What is Vaastu Shastra?

Which are the traditional texts which discuss Vaastu Shastra ?

Are there any modern books on Vaastu Shastra ?

What is meant by Vaastu Purusha ?

Is there any relationship between Vaastu and Astrology ?

Is Vaastu applicable only to residences or to other types of buildings also ?

Is Vaastu applicable to the building of towns also ?

What is the role of geographic directions in designing buildings ?

What are the prescriptions for the size of a dwelling ?

What should be the shape of a plot ?

Which direction should the plot face ?

In which direction should the plot of land slope ?

Where should the well or water sump be located ?

Where should the tap in the garden be located ?

Where should the main entrance of the building be located ?

What is brahmastahna ?

Where should the master bed room be ?

Where should the kitchen be ?

Where should the puja room be ?

Where should the guest room be ?

What is Vaastu Shastra ?

Vaastu Shastra is the ancient art and science of building.

Which are the traditional texts which discuss Vaastu Shastra ?

There are many age old books on Vaastu Shastra. Some of them are Samarangana Sutradhara, Mayamata, Manasara, Matsya Purana, Brihat Samhita, etc.

Are there any modern books on Vaastu Shastra ?

In the last few years many modern authors have written on Vaastu Shastra and there is a wide spread proliferation of literature on Vaastu today.

What is meant by Vaastu Purusha ?

Vaastu Purusha is the deity ruling the plot of land. Legend has it that when Lord Shiva was fighting the demon Andhaka, His perspiration fell on the ground, out of which was born the Vaastu Purusha. This hungry being started devouring all that came in the way. When the Gods in the heaven took up this matter to Lord Brahma, the creator, He ordained them to hold the Purusha face down with the help of 45 deities. Lord Brahma blessed the Vaastu Purusha to be the deity of plots of land and that all owners would pray and give offerings to him, in return for which, he would protect the owners/inmates. That is how the Vaastu Purusha Puja came into being.

Is there any relationship between Vaastu and Astrology ?

There is a close relationship between Vaastu and Astrology. In astrology, the fourth house has been attributed to immovable property, amongst other things. If the lord of the fourth house, the planets in the fourth house, the aspects to the fourth house, etc. are all good, then the person will enjoy property. Otherwise, the results will be negative. There are also many special conditions or ‘yogas’ such as Ayatna Griha Prapti Yoga, Vichitra Prakara Soudha Yoga, etc. which destine a person to different conditions of property holding. Further, one has also to see the planetary configurations at a given point of time, in conjunction with one’s nakshatra in order to fix a muhurta or an auspicious time for starting various stages of construction work as well as the griha pravesh.

Is Vaastu applicable only to residences or to other types of buildings also ?

Vaastu is applicable to all types of buildings. For example, we have Vaastu for temples (prasada), palaces (rajagruha), sala (residence), etc.

Is Vaastu applicable to the building of towns also ?

Yes, it is called nagara Vaastu.

What is the role of geographic directions in designing buildings ?

Geographic directions such as North, South, East and West are very important in Vaastu. In fact, all buildings are supposed to exactly face each of these cardinal directions and not at an angle.

What are the prescriptions for the size of a dwelling ?

The size of a plot and the building are to be worked out in accordance to certain formulae called the Ayadi Shadvarga. Based on these, one can arrive at the correct size.

What should be the shape of a plot ?

Vaastu prescribes a square or a rectangular shape for the plot of land as well as the dwelling unit.

Which direction should the plot face ?

The plot can face any of the four cardinal directions. Based on which side it faces, the position of the main entrance is decided.

In which direction should the plot of land slope ?

It is required for the plot to slope either to the east or to the north.

Where should the well or water sump be located ?

It should be located in the north east corner of the plot.

Where should the tap in the garden be located ?

It should be located in the north east corner of the plot.

Where should the main entrance of the building be located ?

The house, in the form of a square or a rectangle, is superimposed with a grid of nine by nine divisions. Based on the direction, either north, south, east or west, the division in which the main entrance is to be located is determined.

What is brahmastahna ?

This is the centre of the plot/dwelling which is attributed to lord Brahma. This place is to be kept empty.

Where should the master bed room be ?

The master bedroom should be located in the south west part of the house.

Where should the kitchen be ?

The kitchen should be located in the south east part of the house.

Where should the puja room be ?

The puja room should be in the north east corner of the house.

Where should the guest room be ?

The guest room should be in the north west of the house.

NOTE : The above are only guidelines and not precise prescriptions for building a house as per Vaastu shastra. Application of the above should be done only under consultation and guidance of a Vaastu expert who will examine the property and make specific recommendations. A list of experts in various cities in India is available in our Allied Service Provider section.