Vastu Shastra: The

Ancient Indian Science

of Architecture
TABLEof
CONTENTS
Introduction

Historical Background

Core Principles of Vastu Shastra

Vastu for Different Spaces

Modern Relevance and Adaptation

Conclusion
 INTRODUCTION
Vastu Shastra, an ancient Indian
science of architecture and
design, aims to create harmonious
living spaces that align with natural
forces. The term "Vastu" means
dwelling, and "Shastra" means
science, thus Vastu Shastra
translates to the "science of
dwellings". Originating over 5000
years ago, it integrates various
elements of nature and cosmic
principles to create structures
that promote health, prosperity,
and well-being.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The roots of Vastu Shastra trace back

to the Vedic texts, where it was
originally part of the broader discipline
of Sthapatya Veda, an upaveda
(supplementary part) of the Atharva
Veda. Ancient texts like the "Manasara,"
"Mayamatam," and "Vishwakarma
Prakashika" detail the principles of
Vastu Shastra. These guidelines were
applied in the construction of temples,
palaces, and cities throughout ancient
India, with notable examples like the
cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro,
which exhibit advanced town planning
and architectural skills in alignment
with Vastu principles.
CORE PRINCIPLES OF VASTU
SHASTRA
Vastu Shastra is based on the interplay of
five elements – earth, water, fire, air, and
space – known as the "Panchabhutas." The
goal is to balance these elements within a
space to ensure harmony and positivity.
1.ORIENTATION AND DIRECTION
·EAST (INDRA):
Associated with health and prosperity
1. WEST (VARUNA):
Linked with stability and strength.
1.NORTH (KUBERA):
Associated with wealth and career
2.SOUTH (YAMA):
·Connected to fame and relaxation.

EACH DIRECTION IS GOVERNED BY A

SPECIFIC DEITY AND HAS PARTICULAR
ATTRIBUTES INFLUENCING THE WELL-
BEING OF THE INHABITANTS. PROPER
ORIENTATION ACCORDING TO
CARDINAL DIRECTIONS IS CRUCIAL IN
VASTU PLANNING.
 1.THE MANDALA
• THE VASTU PURUSHA MANDALA IS A
COSMIC DIAGRAM USED TO PLAN SPACES.
IT REPRESENTS A METAPHYSICAL PLAN
THAT INTEGRATES THE HUMAN BODY WITH
THE UNIVERSE.

THE MANDALA IS TYPICALLY DIVIDED INTO

A GRID OF 64 OR 81 SQUARES, EACH
RULED BY A DEITY AND REPRESENTING
DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF LIFE AND COSMIC
ENERGY.
2.SITE SELECTION AND SOIL
TESTING

• THE SELECTION OF THE SITE IS

PARAMOUNT IN VASTU. IDEAL SITES ARE
RECTANGULAR OR SQUARE WITH SOIL
THAT IS FERTILE AND FREE FROM ANY
CONTAMINATION. SOIL TESTING INVOLVES
SIMPLE PROCEDURES TO DETERMINE THE
QUALITY AND SUITABILITY OF THE LAND
FOR CONSTRUCTION.
VASTU FOR DIFFERENT SPACES

VASTU SHASTRA PROVIDES

SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR VARIOUS
TYPES OF BUILDINGS, INCLUDING
HOMES, OFFICES, AND TEMPLES.
RESIDENTIAL VASTU
1. ENTRANCE

• THE MAIN ENTRANCE SHOULD

FACE NORTH OR EAST TO INVITE
POSITIVE ENERGY. IT SHOULD BE
WELL-LIT AND FREE FROM
OBSTRUCTIONS.
2. LIVING ROOM

• IDEALLY LOCATED IN THE

NORTHEAST OR NORTH, THE
LIVING ROOM SHOULD BE OPEN
AND CLUTTER-FREE TO ALLOW
THE FREE FLOW OF ENERGY.
3. KITCHEN
·THE SOUTHEAST CORNER IS
CONSIDERED THE BEST LOCATION
FOR THE KITCHEN, AS THIS
DIRECTION IS GOVERNED BY AGNI,
THE FIRE ELEMENT. COOKING
SHOULD IDEALLY BE DONE
FACING EAST.
4. BEDROOM
·THE MASTER BEDROOM SHOULD
BE IN THE SOUTHWEST
DIRECTION, SYMBOLIZING
STABILITY AND STRENGTH. BEDS
SHOULD BE PLACED WITH THE
HEAD FACING SOUTH.
5. BATHROOM
·BATHROOMS SHOULD BE IN THE
WEST OR NORTHWEST PART OF
THE HOUSE TO ENSURE PROPER
DRAINAGE AND FLOW OF WATER.
6. POOJA ROOM
·THE NORTHEAST CORNER, OR
ISHANYA, IS THE MOST
AUSPICIOUS PLACE FOR A POOJA
ROOM, AS IT IS CONSIDERED THE
ZONE OF DIVINE ENERGY.
COMMERCIAL VASTU
1.OFFICE
• THE MAIN ENTRANCE SHOULD
FACE NORTH OR NORTHEAST. THE
BOSS'S ROOM SHOULD BE IN THE
SOUTHWEST CORNER, AND THEY
SHOULD SIT FACING NORTH.
2. RECEPTION AREA

·THE RECEPTION SHOULD BE IN

THE EAST OR NORTHEAST,
WELCOMING POSITIVE ENERGIES.
3. WORKSTATIONS

·EMPLOYEES SHOULD IDEALLY

FACE NORTH OR EAST WHILE
WORKING.
4. MEETING ROOMS
·MEETING ROOMS SHOULD BE IN
THE NORTHWEST TO FOSTER
CREATIVITY AND
COLLABORATION.
 TEMPLE VASTU
TEMPLES HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN INDIAN
CULTURE, SERVING AS SANCTUARIES FOR
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE AND COMMUNAL
WORSHIP. THE PRINCIPLES OF VASTU
SHASTRA, THE ANCIENT INDIAN SCIENCE OF
ARCHITECTURE, PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN
DESIGNING TEMPLES TO FACILITATE
SPIRITUAL ENERGY FLOW AND ENHANCE THE
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES.
1. GARBHAGRIHA (SANCTUM SANCTORUM)

• THE CORE AREA WHERE THE

DEITY IS PLACED SHOULD BE IN
THE NORTHEAST QUADRANT OF
THE TEMPLE
2. MANDAPA (ASSEMBLY HALL)

• THE ASSEMBLY HALL FOR

DEVOTEES SHOULD FACE EAST.
3. PRADAKSHINA PATH
(CIRCUMAMBULATORY PATH)
·THE PATH AROUND THE SANCTUM
SHOULD ALLOW FOR CLOCKWISE
MOVEMENT, SYMBOLIZING THE
ROTATION OF THE EARTH AND THE
CYCLE OF LIFE.
MODERN RELEVANCE AND ADAPTATION

IN CONTEMPORARY TIMES, VASTU SHASTRA

REMAINS RELEVANT, THOUGH ADAPTATIONS
ARE OFTEN NECESSARY DUE TO URBAN
CONSTRAINTS. MODERN ARCHITECTS AND
INTERIOR DESIGNERS INCORPORATE VASTU
PRINCIPLES TO CREATE SPACES THAT
ENHANCE WELL-BEING AND PRODUCTIVITY.
FOR INSTANCE, ENSURING AMPLE NATURAL
LIGHT, PROPER VENTILATION, AND THE
STRATEGIC PLACEMENT OF FURNITURE AND
DECOR ITEMS ARE WAYS TO ALIGN MODERN
LIVING SPACES WITH VASTU GUIDELINES.
CRITICISMS AND SCIENTIFIC BASIS
WHILE VASTU SHASTRA IS
REVERED BY MANY, IT HAS ALSO
FACED CRITICISM FOR ITS LACK
OF SCIENTIFIC VALIDATION.
CRITICS ARGUE THAT ITS
PRINCIPLES ARE BASED ON
TRADITIONAL BELIEFS RATHER
THAN EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE.
HOWEVER, PROPONENTS
SUGGEST THAT THE GUIDELINES
ALIGN WITH BASIC
ARCHITECTURAL PRINCIPLES THAT
PROMOTE VENTILATION, LIGHT,
AND STRUCTURAL STABILITY.
CONCLUSION
VASTU SHASTRA, WITH ITS ANCIENT WISDOM,
OFFERS A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO CREATING
HARMONIOUS LIVING ENVIRONMENTS. WHETHER
FOR HOMES, OFFICES, OR TEMPLES, ITS PRINCIPLES
EMPHASIZE THE BALANCE OF NATURAL ELEMENTS
AND COSMIC ENERGIES, FOSTERING WELL-BEING
AND PROSPERITY.

WHILE MODERN ADAPTATIONS ARE NECESSARY,

THE CORE TENETS OF VASTU CONTINUE TO GUIDE
THE CREATION OF SPACES THAT RESONATE WITH
POSITIVE ENERGY AND BALANCE.