavy, medium or light machines. The size and weight are the key factors to be decided while deciding the place or area of those machines in Vastu science

Vastu for commercial sites
This also includes all the precautions, points & areas of attention as mentioned in the heading of vastu for corporate house. But in commercial sites like running or controlling of a shopping mall, the main office or site office is of the topmost priority. This office should be so aligned with positive cosmic and telluric vibes that the owner of the site feels delighted while sitting in his chair. Not only the above, he should have such confidence that he can command over all the staff and juniors working for him. This is necessary because if the site office is located in the weaker direction as defined in Vastu shastra, the success shall always carry a question mark. Hence all the precautions be taken care.

Vastu for factories and industries:
As discussed in details under the title of vastu for corporate houses, all the precautions should be taken in deciding the factory layout, its machines, raw material, director’s office, pantry, canteen, finishing area, excise bond room, finished goods area, Labour rest room, etc. In fixing up different area inside the factory the main office of the CEO is of the topmost priority. This office should be so aligned with positive cosmic and telluric vibes that the owner of the factory feels delighted while sitting in his chair. Not only the above, he should have such confidence that he can command over all the staff and juniors working for him. This is necessary because the growth of an industry or growth of a factory mainly depends upon the volume of sale. Hence all the precautions be taken care while deciding different departments including accounts and finance.

Vastu for interiors
Modern architecture needs a lot of efforts in making the interior of a house or commercial complex decent. This art concentrates on making the interior so pleasing that the entire area fills with lot of positive vibes. It should be refreshing, soothing & matching with the kind of business. The texture of interior should be so attractive that everyone appreciates it. But, at the same time if we have spent a large amount in the interior that looks good but does not promote business. If a bedroom has an interior against the vastu tenets, it may spoil the health of the inmates. Hence Vastu advisor should be a part of discussion while deciding upon the layout or drawing of interiors.

Vastu for Map or drawing
Professional architects need a lot of efforts in making the layout plan of a house or commercial complex, best suited to the requirement. Not only this, they take care to incorporate government bylaws. This art concentrates on making the exterior, interior and rooms sizes and location, most handy and practical to use. Setting of all the above in consultation with vastu tunes the house and inmates so much pleasing that the entire area fills with lot of positive vibes. It should be refreshing, soothing & matching with the needs and size of the residents. The same case is also with the vastu for drawing of a commercial complex or a business house. The size, location and shape of all the rooms and facilities should be so helpful that everyone easily uses and appreciates it. But, at the same time if we have spent a large amount in the building structure that looks good but does not help the family in gaining good health, wealth and harmony. If a bedroom has an interior against the vastu tenets, it may spoil the health of the inmates. Hence Vastu advisor should be a part of discussion while deciding upon the layout or drawing of interiors. In tune to the above, if an office is designed as per vastu tenets, it shall promote the business.