Vaastu Shastra – Vedic Architecture

Vaastu Shastra is the ancient Vedic architecture. Vastu is a science of direction. It is based on the laws of nature. Just like the science of civil engineering or architecture, vastu aims to bring balance and beauty in construction. Hence, it is for all people and not only Hindus.

It helps us to design buildings according to the laws of nature. Vastu helps us to attain a balance in the five fundamental elements of nature – space, air, fire, water, and earth. A construction design with balanced elements ensures homes, towns and cities full of positive energy.

It emerged approximately 5000 years back. Historically, we find mentions of Vastu shastra in multiple contemporary texts like Mahabharat, Ramayana. The golden Lanka or the magnificent palace of Indraprastha were samples of Vastu grandeur.

What are the divisions of Vastu Shastra?

Ancient vedic texts believe that all beings exists on three levels – physical, mental and spiritual. A wholesome construction must address these three aspects of existence.

This is the reason why Vastu Shastra has three primary divisions –

• Utility (Bhogadyam) – for physical needs
• Interior Decoration (Sukhadarshanam) – for mental wellbeing/ happiness
• Spiritual Significance (Ramya) – for spiritual development

What is the Utility Aspect of Vastu Shastra?

The word bhoga means consumption. Bhogadyam refers to the utility aspect of construction. The crucial aspects like user needs, topography, climate, slope, wind direction, sunlight availability, average temperature, etc. form the basis of comfortable accommodation.

Utility is the foundation for good construction. Because we find constructions that may be visually appealing but not useful. Today, most of the architecture focuses on this aspect of construction.
Utility leads to the research and analysis of the client’s needs. It is the first step to personalization in construction. With Utility, you can decide the size of the rooms, the facing of the house, walkways, etc. 

Vastu was also deeply connected to another sister Vedic science – Vastu Jyotish. In Vastu Jyotish, a Vastu expert would analyze the horoscope of the client and decide the best time to start the construction, the type of house, and many other factors. This analysis is the height of personalization in Vastu.

Does Vastu Shastra Address the concept of Interior Decoration?

The word Sukhadarshanam means visually pleasing (sukha – pleasing, darshanam – to see). An accommodation or construction may be very useful, but visually gross or unpleasant. John Keats said, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever!” 

Visually pleasing things have a stress-relieving effect on the mind. They become another object that brings pleasure to its inhabitants or users. Interior decoration brings another level of personalization to architecture. Different people have unique concepts of beauty. for example, a musician may have a different sense of aesthetics than an athlete. Some people may prefer more open spaces than closed rooms. A minimalist will have a drastically different taste of aesthetics than an art collector.

To make a construction beautiful, the architects must consider several factors of interior decoration like space allocation, material, color, form, and texture.

What is the Spiritual Significance of Vastu?

The word “ramya” means something that brings spiritual delight or inspiration. This is the highest level of excellence for construction if it can inspire or bring peace to its users. 

We find this aspect of construction in ancient temples or Egyptian pyramids. They have rare positive vibrations that bring inner peace to a person the moment he enters such spiritual constructions.

The basic Vastu philosophy holds that every construction is an addition to the whole universe. It cannot exist as an isolated entity. It must align itself with the natural flow of energy. A construction harmonious with the universal energy brings peace and enlightens its users.

To Conclude We can find all these qualities (utility, beauty and spiritual connect) in a clay pot – kullad. It is made of clay and manages hot and cold liquid equally well. It has aesthetics beyond compare or improvement. And it gives a distinct delightful flavor to anything inside it. It is eco-friendly, and spiritual in a sense.

This is the far end of Vastu – a construction that is conveniently functional, beautiful, and relaxing!