Know More about Vaastu (Vaastu Lesson 1)

Vaastu Lesson 1

Introduction to Vaastu

Vaasthu Sasthra is the sacred art and science of building construction in the Vedic Period. This continued in India since India was attacked by the foreigners and after that they (invaders) forced their style of Architecture in India. If we were not been invaded by others, our science of construction might have been based on Vaasthu Sciences only.

In Vedic Period, the ancient Indians were very much aware of the forces of the nature and the construction of human dwellings harmonious with it. They did not like to disturb the nature by constructing houses.They believed that most of the Nature's gifts or blessings are to be utilized for the good health and prosperity of the humans.

Also they put forward some bye-laws for construction with reference to the GODs and mainly they distinguished the God's or iconic dwelling (Praasada Vaasthu) with the human or functional dwellings (Prayojaka Vaasthu). They gave importance to the prime directions (Diks) and avoided the angular directions (Vidiks).

The Vaasthu (originated from the Sanskrit word "vas" means a place to dwell) is broadly classified into four categories.
1. Bhoomi (earth suitable for human habilitation)
2. Harmya ( buildings for different activities)
3. Yaana (Movable artifacts for required for traveling eg. Pallaks, carts, boats etc)
4. Sayana (artifacts and suitable resting places for human beings as well as deities)

A lot of Authentic text books are available to give the vast traditional knowledge of the same to the new generations. Starting from the Stapathya veda, a small part of one of the four Vedas, Atharva Veda which is believed to be written in 1200 BC. we have a lot of other books. Brahadsamhita written by Varahamihira (6th century AD), Manushyalaya Chandrika (14th century AD) are very good reference books. The other books under reference are Thantra samuchaya (Chennas Narayanan Nambothirippad), Silaparathna (Srikumara), Samarakana Soothradhara (Bhoja), Vaasthu vidya (unknown writer), Manasara, Maya mata etc.

We mainly deal with Harmya Vaasthu (Residential Vaastu) here, when mentioning Vaasthu in general.


In India, these construction codes based on Vaastu were very scientific, but a divine approach was given to it. Ancient Indians considered their houses are some sort of living structures. The implementation of the same was a part of the belief system that existed at that time.

The design of a residential building is mainly based on the Directions such as North, South, East, West etc. The directions of the buildings have much importance while the rotation of the Earth in the Universe is in a particular direction only. So the houses are to be constructed according to the four main directions and the corner directions are avoided.

The position of the house is to be made only in the manushya khandam (NE quadrant) and Deva Khandam (SW quadrant). The total outer perimeter (Puram chuttu) is to be provided in such a way that it should be in complimentary to the direction in which the building faces. Here there are total 8 yonis (origins) are there for a building numbering 1 to 8 and 1(Dwaja), 3 (simha), 5
(vrishabha) and 7(gaja) yonis are good. It means that the construction shall face only the cardinal (main) directions.

Good Vaasthu provides you good health and prosperity in your life.

A good Vaasthu consultant can change your life and your future.

We will learn most of the Vaastu features in the subsequent lessons. Please visit again.