An Introduction to Vastu

Contributed by Sherri Silverman

Vastu is India’s spiritually based system of architecture, design, and sacred space. It is both architecture and theart of how to honor and fill the space enclosed within that form. Vastu's purpose is to align our architectural spaces withthe beneficial effects of subtle laws of nature and earth and cosmic energies. Vastu works with prana, or universal lifeenergy, to enhance the freshness, vitality, and life-supporting qualities of our environment. Vastu is the yoga of design,which enables us to live lives in harmony, balance and wholeness. Like meditation and yoga, Vastu is a part of ourplanetary heritage: it is universal and belongs to all of us. Vastu design requires beauty, comfort and practicality; the use of natural materials; and attunement with nature throughthe honoring of the five elements and the nine directions. It contains guidelines for an extraordinarily wide range of artsand practical design, including the creation of vehicles, gardens, and dance. The Sanskrit word “Vastu” istranslated as “energy,” “the space that fills that form or dwelling,” and “substancethat… exists eternally.” “Vaastu” refers to the humanly built forms that are filled with that spaceenergy. Vastu views a building as a living entity that harmoniously supports our lives. It has the potential to revolutionizelives by creating buildings that, as living organisms, fully support our health, growth, and happiness instead of being thecause of many of our problems, as we see with today’s “sick buildings.” Vastu creates homes in which prana (subtle, sparkly, universal life energy, what in the Chinese system is calledch’i) flows freely and there are no structural elements that predispose us to illness or problems in life. Evenexisting health problems ease up and can clear from being in buildings constructed according to true Vastu. There areaspects of Vastu that can be applied to rectify energetic imbalances in existing homes, although building a new houseaccording to Vastu principles produces a much more powerfully nourishing environment. The main blueprint for Vastu homes is the Vastu Purusha Mandala, a square or rectangular grid pattern with a minimumof nine sections representing the nine directions of north, south, east, west, northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest,and the center. Each direction has its particular properties which, when properly honored, facilitate transforming anyspace into one that feels and looks better, that is more supportive of fulfilling our desires for peace, prosperity, health,and happiness. The Vastu Purusha Mandala represents the harmonious union of cosmic energies and earth energies, ofmasculine and feminine divine elements. This creates a lively, balanced wholeness. If you want to build according to Vastu, the first thing to look at is the land you are considering, since land is thefoundation for your building. The land you choose has a profound effect on the energy that will be embodied in yourhome or business. There are specific guidelines for what it’s next to (roads and other buildings), what its shape is,where the trees or any water on the property are. One traditional test involves digging a hole in the land and then refillingit with the same soil. If the soil fills up the hole or overflows, it is a sign of abunance. If the soil does not fill up the hole,consider looking elsewhere for a home site. If you cannot buy land and build, Vastu guidelines can be used to rectify and enhance already constructed buildings.Vastu takes into consideration eight directions and the centermost point from which energy and prana pour forth: the fourcardinal directions of north, south, east, and west; the intermediate directions of northeast, northwest, southeast, andsouthwest; and the center. Something similar can be seen in other traditions, such as Navajo sandpainting and TibetanBuddhist sand mandalas. Each of these nine directions is important and has specific elements associated with it. Properorientation with the cardinal directions aligns the built space with the energy grid of the earth and brings greatharmonious benefit. 

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Vastu recognizes five elements of creation that, when honored and balanced, enhance the flow of prana within a homeor other building. Honoring nature is always a sacred acknowledgement. It’s clear that respect and care of ournatural environment is a sacred contract – we have all seen the result of ignoring this. The five elements in theVedic system are space, air, fire, water, and earth. Space is the subtlest of the five elements; earth is the most dense. Itis traditionally understood from Taitiriya Upanishad that each element emerges in turn from the previous, less denseelement, which is how material form develops out of the unmanifest space. Each of these five basic elements is energetically associated with a particular direction. These more concentrated, specialized energies are predominant in specific different sectors of the Vastu PurushaMandala. By honoring the various elements and their primal energies, greater harmony and ease in life is achieved. EARTH: bhumi or prithivi The earth element is associated with the southwest direction, the best choice for the locationfor the master bedroom.Earth is a solid, dense, and grounded element in its effect. We all need a physical basis or foundation to survive in thisworld. Plants, trees, soil, rocks, and mountains represent the earth element.WATER: jala Northeast is the direction where the energy waves of water element collect. This makes it the best placement for indoorand outdoor water features: swimming pools, fountains, ponds, waterfalls, and aquariums. Water is frequently used as ametaphor for pure consciousness in the Vedic tradition.FIRE: agni The fire element is predominant in the southeast, so it is the best placement for kitchens, fireplaces, computers, andother electrical equipment. Digestion in the body and transformation are also the realm of Agni. To add and honor theelement of fire, light fires! Enjoy candles or a fireplace, indoors or outdoors, in the southeast. AIR: vayu The air element is most lively in the northwest, so put your fans, wind streamers, mobiles, wind chimes, and air purifiershere. The concept of movement in general is associated with this element and its direction. To reap the benefits of theprana in the air, practice pranayama breathing techniques, preferably with windows open enough to bring fresh air intothe room. SPACE: akasha  