Prinicples of Vaastu

What are the Principles / Basis of Vaastu Sastra

All the literature on Vaastu-sastra can be broadly classified in to two main categories such as Silpa sastra (deva silpam) and Gruha Vaastu (manava silpam). Gruha vaastu is more popular in the modern days because every body want to apply the tenets of vaastu for their houses for the benefit of their family.

Division of Site

Whether the selected site is for the residential building or a village/town, the site is first divided into 9 squares on each side like this total 81 square are formed. 8 directions are identified (East, west, north, south, northeast, southeast, southwest, northwest) the central 9 squares are called “Brahma-stana”.

Vaastu Purusha

The presiding deity of the site is called vaastu-purusha, who is described as hump- backed and of crooked shape, is said to occupy the habitated area in such a manner that his limbs cover the several squares or group of squares. He lies down with his face turned downwards. His face to Northeast and both the feet in southwest corner and right hand to southeast, left hand to north-west and finally the stomach area covers the central part which is known as Brahma-stana. If the vaastu-purusha’s limbs are missing /damaged in the building, the house owner will have some sort of in- auspicious results. For ex. If right arm is missing, the owner will loose wealth and will be miserable through women. It is also said that the vastu-purusha will move around the site facing each direction in three months duration. Auspicious time for construction activity is decided based on this movement.

Five Elements

Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Space these five basic elements are called pancha maha bhutas. These five elements are said to occupy five directions in a site. Balance of these five elements is very important for prosperous living in a house, residential building, or a public building.