Vaastu Shastra or Vaastu is the ancient and original Indian science of building and living. It is the use of positive energy flow in using space in architecture and creating environment that balances the human planes at the levels which are physical, spiritual, health, success, happiness and fulfillment.
Vaastu Shastra is the form of technique of science scripted by the "Seventeen Rishis or Sages" during the Vedic era, the period of it's evolution in India. The mention of Vaastu Shastra can be found in ancient scriptures like the Rigveda, Atharvaveda, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Mayamatam, Manasa saar, etc. The concepts of Vaastu Shastra were transferred to Tibet, South East Asia and finally to China and Japan where it provided the base for the development of what is now known as Feng Shui.
The Vaastu Shastra is based on an octagon the eight directions. Hindus believe that gods live in these different directions of the house, and govern the rooms, possessions, and activities in these locations. Vaastu is based on the inherent energy concept of the science. The energy is invisible to the naked eyes but its application is visible and is felt in different ways and forms. Vaastu Shastra uses the forces of natural energies and aims to restore the balance between the home (the microcosm) and the cosmos (the macrocosm). Vaastu Shastra is not only the building or architecture, but is a bridge between man and nature, thus the fundamental Art of Living. Every subject of human aspect and endavour is governed with certain set of rules, regulations and acts, similarly the nature has also got certain basic principles for smooth governing of its residents, in which Vaastu Shastra stands for the law of natural energies. The principles laid down by them should be followed while building a house or a building for the ultimate success of the objective.
Vaastu Shastra, which literally means to live, works on the hypothesis as the earth being a living organism, creating the environment for the other living organisms those emerge. Thus it is this life energy, which is known as Vaastu Purusha. The Vaastu Shastra works for the premises i.e., a town, house, building, industry or a shop. But the basic objective of the Vaastu is to create a balance between the outside atmosphere and the atmosphere within the building. Vaastu Shastra makes use of five elements - prithvi (earth), agni (fire), tej, agni (light, fire), vayu (wind) and akash (space, ether) and the two natural energies, namely, first being the earth's magnetic fields (north and the south pole) and secondly the Sunrays.
The Principles of design:
There are three fundamental principles of design for the Vaastu Shastra to work that cover the entire structure.
1. The principle of Bhogadyam, (Effective usage), which says that the designed structure must be useful and lend itself to easy application to enable the inhabitants to use the structure with the aim it is built, for the long duration and to trigger the luck factors.
2. The principle of Sukha Darsham, (Happiness and fulfillment), in which the designed structure must be convenient to use, with amenities and fittings aesthetically pleasing. The proportions of the spaces, fittings, articles, furniture and the material used, in the interiors and exteriors of the structure - ornamentation, colour, sizes of the windows, doors and the rooms and the rhythms of projection and depressions - should be beautiful and pleasing.
3. The third principle of Ramya, (Euphoria-feelings of well-being) where the designed premise should evoke a feeling of the sense of security, fulfillments of achievements the feelings of well being in the inhabitants.
Some principles of Vaastu Shastra in brief:
1. Indra, the god of gods, represents the East. The East is where it all begins in Vaastu Shastra. The eastern direction is the harbinger of good luck, which comes into the house through the eastern direction, a door, a window etc.
2. Kubera, the god of wealth, resides in the north. In this location some symbolic valuables should be placed to attract wealth, success and prosperity.
3. The Northeast is the position for Dharma, the god of righteousness. In Vaastu Shastra, this is the place for planning, worship, meditation and introspection.
4. Agni, the god of fire, lives in the southeast corner. This should be the place for the kitchen.
5. Yama, the god of death, resides in the South. He prevents the evil eye from taking control of our lives. In India, people put a ghoulish pumpkin mask, similar to Halloween masks, in the south side to ward off the evil eye.
6. Naritya, who prevents homes from thiefs and robbers, dwells in the southwest corner. This is a safe place for master bedroom and valuables.
7. Varuna, the god of water, lies to the West, where the bathroom should be.
8. Brahma, the god of creation, resides there. There should be no structure, no toilet or electrical appliances and should be kept open maintain it's sanctity.