Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Vaastu sastra, when it was invented?

Vaastu sastra is one among various very ancient sciences of India. The literal meaning of Vaastu-sastra would be “Science of Architecture”, but a complete vaastu sastra deals with more than what is generally understood by architecture. It dates back to the vedic period. The word vaastu is derived from the word “vasu” or the earth. The earth is the principle vastu and all the structures, buildings, situated on the earth are also vaastus and all the objects created from earth are called vaastus. According to Amarakosha (an ancient Sanskrit dictionary) vaastu means site suitable for dwelling. Vaastu sastra is also called with various names such as Silpa-sastra, Vaastu-vidya, Vaastu-kala. It is also called “Hindu Architecture” though it covers the Jain and Buddhist architecture. This Sastra has been one among the 64 arts of ancient India.

Vaastu has been covered in various Indian classical texts such as Vedas, Agamas, Puranas, Tantras, Samhitas, Artha sastras and in the Epics. Apart from the above, there are many independent treatises on Vaastu sastra such as Manasara vaastu- sastra, Maya-matam, Viswakarma vaastu-sastra, Samarangana sutradhara, Mandana sutra-dhara, Silparatna, Vaastu raja vallabham, Manushyalaya vaastu etc. There are at least 60 known texts written in Sanskrit and a host of local texts in different Indian languages.

2. What are topics covered in ancient vaastu-sastra?

According to “Manasara vaastu-sastra” An ancient classical treatise on the subject; In the vaastu sastra the architecture is taken in its broadest sense and implies what is built or constructed. It denotes all kinds of buildings, eligious, residential, and military buildings; and it covers town planning; laying out gardens; constructng market places including ports and harbours; making roads, bridges, gateways, triumphal arches; digging wells, tanks, trenches, drains, sewers,, moats; building enclosure walls, embarkments, dams, railings, landing places, flights of steps for hills and bathing ghats, and ladders. Finally it covers articles of furniture such as bedsheds, couches, tables, chairs, thrones, wardrobes, baskets, cages, nests, mills, conveyances, lamps and lamp posts for streets. It also includes the making of dresses and ornaments such as chains, crowns, head-gear and foot and arm wear. Architecture also includes sculpture and deals with carving of phalli, idols of deities, statues of great personages, images of animals and birds.

• Some highlights of ancient vaastu-sastra:-
• Site plans of 32 varieties
• Village schemes of 8 types
• Town plans of 8 types
• Forts and fortresses of 15 types
• 1 to 12 storied buildings of 6 to 13 types each
• Gate houses of 15 types of 1 to 16 storied
• Pavilions of 100 types belongs to temples, residential buildings etc.
• Storied mansions of 6 types, each comprising several varieties up to 12 storied
• Royal palaces of 9 types of each 9 varieties
• Cars & chariots of 7 main types and 5 styles and several varieties up to 9 stories

3. Today we have modern architecture, still why we should follow ancient vaastu?

Following vaastu sastra does not mean that we should reject modern architecture or civil engineering. If we are asked to follow vaastu in place of modern engineering, there is no doubt that we can straight away reject vaastu sastra. But the greatness is that the vaastu is such a science that it takes care of harmony of the building/structure with nature there by harmony of the residents with nature, apart from engineering part. Modern engineering is definitely much superior to ancient vaastu sastra. We do not recommend vaasatu for engineering component rather we should follow vaastu to build the structure in harmony with the nature, which is not known to modern science except cross ventilation, natural lighting etc. Since Vaastu-sastra takes care of human relation with the nature (prakruti) apart from the building strength and aesthetics, the tenets of vaastu excluding strength part (engineering part) are valid even today and can be applied in the modern architecture. Principles of vaastu are universally applicable irrespective of region, religion, caste and creed even in the modern times.

4. Why vaastu sastra is very popular now?

Though the science of vaastu is prevailing since ancient days and even today it is the common practice of an Indian citizen to consult family astrologer or vaastu consultant before commencement of any building work. For the few decades back, due to poverty and other socio-economic reasons, many English educated Indians due to the impact of English rulers, were largely in the opinion that Hinduism and all its ancient sciences were superstitions and those sciences were responsible for Indian backwardness. However, in the first half of 20th century, excavations at Mohanjadaro and Harappa proved Indian civilizations were very glorious and highly scientific. Those excavations influenced English rulers opinion on Indian culture to positive and respectable attitude. Also during English rule, many of the Indian classical Sanskrit texts were translated into various Indian and foreign languages and printed books become available to all in the local markets. Though the Indian renaissance movement started much earlier, many educated citizens of India and foreigners in the beginning of 20th century, started studying all Indian sciences with a fresh out look. By the end of first half of 20th century almost all ancient sciences were re-established after correcting mistakes. Among them Astrology, Ayurveda, Yoga, Meditation, Vaastu satra, nature cure etc are very popular now and available to common man. However, it is very popular now because it is now available to middle class people (majority of the Indian population) due to increase in literacy rate, improved socio economic conditions, availability of books in the local languages, mass media, decrease in the caste system etc. The educated young people are interested in ancient sciences and they want to utilize the good of them. Above all, the tenets of vaastu are giving tremendous good results. Many people call it an empirical science.

5. What is the rich and poor attitude towards vaastu sastra?

Many of the rich class people found to be having good understanding of the subject and they want to employ eminent vaastu consultants for their construction projects apart from civil engineers and architects. However, middle class people are fully dependent on vaastu consultants where as poor people are dependent on the masons. Therefore it appears that, according to their economic status they are taking benefit of this ancient Indian science of vaastu.

6. What is the strength of belief in this ancient science?

Whether rich or poor people, strength of belief on this science is very high among Indian population. Off late many foreigners are also approaching for vaastu consultation, many are showing interest in learning the subject correcting their already built houses, new buildings are built as per vaastu and enjoying very good results.

7. Who are your clients?

India is a country where people of all religions live together peacefully. The sciences, traditions, sentiments influence each other. In fact the science of vaastu is a science like a modern science of any branch rather than a part of Hindu religion. Educated people of other religions like Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and Buddhist’s too follow it to their satisfaction. Westerner’s too slowly now following this science. Now this science is known worldwide. In fact it is a science of the nature, it has nothing to do with any religion. It is is a science like any modern day sciences.

8. When do they approach for vaastu consultation?

It is a common practice among Indian population since ancient times that they approach family astrologer/vaastu expert for consultation and guidance before commencement of any new construction whether it may be residential building or a commercial building or may be an industry. It is also in practice to approach when doing modifications, additions, renovations or improvements, divisions to the existing building. Some people also approach when they are facing any difficulties / extreme problems viz. chronic health problems, financial hardships, un-foreseen incidents taking place, or any other difficulties, to get checked their horoscope and vaastu.

9. What is the relation between Horoscope and vaastu? Which is important?

Many people in the erroneous belief that horoscope is more important than vaastu sastra. They say that when horoscope is good i.e., Dasa is good, we need not to follow vaastu. After reading these lines one may get real picture on importance of vaastu. As we are all aware of the fact that Astrology tells fate and destiny of an individual, gives guidance on what to do and what not to do, when to do and when not to do. Similarly, horoscope of an individual discloses many facts about the individual such as first house of horoscope discloses about the nature, physique, mental profile etc. of the individual, second house discloses how he speaks, third house discloses about his brothers and sisters etc, fourth houses indicates about his mother, his vehicles, his house, how his house will look whether it may be beautiful or dirty, small house or big house, etc., similarly, seventh house tells about his counter part, wife or husband, his qualities etc.

As I said, first house of horoscope discloses about the nature, physique, mental profile etc. of the individual, but horoscope will not tell how to maintain physique, for which we have to follow yoga or physical exercises, horoscope will not tell how to improve mental profile, and rather we have to improve mental profile by improving soft skills. Second house discloses how he speaks, but horoscope will not tell how to speak, for speaking skills we have to depend on some other science. Third house discloses about his brothers and sister etc, but it can not tell how to minimize or maximize family size, which it is in the hands of his parents. Similarly fourth house indicates about his mother, but horoscope can not tell how to look after his mother or so, horoscope may tell about his vehicle, horoscope can not tell how to manufacture his vehicle. Astrologer may predict what type of a house one is going to own/build, when to build, favourable facing of the main door etc. However, horoscope can not tell how to build a house; in fact it is the “VAASTU SASTRA” which tells how to build a house. Horoscope may tell whether his house may be beautiful or dirty, but it will not tell how to keep house neat and clean. Horoscope may tell whether one may have small house or a big house, but it can not tell how built a big house, it is the vaastu sastra which tells about how to built a house in harmony with nature. I hope now you got the real picture of this science.

10. Health point of view?

Health is the most important to all of us. Following Vastu tenets ensures good health psychological and bio-logical and bad vaastu causes frequent and chronic diseases to the residents.

11. When one should contact vaastu consultant?

• Often feel “something wrong”?
• Every day some problem in Profession/Business?
• Chronic diseases/weak immune?
• Bad interpersonal relations?
• Un-comfortable in the house/work place?
• Accidents/sudden deaths?
• Things not moving?
• Psychiatric disorders? Mentally retarded?
• Depressed/Fed up in life / Feel like commit suicide?
• Un-warranted quarrels/litigations?
• Childless/children not scoring well/going wrong track?
• No prosperity? 13. Frequent theft attempts?
• Any problem of recurring nature?
• Purchase / Construct / Renovate / Repair / Divide: – House–Flat–Building-plot- space?

12. Benefits of Vastu

As balance of pancha maha bhutas (five elements) cause balance of mental and physical health, a house built as per vaastu tenets causes the balance of five elements in the structure which in turn promotes quality living to the inmates. The following are the some of the benefits one can enjoy in a good vaastu house:-

• Enhances physical and mental health and vitality
• Promotes financial success
• Promotes a stress-free and supporting environment at home
• Improves inter-personal relations
• Maximizes effectiveness
• Promotes general fortune and wellbeing
• Creates expansion in business and profit
• Increases creativity, intelligence and positive attitude

13. Dasa or Disa which is more important? If Dasa is good can we forget the vaastu?

Many people often ask this question. Many of them were in the wrong opinion that if Dasa (planetary influence or horoscope of the individual) is good they need not to bother about Disa (Vaastu sastra or vaastu of his house). In fact it is something like that if your horoscope is good, no accident will take place even if you drive your vehicle fully drunkard; or it sounds some thing like nothing will happen even if you drink poison when your dasa is good? In fact Vaastu sastra gives guidelines/suggests through its tenets how built an abode according laws of the nature, in harmony with the nature, in tune with the nature. Astrology may tell when to build a house, but it will not tell how to build a house or where to build a house. Therefore, irrespective of astrology, whether one has his horoscope or not, still one can build a house according to vaastu. Vaastu is an independent and result giving science like Ayurveda and Yoga. Whether you have your horoscope or not still you can use Ayurveda and yoga for your benefit. One can not shine fully with out the help of vaastu sastra because the underlying principle of astrology, vaastu, Ayurveda and yoga is same, which is pancha bhootas i.e. five elements. Therefore, we must use these four sciences independently to take their fullest advantage. The benefit of one science can not be completely substituted by another science.

14. What is the philosophy of vaastu?

Like many other ancient science of India, vaastu also keeps its foundations in pancha bhootas (five elements). Those are Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. According this science, the earth is composed of these five elements which is called “prakruti”, The nature, therefore what ever built on this earth with the knowledge of five elements will be in harmony with this nature, vibrates at the same frequency and represents mini earth. Ayurveda believes that these five elements are responsible for life on earth. All the living things are composed of these five elements. These five elements manifest into three doshas viz. Vata, Pitta and Kafa doshas. Balance of these five elements in a body gives good health and un-balance manifest into disease. Yoga sastra also believes that human body has six energy centres, called shad Charkas. Those charkas represent five elements. Depletion in their energy level indicate unbalance of five elements causes some disease. Astrology also represents these five elements. Similarly, Vaastu sastra, believes five elements in a dwelling site and built structure manifests into eight directions and locations and influences the residents of that house. Balance of these elements in a house in the form of 8 directions/locations causes auspicious and un-balance of these elements causes inauspicious results to the residents.