Hari Om
What is Vaastu?
Vaastu Shilpa Shastra is the ancient mystic science of designing and constructing buildings. It has its origin in the Stapatya Veda (Fig 1 shows Vaastu Purusha, the deity representing Vaastu in Metaphysical form) which in turn is a part of the Atharvana Veda, one of the four Vedas. In fact Vaastu is a composite whole or professional blend of five elements viz., Earth, Water, Ether, Air and Fire (Heat). Their coming together in equitable proportions creates balanced Bio Electro Magnetic Energy, which bestows health, wealth and prosperity on Man. Vaastu is characterized by the fact that it is:
1. Rational
2. Practical
3. Consistent
4. Normative
5. Utilitarian
6. Universal
Vaastu Purusha
While the building aspects of architecture remain a pure science dealing with construction, Vaastu is an allied science dealing with geometric, magnetic, solar and gravitational properties having a direct influence on the social effects of living in differently planned structures. The principles of Vaastu as enumerated in classical texts are universally applicable, irrespective of religion or place.
The principles of Vaastu can be suitably adapted to modern conditions to derive not only material prosperity but also mental peace, happiness and harmony in the family, in business, etc. We all know that accepted theories in the history of science were either proved or disproved in the last 300 years in the Western world. Even the earth was thought to be flat, and the sun was thought to be revolving round the earth just a little more than 400 years back.
Many of the so-called pure sciences have been derived by observation and experience, rather than through scientific tests. This process continues, and many of the ancient sciences and skills could still be proven beyond doubt by modern scientific rationality. Vaastu is one such science which will, in our lifetimes be proven to impact our lives. It is also possible to find exact formulae to correctly estimate the effect of particular combinations and configurations in Vaastu.
A bit of history
Vaastu dates back to pre-Ramayana and Mahabharata periods. It is believed that the site plan of Ayodhya city was similar to the plan found in the great architectural text Manasara. The ancient epic Matsyapuranam mentions “18 wise men (from Brihu to Brihaspathi) who were experts in the science of Vaastu”.
The divine architect Maya and the divine builder Viswakarma were also included on that list. The sages Kashyap and Brihu were attributed with having written in the most important works in this field. Several books were also written between the 12th and 16th centuries, based on earlier works.
The most important works on the science of dwelling (Vaastu Shastra) are Manasara, Samarangana Sutradhara and Mayamata. Mayamata is perhaps the most important of the various treaties on Vaastu.
The Chinese also have a science – that of determining comfort levels for buildings, called Feng Shui. This science is an offshoot of Vaastu, and went to China along with Buddhism through the ancient trade routes. Even today, Feng Shui remains a popular method used thoughout the Orient, and has some similarity to Vaastu. It must be noted that the Pyramids of Egypt that were build 4,000 years prior to the invention of wheel, must have had hard labour and science go into the pushing of huge blocks of stones over inclined planes.
The pyramids incidentally, have more basis in science than just being stone structures. Many theories have been propounded on what a pyramid shape can engender. For example, remarkable mental changes have been reported when meditation is done inside the pyramid. Our ancient Asian cultures too, took great care to design the towers of their prayer sites.
The domes of the mosques, the temple towers, the stupas… are striking examples. These domes and towers which serve as roofs are generally also mathematically three dimensional parabolas. These three dimensional parabolas concentrate all energy onto a point focus. In fact, these similar structures are today utilized to concentrate the rays of the sun on one linear focus, for alternate energy equipment.
A bit of science
Science should be of use to society. It is of no use as empty theory. Vaastu Shastra is one that translates science into everyday practicality. It allows us to live in perfect harmony with Nature and our surroundings, increasing our comfort and empathy with the immediate environment. All beings, be they trees or plants or humans or animals – are dependent on the sun for their existence.
It can be thus concluded that the sun is the source from which Life emanates. Vital forces surface in the universe when the sun rises, as the sun’s rays have an inherent capacity to decimate diseases. The sun rises in the East and sets in the West, and therefore direction assumes a significant role in the process of orientation.
Solar and lunar energies have an effect on building construction. So does air. Therefore, if houses are built according to the laws of Nature, natural energy resources can be utilised for the good of those who live in the house. Also, many effects of pollution can be dispelled. The wave pattern generation in the Vaastu Purusha Mandala can be understood from the following figure, when coupled with the Global Scaling Theory.
The Theory of Global Scaling assumes that matter resonates harmonically at its lowest level of energy. This lowest level in the Global Scaling Theory is designated as the ‘physical vacuum’; however, the frequency spectrum of the natural oscillations of the vacuum comprises many orders of magnitude and is fractally developed, like a melody. This ‘melody of creation’ is, according to the theory, the cause of the logarithmic-hyperbolic, scale invariant, fractal distribution of frequencies of most varied measure – from the elementary particles to the galaxies.
In the early 1980s, Russian scientists were beginning to make discoveries that could not be explained within the framework of traditional physical theories. From 1982 to 1986, the German mathematician and physicist, Dr. Hartmut Müller, was able to deliver the necessary scientific framework for these new discoveries with his theory of ‘Global Scaling’ in which he postulated the existence of a Standing Gravitational Wave in the universe. Over the course of several years, this hypothesis was confirmed in the areas of gravitational wave astronomy, particle physics, high-frequency physics, cold fusion research and biophysics, biochemistry; and resulted in the development and application of research and development methodologies.
▪ GLOBAL SCALING (Dr. Muller) allows for the calculation of physical properties of technical systems with extremely high life expectancies (super stability).
▪ GLOBAL TIMING allows for the optimization of the temporal order of technological processes.
▪ GLOBAL RESONANCE-MATCHING is a physical methodology of space-energy extraction by means of resonance coupling with the Standing Gravitational Wave. This methodology has already been exploited by scientists in Russia.
Interestingly, this finding is already referenced in Bhagwad Gita (Marcus Schmieke) , when Lord Krishna says,
mayi sarvam idaṁ protaṁ sūtre maṇi-gaṇā iva – VII – 7
(Meaning: Everything in this world is woven within me as a series of pearls that are held by a string.)
The Universe is like a garland of beads; and not a random scatter of beads. The fine thread which runs through all the beads and grips them together and makes them into a garland is God.
Courtesy: Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati
All the five elements or Panchaboothas (ether, fire, air, water and earth) play an important role in generating energy, and the interacting energies in a building create an environment which affects the thinking ability of a particular human being living in that dwelling. It can also be understood that:
(a) The solid human body and soils (the earth) emanate geomagnetic currents and the flow direction is from South to North.
(b) Watery liquids above the ground and the human body, produce hydro currents in the flow direction of water.
(c) The fire within the earth, the fire within the human body and the fire in the environment interact and produce thermal currents in the direction of heat flows.
(d) The space outside the human body and the sky is the medium for producing sensitive environment currents.
(e) The air flow in the environment surroundings and the air flow within the human body produce aerodynamic forces in the direction of air flow. When the above energies produce a state of equilibrium as per the laws of Nature through Vaastu Shastra, there will be an effect based on equitable proportion of these energies called bio-electric magnetic energy which bestows health, wealth and prosperity on human beings.
This then, is the basis for Vaastu Shastra.
GF’ Blessings.
