Vastushastra

 

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And Vastu

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TRADITIONAL VASTU


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Glimpses Of Traditional Vastu

Traditional vastushastra is based on energy needs of a particular class of people. It indicates the specific directional zones suitable for habitation by various groups. This segmentation is derived from the qualities of eight directions, which are characterised by certain energy levels, and specific virtues as explained in the vastu purush mandal. This logic has been extended in classification of sectors to be used for residence by various castes, creeds, and social groups.

Intellectual congruities are directly correlated with and are dependent on the daily routine. Energy needs of a given class of people do not remain static or constant over a period of time. Hence, in an ideal town planning, houses of various classes should be arranged as per their immediate energy needs. This apart, each class is found to have different eating habits and corresponding cooking methods. For planning purposes, these factors are given due consideration in traditional vastushastra.

Constraints on financial resources of different classes impose limitations on choice of materials for house building, a factor reflected in traditional style of architecture. In planning a city or a town, logic of vastu purush mandal, extrapolated several times over, has to be applied on the basis of energy requirements of different strata of society. Here vastu is first applied on a larger scale to demarcate public places, open grounds and residential areas by virtue of different directions. Then it is reapplied on a smaller scale for seperate plots to establish miniature figure of vastu purush in each case. Thus an individual gets associated with nature, and microcosm is correlated with macrocosm.


Methods Of Vastu Classification

Three different methods are traditionally used for characterising a vastu.To represent the effect of five great elements and the variation of energy spectrum, the cuts or squares used in conventional vastu are either 10 x 10, or 9 x 9, or 8 x 8 type. Suitable nomenclature, generally a deity or a demon, is appended to these squares as per the type, form, intensity, and effective energy format. The charts include directional details, name of deities etc. and are self explanatory.

 

Vastu Purush Mandal Matrix Vastu Type
Chatushashtipad 8 x 8 Housing coloy layouts, plannig of small townships, government or military camps.
Ekashitipad 9 x 9 Houses of different classes of society, palaces, public places, government offices.
Shatpad 10 x 10 Tall buildings, mansions, temples, auditoriams etc.
 

A vastu purush mandal with 8 x 8 = 64 squares is useful in planning of colony layouts and smaller townships. Vastu purush mandal with 9 x 9 = 81 squares is used in town planning for classifying locations as per the caste factor (caste here points to vocation of people). This is called ekashitipad vastu purush mandal and is also utilised in placement of houses for politicians, public places, courts, theatres etc. A vastu purush mandal with 10 x 10 = 100 squares is applied in planning of palaces, mansions, temples, and big auditoriams.

 

Selection Of Soil Characteristics (Bhoomi Lakshanam)

The suitability of soil fir individual entities is decided on the basis of the biorythmic and organic origin of a class of society. Characteristics of social classes are dependent on the nature of work or job normally pursued and exposure to the environment .

The holistic logic of soil selection is related to virtues of five great elements as projected by qualities of the soil. In vastu texts, properties of soil or earth are described in terms of appearance, taste, odour, sound, color shape, touch and slope of plot. These qualities find their equivalent attributes in human classes. Naturally, a correlation between soil characteristics and requirements of human groups can easily be established.

Intellectual Classes

For intellectual classes, a square plot in north zone is preffered. Audumber tree should be present on the plot and the soil should be white, representing jal tatva. Slopes towards the north direction are considered advantageous.

Astrologically speaking, north zone is under the influence of jupiter and moon, which are the governing planets for education, culture, and religion. Hence, north zones should be reserved for intellectuals in any town planning.


Military And Police

For military and police personnel, rectangular plots in east zone are preffered. The soil should be reddish in color, having bitter taste. The presence of pipal tree on the plot with slopes towards the east is considered advantageous.

A rectangular shape represents strength and force, red color represents agni tatva, and slope towards east leads to better correlation with qualities of planet mars who is known as the warrior. Pipal tree symbolically exhibits the activity of vayu tatva. All the above attributes and parameters are a must for military and police personnel.

Astrologically, the sun and mars having agni tatva qualities and characteristics of a warrior govern east zone. Hence, east zone should be reserved for military and police cadre in town planning.

Traders And Businessmen

A rectangular plot with excess length compared to width is preferred for traders and business class. The plot should be in southern zone with yellow colored soil having acidic taste. The plot should slope towards east.

The excessive length in rectangular shape allows for better stream flow characteristics. The yellow color simulates prithvi tatva symbolising stability, and the eastward slope reinforces aditya pravah. This means that stability is achieved along with alacrity because of the favourable role played by the color, the form, and the shape. These attributes are a prerequisite for a stable and a enhanced growth pattern for the business.

Astrologically, the tenth house in a horoscope represents business, profession, and work. Hence, the south zone is suitable for traders and businessmen.


Working Classes

Rectangular plot with length far in excess of width is preferred for housing of working classes. The soil should be black in color and bitter in taste, with slope towards east is preferred.

Geologically black and bitter soil is rich in mineral contents, and can be suitably used for vegetation and plantation. Excessive length of a house can be used for constructing separate rooms to accomodate different activities which are part of daily routine of the working classes and need to be carried out without disturbing their work assignments. The task areas include storage place for grain, workshops, etc. Slope towards east allows aditya pravah inside house.

Astrologically, west zone is ruled by planet saturn, which represents working class activities. Hence, west zone is suitable for working classes.

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Coming soon - Traditional Vastu (Part 2)

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