What is Vastu for home?

Vastu Shastra is an ancient Indian architectural science that integrates science, art, astronomy and astrology to create harmonious living spaces. The words are derived from Sanskrit; ‘Vastu’ means dwelling, and ‘Shastra’, means science. This discipline aims to establish a balance between humans and their environment.

What is Vastu?

Vastu dates back thousands of years. Early references to this science have been found in ancient texts like the Vedas, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Manuscripts like the Vishwakarma Vastu Shastra and Mayamatam have detailed vastu principles. While originally focused on temple design, Vastu principles were later applied to residential and urban planning. 

Basic Vastu for house presents several benefits, such as: 

• Positive Energy: Vastu aligns living spaces with natural forces, creating an environment conducive to happiness, health and prosperity. 
• Stress reduction: A home built with Vastu principles ensures proper ventilation, lighting and energy flow, reducing mental and physical strain. 
• Economic Gains: Correct Vastu placements are believed to attract financial stability and success. 
• Health and Relationships: A Vastu-compliant house fosters better relationships, peace of mind and physical well-being. 

There are five fundamental elements of Vastu: 

• Earth (Prithvi): Represents stability and support, and also governs the orientation and soil type. 
• Water (Jal): Signifies flow and vitality, and governs water sources like wells, tanks and positioning of bathrooms. 
• Fire (Agni) Represents energy and transformation and governs the placement of kitchens and electrical appliances. 
• Air (Vayu) Governs ventilation and balance of air circulation; and influences window placements. 
• Space (Akasha): Denotes openness and cosmic energy; governs the spatial arrangements and ceiling heights. 

Understanding Basic Vastu for Home

Fundamental Concepts of Vastu for Residential Spaces: 

• Vastu Purusha Mandala: This energy grid forms the blueprint for the spatial arrangement of a building. It divides space into zones associated with different energies. 
• Energy Zones: Directions correspond to specific energies; for instance, the northeast, also known as ‘Ishanya’ is considered sacred, while the southeast, known as Agneya, governs fire and energy. 

Roles of Directions and Their Significance: 

• North (Kubera): Governs wealth and prosperity. 
• East (Indra): Associated with growth, health and sunlight. 
• South (Yama): When balanced properly, it ensures longevity. 
• West (Varuna): Promotes stability and strength. 

How to Balance the Five Elements Within the Home: 

• Earth: Use natural materials like stone or wood. 
• Water: Install water features in the northeast. 
• Fire: Place the kitchen in the southeast. 
• Air: Ensure that there is enough cross-ventilation and avoid clutter. 
• Space: Maintain openness and avoid overcrowding the house. 

A Comprehensive Guide to Vastu for House Construction:

Pre Construction Considerations: 

• Selecting an Auspicious Plot: 
  • Avoid plots near cemeteries, hospitals or temples. 
  • Ensure that plots are square or rectangular for energy balance. 

• Ideal Plot Shapes and Orientations:
  • Square and rectangular plots are ideal for constructing a home. 
  • North and east-facing plots are preferred for building residential projects. 

• Soil Testing and Its Vastu Implications: 
  • Soil should be fertile and free of contaminants. 
  • Testing for groundwater ensures proper placement of the water element. 

Design and Layout Planning: 

• Optimal Placement of Rooms and Utilities: 
  • Master Bedroom: Southwest
  • Kitchen: Southeast
  • Living Room: Northeast or North
  • Bathrooms: Northwest. 

• Guidelines for Structural Elements: 
  • Doors should open inward to welcome positive energy. 
  • Avoid placing any beams directly above beds or seating areas. 

• Integration of Natural Elements: 
  • Use large windows to allow natural light. 
  • Incorporate ventilation systems for air circulation. 

Best Practices for the Construction Phase: 

Some of the best Vastu for house construction practices include:

• Auspicious Timings (Muhurat) 
  • Consult an astrologer for favourable dates and timings for digging foundations, laying bricks and roofing. 

• Material Selection: 
  • Use materials like wood, brick and stone, that resonate with the natural elements of Vastu shastra. 
  • Avoid materials sourced from any inauspicious locations. 

• Rituals: 
  • Perform Bhoomi Pooja or Earth Worship, and Vastu Shanti pooja to appease the forces of nature before the construction begins. This will also ensure a smooth construction process. 

Vastu Remedies for Existing Homes

Identifying Common Vastu Doshas: 

• Structural Issues: 
  • Misaligned entrances: A main door facing inauspicious directions, like southeast or southwest can disrupt the flow of energy, leading to obstacles in personal and professional life. 
  • Staircases: Improper placement, such as in the northeast, can block prosperity and cause health issues. 
  • Windows and Beams: Misaligned windows restrict airflow, while exposed beams over beds, or seating areas, create mental tension and comfort. 

• Directional Imbalances: 
  • Kitchens in the northeast: This placement disrupts the water element in this spiritual and sacred zone, creating conflicts and health problems. 
  • Bathrooms in the southeast: Bathrooms in this direction can disrupt the fire element, leading to energy imbalances and financial instability. 

• Energy Blockages: 
  • Overcrowded furniture and closed spaces: Blocks energy pathways, creating a stagnant environment that leads to stress and a lack of motivation. 
  • Improper lighting and ventilation: Dark and poorly ventilated spaces can hinder the flow of positive energy, causing feelings of gloominess and fatigue. 

Practical Remedies and Corrections: 

• Use of mirrors, crystals and other tools: 
  • Mirrors: Place mirrors on walls. This will reflect and amplify positive energy. For instance, a mirror in the dining room symbolises the doubling of prosperity. Avoid mirrors facing the bed, as they can disturb sleep and create confusion. 
  • Crystals: Use energising crystals like amethyst or quartz to cleat any negativity and enhance harmony. 
  • Citrine, placed in the wealth corner (southeast), promotes financial growth. 

• Rearrangement of Furniture and Decor: 
  • Furniture:
    Place heavy furniture like wardrobes or storage units in the southwest to stabilise energy.
    Avoid any sharp-edged furniture, especially in living and sleeping areas, as it creates tension.

  • Entrances
    Keep the main entrance clean and decorated with symbols like rangoli, torans or a nameplate to invite positive energy.
    Place a shoe rack away from the door to avoid obstructing energy flow. 

• Incorporating Plants and Water Features: 
  • Indoor Plants:
    Place air-purifying plants like Tulsi (holy basil), bamboo, or money plants in the northeast or east for good health and prosperity.
    Avoid thorny plants like cacti, or bonsai inside the home, as they symbolise stagnation and conflicts.

  • Water Features:
    Install a small fountain or aquarium in the northeast to attract wealth and tranquillity.
    Ensure that the water flows towards the interior of the house, symbolising incoming prosperity. 

• Corrective Measures for Specific Doshas: 
  • Kitchens in the Northeast: Paint the walls in light yellow or beige, and place a small fire-related symbol in the southeast to balance the fire element. 
  • Bathrooms in the Southeast: Use sea salt in the bowls to absorb negativity and hang an air-purifying plant near the bathroom door. 
  • Staircases in the Northeast: Place a religious symbol or idol at the base to counteract the imbalance. 

Special Focus: Vastu for West Facing House

• Associated Deities and Elements: 
  • Lord Varuna, the God of rains and oceans, rules the west direction. Varuna signifies stability, strength and fulfilment of desires. 
  • Element: The west direction is associated with the Earth element, symbolising stability, grounding and physical strength. 

• Common Perceptions and Myths: 
  • Perception: West-facing houses are often misunderstood as less auspicious when compared to east or north-facing homes. 
  • Reality: With proper planning and remedies, west-facing homes can attract prosperity, health and harmony. 
  • Myths: It is falsely believed that west-facing homes bring misfortune, but Vastu guidelines debunk these notions. By following correct placements and designs, you can balance the energies of a west-facing home effectively. 

Designing a Vastu-Compliant West-Facing Home:

• Optimal Placement of the Main Entrance:
  • Place the main door in the northwest (Vayavya) or central-west zone of the house for optimal energy flow.
  • Avoid the southwest (Nairitya) entrance as it can bring in negative energy. 

• Room Placements and their Directional Alignments: 
  • Living Room: Ideally in the northeast, east or northwest zones. These zones invite positivity and warmth for social interactions. 
  • Master Bedroom: Place in the southwest for stability and restful sleep. 
  • Kitchen: Southeast (Agneya) is the best, but northwest can be a secondary option. Avoid placing it in the northeast or southeast directions. 
  • Pooja room: The northeast (Ishanya) corner is ideal for spiritual harmony. 

• Colours: 
  • Use earthy tones and light shades like cream, beige or pastel colours like light yellow, for walls to balance the west’s earth energy. 
  • Decorate the walls with paintings of open fields, sunsets or ocean views to complement the west direction’s symbolic elements. 
  • Avoid dark colours on the west side. It can make spaces feel heavy, or overly warm. 

Best Vastu remedies for west-facing house

• Adjustments to Enhance Positive Energy: 
  • Reflective Surfaces: Install mirrors on the east or north walls to amplify natural light and positive energy. 
  • Lighting: Use bright, warm lighting, particularly in the north and east zones, to counteract the west’s evening dominance. 

• Use of Symbols and Artifacts: 
  • Place a brass or copper sun symbol on the west wall to enhance positivity and energise the space. 
  • You can also use Vastu pyramids or copper swastikas in west-facing homes to correct energy imbalances. 

• Landscaping and External Modifications: 
  • Plant tall trees or hedges along the west side to provide shade and reduce the heat of the afternoon sun. 
  • Add a water feature, like a fountain, in the northeast zone of the yeard, to channel prosperity. 

Determining the best entry for house as per vastu

Significance of the Main Entrance: 

• Role as the Primary Energy Gateway: 
  • The main entrance is the first point of contact for cosmic energies, influencing the overall aura of the house. 
  • A well-aligned entrance ensures a smooth energy inflow, affecting health, wealth and prosperity. 

• Impact on Health, Wealth and Prosperity: 
  • A properly placed entrance brings harmony to the occupants, enhancing their physical well-being and financial success. 
  • Misaligned entrances can cause mental stress, financial instability and relationship conflicts.

Directional guidelines for Main Entrances: 

• Benefits and Challenges of Entrances in Each Direction: 
  • East: Most auspicious, brings in growth, positivity and sunlight. 
  • North: Ideal for financial prosperity and career advancement
  • West: Stable, but requires balancing remedies to mitigate afternoon heat and heavy energy. 
  • South: Avoid if possible, as it can lead to instability; balance it with corrective measures if necessary. 

• Customise Entrance Features: 
  • Use durable wood for the main door and ensure that it opens inward to welcome positive energy. 
  • Avoid creaking doors or clutter near the entrance, as these block energy flow. 

Enhancing Entrance Energy: 

• Use of lighting, colours and symbols: Install bright lights around the entrance for a welcoming ambience. Decorate with rangoli, torans, or auspicious symbols like Om or Swastik.

• Maintaining Cleanliness and Openness: 
  • Keep the area around the entrance clutter-free and well-swept to invite positive energy. 
  • Avoid placing garbage bins or shoe racks directly near the main door. 

• Incorporating Auspicious Vastu Elements:
  • Hang a bell or wind chime near the entrance to circulate good vibrations. 
  • Add potted plants or a tulsi plant near the door for purification and prosperity. 

Innovative Angles and Advanced Vastu Concepts

Integrating Vastu with Modern Architecture: 

• Blending Traditional Principles with Contemporary Design.
  • Combine open-plan layouts with Vastu zoning for energy balance.
  • Use natural materials like stone, wood and bamboo, to align with Vastu principles. 

For example, a west-facing home at Raymond Realty’s Ten X Era – Thane, with a northwest entrance and reflective windows in the east achieves modern aesthetics and Vastu compliance. 

Vastu for Apartments and Urban Living: 

• Adapting Principles for Multi-Storey Buildings
  • Prioritise apartments with entrances in the east or north. 
  • Opt for flats that receive natural light from the north or east. 

• Overcoming Common Challenges in Urban Settings: 
  • Use Vastu paintings or symbols in spaces where structural adjustments are not possible. 
  • Incorporate indoor plants to counteract artificial environments. 

Sustainable Living and Vastu: 

• Aligning Eco-Friendly Practices with Vastu Principles: 
  • Use solar panels in the southeast (fire-element zone) to maximise energy efficiency. 
  • Harvest rainwater in the northeast to strengthen the water element. 

• Benefits of Natural Materials and Energy Efficient Designs: 
  • Bamboo, terracotta and recycled wood align with Vastu’s natural philosophy while promoting sustainability. 
  • Energy-efficient lighting and cross-ventilation enhance air and light elements, ensuring harmony. 

Conclusion: 

Vastu Shastra offers timeless wisdom for creating spaces that promote health, happiness and prosperity. Whether you build a new home or adapt to living spaces, integrating Vastu principles can bring harmony and balance to modern living. 

So, what is Vastu for home? Vastu is a scientific way to begin your journey today to craft a space that nurtures positivity and supports your life goals.