Vastu Shastra is the Vedic silence of architecture and the design of temples, homes, and buildings. While the yoga asanas and pranayama breathing techniques apply to our interior environment, similarly, applying Vastu Shastra to our physical environments facilitates health, harmony, and balance ln our external environment.

Often referred to as ‘Indian Feng Sui, Vastu Shastra pre-dates Chinese Feng shul by about 1500 years. Vastu is derived from the root vas, which means ‘to dwell, live, stay, abide’, while the Shastra loosely translates to ‘Silence, doctrine, teaching.

Vastu Shastra was originally restricted to temple architecture, but ln recent times has been applied to any structure including houses.

Five elements: Pancha Maha Bhoota

All ancient cultures refer to the elements which make up the human body and the physical world. In Vastu Shastra, these are Earth (Bhumi), Water (Jala), AIR (Vayu), Fire (Agni), and Space (Akasha). According to Vastu Shastra, Planet Earth sustain life because of the presence and balance of these five elements.

The five elements are also related to our five senses of taste, smell, hearing, touch, and sight.

EARTH (Bhumi) Earth is known for its gravitational and magnetic qualities. It is the only element that is connected to all the five human senses which is why it influences us the most. It is associated With the southeast direction.

WATER (Jala) This 1s represented by rain, river, ice, and gas. It is linked to our sense of taste, touch, Slight, and healing. Its direction is northeast.

AIR (Vayu) The air on earth is a mixture of various gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, helium, and hydrogen, which are essential for humans, so air1s fundamental to our survival. Air relates to our sense of sound and touch and is associated with the northwest direction.

FIRE (Agni) Associated with the sun, fire represents light and heat which accounts for day and night, the Seasons, vitality, enthusiasm, passion, and strength. The element of fire is related to our sense of sound, touch, and sight, and its direction 1s southeast.

SPACE (Akasha) Space is infinite with no boundaries. It is linked to our sense of hearing and related to the central position, known as brahmasthan.

Applying Vastu in your home

The fire element rules good health, sound finances, and familial happiness, so the southeast corner of every room should include a spotlight or lantern with the light pointing towards the ceiling. Electricals such as the television, fridge, computer, microwave, etc, can be placed in the south-east corners.

The central part of a house is ruled by the space element. As all directions meet in the centre, it is the holiest and most powerful zone of the house. Ideally, it should be kept open and uncluttered so that light can illuminate the centre\. Traditionally, houses in India used to have an open courtyard in the centre of the house, providing open sky, sunlight, and cross-ventilation.

Air should enter a building from the northeast. There are various guidelines for the placement of doors, windows, ventilators, balconies, trees, and plants, to balance the air element. Bodies of water bodies in the north or east are considered good. The flow and drain of water should be towards the northeast.

Best sleeping position

The direction that your head points while lying in bed is important. Our bodies have a positive north- and negative south-charged pole. It is best to avoid sleeping with our heads directed north because, as with a magnet, the two positive poles repel each other. Sleeping with the head towards the west is also not advisable.

Sleeping with the head towards the south is highly recommended, bringing sound sleep and increasing the wealth and prosperity of the household. Sleeping with your head resting in the east enhances memory, health, and spiritual inclination so it is often advised for children