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An ancient Indian Science of Architecture and Buildings - Vaastu

Vaastu is the Indian science of space and architecture and how we may create spaces and environment that supports physical & spiritual health. The science of Vaastu is called Vaastu-Shastra or sometimes Vaastu is known as short form of Vaastu-Shastra. Vaastu helps in making a congenial setting or a place to live and work in a most scientific way taking advantage of the benefits bestowed by nature, its elements and energy fields for enhanced wealth, health, prosperity and happiness. Vaastu gives us useful and practical tips on how to create a healthy and harmonious living and work environment. Vaastu Shastra unifies the science, art, astronomy and astrology; it can also be said as an ancient mystic science for designing and building. Vaastu Shastra helps us to make our lives better and will secure from things going wrong. Vaastu offers suggestions for placement of plant and machinery, office equipment, and furniture and gives ideas on harmonizing colors and materials

The whole world, including the human body, comprises of five essential elements called "Paanchbhootas", i.e. space (sky), air, fire, water and earth. There is a co-relation between these elements and man's five senses of hearing, touch, sight, taste and smell, with instruments of perception being ears, skin, tongue and nose respectively. Vaastu creates a congenial setting in most scientific way taking advantages of the benefits bestowed by the five elements. The principles of Vaastu are mainly dependant on the arrangement and balancing of these five elements in their proper order and proportion so that humans can have better conditions in a place in which they live or work.

How Vaastu came into being?

Vaastu Shastra dates back to the times when the sages lived - probably 6,000 and 3,000 BC. Vaastu Shastra evolved during Vedic times in India. 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 are now known as Feng Shui. Although the exact origins of Feng Shui are debatable, it is thought to have originated about five thousand years ago. Our sages and seers have knew the secrets of using all the five elements of this universe and their special characteristics and influences such as the magnetic field, gravitational effect etc. of Earth, the galaxy in the sky, the directions and velocity of the winds, light and heat of the SUN including the effects of its Ultra-Violet and Infra-Red rays, the volume and intensity of rainfall etc. for the advantage of the mankind in suitably planning and constructing buildings for dwelling, prayer, entertainment , education , working , production and other purposes.

Vaastu is a part of Vedas, which are believed to be over five thousand years old. Through penance and meditation yogis of that period acquired answers believed to have come from the cosmic mind itself to their questions. Hence Vedas are heeded with divine knowledge. The art of Vasstu originates in the Stapatya Veda, a part of the Atharva Veda. The Vaastu, with word meaning 'dwelling', is believed to be the residing places of god and man. According to its modern meaning it covers all buildings irrespective of their use like residences, industries, business establishments, lodges, hotels etc.

How Vaastu works?

Vaastu Shastra is a complicated form of science put together by seventeen sages. There are certain rules that should be followed while building a house or a building. For instance, the building's underground water tank or well should be situated in the northeast direction. But, if the building has an overhead tank then it should be placed in the southwest direction. Also, more space should be left to the north and the east of the building compound and less on the south and the west. Open space should be kept around the building and if the plot has a road on the east-north directions, it is better for the inhabitants.