Domestic Vastu by Future Samachar

DomesticVastu Author

Editor

Pramod Kumar Sinha Dr. Arun Bansal

Domestic Vastu Author

Editor

Pramod Kumar Sinha Dr. Arun Bansal © All India Federation of Astrologers' Societies ® Third Edition : Dec. 2020 Written specially for the Courses of Studies of the Federation

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Preamble Vastu is the most ancient education which has been mentioned in Rigveda. Our Rishis and Yogis were always concerned about making human life easy, simple and progressive. The principles of vastu are scientific. In ancient times when students used to study 64 genres of education in Gurukul, at that time also vastu was one of the famous genre. From last few years people have become highly interested in vastu. It has been said in Vishwakarmaprakash :

okLrq'kkL=ka izo{;kfe yksdkuka fgrdkE;;kA

Vastushastram pravakshyami lokanaam hitkamyaya The meaning of vastu is – worth living or staying. Vastuvidya is very detailed and mysterious. Goswami Tulsidas says :

f{kfr ty ikod xxu lehjkA iap rRo jfpr ;g v/ke 'kjhjkAA

Kshiti jal pawak gagan sameera Panch tatva rachit yah adham shareera As human body is made of five elements, similarly Prakriti is also made of five elements. Therefore these five elements are integral part of our life. One enjoys high life conditions with good health and spiritual enrichment in life if he stays in a place the atmosphere of which contains all these five elements of Prakriti. The favourable and unfavourable events are integral part of life and that is the ultimate truth of life. Destiny plays a very important role in a life, however we should perform our karmas as directed by classical texts. Vastu shastra is a mysterious and detailed subject which has become relevant in modern times for everybody. We do not become the victim of vastu faults if we apply the fundamentals of vastu shastra in building construction. We can get rid of vastu related faults. My objective and ambition is to enable the readers to take advantage by following the principles mentioned in this book. I got the inspiration to write this book from my mother Smt. Usha Rani, father Shri Awadhesh Nandan Prasad, wife Smt. Veena Sinha, elder brother Shri Sudhendra Kumar Sinha and all my family,

Preamble | iii

teachers and friends. I am specially thankful to Mr. Arun Kumar Bansal (President of All India Federation of Astrologer’s Societies) and Smt. Abha Bansal (Chief Treasurer of AIFAS) with whose inspiration and guidance I succeeded in writing this book. In addition to this the sincere effort of Dr. Girja Shanker, P.N. Roy, Dr. Manju Shree Kumar, Shri Ram Sharan Singh, Mr. Sunil Kumar (office colleague) and Rajendra Sharma (Student) is appreciable. I am thankful to all these people from the core of my heart. Above all my prayer to god has always been a source of inspiration in the fulfilment of this endeavour.

Pramod Kumar Sinha

iv | Domestic Vastu

About the Editor Dr. Arun Bansal Chairman All India Federation Of Astrologers' Societies

Chief Editor Future Samachar & Research Journal of Astrology Dr. Arun Bansal, M.Sc. in Physics from Delhi University, he also did M.Phil and research in computer science from Jawahar Lal Nehru University, Delhi. His knowledge of Astrology and computer science inspired him to develop the first ever program on Astrology in 1981, when computers were not so popular in India. Mr. Bansal did research work on intricate topic of longevity in astrology and for this valuable research work Mewar University conferred him the degree of doctorate in Astrology on 23rd December 2018. He started organization Future Point (P) Ltd. in 1985 and developed the most popular programs in the name of Leo-1, Leo-99, Leo Gold, Leo Star, Leo Star Expert, Leo Star Professional, Leo Touch based on various systems of Astrology like Parashar, Jaimini, Tajik and K.P. He has introduced his astrological software on Palm organizer and Android based mobiles. He has a research dominated thinking. By conducting various surveys on astrological groups, he has tried to prove that planets behave in a special manner at a particular angle or in influence of other planets. He has developed a highly accurate software to predict rain forecasting, share market, commodity market & money markets based on the last market values & planetary position. He has also developed programs to accurately suggest about matching, profession or illness. In the face of all he stands tall in the portals of astrology, commanding respect and recognition at various levels. His great ambition is to disseminate knowledge of Indian Vedic sciences all over the world. He has successfully organized international seminars on astrology in Mauritius, Singapore, Dubai, South Africa, Netherlands etc. between 2001 and 2016.

About the Editor | v

Dr. Bansal is the President of "All India Federation of Astrologers Societies", the largest Indian Federation teaching Astrology, Palmistry, Numerology and Vastu in over 100 cities of India. He is also the publisher and Chief Editor of popular astrological magazines "Future Samachar" and "Research Journal of Astrology". He has written and published many books on astrology. He is a hot favourite of those who seek consultancy in astrology as he has gained limitless clout by way of his uncanny predictions & interpretations. Dr. Bansal has given a new direction to the divine science of Astrology and has created awareness amongst the masses towards this science. We hope that the new reseaches performed under his guidance will give a new dimension to Astrology and other occult sciences which will enable the astrologers to make accurate predictions.

vi | Domestic Vastu

About the Author The governor of All India Astrologers’ Societies Bihar and Jharkhand Mr. Pramod kumar Sinha has his unique identity in the field of astrology. He has been in this field for last fifteen years. His dedication to astrology in last ten years has brought a lot of recognition to him. His contribution in starting the classes of All India Federation of Astrologers Societies' is appreciable. Being the chapter chairperson he participates in all activities of AIFAS. He contributes his articles to the research journal of astrology and in the Dainik Jagran, Patna edition (a leading daily news paper), on a regular basis. He has acquired expertise in the methodical analysis of astrology at national and international events. He has done research work on those planetary combinations which are responsible for making one an efficient astrologer by analyzing horoscopes of more than 100 astrologers. He has been continuously active in propagating astrology. He is well versed in astrology, Vastu, Numerology and Lal Kitab. In present book of Domestic Vastu the presentation of difficult subject of astrological remedy has been presented very effectively. In the presentation of Vastu rules the simple and practical remedies have been included. We wish you all success in your life.

Arun Bansal

About the Author | vii

5 6

Table of Contents

1 2 3

Introduction

Exercise

Vastu Deva or Vastu Purush 7 Exercise

Importance of Directions in Vastu

Determination of Directions

Exercise

Importance of Five Elements in Vastu

Five Elements

Vastu Energy

Abode of the Panchatatvas

The importance of the universal energies in house construction

Exercise

Connection between Vastu and Jyotish

Exercise

Muhurta

Some important Muhurtas for Vastu work

Muhurta for Griha Pravesh

Exercise

Selection of Land

Consideration pertaining to Land

Types of Land

Examination on the basis of surface of land

Slope of the Land

Exercise

Table of Contents | ix

8 9 10 11 12 13

Adjoining Roads

Plot having roads on two sides

Plot having roads on Three sides

Plot with roads on Four sides

Exercise

Energy Level of The Plot

Exercise

Shape of the Land

Exercise

Extension of the Plot

Exercise

Reduction of the Plot

Exercise

Obstructions

Different types of Vedhas

Results of a house near a temple

Exercise

x | Domestic Vastu

Vastu of the House

Exercise

Overhead Tank

Exercise

Main Door of the House

Exercise

Windows of the House

Exercise

Main Rules for the Stair Case

Exercise

Shapes and Sizes of the Rooms

Factors to be paid attention to while constructing a house

Exercise

Pooja Room

Exercise

15 16 17

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Kitchen

Exercise

Dining Room

Exercise

Bathroom

Exercise

Toilet

Exercise

Septic Tank

Exercise

100

General Location of the Bedrooms

101

Exercise

104

Study Room

105

Exercise

106

28 29 30 31 32 33 34

Strong Room

107

Exercise

108

The Basement/ Cellar

109

Exercise

110

Garage and Verandah

111

Exercise

112

Store Room

113

Exercise

114

Apartments, Buildings & Residential Complexes

115

Exercise

117

Golden Principles of Vastu

119

Exercise

121

The Importance of Colours in Vastu

123

Directions and Their Colours

124

Exercise

125

Table of Contents | xi

36 37

The Importance of Trees in Vastu

127

Utility of Different Trees

127

Auspicious trees

129

Inauspicious Trees

130

Some Important Considerations

130

Exercise

131

Vastu and Diseases

133

Exercise

134

Direction-Planet, Correlation, their Defects and Remedies

135

Fault related to Directions

135

Use of Siddha Ganapati for Vastu Dosha Nivaran

140

Some Ancient Yantras for correcting the Vastu Defects

142

Exercise

148

Feng Shui

149

Five elements of Fengshui

151

Principle Concerning Bagua

153

Cycles of creation and destruction

155

Rectifying Vastu Doshas without demolition

156

Exercise

164

xii | Domestic Vastu

39 40

Pyramid

165

Pyramid Energy

165

Exercise

168

Plans based on Vastu Principles

169

Introduction

Every particle in this cosmos whether transient or intransient is madeup of five constituents which are called Panchamahabhutas. Vastu is basically a science based on the balancing phenomena of these five elements in dwelling places or the places of other activities. Various ancient text like Vedas, Puranas, Samhitas and Jain Agams mention about the Vastu Principles for architectural constructions.

We have acquired the knowledge of Vastu Shastra from the four vedas namely Rigveda, Yajurveda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda. Apart from the Vedas, lots of information regarding Vastu Shastra is available in the Puranas and in other ancient texts. The first mention of the principles of Vastu has been found in the Great Rigveda. After the vedas, four upavedas were also composed by the rishis. One of these upavedas is the Sthapatya veda, which is the upaveda of Artharva veda. With the passage of time Sthapatya veda was developed as Vastu Shastra. The puranas which provide the knowledge of vastu are Matsya purana, Skanda purana, Agni purana, Vayu purana, Garuda purana and the Bhavishya purana. Matsya purana gives detailed information regarding rock carvings and the position and decoration of ceremonial sites and venues. Narad purana gives valuable information regarding temples. Similar information regarding temples is also provided in Vayu purana's but this purana deals with temples located at great height. Skanda purana deals with the principles of town planning and their layout. Metropolitan cities of the western civilisation would lose their lustre in front of the principles explained in this purana. Agni purana lays down the principles of residential dwelling units or residential houses. So we find that our classics are store houses of such vast knowledge. Apart from these extremely ancient sources, there are many more granthas providing exhaustive knowledge regarding vastu. These are the Ramayana, the Mahabharat, the Arthshastra of Chanakya, Buddhist and Jaina granthas, Brihat samhita, Samarangan Sutradhar, Vishwakarma prakash, Mayamat, Mansar and

Introduction | 1

Vastu Rajavallabh. The eighteen pravartakas like Bhrigu, Shukracharya, Brihaspati and the other's have also dealt with this subject extensively. All these classics are complete by themselves, but in the eleventh century the king of Malva Bhoj Parmar composed 'Samarangan Sutradhar' which is one of the most established and proven granthas of Vastu. It is a compilation of the principles laid down in all these previous vastu granthas. It also provides simple remedial measures for correction of Vastu faults without damaging the constructed house. Vastu shastra originated in the Vedic age and up to the 13th century AD it flourished and became a part of peoples lives. After the advent of the Mughals, the popularity and practice of this art diminished, though it remained popular in South India. Once the British arrived, this remarkable art practically vanished. People started ridiculing it and started considering it to be old fashioned and stupid, instead of accepting it and practising it. It has fortunately been revived today and is giving us health wealth prosperity and peace in the tension filled life of today. The word Vastu originated from the Sanskrit word “Vas” and the meaning of this word is to live life or to reside. The word “Vasu” originated from “Vas” and finally this word “Vastu” originated from “Vasu”. The meaning of okLrq is o + vLrq which means for living, therefore meaning of the word Vastu is a place where a person resides. The meaning of Shastra is a book which deals with the mysterious and systematic explanation of a subject, therefore the meaning of Vastushastra is a book related to the residence. The origin and anatomy of Vastushastra is based on the principle of the five elements of creation. As our body is also made up of these five elements, if enough attention is paid to the incorporation of these five elements in the construction of a house then the people residing in the building shall reside happily. These five elements are- Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. Our universe also is made up of these five elements only. Therefore the saying goes :

;r fi.Ms rr czãk.MsA

Yatpindetatbramhande God (Hkxoku& bhagwan) has given these five gifts to us :

Hk (bha) Hkwfe (land) from x (ga) xxu (sky, ether) from ok (va) ok;q (air) from u (na) uhj (water) from

God is represented by the symbol

2 | Domestic Vastu

¬ (Om). These five elements are present in this

Om also. “Aa” (v) is Agni (fire), “Au” (m) is Jal (water), “Ma” (e) is Vayu (air), “ardhachandra” ( W ) is Bhoomi (land) and “Shunya” (0) is Akash (ether, sky). Similarly the word Vastu also denotes these five elements. From “Va”(o) Vayu (air), from “Aa” (k)

v Agni (fire),

from “Sa” (l) “Srishti” Bhoomi (land), from “Ta” (r) Tat means Akash (ether/ sky) and from “Au” (m) Jal (water). These five elements also are represented by the five planets : 1. Earth is represented by Mars 2. Water is represented by Venus 3. Fire is represented by Sun 4. Air is represented by Saturn 5. Ether is represented by Jupiter Similarly mind is controlled by Moon. Intelligence is controlled by Mercury. Ego and arrogance is controlled by Rahu and moksha or spirituality by Ketu. Disbalance of these elements in the body produces ill health and disease. In a similar manner the disbalance of these elements in a house creates varied kind of troubles for the persons living in it. There are unlimited forces present in nature. Some of these forces influence us, for example the gravitational force of earth, the magnetic and electrical energy of the universe and the

Vastu Purush representing Five Elements

electromagnetic force present everywhere. These energies also exist in the constructed house and they continue influencing the electro magnetic force present in the human body. This produces the auspicious or inauspicious results. These results vary from place to place depending on the geographical location. For these reasons the results of vastu principles are not the same all over the world. They differ according to the longitude and latitude of the place. They also differ according to the horoscope of the person concerned. If man goes along with the flow of nature's energies, it produces good health, progress and prosperity. If he goes against the flow of nature, he faces hurdles and obstructions everywhere. Hence it is utmost important and necessary for us to organize our lives according to nature, only then we can live happily. Halayudha kosha makes the following statement regarding vastu.

okLrq la{ksirks o{;s x`gknks fo?uuk'kue~A bZ'kkudks.kknkjH; áksdk'khfrins R;tsrA~ A Vastu is that art of house construction, which starts

Introduction | 3

from Ishan kona etc. and which protects the residents of the house from natural calamities and obstructions. According to Amar kosha

x`gjpuk ofPNUu HkweAs The land suitable for house construction is called Vastu. Vastu is also considered to be that land on which a building or a house is constructed. In other words Vastu is that knowledge which gives us information regarding the construction and the utility of the house. Similarly king Bhoj Parmar states in the fifth shloka of the first chapter of his famous 'Samrangan Sutradhar'

okLrq'kkL=n`rs rL; u L;kYy% {k.kfu';p%A rLekYyksdL; d`i;k 'kkL«ersnn` h;ZrAs A Apart from the principles of Vastu shastra there are no other guidelines for proper construction of a house. In brief, keeping vastu of a place in harmony with the principles of vastu shastra is vastu.

lekjkax.k lw= /kukfu cqf)'p lUrfr loZnku`.kke~A fiz;kU;s"kka p lkaflf) loZL;kr~ 'kqHk y{k.keQAA ;k= fufUnr y{e= rfgrs oka fo/kkr d`rA vFk loZ eqikns;a ;Hnosr~ 'kqHk y{k.ke~AA ns'k iqj fuokJp lHkk ohLe lukfpA ;| nhn`leU;kJp rFk Hks;Ldja ere~AA okLrq 'kkL=n`rrs L; u L;Yy{kfu.kZ;%A rLekr~ yksdL; d`i;k lHkkesrna jq h;rsAA A house constructed according to the principles of vastu bestows all kinds of happiness, wealth, wisdom and peace. It also gives freedom from debts. By disregarding these same principles the same abode can cause undesired journeys, defamation, disappointments and unhappiness. So all houses, villages, towns and cities should be constructed according to the principles of vastu. This shastra has been composed by the rishis for the benefit and progress of mankind. Narad Samhita also advocates that vastu propagates the aim of health, wealth,

4 | Domestic Vastu

prosperity, peace, happiness and progeny of the owner of the house. Vastu shastra is a very deep and profound subject, which is based on the principles of science and spirituality. The houses constructed in harmony with the principles of Vastu are auspicious and bestow happiness, while those which violate these guidelines cause destruction. Similarly industrial and professional complexes based on vastu principles promote success and happiness. The aims of residential vastu are attainment of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, while those of professional and industrial vastu is attainment of 'Artha' or money. Proper vastu in industry also promotes production, profits, customers and success. It produces harmony between the management and the workers and also between the industry and society. It also helps the industry to fulfil its social responsibility.

Exercise Q1. What do you mean by the term Vastu? What role does Vastu play? Q2. Write the names of five important classical texts of Vastu Shastra. Q3. Which Vedic texts provide us the knowledge about Vastu Shastra? Q4. When did Vastu Shastra originate and in which era did it spread and by which means ? Q5. What do you mean by Panchamahabhootas ?

Introduction | 5

Vastu Deva or Vastu Purush

Vastu Purush is considered to be the main diety who is responsible for providing peace, happiness and prosperity in any constructed building whether it be dwelling houses or commercial complexes. The worship of Vastu Purush is essential at the time of laying foundation and entering into a new premise. He is required to make offerings for his blessings.

Vastu devata or Vastu purush occupies an extremely important position in vastu construction. He is the main deity of the house. According to the shastras and puranas, once lord Shiva was engaged in a fierce battle with 'Andhakasur' daitya. During this battle some drops of Shivji's perspiration fell on the earth and an extremely huge and terrifying giant rose from them. He started terrorizing and killing the devatas. Then all the devatas got together and caught him and pressed him down on the earth with his face downwards and sat down on him to prevent him from rising again. To pacify him they gave him a boon that he will be worshipped at all the auspicious ceremonies. All the devatas reside on his body and for this reason he is known as the vastu purush. All the wise people worship him. Whoever does not worship him faces hurdles and untimely death. Vastu purush lies on the ground in a particular posture as shown in the figure. His head is always in the 'Ishan kona' while his feet are in the 'Nairritya kona'. The soles of his feet keep touching each other. His knees and elbows almost touch each other and remain in the Agneya and the Vayavya kona.

Worship of Vastu Puja When should the Vastu purush be worshipped He is mainly worshipped at three occasions :

First at the beginning of house construction

Vastu Deva or Vastu Purush | 7

Second at the main door construction

Third at the griha pravesh after completion of the house

He is also worshipped at :

Yagyopaveet or upanayan ceremony

Marriage ceremony

Birth of a son

Havan and Yagyas

He is also worshipped under special conditions :

Reconstruction of an old door

Reconstruction of a burnt down house

Re-entering a house where the women had remained ill or were always fighting

Re-entering a house which was surrounded by calamities

Worshipping Vastu devata gets his blessings and ushers in peace and happiness

Vastu Purush and Vastu peethas Karma Kanda advocates installation of different types of Vastu peethas according to the purpose of construction. Vastu purush is imagined on the area on which the house is to be constructed. In this manner we can have vastus starting from one 'pada' up to one thousand 'padas'. Vastu Rajavallabha states :

xzkesa Hkwifr eafnjs p uxjs iwT;% prq%"kf"VdsA ,dk'khfrinS leLr Hkous th.kksZ uok)a 'kds%Z AA izlkjs rq 'krka'kdS% rq ldyss iwT; rFkk e.MisA dw is"k>uoprqHkkx&lkfguksa ok.;ka rMkxs ousAA The above mentioned shlokas states that one should worship 64 pada vastu for a village, town or a palace, 81 pada vastu for a residential house, 49 pada vastu for an old door, 100 Pada vastu for all types of mandapas and mansions, 144 or 194 pada vastu for a well, pond or a water body. The shastras also mention :

nqxkZ izfr"Bk fo"k;s fuos'ks rFkk egkpkZlq p dksfV gksrAs esjkSp jk"Vª"s ofi fl)fyaxs okLrqlgL=ks.k ins iziTw ;%AA For building a country or a capital or a city etc., 1000 talika vastu peetha should be worshipped.

8 | Domestic Vastu

Similarly for the 'Pratishtha' of Durga ji and of a 'Siddha' Shivalinga also, 1000 talika Vastu peetha should be worshipped.

Brahma Sthan The Brahma sthan is considered to be the centre of the plot. It is the focal point of all the energy. This is one of the most important points of consideration in Vastu. Brahmasthan of the vastu purush is the area around the naval, heart, lungs, stomach, secret parts and the thighs. The same principle applies to the plot also. Because such sensitive body parts of the Vastu purush are located in the brahma sthan, this place should be kept open and free from any kind of irritant like weight, pillar and the like. If the residents of the house want to live happily, then they should not construct anything in the brahma sthan. Brahma resides in the following manner in the plot. Padas of Brahma in the centre

Pada

Brahma in the centre

64 Padas

4 Padas

81 Padas

9 Padas

100 Padas

16 Padas

144 Padas

24 Padas

169 Padas

25 Padas

196 Padas

32 Padas

1000 Padas

100 Padas Vastu Purush

The given figure shows that every part of the plot is controlled by some body part of the Vastu purush.

Vastu and the Gods Different gods represent different body parts of the vastu purush. According to the Shastras :

bZ'kk eqf?u lekfJrk Jo.k;ksitZp ukekfnfr%A vkirL; xys rna'k;qxys izkDs rksa t;nwpkfjfrnA mDrko.kZr&Hk/kjkS Lru;qxs L;knkioRlks gfnA iapnas kz fn lqjkbp nf{k.kHkqts okes ukxknHk%AA

Vastu Deva or Vastu Purush | 9

lkfo=k% lforkp nf{k.k djsa okes nLo;a:nzr% e`R;q eS=kx.kLrFkk: fo"k;s LekUukfxuiq"Bs fof/k%AA esVªs 'kqØ&t;kSp tkrq ;qxys rkS okfgu&jksxkSLe`rkSAA iw"kkufUnbp lIrkfn cq/kkj vYiks inksa iSrd ` k%AA eSjkSp jk"Vs"sª ofi fl)fyaxs okLrqlgL=ks.k ins iziTw ;%AA

Vastu Deities

The gods are placed in the body of the Vastu purush in the following manner considering that he is lying face down.

10 | Domestic Vastu

Organs of Vastu Purush and the places of Deities

Body Part

God

Head

Shiva

Both ears

Parjanya - Diti

Above throat

Apadeva

Both breasts

Ayarma - Prithwidhar

Both Shoulders

Jaya - Aditi

Above the heart

Apavatsa

Right hand up to wrist

Savitra - Savita

From right elbow to the wrist Rudra - Dudradas Thigh

Mrityu - Mitra

Behind naval

Brahma upastha

Reproductive parts

Indra - Jaya

Above both knees

Agni, Roga.

Blood vessel of one leg

Nandi, Sugreeva, Asur, Kshona, Pusha, Varun, Papa yakshma Pitra

Both heels

Griha vastu comprises of 81 pada vastu chakra. 45 gods reside in these 81 padas. Brahma ji occupies the 9 padas of the central portion, 32 gods reside in the corners and 13 gods reside in the centre. Their names and mantras are as follows : Gods and Mantra

S.N. Name 1

Shikhi (Isha)

Parjanya

Jayanta

Indra

Surya

Satya

Bhrasha

Antariksha (Akash)

Anila (Vayu)

Pusha

Vitatha

Brihatkshta

Yama

Gandharva

Mantra

Om Shikhye Namah Om Parjanye Namah Om Jayantaya Namah Om Kulishyudhaya namah Om Suryaya Namah Om Satyaya Namah Om Bhrashase Namah Om Akashaye Namah Om Vayave Namah Om Pushaya Namah Om Vitathaya Namah Om Brihatkshtaya Namah Om Yamaya Namah Om Gandharvaya Namah

Vastu Deva or Vastu Purush | 11

S.N. Name

12 | Domestic Vastu

Bhringaraj

Mriga

Pitra

Dauvarika

Sugreeva

Pushpadanta

Varuna

Asura

Shesha

Papa Yakshma

Roga

Naga (Aahi)

Mukhya

Bhallat

Soma (Kubera)

Bhujanga (Sarpa)

Aditi

Diti

Aap

Savitri

Jaya

Rudra

Ayarma

Savita

Vivswan

Vibudhadhip

Mitra

Rajayakshma

Prithwidhar

Apavatsa

45. Brahma

Mantra

Om Bhringarajaya Namah Om Mrigaya Namah Om Pitre Namah Om Dauvarikaya Namah Om Sugreevaya Namah Om Pushpadantaya Namah Om Varunaya Namah Om Asuraya Namah Om Sheshaya Namah Om Papa haraya Namah Om Rogaharaya Namah Om Ahiye Namah Om Mukhye Namah Om Bhallataya Namah Om Somaya Namah Om Sarpaya Namah Om Aditaye Namah Om Ditiye Namah Om Aapye Namah Om Savitre Namah Om Jayaya Namah Om Rudraya Namah Om Ayarmaya Namah Om Savitaye Namah Om Vivaste Namah Om Vibudhadhipaya Namah Om Mitraya Namah Om Rajayakshmye Namah Om Prithwidharaya Namah Om Apavatsaya Namah Om Brahmaya Namah

Marma Sthan Marma sthan falls within the Brahma sthan, so nothing should be constructed in this place, otherwise the residents will suffer because of problems related to health, wealth, mind and spirituality. This figure shows the marma sthan denoted by the dots.

Invocation and installation of Vastu purush Vastu shanti is essential for peace, prosperity and happiness of the house. Vastu purush is the protector of every house. For vastu shanti a picture or idol of Vastu purush should be installed at the right spot

Marma Sthan

in the East direction. However Sun's transit position should be noted for getting the best results. Sun's Transit & Position of Vastu Purush

Sun transitting in

Install Vastu purush in

Taurus, Gemini, Cancer

NE corner

Leo, Virgo, Libra

SW corner

Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn

NW corner

Aquarius, Pisces, Aries

SE corner

Invocation, installation and worship of vastu purush protects the owner from mishaps and misfortune. Vastu Stuti mentions :

l'kSy lkxjka i`Foh ;Fkkogflew/kZfuA rFkk eka og dY;k.k lain~ larfr fHk% lgAA The manner in which you bear the load of the earth with all her mountains and oceans, similarly please protect my home, my children and my wealth. This is the prayer to Vastu purush. They say that all the time vastu purush keeps on saying 'Tathastu'. For this reason one should never curse or speak badly in the house. One should always speak nicely and speak about auspicious things, so that auspicious things may happen in the house. Never say that there is no food and water in the house. Suppose vastu purush hears this and says 'Tathastu', then really the food of the house may get finished and hard times may follow. For this reason one should offer 'Naivedya' or prasad to vastu purush daily. If not possible then offer

Vastu Deva or Vastu Purush | 13

atleast on poornima and amavasya days. A good result will be observed within six months. Worshipping Vastu Devata with the following mantras is especially beneficial :

okLrq nsok ueLrsLrq Hkw'k ;fuIr izHkksA en~ x`ga /ku /kkU;kfn le`)a dq:loZnkAýA Vastu Shanti Mantra :

ý ueks Hkxors okLrq iq:"kk;A egkcy ijkØeek;AA lokZf/koklfJr 'kjhjk; czáiq=kk;A ldy czák.M /kkfj.ks HkwHkkjkfiZreLrdk;AA iqjiÙku izklkn x`gokih lj% dwikns%A lfUuos'k lkfUu/; djk;AA loZflf)iznk; izlUuonuk; fo'oaHkjk;A ijeiq:"kk; 'kØojnk; okLrs"irs ueLrsAA

Exercise Q1. What is the hypothesis about Vastu Purush? How did Vastu Purush originate? Q2. When and how should Vastu Purush be worshipped? Q3. What is Brahma Sthan and What is its importance in any house? Q4. Which area is called Marmasthan? Q5. Why is it important to establish Vastu Purush?

14 | Domestic Vastu

Importance of Directions in Vastu

Directions are of utmost importance in vastu. Each direction is governed by a specific planet and lord. The construction of each aspect should be done according to the direction and rule for that purpose. If anything is constructed violating the rule regarding direction, the natives are bound to suffer.

Vastu shastra is a behavioural science based on the energies of the directions. In vastu shastra the vastu of any piece of land or a house is calculated according to four main directions, i.e. North, South, East, West and four sub directions namely :

Northeast (Ishan)

Southeast (Agneya)

Southwest (Nairritya)

Northwest (Vayavya)

All the angular directions have the combined influence of both the directions. For this reason each direction in vastu has a special significance. Each direction carries the combined influence of planets, gods, energies of the universe and the effect of various types of rays. For these reasons, even thousands of years back our rishis felt the need to keep the directions flawless so that man could get peace, happiness, good health and prosperity.

Determination of Directions The compass is placed at the centre of the plot. There is a magnetic needle in the compass. One end of this needle is red coloured, this represents the North direction. The other end of the needle is black in colour and this represents South direction. The compass is taken to the centre of the plot and either placed on even ground or on the palm of the hand steadily for one minute. The red part of the needle will always point towards the North. The right side of the red portion will be the East and the left portion will be the West. The black side will be the

Compass

Importance of Directions in Vastu | 15

South. The sub directions can also be read on the compass easily in between the main directions.

East Magnetic compass denotes the area from 67½° to 112½° as east direction. The lord of this direction is Sun and the deity is Indra. Sun rises in the East. Therefore this direction has been given first place. This direction represents good health, intellect, wealth, destiny, happiness and prosperity. It is essential to keep this direction free from any fault otherwise we won’t get the blessings of deceased forefathers (pitrigana). The health of head of family won’t remain good and he won’t live long. In addition to this it might result in the loss of progeny also.

Directions

West Magnetic compass denotes the area from 247½° to 292½° as the West direction. Planet Saturn is the lord of this direction and deity is Varun. This direction brings success, fame, prosperity and bright future. The fault in this direction proves inauspicious for the stability of mind, the mind remains tense and one doesn’t get complete success in accomplishing the tasks.

North Magnetic compass denotes the area from 337½° to 22½° as the north direction. The planet Mercury is its lord and deity is Kuber. This direction gives all sorts of happiness. This direction signifies intellect, knowledge, contemplation, meditation and studies. It also denotes the feeling of motherhood. If the house is constructed leaving open space towards North direction, then it gives happiness from the mother and gives achievement of all kinds of material comforts and prosperity. If there is high wall in this direction then it results in ailments related to chest, lungs and heart.

South Magnetic compass denotes the area from 157½° to 202½° as the South direction. Mars is the lord and deity is Yam. This direction signifies success, glory, post, reputation,

16 | Domestic Vastu

courage and patience. This direction also represents the left side of the chest and the spine. Keeping this direction high and heavy is beneficial. Source of water and mirror in the South is disease producing.

South-east Magnetic compass denotes the area from 112½° to 157½° as South- east direction. Venus is the lord and Agni is the deity of this direction. This direction is connected with health. Therefore if this direction in a house has some defects the health of the person staying in that house doesn’t remain good. Any one of the family members always has some health problem and other members of the family become lazy. If this direction doesn’t have any fault, then it fills the family members with lot of vigour and energy. In addition to this, head of the family also enjoys happiness from his wife and children.

South-west Magnetic compass denotes the area from 202½° to 247½° as South- west direction. Rahu is its lord and deity is Nairriti. This is the direction of devil and that of a person engaged in cruel activity. Therefore this direction should not be kept vacant. The area of South- west has been fixed for earth element. This is the most stable among all elements. Therefore this area enables us to fight all sorts of difficulties. If this portion of the house is defective, the owner of that house always has problems in life and there is a constant fear of enemies, accidents, sudden death and mental or physical injury. Family members might even become victims of evil eye or black magic etc.

North-west Magnetic compass denotes the area from 292½° to 337½° as Northwest direction. Lord of this direction is Moon and deity is Pawandev. This direction signifies friends and enemies. It is connected with relatives and guests also. If this direction is defective then the friends turn into foes. The behaviour of other people with the head of family is not good and they become his enemies unnecessarily and he gets into legal disputes. This direction represents the naval, inestines, gall bladder, sperm, uterus, upper part of the stomach, right leg and the knee. Defect in this direction creates problems in these body parts and also produces asthma, eye sight problems and digestive problems.

North-east Magnetic compass denotes the area from 22½° to 67½° as Northeast direction. The ruling planet is Jupiter and deity is Paramapitaparmeshwara. This direction is very auspicious for intellect, knowledge, spiritual discrimination, patience and courage. Any fault in this direction causes various types of troubles. The intellect gets corrupted and there is an atmosphere of lack of harmony in the family and mental tension

Importance of Directions in Vastu | 17

keeps on increasing. The mind of head of family and that of other family members get corrupted. Family starts complaining about the lack of a male child. Therefore it is inevitably essential that this direction doesn’t have any fault.

Direction and Deity According to fundamentals of vastu there are 4 sub directions apart from 4 main directions, therefore the calculations of entire vastu are done on the basis of these eight directions.

Directions and Deities

Planets and Directions

Each direction has a specific importance in vastushastra because each direction is under the combined impact of a specific planet, a specific deity and a specific universal energy.

Exercise Q1. How many directions have been given importance in Vastu Shastra? Name those directions. Q2. What is the degreewise expansion from East to West according to magnetic compass? Q3. What is the degreewise expansion from North to South according to magnetic compass? Q4. Write the names of ruler planet and lord of East direction. Why should this direction be left open? Q5. Which sort of difficulties may arise if open space is left in South direction or there is light construction in this direction.

18 | Domestic Vastu

Importance of Five Elements in Vastu

The universe as well as the man has been created from the five basic elements of nature. These are known as the 'Panchamahabhutas' or the 'Panchatatvas'. These five elements hold a very important position in a man's life. The human being gets all his life giving and life sustaining energies from these elements of nature. These Panchamahabhutas are - Earth, Water, Wind, Fire and Ether.

Five Elements Man receives all his external energies from the external sources which are sunlight, heat, sound, water and air. His internal sources of energy are carbohydrates, proteins, fats and minerals etc. Needless to say that at the base of all these sources are the Panchamahabhutas. If a proper balance is maintained among these five elements, then man leads his life happily and peacefully. Imbalance between these elements gives rise to poor health, lack of wealth and prosperity and lack of peace of mind. These five elements also control the nature. Their imbalance

Vastu Energy

in nature creates storms, typhoons, earthquakes, floods, volcanoes and other natural calamities. Goswami Tulsidas has mentioned in Ramacharitmanas :

f{kfr ty ikod xxu lehjkA iap rRo jfpr ;g v/ke 'kjhjkAA The human body is made up of the panchatatvas and at the end it gets absorbed back into them. When the panchatatvas of the body are in harmony with the panchatatvas of the nature then life moves in a balanced and organised manner. The building materials of a house are also made up of these five elements. If these materials are not in proper balance then they will adversely affect the people who live in the house. With the result they will face mental, spiritual, social and financial problems. They will also suffer from poor health and other varied types

Importance of Five Elements in Vastu | 19

of problems. Hence for leading a happy life a good balance of panchatatvas is essential.

Vastu Energy Ether (Space) Akash Space is that element of nature which is the most widely spread. Space is endless and spreads up to eternity. There is no place in the universe where space does not exist. Gravitational force, magnetic force, radio active rays, infrared rays, ultraviolet rays, light rays and the rays coming from the planets are all present in Space (Akash)

space. Even the gift of sound is given to us by this element of ether. Without this element sound is not possible. Sound is produced by the vacuum of the space, medium of the environment and air. A house or a building acquires its element of ether in proportion to the height of its walls. The dome of a temple or a Gurdwara and the arch of a mosque symbolises abundance of ethereal element. If walls of a house are low in height, then one gets a feeling of suffocation due to lack of ether element. In such a situation ether element does not develop fully in the body. Therefore we should construct the house in such a way so as to get maximum benefit of the visible and invisible energies of the nature.

Air (Vayu-Wind) Plants and living organisms get their life from air. Air awakens virility and vitality. Just as air regulates and maintains our body, in a similar manner it also regulates and maintains the healthy atmosphere of a building. The earth is covered by a layer of gases. This covering of gases is known as the atmosphere. The atmosphere is made up of different gases in different proportions. 78% of the earth's atmosphere Air (Vayu)

is made up of Nitrogen, which is necessary for the growth of all vegetation. 21% of the atmosphere is made up of oxygen which is essential for life. It makes up about 1/5 of the atmosphere. The other planets do not have oxygen and with the result they do not have life as well. Carbon is present in a small quantity of 0.03% in the atmosphere in the form of carbon monoxide (CO) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2).

Apart from these there is 0.93% of Argon, 0.01% of hydrogen and 0.01% of other gases present in the atmosphere. Concentration of the heavier and essential gases is only up to about 5 kms. from the earth. At about 16 kms from earth, due to the influence of Sunlight, oxygen gets converted into ozone. One molecule of Ozone contains three atoms of oxygen. This layer of ozone is most dense at about the height of 23 km. from earth. The Ozone layer is very important because it protects the earth from the harmful radiations emitted by the Sun. If the Ozone layer gets depleted or damaged, then the temperature of the earth will rise

20 | Domestic Vastu

tremendously and earth will face the fear of extinction. The ice will start melting and a fear of inundation will be created. Generally during day time the plants absorb carbondioxide from the atmosphere for their photosynthesis and release oxygen, this process is reversed during night time. They start absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. Peepal tree is the only exception to this rule. Carbon dioxide is harmful for us, and so we should not sleep near the trees at night. Polluted Ishan Extremely auspicious ultraviolet (parabaingani) rays enter through the Ishan kona. Pollution in this corner produces carbon dioxide, nitrogen and other harmful gases which reduce or eliminate the effect of the ultraviolet rays. The building should not be near a cremation ground Cremation of the dead body produces carbon and other harmful gases. These have a harmful effect on human life. Sound and touch are two special qualities of air element Touch produces sensation, which in turn produces awareness or consciousness. Consciousness finally produces an action or reaction. This is the reason for our instant reaction to the chill of winter or the heat of the westerly winds of summer. Air as an invaluable gift of nature Air is an invaluable gift of nature to mankind. Air flows into the building through its doors and windows. For this reason special attention should be paid to the air inflow at the construction stage. In India North direction should be left open for the inflow of air. There should be plenty of windows and ventilators for cross ventilation in the house.

Fire (Heat) Sun is our main source of energy. Solar energy gives us heat and light. Heat basically is a form of fire. The Earth rotates on its axis and also revolves around the Sun. These movements of earth are the reasons for day and night and for the formation of seasons. The heat and light of Sun along with wind and rain gives strength, vitality, courage and enthusiasm to the living beings on earth. Most of the colonies and settlements in the world have been constructed in such a way

Fire (Heat)

so as to allow optimum inflow of solar energy into the house. However as per the maxim 'Excess of anything is bad', excess of Sun's heat in the house is also bad. People living in East facing houses in the hilly regions keep facing the woes of too much heat. By the afternoon the scorching heat of Sun really heats up their houses and makes them very uncomfortable. Hence the fire element should be organised in such a way, that the house remains warm in winters and cool in summers.

Importance of Five Elements in Vastu | 21

Water Water is an extremely important element found on earth. Water is a creator of life. No living being or plant can survive without water. Water covers 2/3 of the entire surface of the earth. Ponds, rivers, lakes, seas and oceans are all the different forms of water spread over the earth. All these are spread over 71% of the surface Water

of the earth. Our earth is the only planet in the solar system which has water. That is why it is called the blue planet. The warm air of the atmosphere cools down as it rises upwards and gets converted into liquid form and this spreads in the sky as clouds. These clouds give rain, which gets collected in the form of lakes, rivers, seas and oceans. This is the water cycle which goes on and on. One part of oxygen remains dissolved in water and all the life forms which live in water obtain their oxygen in this form. Three quarters of our entire body weight is made up of water. Our body requires plenty of water for its survival. We can fall ill due to lack of water or get dehydrated. Apart from man, plants, animals and the house also requires plenty of water. Taste, touch and sound are the special qualities of water. While constructing a house, special attention should be paid to the source of water. Enough water should be available for the house. The source of water for daily use should be in the Northeast or in Ishan. Water gets polluted easily but it keeps on getting purified by the heat of the Sun. This principle is known as the electromagnetic spectrum. There should also be a proper drainage system so that there is no damage to the house because of accumulated water or rain. It is important to have the source of water in the auspicious direction.

Earth Earth is a planet and air, water and minerals are found on the earth. The upper layer of the earth is known as mud or soil. Stones, sand, iron and lime all are part of the soil. The magnets situated towards the North and the South within the earth, along with the gravitational force of the earth, influence all the living and non living inhabitants of the earth. Life started when the earth and the other planets Earth

came into existence. For this reason the earth is also known as the 'Mother earth'. The idea behind 'Bhumi Poojan' at the beginning of house construction is to pay respect to mother earth. Life and home without earth is unimaginable. Earth is the centre of the magnetic and gravitational forces. Because of these forces the earth can provide a consolidated base for the buildings and houses constructed on its surface. The shape of soil and level of the earth differ from place to place. The shape, level, appearance, colour and smell of the earth affects the house in different ways, so it becomes important to consider these aspects of the land before finalising the plot. Other important qualities of the earth are touch, sound, taste, smell and appearance.

22 | Domestic Vastu

Abode of the Panchatatvas Due to their meditation and deep contemplation, our esteemed rishis found out that the panchatatvas control different directions and they also control the various body parts of the human being. They maintained that our body is created from these panchatatvas and at the end of life the body gets reabsorbed into these five elements. "From dust to dust", the saying goes. Ether + Fire + Air + Water + Earth = process of creation. Air + Water + Fire + Earth + Ether = process of destruction. Abode of the five elements

Five elements Ether Fire Air Earth Water

In the Body Brain Shoulders Naval Knees Feet

In hand Thumb Middle finger Index finger Little finger Ring finger

Five Elements in hand

A harmonious balance between the five elements within residential house, shop, office, workshop, hotel, garden or in the industrial or official complex promotes all round progress, success and longevity. Hence construction should be carried out maintaining a good balance between the five elements.

The importance of the universal energies in house construction There are innumerable energies in the universe carrying on the processes of creation and destruction continuously. In Vastu Shastra apart from the five elements three other forms of energy are also considered. 1. Gravitational Force 2. Magnetic Force 3. Solar Energy

Gravitational Force The earth possesses a power of attraction which is known as the force of gravity. The speed with which the earth pulls an object is directly proportional to the weight of the object. If the object is heavy, the earth can pull it towards herself with a faster speed. If an object is of light weight then the earth can pull it towards herself at a slower speed. Keeping this principle in mind it can be determined as to which land is suitable for which type of construction.

Importance of Five Elements in Vastu | 23

Solid land possess greater force of gravity, while land with loose soil or sand or hillocks possesses lesser force of gravity. Hence house constructed on solid ground will be more permanent and stable than the house constructed on loose ground or on sandy or hilly ground.

Magnetic Force Our entire universe is interconnected by the magnetic force. All the planets, constellations and the other stars are connected to each other by the same magnetic force. This force maintains a certain balance and distance between these heavenly bodies and they keep on moving continuously. The magnet has two poles. North pole and South pole. Similarly our earth also has a North and a South pole. The entire universe remains in constant motion because of the magnetic attraction and repulsion of the heavenly bodies. Even our body is affected by these magnetic waves. Our head is the North pole while our feet are the South pole. The basic principle of magnetism is that North pole attracts the South pole and repels the North pole of another body. This is the scientific reason for sleeping with one's head towards the South direction. In this manner the earth's magnetic waves flow freely through our body and we sleep well.

Solar Energy Sun is the main source of energy for the earth. Sun gives us heat, light and energy. It makes our life active and energetic. The Sunlight reaches some part or the other of the earth all the time. The types of rays reaching the earth throughout the day depend on the angle from where they reach the earth. Depending on the angle they are divided into three types. The rays arriving in the morning are called 'Parabaingani', the ones arriving in the afternoon are called 'Varnakram prakash and the ones arriving in the evening are called' Raktabh rays'. The early morning rays are not very hot. They give us vitamin D and are capable of destroying germs. As the rays turn redder, they become intolerable. Because of this scientific reasoning it is advisable to keep the East direction more open and the West direction less open. The morning Sun should be able to enter freely and give beneficial energy and at the same time destroy harmful germs and bacteria. To avoid the Raktabh rays of the evening, lesser windows should be provided in the West direction and large trees can also be planted in the West.

Exercise Q1. What is the importance of Panchamahabhootas in the lives of human being? Q2. What would be the fatal effect if ozone layer bursts? Q3. What wil be the effects if there is fault in North-East direction? Q4. In which parts of the body the five elements reside? Q5. Apart from Pancha Mahabhootas which three powers of nature have been given prominence in Vastu Shastra? 24 | Domestic Vastu

Connection between Vastu and Jyotish

Vastu is an excellent behavioural science based upon Jyotish and Muhurta. Vastu appears incomplete without the planets and the Nakshatras. A man's life is equally controlled by his destiny and his Vastu. If his destiny is good but his vastu is bad, then he will not get complete happiness and prosperity despite all efforts. If his destiny is bad but vastu is good then his troubles will be reduced, though they may not end completely. If both destiny and Vastu are bad then his life will be miserable. On the other hand if both are good then he leads a very happy life in every sense. Man cannot change his destiny but atleast he can improve his life through Vastu and through his own self efforts.

Where vastu is concerned, the directions are very important and each direction is controlled by some planet or the other. Auspiciousness or inauspiciousness in any direction of the house also affects the respective planet beneficially or adversely. For this reason it is said that keeping the directions in proper order also keeps the respective planet in good condition. Another saying goes that - fn'kk

cnyks n'kk cnyksA

If you wish to change your condition then you should bring a change in your directions. Vedic astrology is based on nine planets, twelve rashis and twenty seven nakshatras. Each of the twelve rashis has predominance of some tatva or the other and they also represent some direction or the other. Tatva and direction of the rashis

Rashis

Tatva

Direction

Rashis

Tatva

Direction

Aries

Fiery

East

Libra

Airy

West

Taurus

Earthy

South

Scorpio

Watery

North

Gemini

Airy

West

Sagittarius

Fiery

East

Cancer

Watery

North

Capricorn

Earthy

South

Leo

Fiery

East

Aquarius

Airy

West

Virgo

Earthy

South

Pisces

Watery

North

Connection between Vastu and Jyotish | 25

The planetary lordship and the corresponding deity of the directions is as shown below : Planets and their lordship of directions

Direction

Lord

Deity

North

Mercury

Kubera

Northeast

Jupiter

Shiva

East

Sun

Indra

Southeast

Venus

Agni

South

Mars

Yama

Southwest

Rahu/Ketu

Nairiti

West

Saturn

Varuna

Vayavya

Moon

Vayu

In this manner it can be seen that there is full control of planets over the directions. If a planet is afflicted in the horoscope then it will affect the condition of the person and also affect the respective direction adversely because of a close interdependence between the planet and the direction. Suppose fourth house of a person's horoscope is afflicted then there will definitely be some vastu defect in his house and full results of good vastu will not be achieved.

Exercise Q1. Which signs indicate East direction and which element represents East direction? Q2. Which signs indicate East direction and which element represents North direction? Q3. How is Vastu and Astrology inter-related ? Q4. Name the ruling planet and lord of North-East direction. Q5. Name the ruling planet and lord of South-West direction.

26 | Domestic Vastu

Muhurta

Muhurta is an important pillar of Astrology. Muhurta has been dealt with extensively in Muhurta Chintamani, Brihat Samhita and in other classics. Muhurta is selected to ensure smooth unhindered completion of some important tasks. In transit, planets go on producing numerous planetary combinations. Some of these are auspicious while some others are inauspicious. Working out the auspicious muhurtas and utilising them for the appropriate activity

helps in smooth completion of the activity. Identification of a suitable moment for the commencement of any activity is known as the determination of Muhurta. Muhurta cannot change the circumstances but it can change their direction. Commencing an activity in a good muhurta can improve one's destiny. The wise have mentioned different muhurtas for different types of activities. There are 30 muhurtas in one day and night. There are 15 day muhurtas and 15 night muhurtas. They are based on the 27 nakshatras. Ardra and Rohini nakshatras are in the day and also in the night. In the day time Ardra is called Gireesh and during the night it is called Shiva or Rudra, Rohini is called Vidhata during the day and Dhatra Swami during the night. Dividing the Dinman by 15 gives the duration of one muhurta. If the Dinman is of 30 ghatis and 15 palas, then dividing this by 15 gives the duration of one muhurta as 2 ghatis and 1 pala. One ghati is equal to 24 minutes and one pala is equal to 24 seconds. This gives the duration of one muhurta as 48 minutes and 24 seconds in this case. However duration of muhurta varies according to the duration of dinman. Atharvaveda gives guidelines for commencing an activity in an auspicious muhurta. The puranas describe 15 'Sarva Sidhiprada' muhurtas. Of these 8 are especially auspicious. The first position belongs to Abhijeet muhurta. This is also known as the Vijay muhurta. 'Abhijeet muhurta' is available every day from 11.45 AM to 12.30PM. According to Narad purana', Abhijeet muhurta starts at 11.36 AM and ends at 12.24 PM. Activity started in this muhurta normally succeeds and no other considerations are required for this muhurta.

Muhurta | 27

Some important Muhurtas for Vastu work Muhurta for Shanti and Paushtika Karya Nakshatras

Ashwini, Pushya, Hasta, Uttarashadha, Uttar Phalguni, Uttar Bhadrapada, Rohini, Revati, Shravan, Dhanishta, Shatbhisha,

Days Tithis

: :

Punarvasu, Swati, Anuradha and Magha. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13

Muhurta for foundation (Khata) for house construction Nakshatras : Shravan, Mrigshira, Revati, Hasta, Rohini, Pushya and the 3 Uttaras are auspicious for khata purpose.

Jupiter occupied pushya, 3 Uttaras, Rohini, Mrigshira and Shravan nakshatras on Thursday are very auspicious. If house construction is started in these nakshatras then the house gives sons and royal status

'Shilanyas' in Ashwini, Chitra, Vishakha, Dhanishtha, Shatbhisha and Ardra nakshatras falling on Friday is auspicious. It bestows prosperity

'Foundation Laying' on Wednesday in Ashwini, Rohini, Poorvaphalguni, Chitra and Hasta nakshatras is a producer of prosperity, progeny and happiness

'Griha arambha' when Jupiter, Venus, Sun and Moon are exalted and strong produces very auspicious results

Foundation laying in the following situations gives these results : Result of Sun in different Signs

Sign

Results

Sun in Aries

Status bestowing

Sun in Taurus

Enhances prosperity

Sun in Cancer

Auspicious

Sun in Leo

Many servants

Sun in Libra

Happiness giving

Sun in Scorpio

Financial gains

Sun in Capricorn

Financial gains

Sun in Aquarius

Gain of gems

'Griha arambha' should be done in fixed or dual lagnas occupied or aspected by benefic planets

According to Maharishi Parashar, if someone performs Vastu puja in Chitra, Shatbhisha, Swati, Hasta, Pushya, Punarvasu, Rohini, Revati, Moola, Shravan, Uttarphalguni, Dhanishtha, Uttarashadha, Uttarbhadrapada, Ashwini, Mrigshira and Anuradha nakshatras' then he gains wealth (Lakshmi)

28 | Domestic Vastu

'Khata' muhurta is auspicious on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The auspicious tithis are 3,5,11 and 13. Khata muhurta should always be kept in the morning. Muhurta at noon is trouble producing for the owner and muhurta in the evening creates discord and disputes in the family

Griha arambha is forbidden on

1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15 and 30th tithis

1, 4, 9, 14th tithis of shukla paksha should be avoided. Malefic yogas like Vyatipata should also be avoided

Avoid griha arambha on Sunday and Tuesday

Avoid griha arambha in Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn (movable) lagnas

Make the horoscope of griha arambha muhurta. If the malefic planets are placed in 3rd, 6th and 11th houses, then don't start construction

If benefic planets are placed in the 6th, 8th and the 12th houses, then also avoid construction

If Mars occupied Hasta, Pushya, Revati, Magha, Poorva ashadha and Moola nakshatras are falling on Tuesday, then avoid griha arambha, because such a house produces danger of fire, thefts and discord with the sons

Saturn occupied Poorvabhadrapada, Uttarbhadrapada, Jyeshtha, Anuradha, Swati and Bharni nakshatras falling on Saturday are avoidable, because such a house is occupied by ghosts and demons

If Sun is weak or debilitated on the griha arambha day then the owner has an untimely death

If Moon is weak or combust or debilitated on the griha arambha day then the lady of the house has an untimely death

Jupiter weak, combust or debilitated on griha arambha day causes destruction of wealth

Avoid griha arambha on rikta tithis i.e. 4, 9, 14

Do not start construction of a new house when Sun is in Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces

Muhurta for Griha Pravesh Guru Vashishta Says :

ek|s·FkZykHk% izFkeizo's ks iq=kkFkZykHk% [kyq QkYxqus pA pS=ks·FkZgkfu/kZuu/kkU; ykHkks oS'kk[kekls i'kqi=q k ykHkA T;s"Bs p ekls"kq uwua gkfuizn% 'k=qHk;izn'pA 'kqDys p i{ks lqrjka foo`n?~ ;s d`".k ;s ;koí'keh p rkorA

Muhurta | 29

Muhurta for Griha pravesh

Griha pravesh in

Produces

Magha month

gains for the owner

Phalguna month

gain of son and wealth

Vaishakha month

gain of wealth and good food

Jyeshtha month

gain of son and animals

Other months

danger from enemies and is harmful

Shukla paksha

special gains and enhancement

Up to dashami of Krishna paksha beneficial According to Vishwakarma, the months of Kartik and Margashirsha are also auspicious.

Auspicious Muhurta for Griha Pravesh Acceptable Months Best months Medium months Avoidable months Acceptable Tithis

: : : :

Magha, Phalgun, Jyeshtha and Baisakha Kartik, Shravan and Margashirsha Ashadha, Bhadrapad, Ashwin, Pausha and Chaitra. Dwitiya 2, Tritiya 3, Panchami 5, Shashthi 6, Saptami 7, Dashami 10, Ekadashi 11, Dwadashi 12, Trayodashi 13

Acceptable days

and Poornima 15 are praised for griha pravesh. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and suitable for griha pravesh while Saturday is considered

Acceptable Nakshatras

to be medium. Rohini, Mrigshira, Uttaraphalguni, Chitra, Anuradha, Pushya,

Uttarashadha,

Uttarabhadrapad

and

Dhanishtha, Revati

Shatbhisha,

nakshatras

are

considered to be suitable for griha pravesh.

Lagna Best are the fixed lagnas which are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Average are the dual lagnas which are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.

Nakshatra according to the directions of the door

If the new door is in the East then Revati and Mrigshira are auspicious for griha pravesh

If the door is in the South then Uttaraphalguni and Chitra are suitable

If the door is in the West then Anuradha and Uttarashadha are suitable

If the door is in the North then Uttar Bhadrapada and Revati are auspicious for griha pravesh

30 | Domestic Vastu

Lagna Shuddhi Benefic planets should be placed in the first, second, third, fifth, seventh, ninth, tenth and the eleventh houses of the muhurta lagna. Malefics should be placed in the third, sixth or the eleventh house. Fourth and the eighth house should be unoccupied by any planet.

Vama Ravi Consideration Ravi vichar is done for the griha pravesh lagna.

If Sun is placed in any house between the fourth and the eighth house then it is vama for entering into to a house with the door in the East. This would be auspicious

If Sun is placed between the fifth and the ninth house then it is vama for entering a house with a door in the South

If Sun is placed between the second and the sixth house then it is vama for entering a house with a door in the West

If Sun is placed between the eleventh and the third house then it is vama for entering a house with a door in the North

These are considered favourable. Example : In the given horoscope of Leo lagna, Sun is placed in the twelfth house, which is vama and auspicious for entering into a house with a door in the North. The door of the concerned house is in the West, so the muhurta is not suitable for grih pravesh.

Example Horoscope

Muhurta | 31

Direction of the Door & Auspicious tithis for Grih Pravesh Door in East South West North

Auspicious Tithis for griha pravesh 5, 10, 15 ( Poorna) 1, 6, 11 (Nanda) 2, 7, 12 (Bhadra) 3, 8, 13 (Jaya)

Apart from these muhurtas there are some other muhurtas which are used in Vastu.

Muhurta for digging a well

For digging a well Hasta, Anuradha, Revati, Uttaraphalguni, Uttarashadha, Uttarabhadrapad, Dhanishtha, shatbhisha, Magha, Rohini, Pushya, Mrigshira and Poorvashadha nakshatras are suitable

Dwitiya, Tritiya, Panchami, Saptami, Dashami, Ekadashi, Dwadashi, Trayodashi and Poornima tithis are suitable

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are suitable for digging a well

Exercise Q1. What do you mean by Muhurta? What is the utility of Muhurta? Q2. How many muhurtas in there? What is Ardra Nakshatra called day and night respectively? Q3. Which Nakshatra is called the Nakshatra of victory (Vijay Muhurta)? What are the results of work accomplished in this Nakshatra? Q4. How would you elect the Muhurta for laying the foundation for beginning the construction of a house? Explain in detail. Q5. How would you elect the Muhurta for entering into a new house? Explain in detail.

32 | Domestic Vastu

Selection of Land

Our culture considers the earth to be 'Mother Earth' and the land has a very close relationship with Vastu. The land has to be carefully selected before constructing a house or a building. One must have the knowledge about the auspicious and inauspicous types of land. We should know which type of land can lead us towards prosperity and happiness and which type of land should be avoided. For residential purpose one should always select 'live' land. Land bearing healthy plants and trees is considered to be live land. Infertile barren land is called 'dead' land, which is avoidable. Cracked land with termite and bones should not be selected for

house construction. According to 'Brihat Samhita' barren land destroys wealth and uneven land invites enemies. Hence just as clean and pure food fills our body and mind with vitality and happiness, similarly auspicious land fills our life with happiness and peace. Brihat Samhita says :

'kL=ks"kf/k nzeq yrk e/kqjk lqxU/kk] fLuX/kk lek u lqf"kjk p egh ujk.kkeA vI;/ofu Je fouksneqikxrkuke~] /kÙks fJ;a fd;qr 'kk'or efUnjs"kqAA The land which has all kinds of medicinal plants, trees, creepers and flowers and which is devoid of pits and gaping holes is superb land and it should be used for constructing a house. People living in such a house acquire name, fame and prosperity. The land which is the abode of a 'Nakul' or a mongoose is excellent for constructing a house. Such a house also is a bestower of name, fame and prosperity. Such land remains free from ghosts and evil spirits. The reason for this is the 'Nakul', who represents Sun. Sun and Rahu (evil spirits) are enemies. Nakul and snake are also enemies, so the snake cannot harm the people living the house. Land with a stable is also very good. House constructed on such a land gives freedom from disease, wealth and property. Horse is also a representative of Sun. Such land is particularly auspicious for people having Aries, Leo and Sagittarius rashis. Hindu religion considers land with a 'Goshala' to be

Selection of Land | 33

very auspicious for construction of a house, but constructing a house on grazing land for cows is considered to be a great sin. Such a person is always miserable and goes to hell after death. The land having honey bee is wealth producing, and is auspicious, because honey represents Jupiter.

If horn of a cow or conch or a tortoise is found on the land then such land is auspicious

If stones are found on digging it indicates gain of gold

If bricks are found - it shows prosperity

If money is found - it shows comforts

If metals like copper are found - it shows luxury and happiness

Consideration pertaining to Land Inauspicious land Land inhabited by dogs, pigs or jackals or other dirty animals is inauspicious. Constructing a house on such land is not beneficial. Land inhabited by snakes and scorpions is not suitable for house construction. These creatures represent Rahu. Such land gives all kinds of sudden troubles and misery. The people suffer due to untimely sudden death or sudden accidents or calamities. The family members get addicted to liquor, drugs or cigarettes. They indulge in gambling or other low types of activities. They lose their wealth in this manner. Land where coal, iron, lead or black articles are found is called 'Asuri Bhoomi'. Living in a house built on such land is inauspicious.

Examination of the Land Before buying a new plot of land it is essential to get it checked by vastu experts. Following principles should be followed for the examination of the land.

Dig 1x1 foot deep pit and fill it with the clay that comes out from it while digging it. If clay increases in quantity then it is excellent land, if the pit gets filled till the level then land is medium and it is inauspicious if the pit remains empty.

Dig 1½ feet pit in the northern direction of the land and fill it with water completely and walk 100 steps towards North or watch the pit after 120 seconds. If pit remains full of water the land is best, if half consider it medium and if empty it is an inauspicious plot of land.

Vishwakarmaprakash gives a unique method of land examination. White wash the pit and light four lamps made of clay in all four directions by pouring ghee in it and see lamp of which direction gives the maximum light. If the lamp of North gives maximum light then that land is Brahmin, if the lamp of East gives more powerful light it is Kshatriya land, more prominent light of West denotes Vaishya

34 | Domestic Vastu

land and that of South denotes Shudra land.

Plough the land on which you plan to construct a house and sow all types of grains in that. If the seeds of these grains give sprout within three days it is the best land, if sprouts come after 5 days it is medium, however it should be considered inauspicious land if sprout comes after 7 days. If seeds of different types are not available in that case the seeds of paddy can be shown. House should not be constructed in that part of the land where these paddy seeds do not grow.

There are 7 aushadhees (medicine) i.e, Vreehi, green lentil, wheat, mustard, saathi, sesame, and barley. These are known as all seeds. After sowing these seeds you must see their results. The land where there are flowers of copper and gold colour is considered to be very auspicious.

Sometimes a piece of land is not examined before starting the construction work but this is wrong because it can result in disaster. For example if there are hairs, bones, dirty clothes, egg shells, termite and eggs of boa in the land then the house constructed in that place always brings sorrows. Burnt coal brings disease; begging bowl and iron are the symbols of death. Bones, skull, hairs etc, decrease the life span of the owner of the house.

Types of Land According to ancient books on Vastushastra, the land has been classified into four categories:

Brahmin Land The land which is white in colour and smells like Ghee, whose taste is sweet like nectar and the touch makes us feel good, is known as Brahmin land. On this type of land there are trees of Kusha and Durva which are used for Homa. This type of land brings spiritual bliss and comforts of all types. This type of land is used for the construction of schools, temples, guest houses and literary institutes.

Kshatriya Land The land which is red in colour and smells like blood, whose taste is astringent and the feel of touch is solid, is known as Kshatriya land. Snakes also live on this land. This land enhances kingdom, power and influence. This type of land is useful for the construction of government offices, cantonments, colonies of soldiers and arsenals.

Vaishya Land The land which is green-yellow in colour and smells like nectar or like grain and tastes acidic, is known as Vaishya land. Grains and fruit trees are grown on this type of land. Vaishya land enhances money and wealth. This type of land can be used for constructing professional buildings, shops and houses of businessmen.

Selection of Land | 35

Shudra Land The land which is black in colour and smells like wine and tastes bitter is known as Shudra land. There are useless bushes and shrubs on this type of land. This type of land creates quarrels and feuds, therefore this land is not advisable for the construction of a residential building. In this way, the classification of land has been done on the basis of colour, taste and smell and according to this the kshatriya land is suitable for military cantonment and arsenals. Vaishya land is suitable for corporate houses and business persons whereas Brahmin land can be used for constructing schools and temples. But in modern times the construction of buildings is not possible on the basis of this classification. For instance the soil of Karnataka is red, that of Gujarat and Maharashtra is black, whereas the soil of Dwarkapuri is white. In that way would it be appropriate to construct schools, temples and literary institutes in Karnataka? Therefore this fact appears to be far from reality. In modern times such a land can be chosen for construction, which is fertile, with lot of availability of water and with solid soil on which the building shall remain stable and strong.

Examination on the basis of surface of land The central harder part of the land is known as surface. The classification of land on the basis of type of surface is as follows:

Gajaprishtha The land which is elevated in South, Southwest, West and Northwest is known as Gajaprishtha. The house constructed on Gajaprishtha land, is considered to be Gajaprishtha

very auspicious for the blessings of goddess Laxmi and it is believed that wealth and longevity go on increasing in that house.

Koormaprishtha The land which is elevated in the centre and low in all four directions is known as Koormaprishtha. This type of land is auspicious for residence. Living in this type of land, one’s enthusiasm enhances regularly and one attains happiness, wealth and prosperity. Koormaprishtha

36 | Domestic Vastu

Daityaprishtha The land which is elevated in the Ishan, East and Agneya and is low in the West is called daityaprishtha. The blessings of goddess of wealth (Laxmi) do not come into the house constructed on Daityaprishtha and there is continuous loss of wealth and sons in that house.

Nagprishtha

Koormaprishtha

The land which is long in East and West and elevated in South and North is known as Nagprishtha. By living in nagaprishtha land the members of the family start suffering from mental diseases and there is an increase in the number of enemies for the owner of the house. The house constructed on this land brings losses to the wife and children.

Slope of the Land

Nagprishtha

While examining the land we should also notice the direction in which the land is sloping and the direction which is higher.

Slope towards the East If the slope of the land is towards the east, then the residents of a house built on this land gain wealth. This land is considered auspicious for progress and growth.

Slope towards the North Slope of the land towards the North enhances prosperity and good fortune. It also assists in propagating the family lineage. (Vansha Vriddhi)

Slope towards the West Slope towards the West destroys wealth and wisdom. It also creates regular disputes in the family.

Slope towards the South Slope towards the South is disease producing and it can cause untimely death.

Selection of Land | 37

Slope towards the Northeast Slope towards the Northeast bestows all round success, enhancement of fortune along with name, fame and prosperity.

Slope towards the Northwest If the slope is lower than the Northeast, then the residents have many enemies and have regular thefts in the house. The owner is always attacked or is involved in court cases. Health of the family members remains a cause for concern.

Slope towards the Southeast If this is lower than the Northeast, then there is danger of fire and enemies. This is especially bad for the women and children. It also creates thefts, deceipts, disputes and court cases.

Slope towards the Southwest Southwest is Rahu's direction. Slope in this direction naturally makes Rahu's hold on the family stronger. With the result their unconventional behaviour increases and they get into bad habits like liquor, drugs, cigarettes, loose behaviour, gambling, crime etc. Their enemies go on multiplying and evil spirits affect their house. They face sudden mishaps and even death.

Conclusion It can be said that the Nairritya region of the land should be the highest and the Northeast should be the lowest. The Vayavya (N.W.) should be higher than the Ishan (NE) and the Agneya (SE) should be higher than the Vayavya. People residing in such a house achieve all round success, prosperity and happiness. Nairritya > Agneya > Vayavya > Ishan

Exercise Q1. Which points should be kept in mind while selecting land? Q2. Which methods should be adopted for the examination of land? Q3. How many types of land are there? Explain. Q4. Classify land on the basis of Bhupristha and enumerate its good and bad qualities. Q5. What will be the effects if there is slope towards South-West direction in any land?

38 | Domestic Vastu

Adjoining Roads

Roads play important role in Vastu. The roads directly influence the destiny of inhabitants. Some roads are considered very auspicious for a particular building while some prove very inauspicious and bring bad luck and catastrophe to the dwellers. Passing roads in East and North side of a building are supposed to be very auspicious and giver of wealth and prosperity. On the contrary roads only in South direction of the building are considered inauspicious.

Before buying a plot of land proper consideration should be given to the adjoining roads. Adjoining roads in different directions produce different types of results.

Plot having road on one side Plot having road on the North side (Quality - Good) People residing in a house built on such a plot are fortunate. They became wealthy and prosperous. North side road

Plot having road on the East side (Quality - Good) This plot is extremely auspicious. People residing in a house built on such a plot acquire name fame and high status. East side road

Adjoining Roads | 39

Plot facing South road (Quality - Bad) Is good for business women, or for business related to women.

South side Road

Plot facing West road (Quality - Average)

West side Road

Plot having roads on two sides Plot facing South and West road (Quality - Average) South & West Road

Plot facing North and West road (Quality - Good)

North & West Road

Plot facing North and South road (Quality - Average)

North & South Road

Plot facing East and West road (Quality - Good) East & West Road

40 | Domestic Vastu

Plot having roads on Three sides Plot facing North, East & South Road (Quality - Average)

North, East & South side roads

Plot facing East, South & West Road (Quality - Average) East, South & West side roads

Plot facing West, North & East Road (Quality - Average) West, North & East side roads

Plot facing South, West and North road (Quality - Average)

A plot which has roads on three sides is considered to be average. Such a plot can be improved by making a gallery on the fourth side.

South, West & North side roads

Plot with roads on Four sides Plot having roads on all sides (Quality - Very Good) This is one of the best. Such a plot makes its owner extremely rich and impressive. The members of the family remain healthy and their prosperity keeps on growing endlessly. Such a plot is known as Brahma sthal plot.

All side roads

Adjoining Roads | 41

Plot facing one side Road with T Junction (Quality - Bad) If the plot is facing one side road and road has T Junction then such a situation is considered bad and it forms Veethishool. The residents may have to suffer from mental tension, ups and downs in life and difference of opinion in the family.

One side with T Junction

Plot facing either two or three or all side roads having T Junction (Quality - Bad) If the plot has roads in all four sides but all the roads have T Junctions then such All side with T Junction

a situation is considered bad and it forms Veethishool from all the directions. It may result in tension in the family, quarrel with the neighbours and unnecessary expenses on account of court cases or disputes.

Exercise Q1. How is a land if there is road in North side and how does it prove for the owner ? Q2. How is a land if there are roads in East-South-West sides and how does it prove for the owner ? Q3. How is a land if there are roads in South-West-North sides and how does it prove for the owner ? Classify land on the basis of Bhupristha and enumerate its good and bad qualities. Q4. How is a land if there are roads in West-North sides and how does it prove for the owner ? Q5. How is a land if there are roads in all the four directions and how does it prove for the owner ?

42 | Domestic Vastu

Energy Level of The Plot

Every plot possesses a certain kind of energy and a magnetic field. Natural flow of this energy is from North pole to South pole in the form of magnetic waves. This energy is known as electro-magnetic force. If the Southern portion of the plot is higher and the Northern portion is lower, then this energy flows freely. It enters the house easily and is beneficial for the residents.

If the Northern portion of the plot is higher and Southern is lower, then the flow of energy is not free as it gets interrupted and harms the residents. The plot should also be surrounded by a boundary wall so that the electromagnetic force and positive energy keeps on getting generated. When this happens, the residents can lead a happy, peaceful and prosperous life. The magnetic flow is best generated and maintained in a square plot, while the level of this energy in a rectangular plot is considered to be average. This is because in the case of a rectangular plot it takes longer for these waves to travel from Northeastern corner to the Southwestern corner and their effect gets weakened.

Vastu Energy

If the rectangular plot is in the proportion of 2:1 with respect to the length and the breadth then the generation of electro-magnetic force is good, but if the length and breadth proportion is more than double (i.e 3:1 or more), then the effect of these waves is considerably reduced. In such case the fault can be corrected by erecting one or two walls. The above mentioned rules are applicable to the plots located in the main cardinal directions (i.e. South-North directions), because in such plots the magnetic meridian falls in the centre of the plot. If the main direction is towards a corner of the plot then the effect of the energy and magnetic field will be naturally medium and even the result of a house constructed on proper guidelines of vastu will also be only up to 75%. In this manner we find that electromagnetic force is best in the case of square plots and in the plots located in the main cardinal directions.

Energy Level of The Plot | 43

Vidisha Plot When the main directions of a plot fall in the corners of the plot instead of falling along the magnetic meridian, then the plot is known as the 'Vidisha plot'. If possible one should not buy such a plot because the energy level and the magnetic field of such a plot is very ordinary. The residents of this plot cannot get much benefit of the directions. If the vidisha plot has the road on its Northeast side, then it can be used for a residential house. In a vidisha plot the Vidisha Plot

house should be constructed parallel to the boundary. It should not be constructed parallel to the main directions. More open space should be left in the Northeast directions. All the doors should be made in auspicious directions Southwest corner should be of 90°. The slope of the floor should be towards Northeast.

Exercise Q1. What do you mean by electro-magnetic flow? Q2. Why should the land be surrounded by a compound wall? Q3. Out of square or rectangular land which is the best and why? Q4. What should be the ratio of length and breadth in a rectangular land? If this ratio is more then what is its ill effect and how can it be corrected. Q5. What do you mean by diagonal plots? Should such land be bought, if no then why?

44 | Domestic Vastu

Shape of the Land

There are different shapes of any plot like square, rectangular, triangular, Pantangular, oval, hexagonal etc. Except square and rectangular lands all are named irregular and considered to be very inauspicious if any construction is made on such irregular plots. Vastu only recommends square and rectangular plots for any construction. Regular Shaped Plot Square shape, plot where all the four angles are of 90° and all the sides are of equal length. AB = BC = CD = DA AC = BD Result - Health, wealth and prosperity growth and peace of mind.

Rectangular Shaped Plot

Square Plot

In Rectangular shaped plot opposite sides are equal and 90° at all corners. AB = CD & BC = AD Result - Good for financial growth and happiness. The residents are well fed, prosperous and happy. Rectangular Plot

Circular Plot Such a plot generally restricts prosperity, but kumbha vrittakar (pitcher shaped) plot signifies prosperity. Living examples of such plots are Ring road, Cannaught place, Gole Market and Kamala Nagar in Delhi. According to modern scholars, circular construction inside a circular plot does not give good results, while circular construction inside a square plot gives good results. Examples - Sansad Bhawan, Stadiums, buildings related to Buddha and

Circular Plot

other religions.

Shape of the Land | 45

Oval Plot Such a plot is extremely troublesome. Residents of such a plot to faces a lot of misery, ill health losses and varied problems. These problems can be reduced by carving out the biggest rectangle and rejecting the rest of the plot. Oval Plot

Hexagonal Plot ( 6 sided) Hexagonal plots are irregular plot which have 6 sides. Such plots are not considered well from the point of Vastu. Such plots give average result, however it can cause government punishment. It can be used for construction by carving out the biggest square or rectangle and leaving the rest of the plot.

Hexagonal Plot

Octagonal Long Plot (8 sided) Octagonal plots consist of 8 sides. This type of plot is considered inauspicious in Vastu. This type of plot causes a lot of troubles and creates a lot of problems.

Octagonal Plot

Residential dwelling places should not be made on such a plot.

Wheel Shaped Plot Wheel shaped plot have actually round shape and this is not considered good for dwelling or commercial purposes. Such a plot causes loss of money. Construction can be done on such a plot by carving out a square or rectangle and leaving the rest. Wheel Shape

Triangular Plot Triangular plots are irregular plots which have three corners. Such plots are considered inauspicious and cause harm due to fire and court cases. It also causes instability from the government and s. For these reasons, construction on such a plot should be carried out only after carving out a square or rectangle.

Triangular Plot

Semi circular Plot Semi circular plots look like the half of the circle. This type of plot is not considered good in Vastu for any structure. It is inauspicious and causes poverty and unhappiness. Construction should be carried out only after carving out a

Semi Circular Plot

rectangle.

Bow Shaped Plot Residents of such a plot have many enemies. Along with this, they have to face varied problems and fear. To escape these results, a rectangle should be carved Bow Shaped Plot

out of this plot and then construction should be carried out.

46 | Domestic Vastu

Chariot (Rath) Shaped Plot Chariot shaped plots don't have proper length and width. Such plots are not considered good for the construction of any building. This is extremely inauspicious for the owner. House should not be built on such a plot. If any house is built on such plots the inhabitants are bound to suffer from health problems, accidents and financial worries.

Chariot Shaped

Two Joined Chariot Shaped Plot This is also very inauspicious. Its owner is always surrounded by problems and has thefts in the house. As a result his progress hinders and he is notable to prosper. So, it is better to avoid construction of a house on this plot. The results of two joined chariot shaped plots are also the same like that of the chariot shaped plots but the intensity of problems are more in such plots. There are frequent problems to the inhabitants.

Two joined chariot

Bucket Shaped Plot Bucket shaped plots are irregular plots where the dimensions are not found to be proper. Such types of plot are highly inauspicious for residential buildings and commercial premises. Bucket shaped plots residents of such plots are always fround to be in debt and other types of problems.

Bucket Shape

Drum or Dholak or Mridangakar Shaped Plot Drum shaped plots are irregular plots where all the sides are improper and non of the angle measures 90°. Such plots are inauspicious from the perspective of Vastu. The person residing here is weak and his wife has a sudden death. The inhabitants of the buildings built on such plots are never happy and they have

Mridangakar

to face problems in and out side the house on daily basis. Owner of this plot is of loose character. He has many affairs and spends a lot of money on this habit. So a residential dwelling place should not be constructed on this plot.

Conical Plot Conical plots are like cones and are not augur well for the residents if houses are built on such plots. This is not auspicious. There is a lot of discord between the husband and wife living in such a house. There are lack of harmony between the members of the family. All the members have different opinions on any issue and Conical Shape

they have strife and scuffle over trivial matters.

Capsule Shaped Plot Capsule shaped plots are also not considered good for residential buildings and commercial structures like shops, factories, offices etc. It gives mixed results. The person who resides here cannot accumulate money.

Capsule Shape

Shape of the Land | 47

Star Shaped Plot Star shaped properties are very inauspicious from the point of view of Vastu and are rarely found. The person residing in such a plot is always surrounded by legal problems and court cases. As a result his financial condition remains weak. So it is better not to make residential house here. Star Shape

Hand Fan Shaped Plot Had fan shaped plots are irregular plots and they have many edges and corners. Such plots are extremely inauspicious. It causes loss of money and cattle. It can even bring the owner down to being a beggar, so residential house should not be constructed here.

Hand fan Shape

Temple Shaped Plot People residing in such a plot are rough and low people. The owner of the house often leaves the house to become a sanyasi. So this plot is not suitable for family happiness.

Temple Shape

T Shaped Plot T shaped plots don't augur well for the owner becauses it proves quiet harmful and inauspicious for him. Resident of this plot normally sells it within four or five years. However, its fifth owner may keep it longer and have some more stability.

Gaumukhi Plot T Shaped

The plot which is narrow towards the front and broad towards the back is called Gau Mukhi or Kaka Mukhi plot. This plot is considered to be auspicious in general, but its auspiciousness dependents on certain factors.

If the entrance to the plot is from south or West, then it is auspicious.

If the plot is extended towards Northeast direction, then the plot is extremely auspicious. Such a plot is acquired only because of destiny. The bhagyodaya of the residents takes place and they achieve name, fame, prosperity, mental and financial attainments and have an all round growth. Their popularity becomes widespread and all their wishes get fulfilled.

If Northeast corner is reduced then it is not auspicious. There is lack of health, wealth and prosperity. Such a plot produces poverty, recurring ailments and mishaps. There is no peace and happiness.

48 | Domestic Vastu

Some inauspicious Gaumukhi plots are shown below :

Gaumukhi plots

Such plots cause sudden mishaps. Residents of these plot are always caught up in court cases and they develop suicidal tendencies. Before constructing a house on such a plot, it must be freed from its Dosha (faults).

Vyaghra Mukhi (Sher Mukhi) Plot A plot which is broad towards the front side and narrow towards the back side is called vyaghra mukhi or chajmukhi. This plot produces misery, ailments and unhappiness. The residents are always surrounded by poverty, debts and sorrows. Their destiny seems to go sleep, so such a plot should not be used before rectifying its faults. But if a vyaghra mukhi plot is extended towards Northeast, then it will provide peace, prosperity and happiness. Its residents will achieve name, fame, high status and all types of happiness. They have composite physical, mental and financial growth. They also get interested in spirituality. Hence vyaghramukhi plot extended towards Northeast is extremely auspicious.

Shape of the Land | 49

Some auspicious Vyaghramukhi plots are shown below :

Vyaghramukhi Plot

Exercise Q1. Describe five important shapes of the land? Q2. What results do circular plot give? Q3. What results do bow shaped plot give? Q4. What results do temple type plot give? Q5. Explain Gomukhi plot in detail?

50 | Domestic Vastu

Extension of the Plot

The plot having all its four corners of equal angles is considered to be the best, but normally it becomes difficult to get a square or rectangular plot. The results of extension of a plot, on one side or the other, depend on its shape etc. Sometimes some corner can be less or more than 90°. Extension towards the Northeast (Ishan Vriddhi) If a plot is extended towards the Northeast then it is called 'Isha

Vriddhi' or 'Guru Vriddhi'. Northeast or Ishan is the abode of our 'Parameshwar'. Devaguru Brihaspati also resides in the Ishan along with the gods. So, an extension in the Ishan invokes the blessings of both. They shower the gifts of Dharma, Kama and Moksha on the residents of a house built on such land. With the result the residents flourish spiritually. They gain knowledge and wisdom and become virtuous, religious and charitable. They also flourish materially, they gain wealth, glory, luxuries and affluence. They also enjoy happiness from children and grand children along with their elders. Their progress is

Ishan Vriddhi

mainly due to Jupiter. Extension towards Northeast is also an extension towards the North. Kubera and Mercury reside in the North. With the result the house is always rich and prosperous. It keeps on getting the blessings of kubera who is the treasurer of goddess Lakshmi. Mercury gives intellect and knowledge. People living in such houses are highly respected for their wisdom, virtues and charitable nature. There is a lot of social interaction in these houses. People residing in these houses can be teachers, preachers, religious gurus, judges, astrologers, engineers, mathematicians, ministers or officers holding high level positions.

Extension of the Plot | 51

There is only one negative feature of these people, which is Ego or 'ahankar'. Jupiter gives wisdom and material success but also give ego at the same time.

Extension towards Northwest (Vayavya Vriddhi) This plot is known as extended vayavya plot. If the plot is extended towards Northwest, whose lord is Moon, then the expansion is according to the significations of Moon and the longevity gets increased. Moon represents water, mind, blood circulation and emotions. For these reasons, people who reside in houses made on such plots have ailments related to blood. There is discord among the family members and the owner always remains worried. He has a disturbed mind and is prone to violence. Full Moon day normally affects many people adversely in terms of insanity and aggression. Vayavya Vriddhi

Such tendency is seen in people residing in such plots. They are devoted, but are imaginative and argumentative. Moon also represents travel. Residents of these houses travel a lot. They keep changing their houses because of their job and there are ups and downs in their jobs or profession. Northwest corner is the abode of wind God (Vayu Devata). Nature of wind is changeable and restless. Due to the airy element in their body, people residing in these plots develop weakness, worry and aggression. They have windy complaints and their hair becomes grey early. Almost all the family members have a weak constitution and they age early. Moon represents medicines. People residing in these plots also get the benefic influence of Moon. They become prosperous. Moon also represents water. These people always have plenty of water. Moon is also related to jobs, so these people normally get good jobs and most people of the family work.

Extension towards Southwest (Nairritya Vriddhi)t: Plot with an extension in the Southwest is called Nairritya Vriddhi plot. Rahu and demon Nairritya reside in Southwest. Asura Rahu is a tamo guna planet. If the extension is in this direction then the tamasik qualities increase. Asura shakti and ghosts influence this land. Residents of a house built on this plot are hostile towards each other. Windy Rahu adds fuel to this fire. In such houses mutual relationship Nairritya Vriddhi

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between the entitre family or father, son, mother is not good. All

the family members are very aggressive and easily angered. Often incidents related to poisoning, fire, aggression and use of weapons are seen in such houses. There can even be extreme incidents like suicide. There is always a threat from yama the god of death, so extension in this direction is most undesirable. Incidently extended south direction also belongs to yama. People residing in these houses are superstitious. There are weird happenings, related to ghosts etc, in the house. The children get addicted to intoxication. The owner may have two wives. In this plot, construction should be done only up to the dotted line. The extended Southwest portion should be left vacant. Troubles will be there in any case. It is forbidden to construct on the entire plot. People residing on this plot should worship Hanuman Ji.

Extension towards Southeast (Agneya Vriddhi) In such plots Southeastern corner is extended. God of fire and Venus reside in this direction. Venus represents the sexual instinct. He also represents enjoyment, glamour, bedroom, music, arts, dance, cosmetics and women. Residents of a house built on this plot are obsessed with sex. They like enjoyment. They are glamorous, attractive and are interested in music, singing, dancing, cinema, drama and arts. In olden days the kings used to make places for dance, music and enjoyment in this corner of the plot. Even in modern times, the bedroom should be made in this corner.

Agneya Vriddhi

This is an excellent place for a beauty parlour. In such houses the wife and beautiful women are given importance. The reason is Venus again. In such a plot due to extension in the domain of Venus, the family may be under the domination of a lady. Venus is a Rajasik planet so rajasik tendency controls the residents. These qualities are enjoyment, sex, luxury and good living. In such houses there is fear of fire and of death because there is extension of south which is controlled by yama and extension of Southeast representing fire.

Conclusion Plot with an extended Ishan (Northeast) is especially auspicious and desirable. It promotes health, wealth, prosperity and spirituality. It also helps in continuation of the family lineage and gives happiness from children.

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Plot with an extended Vayava (Northwest) gives good and bad results. It causes mental instability aggression, insanity and worry. Such people are seen to be very imaginative. At the same time these people have been found to be working and becoming prosperous. Plot with an extension in Agneya (Southeast) produces interest in enjoyment, luxury, beauty, singing and dancing. People living in such plots become more Rajasik. They are affluent. Plot with an extension in Nairritya (Southwest) produces tendency towards anger, hostility and violence. This can give rise to separation between brothers, divorce between husband and wife and breaking down of the family ties. Sudden mishaps and suicide cases have also been seen. Considering all this one should never make residential accommodation on such a plot. In totality a square and rectangular plot is the best, because all four corners are of 90°, with the result all the planets influence the plot in a balanced manner and the energies obtained from nature keep flowing in a balanced way. These are necessary for a healthy and prosperous life. If corners of the plot are extended then they definitely disturb this natural balance, which affects our life adversely.

Exercise Q1. Which plot is considered to be the best plot? Q2. What are the features of extended North-East land? Describe. Q3. Discuss good and evil effects of North-West extended plot. Q4. Discuss the evil effects of South-East extended Plots. Q5. Discuss the evil effects of South-West extended Plots.

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Reduction of the Plot

This condition is exactly opposite of the extension of a corner of the plot. When the corner gets extended, the power of the god and the related planet increases. With the result one finds progress and growth in the areas represented by the concerned god or the planet (In some directions the extension even gives harmful results) as opposed to this cutting of a corner reduces the power of the concerned god and the planet. Plot with reduced Ishan (Northeast)

If the Ishan corner of the plot is reduced then there will be reduction in the inflow of money, lack of spirituality, lack of happiness from father and lack of family happiness. There could be problems in having children or trouble with children. The residents could have a weak memory and they could even be lacking the inclination towards charitable acts.

Ishan Reduced

When the Ishan is cut then gods and Jupiter are left outside the plot. As a result, significations of Jupiter suffer. Such a plot has six corners. According to Vastushastra plots having 3, 5, 7 corners should not be used for construction. So, one should never buy such a plot. Gods reside in Ishan and if that corner of the plot is cut then they are left out of the plot and this affects the prosperity, luxury and grandeur of the residents. Among all planets Jupiter is most important, he has power to protect the residents from the ill effects of the other planets. If Jupiter is left out of the plot then how can we expect auspiciousness and protection in the plot !

Plot with reduced Nairritya (Southwest) Vastu shastra does not consider a plot with more than four corners suitable for residential premises. However there is an exception made for Nairritya. When the Nairritya is cut then miseries and troubles related to Rahu get reduced. This corner is the abode of devilish demon Rahu. When this corner is cut then Rahu remains

Nairritya Reduced

Reduction of the Plot | 55

out of the plot, with the result Rahu or other wicked powers become ineffective. Ghosts cannot enter the plot and the residents remain free from superstitions.

Plot with reduced Vayavya (Northwest) Vayavya is the abode of Moon. When this corner is cut then the mental strength of the residents becomes weak because Moon is the karaka for mind. Symptoms of melancholia and insanity can develop among them. Moon Vayavya Reduced

represents blood, so more than one person suffers from low blood pressure. Since Moon is a watery planet, people residing in this plot can develop cough and cold, breathing problems, urinary trouble and brain fever etc. Dark circle can form under the right eye. For some reason or the other the eye sight becomes weak. Moon also represents mother and women. For this reason the women of the house may suffer from insanity, disappointments, mental tension and ailments related to uterus, menstrual cycle or to urinary ailments. Moon is a karaka for grains and wealth, so either the grain rots or there is shortage of grain. Trees and plants dry up. Vayavya is an abode of wind god. Cutting of this corner does not produce windy, complaints, but the increase in kaff, produces laziness and anger.

Plot with reduced Agneya (Southeast) Agneya is the abode of Venus. When this corner is cut then there is lack of enjoyment, laughter, luxury, happiness from women and lack of interest in sex. The men living in this plot have lower virility and potency. Fire is the life force in our body. When agneya is cut then the person’s jatharagni (the heat in the stomach Agneya Reduced

for digesting food) and sexual drive is low. Normally these people have weakness in the body. This picture resembles a pistol or an axe. Vastushastra does not consider such a plot to be auspicious.

Exercise Q1. Discuss the main faults of North-East cut plots? Q2. Discuss the main faults of North-West cut plots? Q3. Discuss the main faults of South-West cut plots? Q4. Discuss the main faults of South-East cut plots? Q5. What are the good effects if any corner of the plot is extended?

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Obstructions

Obstruction or Vedha means a hinderance in the natural path of sunlight and wind. There can be various kinds of obstructions in a house. These Vedhas prove harmful to the residents. If any tree or electric pole etc. is placed in front of the house then it is called Dwar Vedha and it hinders the growth of the natives living in that house. There are many other types of vedhas as well which have been described in this chapter.

Different types of Vedhas Dwar Vedha Any obstruction in the front of the main gate or main door of the house is known as dwar vedha. Vastu Rajavallabha Says :

}kokjka fo)e'kksHkULp r:.kk dks.kHkzeLrEHkdS%A mPNk;k}fn~oxq.kk fogk; i`Foh os/kks u fHkR;Urjs] izkdkjkUrj jktekxZiLrksa os/kks u dks.kn~ o;sAA i.e. Presence of a tree, corner, pole, oil mill, temple or a peg in front of the door is inauspicious. Such an obstruction can also be caused by an electric or telephone pole or water tank or even shrubs and plants in front of the door. A well or a hand pump in front of the door creates mental instability and paucity of money. A tree in front of the door creates hindrance in the progress of children. A telephone or electric pole in front of the house keeps the family troubled and sickly. Goddess Lakshmi keeps away from such a house. If the obstruction causing object is situated at twice the height of the house, then vedha is not applicable. i.e. If height of the house is twenty five feet and the vedha causing object is situated at a distance of fifty feet, then it will not be considered as dwar vedha but if it is situated at 45 feet then it would be considered as dwar vedha.

Obstructions | 57

To protect the house from the internal dwar vedha, one should not make the main doors of the house directly in front of each other. They should not obstruct each other. A smaller door should never be made in front of a larger door. A similar sized door can be made. Three doors should never be made in front of each other even if they are of the same size.

Swara Vedha If a door makes a sound while opening or closing, it is considered to be swara vedha which does not give good result. The house should be kept free from swara vedha.

Kona Vedha If some corner of the house is smaller than the other corners then it can create extremely serious troubles or 'Mrityu tulya kashta' for the residents and cause untimely death. For this reason all the corners should be of equal angles. If some corner is less than 90° then a cupboard should not be made in this corner. If the house has 3, 5 or more corners, then also it becomes kona vedha. Residents of such houses can suffer from many types of ailments.

Koopa Vedha If there is a septic tank or underground water tank or handpump or tap or drain or a canal in front of the main door or main gate of the house, then it is considered to be koopa vedha. This causes continuous shortage of money, so the house should be kept free from koopa vedha.

Brahma Vedha If machines for grinding wheat or for extracting oil are located in front of the main entrance of the house, then this is considered to be Brahma Vedha. Due to this vedha the life of the residents remains disorderly and there are disputes among the family members. This vedha can be rectified by fengshui.

Keel Vedha If there is a stake or a nail for tying an animal near the entrance of the house, it is called keel vedha. This vedha curtails the progress of the owner of the house, he keeps on facing hindrances.

Stambha Vedha If there is an electric or telephone pole or D.P in front of the main entrance then it becomes a serious fault known as stambha vedha. This creates enmity and hostility among the family members.

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Vastu Vedha If there is a store room, garage or watchman’s cabin in front of the main entrance, it is called vastu vedha. It creates continuous shortage of money.

If the main door of the house is situated at the centre of the length or the breadth of the plot, then this is also considered to be a vedha.

A tap should not be located in front of the main door because water always keeps flowing out of it and this situation is harmful for the children. It also creates wastage of money.

Chitra Vedha Pictures or paintings of tiger, lion, dog or of other ferocious animals like leopard or of crows, owls, vultures or of ghosts or a war and violence, cause chitra vedha. Horns of animals should not be kept as show pieces. Dwelling of pigeons in the house is also considered to be inauspicious.

Shilpa Vedha Statues and models of ferocious birds and animals create shilpa vedha. Keeping of stuffed dead hunted animals, as was the practice in royal families, is also a fault. Even decorating animal skins is shilpa vedha. It reduces the longevity of the persons living in the house.

Sama Vedha If an upper storey has to be made on an existing floor, then the height of the upper storey should be atleast 1/12 lesser than the height of the lower floor. Otherwise sama vedha is created which causes destruction of the family.

Antar Vedha Presence of a door between two houses causes Antarvedha. People living in these houses are hot tempered, they get angry easily.

Chhaya Vedha Shadow of a tree, temple, mountain or a flag should not fall on the house. It causes chhaya vedha. This is of five types Temple chhaya Vedha If shadow of any temple falls on the house between 10 AM and 3 PM, then this is considered to be a chhaya vedha. It creates family disturbances and lack of peace at home. There are professional and financial losses and there is delay in the marriage of children and birth of children.

Obstructions | 59

Dhwaja Chhaya Vedha If shadow of a flag falls on the house, then too this is considered to be chhaya vedha. According to the shastras, if a house is constructed within 100 feet of a temple, then the residents of the house can suffer on account of dhwaja vedha. This vedha can create heart trouble, mental retardation, insanity and paralysis etc. In addition to this, health of the family members suffers. Parvat Chhaya Vedha If a mountain is situated towards east of the house and its shadow falls on the house, then this is considered to be parvat chhaya vedha. This prevents or hinders the progress and fame of the residents. For this reason a house should not be constructed in such a place. Vriksha Chhaya Vedha If a tree casts its shadow on the house between 10AM and 3PM, then it is considered to be vriksha chhaya vedha. This vedha stops the progress, so the house should not be made near a large tree. Bhavan Chhaya Vedha If shadow of the house falls on the well or boring, then it becomes Bhavan chhaya vedha, which causes financial losses.

It is inauspicious to have trees like berries, plums (ber), dates, pomegranate, mangrove (babul) or other thorny trees in front of the house. It causes the owners ruin

Palash tree in front of the house makes the owner forever defeated

Tamarind tree in front of the house results in untimely demise of the owner

Wild fig tree (gooler) in front of the house makes the residents suffer from eye troubles

If shadow of some tree falls on the house, then goddess Nidra controls that house and the people living there become base (tamsik) and superstitious. They suffer from ailments related to bones, bile, rheumatism tuberculosis and sciatica. Their ailments cannot even get cured by the doctors. For these reasons the house should remain clear from the shadow of any tree

Presence of milk oozing trees in the courtyard (angan) cause monetary losses. So trees like Banyan, Aak, madar etc. should not be planted in the courtyard.

Bananas, almonds, dates, mangoes, grapes and berries etc. should also not be planted in the courtyard.

Trees belonging to the gods should also not be planted in the courtyard. Banana belongs to Gandharva while oleander (red kaner) belongs to Sun god, so these trees should not be there in the courtyard. Peepal and sandalwood trees can be planted there, but not in front of the main door.

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Tulsi plant must be planted in the courtyard. Vastu shastra allows planting peepal in the West, Banyan in the East, wild fig (goolar) in the South and wood apple (kaitha) in the North of the house. Planting coriander in the courtyard brings about in change of place for the owner. If in service, he could get transferred.

Sthiti Vedha Sometimes a lane or a road reaches a dead end and the plots located near the dead end are known as the closed (band) plots or prisoner (kaidi) plots. These plots are not suitable for residential purpose, so these should be discarded.

Sthan Vedha Location of a childless person’s house or a washerman’s house, a flour mill or the furnace of a blacksmith in front of the plot is called sthan vedha. Similarly location of a funeral ground or a cemetery near the house also becomes a sthan vedha. Residential house should not be constructed in such a location.

Drishti Vedha If a feeling of fear or loneliness descends upon oneself after entering a house, then such a house is supposed to have drishti vedha. Residents of such a house are affected by poor mental and financial condition.

Results of a house near a temple People residing in a house located near a temple repeatedly keep coming under the influence of devalaya vedha, which is the dosha caused by the gods of the temple. According to Shiva purana, a house should not be constructed within the range of 100 feet of a temple because the residents will keep on suffering because of Dhwaja dosha. According to the shastras no one should urinate or defecate within 100 feet of the temple. Such an action results in suffering due to deva dosha. It is inauspicious to reside near a Shiva mandir. Rudra resides in it along with his followers who are ghosts and goblins and they keep troubling the people residing nearby. Since Rudra dev is fierce and aggressive, the nature or the people residing nearby also becomes aggressive. This causes constant bickering and friction amongst father and son and amongst brothers. If the temple near the house belongs to an aggressive deity, then the residents have to suffer more. People living near a temple of Hanuman ji have to suffer because of poverty, misery and sorrows. Temperament of Kalika and Chamunda devis and Rudra is aggressive, fierce and violent, while that of Lakshmiji, Parvatiji, Vishnu ji and Balaji is satvik, calm and peaceful. In any case temple should not be made inside the house. There should be a place for Puja in the house where pictures

Obstructions | 61

and small idols of the Gods should be kept. The puja sthal (room) should not be inside the bedroom and Prana pratishtha of the gods inside the puja shtal should not be done, that place should only be used for worship and for keeping puja articles.

Exercise Q1. What do you mean by Dwar Vedha? Explain in detail. Q2. What do you mean by Swar Vedha? Explain in detail. Q3. What do you mean by Vastu Vedha? Explain in detail. Q4. What do you mean by Chhaya Vedha? Explain in detail. Q5. What are the results of a house near a temple?

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Vastu of the House

The presence of a lake, pond, flowing river or a well or a hand pump in the Northeast of the house leads to continuously growing prosperity and inflow of money. Digging and constructing a tube well, underground water tank or installing a tap or keeping that area full of water leads to growth in wealth and prosperity. It also brings in a lot of happiness. The people residing in such houses become famous, reputed and

honoured. They are honoured by the king and the rich. They are very hospitable and their homes are always visited by well wishers and saints who get due honour and hospitality from the family. Poverty, debts, diseases do not bother them and any problem like court cases etc. get easily solved. These people get good results for their efforts and goddess Lakshmi goes on showering her blessings on them. The following points should be taken into account before the construction : 1. Before starting house construction proper arrangement for water should be made, because after selection of the plot, water becomes the first requirement. For the construction to proceed smoothly, the arrangement for the water should be made in the Northeast or North direction. The figure given is a guide to the appropriate place for the tube well. The best place for an underground tank or a bore well is the main East or main North or 75% of the Northeast direction. According to the figure the plot has been divided into three

Places for borewell

parts. For example a plot of 60x60, measuring 3600 sq. mts has been taken. The North and East directions have been divided into three equal parts of 20 ft each.

Vastu of the House | 63

Starting from the Northeast corner moving eastward the first 20 ft becomes Northeast Ishan area, the next 20 ft becomes main East and the last 20 ft. becomes Southeast Agni area. Similarly moving Northwards, the first 20 ft becomes Ishan, the next 20 ft main North and last 20 ft is Vayavya or Northwest area. After this Ishan is divided into two equal parts of 10x10 ft. the Handpump in South

first 10 ft is the main Ishan which is unfavourable for a boring water tank or a tap. By using this place for a boring etc. the person makes illogical decisions, loses his leadership qualities and heads towards his doom: 2. Handpump or Water tank is considered to be auspicious in Ishan kona only, whether it is inside or outside the house. This

Handpump in Ishan

gives health, wealth prosperity and happiness to the owners' family along with wisdom and good fortune: 3. Hand pump or water tank is even better on the eastern part of Ishan kona. Along with wealth it also promotes good fortune and happiness. People residing in such a house are honoured by the rich, the ministers and also by the king They are showered with gods blessings.

Watertank in Eastern Ishan

4. Presence of hand pump or well towards the North of Ishan kona increases wealth. The residents get social status and recognition. It also promotes peace and happiness in the house. Well in North Ishan

5. Hand pump, well or a water tank is also considered good in the West of the house. It promotes prosperity and happiness:

Handpump in West

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6. Hand pump, well or water tank is not considered auspicious in the South direction. It can cause untimely demise of the owner’s wife. It also increases possibilities of accidents, mishaps and suicides. Water tank not in South

7. Presence of well, hand pump or water tank in Vayavya (Northwest) direction creates troubles from enemies and thieves. If the water source is in the exact vayavya kona then the owner's wife meets an untimely end. It also creates disputes and bickering among the family members. Water tank in Vayavya

8. Presence of well, hand pump or water tank in Nairritya (Southwest) direction creates incurable ailments and untimely demise of the owner and his family members. Apart from this there are fights, accidents, suicides and financial losses. These problems ultimately become reasons for breakup of the family.

Well in nairitya

9. Well, hand pump or water tank in Agneya kona (Southeast) corner creates danger for the children and loss of wealth and honour. Fire and water are two opposite elements. When combined together they make life full of troubles and disputes. Source of water in this area is an indicator of accumulation of debt. The females suffer more than the males. Water tank in Agneya

10. If well, water tank or hand pump is in the centre of the house or the plot, it causes the ruin of the family. No one can live in such a place for long, his life remains disorderly, full of debt and poverty. He becomes unfortunate and miserable. His misery goes on increasing day by day. Gods get annoyed by him. Well in the center

Vastu of the House | 65

All these rules are applicable to not only a residential house but also to a commercial or a professional building/house, hospital or temple etc.

Exercise Q1. Which places are suitable for a tubewell? Explain through diagram. Q2. What will be the effects if tubewell is located in South-West direction? Q3. What will be the effects if tubewell is located in North-West direction? Q4. What will be the effects if tubewell is located in South-East direction? Q5. What will be the effects if tubewell is located in North-East direction?

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Overhead Tank

In olden days the houses were normally of one storey only and water was stored on the ground itself. These are the days of multi storeyed houses and buildings. Now normally water is stored in overhead tanks. Overhead tank should be placed in the South-West corner of the building. The main logic behind this is that this corner of the house should be the heaviest and the tank carrying water holds adequate weight.

Overhead Tank

The figure above shows the appropriate location of the overhead tank. 1. The overhead tank should always be kept in West, Western Southwest, Southern Southwest or Western Northwest. Apart from this, it is not considered good in any other direction. In these directions it gives financial stability and opens new sources of income. 2. Overhead tank should never be placed in the centre of the roof (brahma sthan), otherwise life becomes intolerable. It should, never be placed in the Northeast (Ishan) area or there will be financial losses and fear of accidents. If for any reason the tank has to be placed in Ishan, then the construction in Vayavya, Agneya and Nairritya should be relatively higher. In this manner the inauspicious results can be prevented. Tank in the North creates accumulation of debt and

Overhead Tank | 67

severe financial problems. 3. If possible the tank should not be made of plastic. If a plastic tank is necessary then it should either be black or blue, because these colours absorb sunlight and prevent impurities in water. White coloured tank reflects sunlight and with the result there is a possibility of water becoming impure. If possible a separate tank should be installed for the toilet. 4. Apart from Western Southwest, West, Western Northwest and Southern Southwest, tank in other corners is inauspicious. Remedy for this is, construction of a slightly higher room in the Southwest area. 5. Water tank on the terrace should be kept on 2-3 feet high platforms constructed on the roof. If the tank is kept on the flat surface of the roof then it creates mental tension for the residents. 6. In multistoried buildings, in which water is pumped up to the higher floors, one should make it a point to see that water pipeline always turns right while going up. This is very beneficial.

Exercise Q1. Which places are suitable for overhead tank? Tell the result of all. Q2. Why should not overhead tank be placed in Brahma sthan? What evil effects can it give? Q3. What should be the colour of tank and why? Q4. Why should not white tank be placed? Q5. Why should not overhead tank be placed on the surface of the roof ?

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Main Door of the House

The main entrance door of the house is also called 'Pradhan dwar' or simha dwar'. This door should be larger, stronger and more attractive than the other doors of the house. Flawless main door is necessary for the progress and prosperity of the house. An auspicious main door ushers all kinds of happiness into the house.

Doors of the house play an important role in the well being of the persons living in it. If the door happens to be in the wrong direction or in the wrong place or is affected by vedha, then the owner and his family members have to suffer from varied kinds of problems and they keep facing mishaps. On the other hand good positioning of the door, opens doors to opportunities of success and good fortune to the owner and his family.

Entrance Best Positions : North of North East, North, East, South of South East, West of North West

Main door

In Vastu shastra, for every kind of plot and house, certain areas are accepted because of their auspiciousness and certain areas are rejected because of their inauspiciousness. Every plot is situated among the four directions namely North, South,

Main Door of the House | 69

East and West. On the eastern side of the plot, starting from the mid point of East up to Ishan Kona (N.E.) is considered to be of high quality and is auspicious. From the mid point up to Agneya kona (S.E.) is considered to be of low quality and inauspicious. Similarly on the Southern side of the plot, from the mid point up to Agneya kona (S.E.) is considered auspicious and from the mid point up to Nairritya Kona (S.W) is considered inauspicious. Similarly on the Western side from the mid point up to Vayavya kona (N.W) is considered auspicious and from the midpoint up to Nairritya kona (S.W) is considered inauspicious. On the Northern side, from the mid point up to Ishan kona (N.E.) is considered auspicious and from mid point up to Vayavya kona (N.W) is considered inauspicious. According to modern scholars the whole plot should be divided into 9 equal parts and the door should be made in beneficial places.

Auspicious Door Grid Door in the East gives good results. Main door in the northern Ishan is extremely auspicious. It ushers in gods blessings and good fortune. If the main door is made Auspicious door grid

in Northern Ishan then automatically the heavier objects will be placed in South and West, with the result the eastern portion will be lighter than the western portion. This is the basic principle of Vastu shastra. Main door in Eastern Ishan is also very auspicious. This door promotes children’s happiness. It ushers in fame and good reputation. Persons living in such a house are extremely intelligent, wise, learned, witty and sagacious. When the main door is in Eastern Ishan, then automatically the heavier objects are placed in South and the movement is towards North which produces good results. Main door in the Southern Agneya (S.E.) is also auspicious. This door is supposed to be good for the women of the house. Main door in the western vayavya is also auspicious. Main door in the north is good for progress of the family. Main door in the West gives prosperity and protection.

Inauspicious Door Grid Main door in the Eastern Agneya (SE) is of poor quality and is inauspicious. It brings inauspicious results like theft, fire accidents, and diseases. Main door in Southern. Inauspicious door grid

Nairritya (S.W.) creates financial losses and gives diseases to the women of the family. It also reduces their longevity. Main door in Southern Nairritya (S.W.) is harmful for wealth and for the longevity of the men of the family. It also brings about loss of position. For these reasons main door should never be kept in this direction. Main door in Northern Vayavya is also inauspicious and results in the unstable mental condition of the residents. To sum up, door in Eastern Agneya causes diseases and fiery accidents. Door

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in Southern Nairritya makes the women unhealthy and diseased. Door in western Nairritya is also harmful for the health of the women and reduces the age of the door. Door in northern vayavya makes the residents very emotional and mentally unstable. Note : Main door made at the centre of the plot is inauspicious for a residential or professional establishment. It can cause destruction of the family lineage. Such a door is considered auspicious only for religious places.

Position of Main Door According to Vastu Chakra The main entrance should be located in the auspicious grid position. The site of building is divided in a 9x9 grid called the paramsayika Mandala. Placement of main door is determined by the presence of different deities having lordship of different parts of the site.

Position of the main door

The correct placement of main entrance in different direction have been shown in figure.

Impact of Main door

Loss due to file

Female growth

Prosperity wealth gain glory

Govt. favour, victory

Lack of Mental Peace

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Adverse effect on female, false accusation

Fear from enemy, cruelty

Loss due to theft

Loss due to fire, Adverse effect on male child

Agony caused by friend and family member

Good result

Prosperity, monitory game, birth of son

Death, Debt

Loss of prestige

Financial Loss

Abstacle Damage to male child

Expenses more than income, Letigation

Deafness

Financial Loss, monitory trouble

Growth and development

Peace, good health and comfort

Govt. harasshment, letigation, loss to father

Financial loss, Poverty

Accident and disease

Death, Disease and accident

Death, Enemity

Happiness, prosperity and comforts

Financial gain female growth

Gain of health and prosperity

Opposition from family member

Defects in female, uncomfortable to women

Failure, success

Guidelines for the main door

The main door should never be made on the extended or reduced part of the plot

The main door should be larger than the other doors of the house.

It should always be kept neat, clean and attractive.

It should have two planks. If all the doors of the house cannot be of two planks then atleast the main door, and the doors of the master bedroom and the pooja room should be of two planks.

The planks of the door should open inwards. If the main door opens towards outside then there will be endless troubles, the children will become obstinate and there will be no peace in the house.

Auspicious signs like swastika, bells, conch, cowries, and pictures of goddesses

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Lakshmi and Saraswati and Ganeshji should be decorated on the main door.

The door should not be touching the wall. There should be a distance of 4" to 1' between the wall and the frame of the door.

The door should be atleast one foot higher than an average man's height. The normal principle is that the height of the door should be twice the breadth, but care should be taken that the breadth is atleast three and half to four feet.

Boundary is necessary It is absolutely necessary to make a boundary around a residential or a professional establishment. The boundary not only protects the residents but also protects them from Vastudosha. Southern and Western part of the boundary should be thicker than the Northern and Eastern part. Apart from this for keeping the boundary in harmony with the main door the following rules should be kept in mind.

For an East facing house, it is auspicious to have a door or gate in the boundary wall in front of the main door. To make it more effective, another door can be made in the Eastern Ishan part of the boundary which is located in front of the open space left in the North of the house.

For a South facing house, the main door should be made in the Southern Agneya in front of the open space left towards the East. Even if a door is already made in front of the main entrance of the house, a second door in the Southern Agneya is essential.

If a house is made in the centre of the plot and in the centre of the boundary, then the main door can be in any direction and it will not produce vastu dosha. In such a case it is not necessary to have a second door in the boundary in the better section of the plot.

For a West facing house, if there is a door in the boundary in front of the main door of the house, then a second door should be made in the boundary in the Western Vayavya in front of the open space left towards the North of the house. Without this, the first door will remain inauspicious.

For a North facing house, if there is a door in the boundary in front of the main door, then a second door should be made in the boundary in the Northern Ishan. Without this the first door will not be effective.

The door made in the better portion of the boundary must be used. It will yield good results.

For a North facing or East facing house the boundary can be of the same height as the main door or can be even lower.

If the boundary gets damaged in Southern or Western Nairritya or in Eastern Agneya or in Northern vayavya, then it should be repaired immediately to prevent inauspicious Vastu results.

Only one door in the boundary is troublesome.

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If the boundary door is higher and thicker in the South and West then it confers good health and wealth.

If the door in Nairritya of the boundary is high, then it confers wealth, honour and happiness.

There should be some distance between the house and the boundary wall.

Within the boundary, more open space should be left towards North and East as compared to the space left in South and West. If the plot is excessively large then Goddess Laxmi does not reside in it, this causes financial constraints. Normally the open area should not be more than four times than that of the covered area. In an average house the covered area is between 1500 to 2000 sq. ft. Accordingly the open area should not be more than 8000 to 10000 sq ft. After becoming successful financially, the people who make houses in very huge plots leaving more than four times the covered area as open space, have to face the day when their success story becomes a glory of the past. In many huge plots, very huge gardens are made apart from the house. This becomes inauspicious. If a garden has to be made then a wall should be constructed between the house and the garden and a door should be made in that wall. A garden should be made in the plot only when the shape of the plot is normal. If a huge garden is to be made then it should be separate from the house. The entry door into the garden can be from outside. If the garden and house need to be connected then the door should be kept in North or East. This is possible only if the garden is in the North or East. If the garden is towards South or West then its door should be from outside. Garden in a plot is not inauspicious unless it is disproportionately large. Normally in towns and cities the gardens are small and they are not inauspicious.

Exercise Q1. In which directions could the best category doors be built? Q2. What are the evil effects of East-Southeast door? Q3. Construct the Paramshayika Mandal according to Vastu Chakra and describe the auspicious position of door. Q4. "Madhye Dwar Na Kartavya Manujanam madhye dware krite tay kulnash prajayate" Explain this shloka. Q5. Why is compound wall essential in a house? Explain.

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Windows of the House

Less number of windows should be in Agneya or Vayavya kona. Windows should be made after leaving approximately 4 feet (1¼ of the hand) from the kona. The windows should be of the same shape and they should be even in number i.e. 2-4-6-8. Larger and bigger windows should be placed in East and North wall. In these directions number of windows should be much more than the windows in other directions.

More windows in the North increases prosperity

Windows should be made in a row and not above and below in one wall

The windows should open inside

The window should be as a pair, (two parts). It should not be single or triple

Windows and small windows should be made on the right side of the house and not in the centre or in the left. They can be made on the left side in a temple

Windows

Doorsill (Dehleej) There are no doorsills in houses these days. This is not acceptable in shastras. Atleast the main door should have a doorsill. Before entering a new house we touch the dehleej of the temple and then worship the deity. Dehleej of the temple is considered to be pure and important. Our house is also our temple so why is there no dehleej!

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The advantage of having a dehleej on the main door is that the troubles and calamities remain outside the dehleej. Even snakes and lizards cannot enter the house. In our society ladies worship the dehleej with haldi and kumkum and wish for happiness of the people living inside. Even a bride enters the house after the worship of dehleej. So presence of dehleej in a house is extremely important.

Exercise Q1. Where should the windows be placed and what should be their number? Q2. What are the results if windows are placed in North direction? Q3. How many flaps should be in a window? Q4. Why should not windows and ventilators be placed at the center or left of the house? Q5. Why is it essential to have doorsill in a house? Explain in detail.

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Main Rules for the Stair Case

The staircase of the house should be made according to the rules of vastu. The ideal direction for the staircase is the main West, main South or Southwest (Nairritya). Best position is Nairritya which is very auspicious because this corner of the house should be tall and heavy. According to another view the staircase should be in Southwest or Western vayavya, away from the Northern or Eastern wall.

Staircase should not be made in Ishan. It harms wealth and profession and the owner gets loaded with debt. Due to shortage of space if staircase is made in Agneya or in Northern Vayavya then it becomes harmful for the health of the children. If it is absolutely necessary to make stairs in these areas then they should be light weight and they should move from East to West and from North to South (climbing up). One should never make stairs climbing up Northwards and climbing down Southwards. This harms the prosperity, peace and happiness of the house. In an old house if there is a staircase in Northeast then to remove its vastu dosha a room should be constructed in Southwest.

Staircase

Number of Steps Steps should always be in odd numbers. The number should be such that if it is divided by 3 the remainder should be 2. i.e. 5, 11, 17, 23, 29 etc. There should be strong doors

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at the beginning and the end of the stairs. The upper door should be 1/12 smaller than the lower door. In other words, the lower door should be larger. While climbing, the stairs should turn in right direction.

Ideal Staircases The stairs should turn in clockwise direction from North to South or from East to West. While climbing up, upto midpoint the person should face West or South and after reaching up he should face North or East.

Direction of Staircase

Ideal Staircase

Similarly while climbing down, the person should face North or East at the end. If possible the stairs should not touch the Northern or Eastern walls. They should not be visible immediately after entering the house, otherwise it can give a feeling of tension on entering the house.

Entrance of Staircases

According to Chinese belief, in such a situation the magnetic balance of the house gets affected and adversely affects the owner. Potted plants should be kept on both sides of such a staircase. Ideal height of each step is 9 inches. It should not be more than this. If the height of a step is 9" then its breadth should be 11". In this manner one should keep a difference of 2" between the height and the breadth. In a large house the width of a step should be 4 feet. In a small house it can be 3 feet or 2½ feet. There should be a railing on both sides of the stairs.

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The staircase should not begin with triangular steps. Staircase should not be very curved and spiral. One should not make a bedroom, sitting room, puja or a toilet under the staircase. One should also not sleep under the stairs. The beginning or the end of the staircase should not be in puja room, safe room, kitchen or store. This can give rise to constipation, indigestion and moles in the family members. If necessary, a bathroom (for bathing only) can be made under the stairs. Open area under the stairs is good for children’s education.

Correct Position of Staircases The Stairs should always turn towards right. If they turn the other way then one or two steps in the beginning can be made to turn right and the rest can turn left.

Correct Position of Staircases

This staircase turns left wards while climbing up which should be corrected, so two steps can be added at the base turning right to correct this fault.

Exercise Q1. What rules should be kept in mind while constructing the staircases? Q2. How should the number of staircases be counted? Q3. What is the ideal construction of staircases? Q4. What is the ideal difference between one step to the other in staircases? Q5. What are the results if staircases begin or end near poojaroom, locker room, kitchen or store room?

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Shapes and Sizes of the Rooms

Shapes and sizes of the room vary according to the availability of the space. However Vastu mentions about the ideal size and shape of a particular room e.g. a normal bedroom is ideal if its size is 10' x16'. Master bedroom should be made bigger and slightly higher than the other rooms while the toilet without bathroom should not be much bigger and its ideal size is 4'x4'. Bed room and dining room should be of the following sizes : 10’×10', 10’×11', 11’×11', 10’×16', 11’×16', 16’×16', 17’×11', 17’×17', 20’×16', 21’×16', 21’×21', 22’×10', 22’×11', 22’×16', 29’×11', 29’×16'. Size of the Kitchen : Size of the Bathroom : Size of the Toilet :

8’×8', 8’×10', 10’×10'. 8’×8', 8’×10' or 10’×10'. A toilet which does not have a bathing area can be 4’×4', or 6’×4'.

Auspicious sizes according to vastu 6', 8', 10', 11', 16', 17', 20', 21', 22', 24', 26', 27', 28', 29', 30', 31', 32', 33', 35', 36', 37', 39', 41', 42', 45', 52', 56', 60', 64', 66', 68', 70', 71', 72', 73', 74', 77', 79', 80', 84', 85', 87', 88', 91', 92', 93', 97', 99', 100', 101', 102', 106', 107', 108', 109, 110', 111', 112', 113', 115', 116', 117' and 119'.

Inauspicious sizes according to vastu Following sizes are considered inauspicous for residential rooms - 5', 7', 9', 12', 13', 14', 15', 18', 19', 23', 25'.

Auspicious height of the room 6', 8', 10', 14', 16', 17', 20', 21', 22', 25', 27', 28', 29', and 30'

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Factors to be paid attention to while constructing a house

The level between first and second floor is called mezzanine floor, this should be in Nairritya Kona or towards Southwest Nairritya.

Ideal proportion for length and breadth of the house is 1:1.5 and ordinary proportion is 1:1.2.

Cupboards or heavy articles of the room should be kept close to southern or Western walls of the room. Bookshelves should also be kept in this direction.

Heavy articles should not be placed towards North and East. Even the light articles should not touch the Northern or Eastern walls.

Servants' quarters should be made in the Vayavya or Agneya direction. This accommodation should remain away from Northern and Eastern boundary wall. The height should not be more than that of the main house. Ideal distance between these quarters and the boundary wall is at least 3½ ft.

There should be more windows towards North and East direction and lesser windows towards South and West direction.

More doors of the house should be towards North and East and least towards South and West. The doors of the house should always be kept in the beneficial grid in the Eastern Ishan, Northern Ishan, main North, Western Vayavya, West, South and Southern Agneya. The doors should not be made in Western Nairritya Eastern Agneya and Northern Vayavya. The main door of a residential house should not be made in the centre of the plot or the house. Otherwise the house will be full of guests all the time.

The number of doors and windows should be even. In Numerology 30,50,70 etc. are also considered odd numbers.

The number of steps should be odd.

The walls in North and East should be thinner while those in South and West should be thicker.

The boundary should be slightly higher in South and West and lower in North and East.

Varandah should be in North or East. The roof of the varandah should be either slightly lower or of the same height as the house. There should be no Varandah in the South or West. If there is one, then it should be covered with glass. The Varandah should be well lit. A dark varandah creates water related ailments.

Rooms outside the main house should be made in Vayavya or Agneya kona but they should not touch the Northern and Eastern boundary wall. The height of the outer rooms should be less than that of the main house. If these quarters touch the Northern or Eastern boundary wall then the servants etc. will not obey the master.

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According to Vastu a house whose four main directions and four corners are open, the house which can be walked around freely is auspicious from all points of view. House made in the centre of the plot is very auspicious.

If the house is constructed leaving more open space in North and East then it is very auspicious.

A house made towards the North and East of the plot is inauspicious.

Garage for the car should be made in the Vayavya or Agni kona, but it should be at least 3½ft away from the Northern and Eastern walls. It can be touching the Southern and Western walls.

Exercise Q1. What should be the size of bedroom and dining room? Q2. What should be the size of kitchen? Q3. What should be the size of bathroom? Q4. What should be the auspicious height of a room according to vastu? Q5. What important factors should be kept in mind while constructing a house?

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Pooja Room

Nothing can be achieved without the blessings of God. Puja room is God’s abode in our house, so utmost care should be taken while planning the Pooja room. Pooja room should always be made in the Ishan Kona. If there is no place in Ishan kona then puja room can be made in the North, East or West direction. This place is suitable for normal daily puja, but special pooja like havan, katha or some other ceremonies can be performed in the courtyard or at the centre of the house.

Pooja room should not be made inside the bedroom. Bedroom is controlled by materialistic Venus while Pooja is governed by Satwik and spiritual Jupiter. Jupiter considers Venus to be his enemy and so is not comfortable in his domain. When pooja is in the bedroom Venus afflicts Jupiter and harms the benefic effects of Jupiter. Consequences of this will be that spirituality of the person will be reduced and he will not get full result of his pooja. Jupiter also represents children and money. When pooja is in the bedroom then

Pooja room

there could be lack o happiness from children, also there could be lack of money. Similar results can be expected if pooja is in the drawing room. Pooja should also not be performed in the kitchen though it is a common practice. Kitchen is the domain of Mars, a natural malefic. The articles present in the kitchen like food materials, spices, knives, utensils, gas etc. are also represented by Mars. If pooja is made in the kitchen then the spiritual effects of Jupiter get reduced and the person becomes aggressive. With the result, proper spiritual development of the person does not take place. Pooja room should never be made in front of a toilet. Firstly toilet is an impure place, no matter how well kept it may be. We need to

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make pooja room only in a pure place. Secondly toilet is controlled by Rahu who is an Asura. Rahu is filthy, brash and untraditional. He is materialistic and believes in falsehood. He creates 'Matibhram' i.e. illusion of the mind. He adversely affects the traditional spiritual Jupiter, so full results of the person’s Puja can never be got if puja room is made in front of a toilet. Pooja room should also not be made under the stairs. If there is shortage of space and separate puja room cannot be made in a proper place, then puja should be made in the study room.

Some guidelines for Pooja

Only a clean idol, picture or yantra should be placed in Pooja.

A statue acquired from some ancient temple should not be placed in pooja room.

The statue should not be more than nine inches tall.

Havan kunda should be made in the Agneya kona of the pooja room. While performing havan the person should face East direction.

If pooja room is pyramid shaped then it is excellent, because it helps in maintaining the continuity and harmony of the pooja room and this results in unbroken harmony in pooja. The reason for this is the generation of energies of nature inside the pyramid. This environment is ideal for Dhyan and Chintan which is necessary for pooja and for the peace of mind.

Separate puja room should be made in the house, because proper worship of god can only be done in pure and secluded spots in a satwik environment.

Idols or pictures of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Kartikeya, Sun and Indra should be placed in such a way that while performing their puja the worshipper faces East or West. In other words the correct placement of gods is in the East or in the West. The gods should not be placed along the Northern wall, or they will become West facing. Additionally North pole is in that direction, so it is not proper to place the gods in that direction.

Ganesh ji should be placed in the South so that he faces North, which is where the Himalaya mountain is situated. Himalayas are the abode of his parents Shivaji and Parvati ji. Ganesh Ji enjoys looking at his parents, so he should be placed in the South, facing North.

Ganesh ji should never be placed in the West. Ganesh ji represents Mars and West is controlled by Saturn. If Ganesh ji is placed in the West then Mars and Saturn will get together and create havoc and calamities in the house.

The worshipper should enter the pooja room only after the morning rituals of purification followed by bathing and wearing clean clothes. He should not enter the pooja room or worship god with the clothes worn at night or while going to the toilet.

Pooja room should always be kept clean and tidy. There should be a separate

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broom and swabbing cloth for the pooja room, but the broom and swab cloth and the waste materials should not be kept in or near the pooja room. Broom should also not be kept in the Ishan kona.

Broken statues and cosmetics should not be kept in the pooja room. Proper Visarjan of broken statues should be done.

Idols should always be made of stone, metal or clay in solid form.

Idols made from paper, glass or aluminium should not be kept in the pooja because their Prana pratishtha cannot be done. Some benefit can be got by getting their darshan, but Ishta bala does not get enhanced.

Idol or picture of one's Ishta devata should not be kept inside a drawer.

Apart from pictures and idols of gods, nothing else should be kept in the pooja room. No heavy articles should be placed in this room.

The gods should be placed on a solid platform made on the floor.

According to the shastras two Shiva lingas, two Shaligrams, three Ganesh ji, three Durgaji and two Conch shells should not be kept in the pooja at the same time.

Pictures of ancestors or departed souls should not be kept in pooja. They may be very dear and respectable, but they cannot be compared to gods and placed along with them. They should be placed in their appropriate place and worshipped if so desired.

Entry into the pooja room should be from the East and exit from the North.

The doors of pooja room must have two planks and a dahleej must be there on the door.

The walls should be light blue or white in colour.

The windows should be in the North direction.

The best stone for the flooring is white marble.

The utensils used for puja can be of gold, silver, copper, brass or earthen ware.

Picture of Ancestors

The dried garlands and flowers, ash left over by the dhoop and agarbattis, old clothes of the gods and left over prasad should be dropped in flowing water (Visarjan).

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The proper place for the pictures of the ancestors Pictures of the departed souls should always be placed in the West direction, but these pictures should not be kept along with gods and goddesses. Ancestors are dear and honourable to us, but they cannot take god’s place. Proper rituals must be performed for them on their death anniversary and during shraddha.

Exercise Q1. Where should the poojaroom be located in a house and where not? Tell the result of all. Q2. What may be the ill effects if pooja room is made in kitchen? Q3. Where should the pictures of ancestors be hanged and why? Q4. What are the benefits of a pyramid shaped poojaroom ? Q5. What are the ill effects if pooja room is made in bed room?

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Kitchen

The kitchen is the domain of the housewife and normally she spends a large part of her day in the kitchen, so the kitchen should be planned in such a way that she not only enjoys cooking but she is able to produce healthy and nutritious food and also maintain peace and harmony in her home.

Mars controls the kitchen and resides there. He is a fiery planet and kitchen is a fiery place. Food articles, spices, knives, forks, steel utensils, kerosene, gas, oven etc., all are articles of Mars. Mars is also a malefic planet who is karaka for fire, food poisoning, injuries and accidents. So kitchen should be in a proper place in the house. According to Vastu, the best place for the kitchen is in the Southeast corner or Agneya kona. If this is not possible then kitchen can be made in the Northwest or in the East. However even then the cooking platform or gas should be in the Southeast corner of the kitchen. If the kitchen is in the Northeast it causes wastage of food or shortage of food. It also causes heavy expenditure, wastage of money or bankruptcy. Naturally there are disputes, fights and bickering in the house resulting in lack of peace. Kitchen in the North is extremely inauspicious. North is the domain of kubera. Mars afflicts this direction and this causes excessive expense. Kitchen in Southwest creates family quarrels which makes life

Location of Kitchen

miserable. Kitchen should not be made in or above or below the pooja room or the bedroom or the toilet. One should never make the kitchen in the bedroom or sleep in the kitchen because Mars represents the kitchen and Venus represents

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the bedroom and sex. This combination can be inauspicious for the family. The main reason for not keeping kitchen near a toilet is excretion, which the toilet is for. Rahu represents the toilet and filth combination of two malefics Mars and Rahu can cause fire in the house, blood impurities and food poisoning etc. Kitchen should not be near pooja room. It displeases the gods and they don’t bless us.

In the Kitchen

The main cooking platform - this should be in the east or Southeast corner. Stove or gas burner should be placed alongside the eastern wall.

Stove or cooking platform should not be in the centre of the kitchen or in the Northeast. It is very inauspicious. If it is in the North, it can cause financial losses and fear of bankruptcy. In the southern Southwest it creates health problems and people suffer from stomach ailments. In the Northwest also, it does not produce good results. People of the house do not get a chance to rest and there is constant tension in the house.

Appliances like microwave oven, mixer, grinder etc should be kept alongside the Southern wall. This will prove beneficial.

Sink or basin should be placed in the Northeast corner of the cooking platform as far as possible. Care should be taken that water and fire should not be in a straight line and next to each other. This produces financial losses and diseases. It also gives rise to a lot of bickering among the family members. This situation can be eased at least by 30% by erecting a partition of 2’x3' between fire and water and by fixing a 4’x4' mirror on the wall above the cooking platform. In addition to this a 15 watt yellow bulb should always be kept in the house.

Containers for flour, rice, pulse and spices etc. should be kept in the West or in the South, while the lighter things can be kept in the North or the East.

The gas burner should not be directly in front of the kitchen door. The housewife should face East while cooking, which will be good for her health. If she faces South or West then her health will not remain good. She will keep feeling weak, tired and unenergetic. She will not even feel at peace mentally. It is important that she faces the right direction while cooking because the food and nourishment of the family is her responsibility and depends on her. This situation also invites poverty into the house.

Container for water should not be kept in the Ishan kona alongside the gas burner.

Door of the kitchen should only be from North, East or West. There should be one or two windows in the East and West for ventilation.

If dining table has to be placed in the kitchen, then it should be placed in the Northwest or in the West direction.

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If a mezzanine roof is to be made then it should be made either in the South or West.

Colour of the walls and the roof can be yellow, orange, pink, chocolate or red. As far as possible it should not be black.

If the refrigerator has to be placed in the kitchen then it should be kept in the Southeast or in the Northwest. It should not be placed in the Northeast. If it is kept in the Southwest, then it should be placed one foot away from the corner. It should not be placed in exact Nairritya.

At night after the kitchen work is over, the kitchen should be properly cleaned.

The first article of food cooked in the kitchen should be offered

Kitchen

to God as prasad. This promotes Health, wealth, prosperity and peace of mind.

Exercise Q1. Which planet resides in kitchen and which foods indicate that planet? Q2. Which direction is the most suitable for kitchen and why? Q3. Which direction should the cook face while cooking? Q4. If the kitchen is built in North-East direction then what should be its inauspicious effects? Q5. If dining table is to be put in kitchen then in which directions it should be kept?

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Dining Room

The dining room is considered to be the most auspicious in West direction. The other auspicious placement is in the North and East direction. If the Kitchen is located in the Southeast then the dining room should be made towards the East or South of the kitchen. If the kitchen is in the Northwest then the dining room should be made towards the West, but if space is short then the dining room can also be made towards the North.

While eating, the owner should face East while the rest of the family members should face East, North or West. Results of facing different directions while eating are : East West North South

: : : :

Enhancement of life force and longevity. Gain of wealth. Enlightenment of the truth. Mutual discord and quarrels, indigestion, excess heat in the stomach and ulcers in the mouth.

The shape of the dining table should be square or rectangular.

Location of Dining room

Circular, octagonal or irregular shapes should be avoided. There should be even number of chairs with the dining table. The length of the dining table should not be more than twice its breadth. If the breadth is 4 feet then the length should not be more than 8 feet. Dining table should also not be in odd measurement i.e. 3 feet wide and 7 feet long. It produces enmity among the family members.. Door of the dining room should be towards the East or West or towards North in an auspicious grid. Doors should be painted yellow which is the colour of Jupiter who rules the dining room. Apart from yellow, orange cream or off white colours can also be used. Dining room

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Some other Considerations

Water should be placed in the Northeast of the dining room.

Wash basin should either be in the North or in the East.

A Toilet should not be located next to the dining room, however a laundry type of place is allowed.

The refrigerator should be placed towards the Southeast, but its door should not be in front of the main door of the house.

The dining table should not have sharp corners and it should not be placed under an exposed beam. This can produce discord among the diners.

Exercise Q1. In which direction dining room is supposed to be the most appropriate? Write the result of all the directions. Q2. In which directions should the house owner and other members face while eating? Q3. What can be the ill effects if someone eats facing South direction? Q4. In which directions the door of the dining room is considered beneficial and why? Q5. What should be the colour of the door of dining room and why?

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Bathroom

The ideal place for the bathroom is in the east direction. The bathroom should not be made either in the centre of the house or in the Southeast or in the South direction. The bathroom should never be made under the staircase. The staircase is ruled by Mercury while the bathroom is ruled by Moon because of its connection with water. Due to the enmity between Mercury and Moon it is the most inauspicious to have a bathroom under the stairs.

The slope of the bathroom floor should be towards Northeast and the water should flow out towards the Northeast or towards North or East. The taps, shower, fountain etc. should be in the North or in the east. The bath tub should also be in the same directions, the geyser can be in the Southeast corner. Mirror and the wash basin should be on the North or East wall. Any mirror in the bathroom should be on these walls only. If a dressing or changing room is to be made in the bathroom itself then it should be made in the South or West direction.. A place for washing clothes can be in the Northwest region of the bathroom. However the washing machine can be placed in the

Location of Bathroom

Northwest or the Southeast corner. The windows of the bathroom should be made in the North or in the East at a height. The door should not be in the Southwest direction. It should be in the East or in the North. If needed, it can even be kept in the West or South but not in the Southwest corner. It should be made in a beneficial grid. The walls should be painted in pleasant colours like light blue or white or other light colours.

Bathroom

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If a bathroom along with the toilet has to be made adjoining the bedroom then it should be made towards its North-West. It should not be made towards its Northeast or Southwest.

Crack in the bathroom door, bad smell and leaking taps in the bathroom bring about financial losses, so these should be prevented and repaired.

Above picture represents an ideal bathroom where the mirror and taps are in the north and the shower is in the Northeast.

Exercise Q1. Why should not the bathroom be built below the staircases? Q2. What are the benefits if the slope of bathroom is kept towards North East? Q3. On which wall should the mirror and washbasin be built? Q4. What should be the colour of the walls of bathroom? Q5. How should the bath tub be placed in bathroom?

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Toilet

According to the Indian Culture the toilet and bathroom should not be made together, though this has become a common practice today. If both have to be made together, a wall should be erected between the two. The toilet should not be made in the centre of the house or in the Northeast corner or in the Southeast or Southwest corner. A toilet in the centre of the house is absolutely forbidden. It scatters the entire household establishment. In the Southwest it harms the health and the other aspects of the owner's life. In the Northeast it creates financial paucity and mental ailments.

The toilet can be made in the Northern Northwest or in the Western Northwest. The next best position is between the Southwest corner and the South. The toilet seat should be in the Western Northwest or in the South. If possible, the seat should be located on the NorthSouth axis. While using the toilet the person should face the North or South direction, or the person can even face the West. A commode is best placed in the Southwest corner or in the South. While using the commode the person can face the North or East direction. This prevents constipation, gas, warts and moles.

Location of Toilet

The toilet seat should be at least one or two feet above the ground level. If the seat is below the ground level then it creates medical, mental and financial problems for the residents. Tap or water tank for the toilet should be in the North or in the Northeast corner. It should never be in the Southeast or Southwest corners. The slope of the floor, the roof and the outlet should be towards the North or the East.

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The door of the toilet should be in the North or in the East. A small window should also be made in the East, West or in the North. Colour of the walls can be some light pastel shade of preference.

Some other considerations If the toilet is located in front of the main entrance door, then it creates health problems, especially stomach problems. In this situation a 4"x4" mirror should be fixed on the door of the toilet.

A toilet in the Northeast corner causes financial losses, mental imbalance, intolerable ailments and disputes among the residents. In this situation it would be beneficial to fix a one foot broad mirror on the Northern wall just below the roof.

If the bathroom and toilet are combined and their entrance is through the kitchen, then to remove this flaw, the following remedy is recommended :

Toilet

A four inch broad line should be painted with yellow paint at the entrance of the toilet, on the floor under the door. To stop the negative energy from entering the kitchen, three green pyramids should be fixed on the wall between the kitchen and the toilet. A ceramic bowl of sea salt should be placed in the Northeast or the Southeast corner of the toilet to absorb the negative energy. These days in modern bathrooms/toilets, tub, shower etc. are placed in a combined way as shown in this picture.

Exercise Q1. What are the inauspicious effects if toilet is built in North-East area? Q2. What are the inauspicious effects if toilet is built in South-West area? Q3. What are the inauspicious effects if toilet is built in Central area? Q4. Which directions are suitable for the construction of toilets? Q5. In which directions the door of a toilet should be made?

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Septic Tank

The septic tank should be provided in the Northern or Western section of the Northwest. The North and West directions should be divided into 9 equal parts. The septic tank can be made in the third part from the Northwest corner either in the North or West directions. If there is no space, the septic tank can be made at one & half feet away from the Northwest direction.

Septic tank should not be made in the South-East or North-East or the Southwest corners. In the Ishan kona it causes financial paucity and lack of peace of mind. In the Agneya kona it is bad for health. In the Nairritya kona it is harmful for the head of the family. In the South, it is harmful for the spouse and in the West it disturbs the mental peace.

Location of Septic tank

Septic tank should not touch the boundary or the foundation of the house. It should be at least one or two feet away from them and it should not be above the ground level. Its outlet should be either in the North or in the East. Length of the septic tank should be along the East - West while its breadth should be along the North-South direction.

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Water outlet

Results of septic tank in different directions North North-East West South-East South South-West West

: : : : : : :

Loss of money Loss in business Loss of fame and honour Loss of money Grief due to spouse Loss of longevity Lack of mental peace

Drainage

Drains should not be made in the Southwest even in the upper stories.

The outlet should not be towards the South. If it happens to be towards South then the drain pipe should be turned towards the North and East.

The drain pipes of the toilets and the bathrooms should be turned away from West or Northwest and turned towards North or East.

Water used in the toilet should be let out towards Northwest direction while water from the bathroom, kitchen, watering of plants and from washing of floors etc. should be let out towards Ishan kona.

Exercise Q1. Which directions are suiltable for the construction of Septic tank? Q2. What are the inauspicious effects if septic tank is made in South-East direction? Q3. What are the inauspicious effects if septic tank is made in North-East direction? Q4. What are the inauspicious effects if septic tank is made in West direction? Q5. How should the drainage be managed?

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General Location of the Bedrooms

Northeast direction belongs to our creator, the supreme God. Deva Guru Jupiter owns this direction. For these reasons it is not a suitable place for a bedroom. The bedroom is controlled by Venus who is a planet of enjoyment and luxury. Jupiter considers Venus to be his enemy and will reduce the effect of Venus if the bedroom is made in this direction.

There will be lack of bed pleasures for the couple and as a result there will be less emotional attachment to each other. Apart from this, disputes and serious chronic ailments can also result. However, a bedroom for children up to 17-18 years of age can be made in the Ishan. If their bedroom is in this direction then they will remain disciplined and within customs and decorum. Jupiter, the planet of wisdom, and Mercury, the planet of intelligence, collectively control this direction.

Location of the Bedrooms

Apart from this, the Northeast direction represents water which is necessary for their growth and development. Ishan kona bedroom can also be used by the elderly people who are in the vanaprastha stage of life.

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Bedroom for children over 17-18 years of age can be made in the Southeast corner. However, it is not advisable for children who are very aggressive, hot tempered and violent, because this direction is Agneya kona and it will only make them more hot tempered and violent. Agneya kona is also not suitable for a newly wed couple. It will bring about tension in their life and they will not sleep well. All the same, this direction is suitable for such a couple who do not have a great desire for having children. Southeast is controlled by Venus and fire resides there, with the result it will generate energy, passion and excitement which will create a desire for children. This bedroom is Bedroom

not suitable for a pregnant woman or a woman who is prone to miscarriages. The best direction for a newly wed couple is vayavya kona. This direction is very good for developing mutual love and happiness. It is also very good for conceiving children. Sleeping with head in the South or East direction is helpful for this purpose. After conception the couple should sleep in the southern part of the room. The wife should sleep towards her husband’s left side for marital happiness. The head of the family or the eldest person should have his bedroom in the Southwest of the house. This bedroom is known as the master bedroom. Southwest represents Earth. This gives stability to the house and helps the owner in taking major decisions. The bed should be placed in the Nairritya kona. Grown up children can also have their bedroom in the South. Vayavya (Northwest) is the best place for a bedroom for guests and for unmarried children. Moon controls this direction. He facilitates the children’s marriage and their change of residence. This is very good for girls of marriageable age. It is also good for guests. Because Moon and vayu are fast moving the guests also leave timely. This direction is not suitable for young children. Being influenced by Moon and Vayu the children become very restless and lose their concentration in studies. The bedroom should not be made in the centre of the house, which is the Brahma Sthan, which pulls a lot of energy. So, this place is not good for peace and comfort. Many houses are not situated in the exact cardinal directions. Even

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in such houses the bedrooms should be made in their proper places. If bathroom, toilet or dressing rooms have to be made adjoining the bedroom, then they should be made towards the Northern or Western side. The Southwest and the Western corner of the bedroom should never remain vacant. While sleeping if the feet are towards the East then it promotes name, fame and good fortune or Bhagya. If the feet are towards the West, then it promotes spirituality and gives peace of mind. If the feet are towards the North then it generates wealth and enhances bhagya. If the feet are towards the South then one cannot sleep well. Our head is considered to be Uttarayana while the feet are considered to be Dakshinayana. If our head is towards the North then the Earth’s magnetic North pole rejects our North pole and this is not good for blood circulation and peaceful sleep. This results in mental tension and pain and tightness in the chest. It can also give bad dreams or nightmares. South is the direction of yama. For this reason, feet of the dead body are kept facing towards south. For all these reasons it is advisable to sleep with the feet towards North. In this position the magnetic attraction between the North and South poles of the earth and the respective poles of our body is in complete harmony and this is good for our health and our sleep. Placement of the bed is also important. The bed should be placed such that a solid wall is behind it almost touching it. This gives stability. The door should be visible from the bed, but the feet should not be directly in front of the door or it can produce death like fear and marital disharmony. The bed should not be placed under an open beam. If the beam comes between the couple, it ruins their mutual relationship. If it comes above the body cutting it then it is harmful for health. The mattress also needs consideration. The mattress of the double bed should be one large mattress. If two single mattresses are placed on a double bed then the couple ends up sleeping on separate mattresses and this slowly creates a rift between the two. Television and computer in the bedroom also create tension and rift between the couple, so these should not be kept in the bedroom. Even a mirror in the bedroom is not advisable. This is more so in the case of a newly wed couple. If it is necessary to keep a dressing table in the bedroom then it should be kept alongside the Northern or Eastern wall in such a manner that while sleeping no part of anyone’s body is seen in the mirror. Otherwise problems will arise in that part of the body. The roof of the master bedroom should not be lower than that of the other rooms. It should either be of the same level as the rest of the rooms or higher than them. In a similar manner the level of the floor of the master bedroom should be higher than that

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of the other rooms. The door of the bedroom should be of only one plank. It should be either in North-East or in the West. Small windows can be made in the North and in the East. Heavy articles like cupboards and show cases should be placed along the South or West wall. Mezzanine should be in the South or West. The electrical articles should be placed in the Southeast corner. Pictures of the departed family members and those of war, ferocious birds and animals should not be placed in the bedroom. These become inauspicious. Walls of the bedroom can be painted light pink, beige, light green or chocolate colour. White marble should not be used in the bedroom. Best place for studies in the bedroom is in the West. It can even be in the East. It is beneficial to study facing East. Bagua mirror should be hung with a red string on the outer side of the door to keep the negative energy away.

Exercise Q1. Why should not the bedroom be made in North-East direction? Q2. In which direction the bedroom of a newly married couple should be made and why? Q3. In which direction the bedroom is considered suitable for unmarried children or guests and why? Q4. Why should the head be towards South while sleeping? Q5. How should be the door of the bedroom?

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Study Room

The ideal location for the study room is in the West direction. Saraswati Ji who is the goddess of education resides in this direction. Apart from this, the study can also be made in the North, East and the Ishan kona. The students should face either East or North while studying. Their chair must be behind the wall and there shouldn't be any glass or mirror reflecting the image because this create tension in the mind of children and they don't concentrate in their studies.

Mercury the planet for intelligence and mental awareness, Jupiter the planet for knowledge and wisdom and Sun the natural Atmakarak rule the North, North-East and the East direction respectively. Hence it is beneficial to have the study room in these directions. Study room for children with weak Mercury and weak Jupiter should be made in the North or the Ishan region. Study room for lazy children should be made in the East. The study should never be made in the Northwest or Southwest.

Location of Study room

Facing East while studying makes the children brilliant. Book rack and small cupboard for books should be placed in the North or the East. If these are placed in the Northwest, then the books may get stolen. If placed in the Southwest then they will not be frequently used. So North or East is the best place for them.

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Door for the study room should be in the Northeast or in the West. The windows should be on the Eastern, Western or Northern wall. The door and window should not be in the Southeast, Northwest or Southwest corner.

Study room

The study room should be painted in light auspicious colours. The curtains can be of light cream, light blue or light green colours. Light green walls and curtains are best suited for children who are lacking in concentration and in mental awareness. It is not wise to study under an exposed beam. This adversely affects the power of concentration. A solid wall should be behind the child’s back to give him-self confidence. The Northeast corner or the study room being the Ishan should be open, clean and lighted as much as possible to get the child, the maximum blessings of God. Saraswati yantra should be placed in Ishan Kona and a picture of Goddess Saraswati should be installed on the Eastern wall. Beautiful flowers should be offered to Saraswati ji. The study table should be kept free from clutter. An education tower and a pyramid placed on the table is a great help in proper concentration during study.

Exercise Q1. In which directions the study room are considered auspicious and why ? Q2. In which directions the bookshelf is considered good ? Q3. How should be the colour of study room? Q4. Which colour should be used on walls and what should be the colour of curtains for the enhancement of concentration amongst children? Q5. Which yantras should be put on study table for the increase in concentration?

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Strong Room

According to Vastu Shastra, the ideal place for keeping wealth is the North direction. Lord of North is Kubera who is the treasurer of Goddess Lakshmi; the Goddess of wealth. Having the strong room in the North promises continuous inflow of wealth and prosperity. The locker or Almirah must be placed in the South-West in such a way that their doors open towards North. The cupboard or the safe in which money and jewellery is to be kept should be

placed touching the Southern wall in the room in the North direction. The cupboard should open in the North direction which is auspicious for inflow of money. Keeping money and jewellery in the Northeast and East is also auspicious. Financial paucity is not felt in this situation because money keeps flowing in. If money and jewellery is kept in Southeast corner, it is not beneficial because it can bring about a situation of loans and indebtedness. Keeping money or other valuables in the South direction, facing South is most inauspicious. Yama and evil spirits reside in the South and they take away all the money, so the back of the cupboard or the safe should be towards the South. Keeping money in Nairritya (Southwest corner) promises wealth in a steady manner, but the money has some blemish. It may come through unlawful means.

Strong Room

Keeping money in the West direction is mediocre from the point of prosperity. Money is earned with difficulty despite cooperation and help from all quarters. Financial situation keeps on fluctuating with time. Keeping money in the Vayavya (Northwest) direction is inauspicious. The expense is more than the income, the person's budget goes haywire and he is always loaded with debt.

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If for some reason it is not possible to keep money and jewellery in the North, then the cupboard or the safe can be in any room, touching the Southern wall and opening Northwards. It can even be kept in the West. The safe or the cupboard should not be kept under the stairs or in front of a bathroom. The room in which the safe is kept should be kept neat and tidy and free from useless clutter. This curtails prosperity and keeps the money situation under constraints. In the strong room, the safe should be kept 1 inch away from the Southern wall. The safe should not be kept on a platform. It should be kept on the floor on its own legs. The best position of the strong room door is in the Northern or the Eastern wall. In this situation the safe should not be kept facing or near the North door. The door should not be in the South-East, Southwest, North-West or in South and West directions. There should be only one door in the strong room and it should have two planks. The colour of the strong room should be light green or cream.

Exercise Q1. Which direction is suitable for keeping money and why? Q2. What are the inauspicious effects of keeping wealth in South-East direction? Q3. What are the results if the locker is kept in South-West direction? Q4. What are the results if wealth is kept in West direction? Q5. What are the results if wealth is kept in North-West direction?

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The Basement/ Cellar

The basement remains deprived of the sunlight and solar energy. For this main drawback, it is not advisable in residential plots. If it is absolutely necessary then it should be made in the North-East direction keeping clear of the brahma sthan. Such a basement can be beneficial for the owner and his children. Sunlight should be able to reach at least 1/4 of the basement between 7 AM and 10AM.

The height of the basement should be at least 9 feet. It should be at least 3 feet above the ground level, so that sunlight and air can pass through it. Basement or the cellar should be wider in the North and East rather than in the South and West. The basement should never be made in the Southwest. It is extremely inauspicious for the health, wealth, prosperity and the longevity of the family members. They keep suffering due to poverty, debts, disputes and serious ailments like polio and cancer. They become unfortunate and have to face sometimes extreme hardships. Thus, one should absolutely refrain

Location of Basement

from making a basement in the Southwest. Basement should never be used as a bedroom. It can be used as a living room, meeting room, pooja room or a study room. If a sick person lives in the basement, he does not recover quickly. The basement can be used for business purpose. It can also be used as a godown. All the same, despite all efforts, business or profession from the basement can only yield up to 60% profit, so the invoice should be made in the basement but the cash counter should be on the ground level. North-West of the basement is good for professional purpose, but fear of sudden losses and of theft also

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exists. It is beneficial to sit facing North for professional purpose. A large window should be there in the North. The door and window should be in the North and the East. A hotel can be run successfully in the Southeast part of the basement, but its kitchen should be according to the parameters of Vastu. The borewell or water source should be in the Northeast of the basement. Basement is considered good for pooja purposes because a basement has the magnetic power of a temple and more spiritual power can be generated by the puja of saints and pandits. So, it is beneficial to perform pooja in basement. Pictures and statues of Gods and Goddesses should be installed in the Northeast part and the Northeast wall of the basement. There should be plenty of light in the basement and proper arrangement for disposal of water etc should be made, or it can create problems for the owner. Heavy articles like sofas cupboards, tables, chairs etc should be placed in the Southwest. The walls, curtains, and sheets etc. should be pale blue or pale pink in colour.

Exercise Q1. Why should not the basement be made in residential plot? Q2. In which directions should be the extension of basement? Q3. What are the inauspicious effects if basement is made in South-West direction? Q4. How should be the ventilation in basement? Q5. In which direction water source is beneficial in basement?

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Garage and Verandah

Garage should be made in the Vayavya, but if there is lack of space then it can be made in the Agneya. The garage should not be touching either the main house or the compound wall. If a portico has to be made for parking of the cars, then it should be made in the Northeast. The roof of the portico should be one or two feet lower than that of the main house.

Pillar for supporting the roof of the portico should not be made in the Northeast. Instead of this, the roof should be made according to the cantilever design, slightly lower than the roof of the main house. If the car has to be parked in the basement, then it should be parked in the Northeast.

Location of Garage

The parked vehicle should face Northeast. While going out, the vehicle should turn right first and the slope of the garage should be in the Northeast. The garage should be painted in white, yellow or other light colours. Black or brown colours should be avoided. While travelling dikshool or dishashool should be considered. Maruti yantra or Vahan Durghatna Nashak yantra should be fixed in the dash board to prevent accidents. A pyramid can also be kept alongside to generate positive energy inside the vehicle. They are beneficial for the vehicle and the persons travelling in it.

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Verandah Varanda is the semi private area of the house. It can be used for receiving people who need not be taken inside the house. It can even be used as a reception area. It is beneficial to have it in the North and East part of the house. Roof of the verandah should be slightly lower than that of the main house and it should be sloping towards the North and the East. If the varandah is in the Southwest then its roof should be slightly higher than that of the house and its floor should slope towards the Northeast. If the verandah is in the Northwest or the Southeast then its roof should be of the same level as the rest of the house.

Location of Verandah

The verandah should give a happy and cheerful feeling. Grass and beautiful plants can be planted in front of the verandah. Sitting arrangement can be made towards the South or West, where heavy furniture and heavy plants can be placed. Light furniture and small plants can be placed in the North and East. A shoe rack or cabinet for shoes can be placed in the Northwest where the guests can keep their shoes before entering the house. A small wash basin and towel stand can be there in the Northeast part of the verandah. If the verandah is enclosed then it should have more windows in the North and East for ventilation.

Exercise Q1. In which directions should the garage be made and in which directions it is not suitable? Q2. Which direction should the parked vehicle face in garage? Q3. What should be the colour of garage? Q4. Which directions are suitable for the construction of varandah? Q5. Which direction should be used for seating in varandah?

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Store Room

Northwest region of the house is the ideal place for a store room for keeping food grains. This ensures their regular supply. The articles of daily use should be stored in the Northwest corner. The store should always be kept clean and its doors and windows should be in the North and East. Clutter free store rooms ensure the continuous availability of food grains in the house and their scarcity is not felt.

Store for keeping heavy machines, wood, tools etc. should be in the Southwest of the house in an open place or in the Southwest corner of the house. If the store has to be made in an open area in the Southwest of the house, then it should be made between the main house and the Southwest corner, supported by the boundary.

Location of Store room

Heavy articles should be placed here. There should be no crack or water leakage in the wall or in the roof of this store. This room should never be rented out. There should be no door in the Southwest. In case of a small family having one store room either in the Northwest or Southwest.

Heavy articles and trunks should be placed in South and West

Food articles in the North and West

Oils, ghee, gas cylinder and Kerosene etc. in the Southeast corner

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Some other Considerations

Containers of food grains should never become totally empty. Till new supply comes, some food should be left in it

The door of the store should be made in an auspicious grid in the North and East direction

Store for the useless heavy articles should be made in the Nairritya (SW) region. There should be no dampness or leakage in the store

Exercise Q1. In which direction the construction of store room is suitable? Q2. What should be kept in mind if store room is constructed in South-West direction? Q3. Which goods and articles should be kept in South-East direction in the store room? Q4. Which directions are considered auspicious for keeping edible items in store room? Q5. In which directions should the door of store room be placed?

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Apartments, Buildings & Residential Complexes

With escalating land prices and scarcity of available land, it has almost become a dream to acquire a suitable piece of land and construct a house according to the principles of Vastu. As a result an extremely large section of our society resides in apartments which may be developed by the government or by private builders. Benefit of Vastu Shastra can also be enjoyed by people living in these apartments.

Through proper utilisation of forces of nature they can also lead healthy, wealthy, prosperous and happy lives. Some guidelines are as follows :

Soil of the land where the apartments are to be constructed should be checked and tested.

The flats should be square or rectangular.

The plot should not have any extensions or reductions on any side.

The Brahmasthan of the plot should be open, neat and clean.

A park or a temple can be made at that place.

Underground water tank, swimming pool or lift should not be made in this place.

The plot should be situated in the main cardinal directions.

The main entrance and the compound gate should be made in an auspicious place. Entrance is considered to be auspicious in : Eastern Ishan (East of Northeast) Northern Ishan (North of Northeast) East North Southern Agneya (South of Southeast) Western Vayavya Entrance is considered to be inauspicious in : Southern Nairritya (South of Southwest)

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Western Nairritya (West of Southwest) Eastern Agneye (East of Southeast) Northern Vayavya (North of Northwest)

The guard room door should be towards the East and the North.

There should be no obstruction like an electric pole or tree or a temple in front of the main gate.

Open space should be left in the Northeast. Pipeline for water, booster pump, underground water tank, bore well or swimming pool should be in the Northeast.

Lawns, plants and parking etc. should also be towards the Northeast, while large tall trees should be planted in the South, West or Southwest.

Apartments or flats should not be L shaped. If they happen to be of this shape then open space should be left in the Northeast and construction should be done on the square or the rectangular part. This will be beneficial for health and prosperity.

If more construction is done in North and East and open space is left in the Southwest or in the Southeast, then it would be harmful.

The overhead water tank should be placed in the west direction on the terrace and there should be no hole in it. Water tank should not be placed in the Northeast or Southeast corners or in the centre.

The generator or the electric supply should be in the Southeast of the plot. In each flat the electric switch board should be fixed in the Southeast direction at the floor level.

The water supply within the flats of the apartment should be from the Northeast. This pleases Goddess Lakshmi and she showers honour and status on the resident. This is an established fact. The person is blessed with children and grand children with Gods blessings. If the slope of the floor is also towards Northeast then there is gain of knowledge and wisdom and continuous prosperity.

In any residential complex if there is a pond, lake or flowing river towards its North then prosperity of the residents grows day by day. Tube well, underground water Tank and taps in this direction really awakes the fortune of the residents and they prosper continuously.

Mountains, hills or large rocks towards the Southwest of the residential complex is very beneficial for the residents.

The upper stories of the building should be constructed in such a way that the morning Sun reaches all the flats and they get good ventilation in all the rooms.

In multistoried apartments, irrespective of the number of floors, it is necessary to have the height of the upper floors slightly less than that of the lower floor. The height of the upper floor should be at least 1/12 less than the lower floor. This maintains equilibrium between the weight of the building and the earth’s gravity.

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In U shaped apartments, it is better to have the North, East and Northeast open.

U Shaped Apartment

In U shaped apartments if North and East directions are closed and South and West directions are open, then they become inauspicious.

U Shaped Apartment

In this manner, according to the principles of Vastu, life in multistoried apartments can be made prosperous, peaceful and happy.

Exercise Q1. Which directions are suitable for the main door of guard room? Q2. Which directions are suitable in a plot for big trees? Q3. What are the effects if water source is located in North-East in an apartment? Q4. What should be kept in mind if multi storied building is to be constructed? Q5. Which area is called Hiranya Trishala area and how is it?

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Golden Principles of Vastu

Several religious scriptures have outlined many golden rules for Vastu. If those rules are followed with strict adherance, they bestow upon the inhabitant lots of success, wealth, wisdom, health and allround prosperity. It is the most important to have East and North open and South and West filled with most of the constructions in any building. The wall in South and West should be thicker and higher than the East and North.

Square or rectangular plot is the best and the most auspicious.

The plot should be in the main North, South, East and West directions.

Space should be left on all four sides of the house between the boundary and the house.

Maximum open space should be left in the North and the East of the house.

Well or a borewell should be made in the North-East of the house.

The main door of the house should be larger than the rest of the doors and it should be of two planks.

There should not be a pillar, beam, well or any heavy object at the centre of the house and at the centre of the plot.

The Southwest part of either the house or the boundary should not be kept open. The main gate or the main door of the house should not be in the Southwest.

The Northwest part should be open and clean.

The master bedroom should be in the Southwest of the house.

For maintaining good health one should sleep with feet towards the North.

Children’s bedroom should be made in the East or West and their head should be towards East while sleeping.

The kitchen should be made in the South-East. While cooking, the housewife should face East. The gas stove should be placed in the Southeast.

The mirror should be placed in the North or in the East.

The Southern and Western part of the house should be higher than the Northern and Eastern part.

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Pooja Room should be made in the North-East region. The medicines should be kept in the Northern Ishan.

There should be no obstruction or vedha to the main door.

Sitting with face towards North and East is auspicious.

Heavy weight should not be put on the Northeast portion of the room or of the house.

Documents of the house, precious articles, cash, gold and silver should be kept in the Southwest part of the master bedroom and the safe or the cupboard should open towards the North.

Balcony should be made in the North or the East. Any balcony in the Southwest should be covered with coloured glass and kept closed.

Kitchen and toilet should not be made in front of each other.

Kitchen should not be made in front of the main door.

Broken glass and a non working clock should not be kept in the house.

The main door should be decorated with auspicious symbols like swastika and Om and with Gods like Gaja Lakshmi.

Students should study facing North or East.

One should never sit and work or sleep under a beam.

Thorny plants or plants which ooze out milk should not be planted in the house.

Outlet for rain water or drains should be towards North, East or Northeast.

Tulsi and other medicinal herbs should be planted in the Northeast.

Beneficial trees like Ashoka, Neem, Bel, Lemon and Pomegranate should be planted in the Southwest.

Bhoomi pujan should be done in an auspicious muhurta before beginning house construction and Grih pravesh puja should be performed in an auspicious muhurta before entering the new house.

Pooja room or toilet should not be made under the staircase. This place can be used as a godown.

A well in the centre of the house is very inauspicious.

Toilet or a place for fire in the Northeast corner creates financial paucity, mental tension and disputes among the family members.

Door made in the wrong place curtails prosperity and happiness.

Heavy articles like heavy furniture cupboards etc. should be placed in the South, West or the Southwest of the room or house.

Pictures and paintings of the gods should be placed on the Eastern wall.

Pictures of the departed elders should be placed not in the pooja room but on the Southern wall.

Unpleasant pictures of war, death and disease should not be kept in the house.

Inner staircase of the house should not be in front of the main door.

Outer staircase should not be in front of the main door or the main path.

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Doors and windows should be more in the North and East and less in the South and West.

The house should be kept neat and tidy. Old clothes, news papers and other useless articles should be regularly disposed off from time to time.

Exercise Q1. In which directions open space should be more? Q2. Which direction is considered to be the most suitable for borewell? Q3. Which goods are considered beneficial to be kept in South-West direction in master bedroom? Q4. Which goods and articles should not be kept in a house? Q5. In which walls the hanging of photos and idols of gods are considered auspicious?

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The Importance of Colours in Vastu

Astrology, Numerology and Vastu all accept that the colours influence our daily life to a great extent. Energy direction is ruled by some planet or the other. According to Numerology, depending on our date of birth, we can work out our beneficial number and colour. For example, if the date of birth is 25.6.1968, we can work out the basic number by using the date alone. The date is 25, which can be broken down to 2 and 5. By adding these two numbers we get the person's beneficial number as 7 (2+5=7). Next we refer to the chart given below to identify the beneficial colour. The colour for number 7 is variegated. Planets and their beneficial colour

Beneficial No.

Planet

Colour

Sun

Copper colour, Pink

Moon

White

Jupiter

Saffron, Yellow, Cream

Rahu

Blue

Mercury

Green

Venus

White

Ketu

Variegated

Saturn

Black, Grey

Mars

Red

Lords of all the directions have their own colours and they give auspicious result in their own directions.

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Direction's Lord and Colour

Direction

Lord

Colour

East

Sun

Copper Colour

South-east

Venus

White

South

Mars

Red

South-west

Rahu

Blue

West

Saturn

Blue, Black

North-west

Moon

White

North

Mercury

Green

North-east

Jupiter

Yellow

Directions and Their Colours East Direction If there is a defect in the East direction in Vastu, then it can create ailments related to eyes, bones and heart. It is beneficial to use golden yellow, pink and copper colours to rectify this defect. Use of these colours enhances courage, self respect and status.

North-east Defect in the Northeast direction produce ailments related to liver and problems in having children. To rectify this defect saffron, yellow and cream colours should be used.

North Defect in North direction produces lack of intelligence and power of discrimination. It also creates problems in speech and adversely affects wealth and prosperity. Green colour should be used in North direction to rectify this defect.

North-west Defect in the Northwest direction produces tension, lack of peace in the mind and ailments like cough and cold. Use of white colour helps to rectify this defect. This enhances mental peace, gentleness, decency and tactful behaviour.

West Defect in the West direction creates Arthritis and diseases related to 'Vata'. In addition to this tension in marital life and lack of mental peace is also seen. Use of grey and black colour helps to rectify this defect.

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South-west Defect in Southwest produces nervous problems and incurable ailments like paralysis and polio. Unforeseen mishaps and accidents also take place. Use of blue colour helps to rectify this defect.

South Defect in the South direction reduces vitality and enthusiasm. Sometimes ailments related to bone marrow are also seen. To rectify this defect use of bright red and orange colours is found most effective.

South-east Defect in Southeast creates problems related to virility, urinary tract, liver and secret parts. It also creates lack of interest in enjoyment, make up and in good dressing. Use of white colour is beneficial in this situation.

Exercise Q1. Which colours represent Sun? Q2. Which colours represent West direction? Q3. Which colours represent North direction? Q4. Which colours represent South direction? Q5. Which colours represent South-West direction?

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The Importance of Trees in Vastu

Having plants and trees around the house is essential for creating an auspicious environment. Some plants are useful for us and some plants help in correcting the Vastu doshas. We should be aware of their utility. Heavy trees should not be planted in East, North and North-East in the premise or in the vicinity of the building. Planting of Peepal tree is strictly prohibited in house rather it should be planted in temples.

Utility of Different Trees Ashoka It is very auspicious to have Ashoka tree in the North. It helps to nullify the ill effects of many other plants and trees which may be present within the premises. Ashoka

Banana It is auspicious to have banana within the compound. It is extremely auspicious in the Ishan kona. If a Tulsi plant is near the banana it becomes even better. Studying under a banana tree in the Ishan is very fruitful.

Aak (Shwetark) Shwetark is a milk oozing plant. According to the principles of vastu, plants which ooze out milk are not suitable for the house, but shwetark is an exception. It should not be planted in the house but if it grows on its own, then it should not be pulled

Banana

out, Instead it should be looked after and watered. Haldi and rice should be offered to it. With good care, it gives peace and happiness to the people living in the house. It is a belief that if a shwetark grows and flourishes in a house then that house also flourishes and prospers. That land is supposed to have secret wealth. Shwetark

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Lotus (Kamal) If a small pond is made in the ishan kona, a little away from the main kona and lotus is grown in it, then it pleases goddess Lakshmi. She resides in such a house and with her blessings the family is always blissful. Lotus

Peepal, Goolar and Pakad Peepal tree in the West is considered to be beneficial. Even if peepal is grown in a pot for pooja purpose, it should be placed in the West. Similarly Goolar is beneficial in the South and Pakad in the North. In the opposite directions they

Peepal

start giving the opposite results.

Papaya (Papita) Vastushastra considers papaya to be inauspicious in the house. If it happens to grow on its own, then it should be pulled out and planted elsewhere. If it is already grown up, then it should not be cut. One should wait till it stops producing Papaya

flowers and fruit. Then a hole should be made on its trunk and some asafetida (hing) should be packed in it. The tree will dry up on its own. After this a beneficial plant must be planted to counteract this unkind act.

Coconut (Nariyal) It is an auspicious tree to have in the house. It promotes the progress, honour and Coconut

status of the family.

Pomegranate (Anar) A fruit bearing anar tree is considered to be auspicious, but it should not be in the Agneya and Nairritya kona. In some places having anar in the house is not considered to be good, but this view is applicable to the non fruit bearing variety Pomegranate

of anar.

Turmeric (Haldi) It is not considered auspicious to have haldi (Turmeric) within the boundary of the house. Even if it grows on its own, it should be removed. Turmeric

Banyan (Bargad) It is an important tree according to Vastu. It is very auspicious to have Bargad towards the East of house or an institution. It fulfils all the desires, but its shadow should not fall on the house. Bargad is not auspicious in the West of the house.

Banyan

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Custard apple (Sitaphal) It is not auspicious within the boundary of the house. But if it grows on its own, it should not be pulled out, instead an Amla and a fruit bearing Anar should be planted along side it. This destroys the ill effects of Sitaphal.

Sitaphal

Amla It is an auspicious tree. It destroys the ill effects of many other trees.

Rose apple (Jamun) In South direction, this tree is considered to be good. In other directions it is neutral.

Amla

With Jamun in the North, Amla and Anar in the house is also a must.

Mango (Aam) From the point of Vastu, mango is not an auspicious tree to have, but if it grows

Jamun

on its own, it should not be pulled out. Everyday some black til should be sprinkled around its roots followed by watering. Additionally a Nirgundi plant should be planted near it to destroy the ill effects of Mango. Mango

Margosa (Neem) Having Neem in the Vayavya kona is very auspicious. If a person plants seven such Neem trees he attains Shivaloka after death. A person who plants three Neem trees enjoys the happiness of surya loka for hundreds of years.

Neem

Henna (Mehandi) It is inauspicious in the house.

Bilba (Belpatra) It is extremely auspicious. It is a favourite of Lord Shiva. Lakshmi Ji, the Goddess

Mehandi

of wealth and prosperity resides in a house for generations where the tree of Bel is planted.

Palash Bilba

It is an inauspicious tree for the house.

Auspicious trees Presence of Ashoka, Maulashree, Shami, Champa, Anar, Supari, Kathal, Ketaki,

Palash

Malti, Kamal, Chameli, Nariyal and Banana in the house promotes prosperity. Lakshmi ji blesses such a house.

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Inauspicious Trees Babul Babul

Presence of a Babul tree creates disputes and bickering in the house.

Bamboo It is considered very inauspicious but according to Chinese belief it is auspicious. Bamboo

Arandi It is very inauspicious. It creates a lot of hurdles in the lives of the residents.

Rose (Gulab) Thorny Gulab is considered inauspicious, but in practice it is not found to be so. Arandi

However the creeper variety is not auspicious.

Some Important Considerations Rose

The main door should be always decorated with flowers, plants and creepers. This produces an ambience of peace and happiness.

Having garden or trees towards the North or West of the house is auspicious.

Having a tree or a plant directly in front of the main door amount to vedha, so nothing should be planted directly in front of the main door.

No tree or plant should be planted in front of, or along the axis which joins the main door with the back of the house. Such a plant would be inauspicious.

Desert plants like cactus etc. should never be planted or nurtured in the premises of the house or in the plot. It produces tension and bitterness in the house. Some people are very fond of having cactus in the pots or in the ground. This is very undesirable according to Vastu.

Having Ber in the residential premises produces enmity with outsiders and there is constant trouble from the enemies.

Having Tulsi in the house is extremely auspicious.

Brahmins and people related to the field of education should plant and nurture Ava, pakad, paras, peepal and goolar trees in the appropriate directions within the boundary of the house, but their shadow should not fall on the house.

Business class people and Vaishyas should plant and nurture Shireesh, Neem and Bel trees. These should also be in their correct directions.

Apart from Brahmins, Vaishyas and Kshatriyas, others should plant Amaltas, Maulshree and Pan within the boundary of their houses.

Kshatriyas should have Tulsi, Sudarshan, Mahua, Panas and Eucalyptus, whichever is found suitable, within their premises.

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Bel tree flourishing in the western part of the boundary of any house promotes happiness in that house.

Mahua tree growing within the boundary towards the Western part of the house promotes progress of the residents. The same results are got if Goolar or Panas are in the South direction.

A creeper growing upwards in any part of the house or within its boundary is beneficial. A money plant in the house is also the same.

Thorny or milk producing trees harm the women and children but this is not applicable to the rose plant.

If it is not possible to cut an inauspicious tree, then beneficial plants should be planted near it. This neutralises the ill effects of the tree. This remedy is not applicable to thorny cactus plants.

Exercise Q1. What is the importance of Ashoka tree in Vastu? Q2. What is the importance of Banana tree in Vastu? Q3. What is the importance of Lotus tree in Vastu? Q4. What is the importance of Banyan tree in Vastu? Q5. Which facts should be kept in mind for planting trees?

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Vastu and Diseases

In Vastu shastra different planets represent different directions. Each direction influences some body parts of the kalpurush. Like Astrology Vastu is also controlled by the power of planets and Nakshatras. Just as Astrology helps us in understanding the disease the person may be suffering from, Vastu also helps us in understanding the ailments of the person on the basis of the afflicted directions.

Vastu and Diseases

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Vastu also helps us in pinpointing the affected body part. It even helps us in understanding which disease will affect most of the people living in the house. For example if North wall of the house is higher and there is toilet in that direction, then most people living in that house will suffer from ailments related to heart, lungs and sudden chest related problems. Similarly it has been observed that if East direction of the house is afflicted, then most of the people living in the house are sickly. With indepth study of the principles of Vastu we can identify the diseases caused by the afflicted directions in advance and take corrective measures to protect the resident from them. An effective guideline can be made out to make the residents healthy, happy and peaceful.

Exercise Q1. What are the inauspicious effects if there are faults in East direction? Q2. What are the inauspicious effects if there are faults in West direction? Q3. What are the inauspicious effects if there are faults in North direction? Q4. What are the inauspicious effects if there are faults in South direction? Q5. What are the inauspicious effects if there are faults in North-East direction?

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Direction-Planet, Correlation, their Defects and Remedies

The fundamental base of Vastu shastra is Jyotish shastra. The planets influence human life in beneficial or harmful manner, similarly the planets also influence the different directions and subsequently also influence the persons residing in those direction either beneficially or harmfully. North-East is considered to be the most auspicious region of the house or building because it is ruled by God Himself. Jupiter is the lord of this direction.

Fault related to Directions Defects of the East direction Lord Indra rules the East direction and Sun represents the East. Sun plays an important role in the creation of the universe. Solar Energy is responsible for creating, sustaining and destroying all life forms. Sun is the representative of the combined Trimurti of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. A house which has a large main door and large windows which usher in sunlight and which does not have an afflicted East direction, is an auspicious house. It bestows good health, name, fame, honour, status, prosperity, courage and valour upon the residents. However, if there are heaps of garbage, stones, mud and filth in the East direction then it harms the children. It also affects the happiness from children. There may be no male child or there could be a handicapped child. It can even deprive the person of happiness from the father. The other effects can be trouble in the eyes, blood pressure, headache, ailments related to the head, paralysis or breaking of bones. It also causes financial problems and debts. With the result there is no peace of mind and materialistic and spiritual development is curtailed. Remedies

Install a Surya Yantra

Give Arghya to Sun and worship Sun God

Sun represents the East. East direction is the face of the Kalpurush, so a Surya

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yantra should be installed on the Eastern door and a Vastu mangalkari toran should also be hanged on this door

Recite Aditya Hridaya Stotra

Dig a well or make a water tank or have a tap in the East

Defects of the West direction Lord of the West is Varuna and his Ayudha is Paasha. Saturn represents the West direction. Saturn is Kal personified. He represents misfortune and good fortune both. Saturn is the judge who weighs the person's Karmas and gives the karma phal without any emotion or hesitation. He also assists people in exhausting their karmas and moving ahead on their path to enlightenment. He makes people go through hardship and gradually improves them. He is a teacher who teaches the lessons of life. West direction is the seventh house of the kalpurush, which represents marital happiness, partnership in profession, progress in profession, legal matters, reproductive organs and private parts. If the waste water or the rain water of the house goes out through the west, then the men of the family suffer from chronic diseases. Defect in the West produces impotency, feet related diseases, leprosy, spinal trouble, arthritis, neurological and windy complaints. If there are cracks in the West then the owner suffers from sexual diseases and his earning is disorganised. If the kitchen or a fire place is in the West it produces ailments related to pitta, heat and moles. If the main door is in the East and the place is absolutely clean and stones, rocks, and mud are in the West, then the owner's income will be good. Remedies

Install Varuna Yantra in the house to rectify defects of West direction

Fast on Saturdays

Offer water to Khejari tree on Saturday. The tree should be watered well

Recite Shani stotra in front of Shani yantra

Raise the Western boundary wall and plant a large tree in the West

Defects of the North direction Lord of the North is kubera. His ayudha is Gada. Mercury represents North direction. Mercury behaves like the planet he is placed with. If he is placed with benefic planets, he will behave like a benefic. If he is placed with malefic planets, he will behave like a malefic. North direction represents Kalpurush’s chest and heart. It represents the fourth house of the horoscope. This direction tells us about the person’s mother. If the North direction if left vacant, it is beneficial for the mother’s family. If the North direction is free from any defects, then it is beneficial for the person’s educational, intellectual and mental development. He develops the intelligence of an inventor of various types of concepts and ideas. He can even be a good poet. His Sukha Sthan or house is in good condition. He has the comfort of having good servants, good

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friends and all home comforts. If the North direction has defects, then the owner's fourth house will be afflicted. In this situation there will be lack of home comforts like servants. There will be house related problems and lack of happiness from mother. Apart from this he may suffer from ailments like hernia, heart trouble, skin diseases, gall bladder disease, madness, cholera, lungs and blood related diseases. Remedies

Place Budha yantra in the pooja

Paint the walls of the house with green colour

Have a call bell of parrot sound

Recite Shri Sukta in front of Margaj Shri Yantra

Defects of the South direction The lord of South direction is Yama and his ayudha is danda. The planet representing South is Mars. Mars is the driving force of all the life sustaining systems of the world. It is a special life giving force. It gives life to all the living organisms and human beings, and also gives them courage, valour, drive, tolerance, excitement and energy. On the negative side it gives physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, excitement, aggressiveness and intolerance. South direction represents the left side of the kalpurush’s chest, left lung and kidneys. It also represents the tenth house of the horoscope. If there is a well, crack, garbage, dump or old rubbish in the South, it produces heart trouble, joint pain, lack of blood and jaundice etc. A well or water in the South can give an accidental death. If the Southern door faces the Nairritya then it can give chronic diseases and sudden death. Defect in the South also produces miscarriages and menstrual disorders in women, blood impurities, high blood pressure, piles, accidents, boils and diseases related to bone marrow and ulcers. It can also harm the service or business and give social defamation, lack of happiness from father and lack of success in government related jobs. Remedies

Install a Mangal Yantra on the South door

Install a statue or a picture of Ganapati with Dakshinavarti trunk on both sides of the door

Hang a Vastu mangalkari toran on the door

Worship Bhairavaji or Hanumanji

Worship Ganesh ji

Keep the out flow of water from the South facing house towards the North

Defect of the Ishan Direction Lord of the Ishan is Rudra and his ayudha is a trident or trishool. Jupiter represents Ishan. Jupiter is a great benefic. He is God’s blessings. Jupiter is especially auspicious

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for people who are keen to develop their spirituality. Jupiter is a satwik planet who increases and expands everything related to it. Jupiter is sthool. For this reason he represents a son who signifies continuation of the lineage. Being large he represents elder brother. Also being large, he represents a woman’s husband. In the horoscope Ishan signifies the second and the third houses. Because this direction is extremely auspicious, it needs to be protected. If Ishan is defective then it creates lack of interest in pooja, lack of respect for elders and brahmins, lack of money and lack of happiness from children. It also causes diseases like liver or spleen disorders, diabetes and even dreadful diseases like cancer. A kitchen in the Northeast produces cough, acidity, indigestion, diseases of intestines and stomach problems. Remedies

Maintain purity of Northeast

Light a neon bulb in this direction

Worship Vishnu ji

Recite Vishnu Sahastranam stotra

Recite Shri Sukta in front of a metallic Shri Yantra

Perform Japa of the Beej Mantra of Jupiter in front of Guru Yantra

Defect of Vayavya Direction The lord of Vayavya direction is Vayu and his ayudha is ankush. Moon represents this direction. Moon can be benefic or malefic and he can be active or inactive. When Moon is benefic the person has a good reputation and achieves name, fame and honour. He has an excellent mental development. His family life is happy and he also gets happiness from his mother. He extensively travels within and outside the country. He becomes learned, famous, magnificent and honourable. He is honoured by the government. But if Moon is malefic then the person’s mind is prone to insanity, mental instability and foolishness. He suffers humiliation and rejection every where. Fifth and Sixth house of the horoscope are represented by Vayavya kona, so Vayavya is capable of giving friends and enemies. With a defective vayavya the person can suffer from gas in the stomach, heart burn, skin problems, mental ailments and anger. He also has many enemies. If vayavya is free from defects then he will have many friends who are beneficial for him. Extension of vayavya and Agneya is responsible for incidents of fire in many houses. If the level of the verandas or balcony in vayavya is lower than that of the Ishan, it can produce many enemies. The women remain apprehensive and sickly. Defective vayavya can also cause diseases related to heart, lungs, chest, cough, cold, pneumonia, appendicitis, diarrhoea and female problems like menstrual irregularity, etc.

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Remedies

Affix Chandra yantra in the house to correct the defect of direction

Install a white Ganapati on both sides of the door (front and back) alongwith Shri yantra containing silver

Paint the walls with cream colour

Fast on Mondays

Worship sphatik Shiva linga by slowly pouring milk over it

Defects of the Agneya Direction Lord of the Agneya is Ganeshji and his ayudha is shakti. Venus represents this direction. Venus controls mutual friendship and mutual attraction. A person under the influence of Venus is attractive, loving, friendly & generous. Venus is connected to beauty, perfumes, physical pleasure and enjoyment. He also represents art, music, materialistic enjoyment and luxury. The main aim of Venus is to create life and continue procreation in nature. Therefore he represents the sexual desire and the sexual act. In this manner he fulfils his aim of procreation. The condition of Venus tells us about the person’s wife, marital happiness, sexual virility, potency, domestic happiness and worldly pleasures. He represents the left eye, left arm and knees of the Kalpurush. Agneya influences the eleventh and twelfth house of the horoscope. Defect in Agneya deprives the person of marital happiness, bed pleasures and enjoyments. It can also create impotency, diabetes, deafness and dumbness. Apart from this, it can cause diseases related to chest region, reproductive organs, urinary tract, spleen and sexual disorders. Remedies

Install a green coloured Vastu dosha Nashak Ganapati on the front and back side of the door

Recite Shri Sukta in front of a Crystal Sri yantra

Chant Beej mantra of Venus in front of Shukra Yantra

Defects of the Nairritya Direction Rahu controls the Nairritya. He is a very powerful shadowy planet. There is really no remedy for the ill effects of Rahu. It is not easy to propitiate him with Griha shanti only. It is only possible to co operate with him with wisdom and intelligence and get the best out of him. He represents both heels and Baithak of the Kalpurush. The eighth and the ninth house of the horoscope are controlled by Nairritya. If there is an open space, depression, pit, thorny tree or source of water in the Nairritya, then the owner remains sickly. His longevity is curtailed, he is harmed by his enemies and deprived of prosperity. If water of the Nairritya flows out of the drains in the South, then it harms the women. If it flows out through the drains in the West, then it harms the men of the house. A defective Nairritya causes sudden accidents, fires and untoward incidents

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like suicide. The family members can suffer from diseases related to skin, leprosy, infectious diseases, hydrocoele and nervous problems. Remedies

Install a Rahu yantra in the pooja place and worship it.

Install a brown or multicoloured ganapati on the main door.

Chant Beej mantra for Rahu and recite Rahu stotra.

Use of Siddha Ganapati for Vastu Dosha Nivaran Based on fourteen Maha Vidyas fourteen types of images and idols of Ganapati have been created. These are described as -

Santan Ganapati The couple is blessed with a child within one year, when santan Ganpati is installed on the main door after proper invocation with mantras recited with faith and devotion, in an auspicious muhurta.

Vighna Harta Ganapati If a family always suffers because of hurdles and obstructions (Vighna and Badha), quarrels among its members and is full of mental tension, then a lot of relief can be got if Vighna Harta Ganapati is installed on the main door after proper invocation.

Vidya Pradayak Ganapati If the children of the house are ill behaved, indisciplined and uncontrolled or if they are not inclined towards studies or if they cannot retain knowledge despite serious efforts, then the house owner should install a Vidya Pradayak Ganapati idol or statue on the main door after proper invocation in an auspicious muhurta.

Vivah Vinayak Sometimes there is a delay in the marriage of grown up children of marriageable age. Sometimes the delay is because of mangal dosha. In these situations vivah vinayak Ganapati should be installed on the main door.

Dhanadayak Ganapati The people who don’t get full benefit of their efforts and who cannot prosper, should install ‘Dhan Dayak Ganapati’ in their homes.

Chinta Nashak Ganapati People who always remain worried and tense because of some reason or the other, should install chinta nashak Ganapati in their houses.

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Siddhi Dayak Ganapati For achieving success in all endeavours, statue of siddhi dayak Ganapati should be installed.

Anand Dayak Ganapati For abundance of love and happiness in the house, a statue of Anand Dayak Ganapati should be installed in the house.

Vijay Siddhi Ganapati For winning a court case or for defeating the enemies, Vijay siddhi Ganapati should be installed.

Rina Mochan Ganapati For gaining freedom from debts, a statue of Rina Mochan Ganpati should be installed.

Roga nashak Ganapati For destruction of all types of diseases and for gain of good health, the idol of Roga nashak Ganapati should be installed.

Netritva Shakti vikasak Ganapati Netritva Shakti Vikasak Ganapati should be installed by people desirous of becoming a leader, actor, minister or M.P. etc. The same should be done by people wanting to attain a high government position and high status in politics.

Sopari Ganapati Enhancement of Indian spirituality can be achieved by worshipping sopari Ganapati by mantras.

Shatru Hanta Ganapati This statue of Ganapati is made with many colours. By installing it on the door of the bedroom, happiness and bed pleasures can be achieved.

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Some Ancient Yantras for correcting the Vastu Defects Maruti Yantra Maruti Yantra is very effective in protecting the vehicle. This is the yantra of Hanuman ji, the son of Maruti. It can also be used to solve the problem of disputed land and its subsequent sale for a good price.

Om Han Hanumate Namah.

ý ga guqers ue%

Maruti Yantra

Kali Yantra This is the yantra of Mahakali which is installed on the furnace, boiler, transformer and generator of an industrial factory, so that the supply and use of fire remains controlled and balanced in the factory. This yantra removes the ill effects of Saturn. This yantra is also used for Vashikaran and Sammohan. It gives protection from black magic. It also gives protection from blood pressure, paralysis and from incurable neurological diseases.

Om Kreeng Kalikayai Namah.

ý Øha dkfydk;S ue%A

Kali Yantra

Surya Yantra This Yantra is worshipped to ward off the agonies caused by the Sun. In our country, it is in vogue to cast the Panchadashi Surya Yantra on safe vault on the day of Deepawali right from the ancient times. On it, digits from 1 to 9 are written in such a way that if added, they make 15 from every side. It has been mentioned in the scriptures as to which digit should be written where in Yantras of nine squares. According to Garga and other Rishis like him, one can be free from ailments if he worships these Yantras. People with weak Sun in their horoscopes, who repeatedly face problems from the government will benefit by reciting Surya Mantra in front of the Surya Yantra daily. Surya Yantra

Om Hrang Hreeng Hraung Sah Suryay Namah.

ý gzka gzha gzkaS l% lw;kZ; ue%A

142 | Domestic Vastu

Indrani Yantra If there are losses in business or profession despite all efforts, then Indrani Yantra should be installed after consulting a vastu expert. The worship of this yantra enables to achieve extraordinary feat in material endeavours.

Vyapare Sambhavet hanih krite yatne nirantaram Indraniyantramasthapyam vidhivad Vastuvid Dhritam

O;kikjs laHkosr~ gkfu% Ñrs ;Rus fujUrje~A bUnzk.kh;U=ekLFkkI;a fof/kon~ okLrqfon~ /k`re~AA

Indrani Yantra

Dikdoshanashak Yantra This is for removal or counteraction of Vastu dosha. If it is not possible to correct the vastu defect of the directions, then this yantra definitely helps.

Om Vastupurushai Namah

¬ okLrqi#q "kk; ue%A Durga Bisa Yantra This is the yantra of Jagdamba. Installation of this yantra gives

Dikdoshanashak Yantra

freedom from troubles and miseries. It also destroys enemies. In this manner this yantra ushers in shakti.

Om Ang Hreeng Kleeng Chamundayai Vichhai.

¬ ,sa gzha Dyha pkeq.q Mk;S foPpSA Shri Yantra Even in the Mahapuranas, Shri yantra is said to be the symbol of Mahalakshmi Devi. Shri yantra contains the powers of 2816 gods and goddesses in an invisible form. No wonder it is also called Yantra Raj,

Durga Bisa Yantra

Yantra Shiromani and Shodashi Yantra. It gives financial gains, prosperity and happiness. It is said that Goddess Lakshmi always resides in a house where Shri Sukta, Lakshmi Sukta and Lalita Sahastranam are recited in front of the Shri yantra. Placing Ekakshi Nariyal, Shwetark Ganapati, mala of kamalgatta, 14 faced Rudraksha and Dakshinavarti Shankha along with Shri yantra also helps in acquisition of prosperity and happiness.

Shri Yantra

Direction-Planet, Correlation, their Defects and Remedies | 143

Om Shreeng Hreeng Shreeng Kamale Kamlalaye Praseed Praseed Shreeng Hreeng Shreeng Om Mahalaxmayai Namah.

ý Jha gzha Jha deys deyky;s izlhn izlhn Jha gzha Jha Åa egky{E;S ue%A Vastu Yantra If there are vastu faults in any structure and it is posing problems to the native then it is suggested to worship this yantra. This yantra is installed for rectifying all kinds of vastu doshas and for ensuring prosperity and happiness. It is an extremely useful yantra.

Om Vastupurushay Namah.

ý okLrqi#q "kk; ue%A

Vastu Yantra

Kritya Nashak Vastu Yantra Kritya Nashak Vastu Yantra is meant for getting rid of the problems posed by the opponents and enemies. If an enemy has gained control of your house, then installing this yantra helps.

Dwar Dosha Nashak Toran This yantra is installed for the rectification of Vastu dosha in doors. This is a special type of Toran which destroys the doshas related to the door and protects the house from troubles from outside.

Varuna Yantra If the well, borewell, tank or tap has been made in Agneya or in

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other wrong direction, then this fault can be rectified by installing a

;

oa g Hkatuk; egk & fo".k vk os èkhefg & k; v r ehu

Matsya Yantra oa

ga uk; lksedk y "k sa Øk ;k & l & aj a a lqj a foùgs L eR .kk; a eg k; k

varun yantra in that place.

la & ' ;a al a & ek|"V foHkwfr n ga l ka sf g a ag f.k ehu% izpk s k s n; a Uu

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This yantra is also called Badha mukti yantra. It drives away all the hurdles and troubles from the house and protects the house from black magic etc.

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Matsya Yantra

144 | Domestic Vastu

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Om Kleeng Matsya Rupay

¬ Dyha eRL;:ik;A

Maha Mrityunjaya Yantra This is the yantra of Shivji. Worshipping this yantra improves health. When a doctor is unable to save a patient then Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is chanted in front of this yantra to protect him.

Om Trayambakam Yajamahe Sugandhimpushtivardhanam Urwarukmivbandhanaan Mrityormuksheey Maamritaat

¬ =;aEcde~ ;tkegs lqxfU/ke~ifq "V/kZue~] mokZ:dfeo cU/kuku~e~ R` ;kse{Zq kh; eke`rkr~AA

Maha Mrityunjaya Yantra

Kuber Yantra

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Kuber is considered to be the treasurer of Goddess Lakshmi. If a family

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Sukh Samriddhi Yantra

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Om Kuberay Namah.

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happiness.

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family should worship kuber yantra to attain money, prosperity and

is facing financial crisis, debts and poverty, then members of such a

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Kuber Yantra

If members of a family do not have good relationship with each other and there is no peace and happiness in the family then they should chant mantras of Lakshmi ji and Ganesh Ji in front of Sukha Samridhi yantra. This will bring about peace, harmony, and happiness in the family.

Om Mangal Murtaye Namah.

¬ eaxyewr;Z s ue%A Prem Vriddhi Yantra This yantra promotes marital compatibility and conjugal happiness

Sukh Samriddhi Yantra

between husband and wife. This is suitable for a couple who are not on good terms with each other. They should chant the following mantra in front of Prema Vriddhi yantra. This will definitely improve their relationship.

Kleeng Kamdevay Namah.

Dyha dkensok; ue% Prem Vriddhi Yantra

Direction-Planet, Correlation, their Defects and Remedies | 145

Santan Gopal Yantra If a couple is facing various types of hurdles in having children, then they should regularly recite Santan Gopal stotra in front of the Santan Gopal Yantra. They will be blessed with an illustrious and long lived offspring.

Om Kleeng Shrreng Hreeng Jeeng Om Bhurbhuvah Swah Om Devaki Sut Govindam Vasudev Jagatpate Dehi Mey Tanayam Krishan Twamaham Sharanam Gatah Om Om Swah Bhuvah Bhuh Geeng Hreeng Shreeng Tweeng Om Santan Gopal Yantra

¬ Dyha Jha gzha tha vksa HkwHkqoZ % Lo% ¬ nsodhlqrxksfoan oklqnos txRirsA nsfg es ru;a Ñ".k Rokega 'kj.ka xr% ¬ ¬ Lo% Hkqo% Hkw% tha âha Jha Roha vksAa Navagrah Yantra This yantra represents all the nine planets and the directions related

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Jh 'kqØ;U=e~

Jh pUnz;U=e~

9 4 11 10 8 6 5 12 7

11 6 13 12 10 8 7 14 9

7 2 9 8 6 4 3 10 5

Jh c`gLifr;U=e~

Jh lw;Z;U=e~

Jh eaxy;U=e~

10 5 12 11 9 7 6 13 8

6 1 8 7 5 3 2 9 4

Jh dsr;q U=e~

Jh 'kfu;U=e~

14 9 16 15 13 11 10 17 12

12 7 14 13 11 9 8 15 10

8 3 10 9 7 5 4 11 6

Jh jkgq;U=e~

13 8 15 14 12 10 9 16 11

Navagrah Yantra

to them. Worship of this yantra invokes the beneficence and blessings of all the navagrahas and good results are gotten from their respective directions.

Om Brahmamurari Tripurantkari Bhanushashi Bhumisutau Budhashch Gurushch Shukra Shani Rahu Ketvah Sarve Graha Shantikara Bhavantu

ý czgkz eqjkjh f=iqjkUrdkjh Hkkuq'k'kh HkwfelqrkS cq/k'p xq:'p 'kqØ 'kfu jkgq dsro% losZ xzgk 'kkUrhdjk HkoUrqA Shri Ganapati Yantra Shri Ganapati yantra is for removing all the hurdles and obstacles and for bestowing success, peace and happiness. This yantra destroys debts and gives Ridhi (Dhan) Siddhi (Success) and wisdom and intelligence. Ganesh ji is called vighneshwar because by worshipping Ganesh ji before beginning any task ensures smooth completion of that task. He is also known as Ganapati, Vinayak, Gajamukha and God of intelligence. According to Guru Adishankaracharya, installation of an idol of Ganesh ji in front and behind the main door removes all the hurdles and obstacles and protects the house from

Shri Ganapati Yantra

any adverse influence.

Om Gan Ganpataye Namah.

ý xa x.kir;s ue%A

146 | Domestic Vastu

Saraswati Yantra Yantra of Goddess Saraswati is a provider of education, intelligence, wisdom and concentration. This yantra keeps the student away from mental tension and gives him success in studies and education. If a child is not inclined towards studying and is unable to concentrate and succeed, then chanting Saraswati mantra in front of Saraswati yantra is helpful.

Om Aing Mahasarswatyai Namah

ý ,sa egkljLoR;S ue%A

Saraswati Yantra

Maha Lakshmi Yantra This yantra is an excellent yantra for achieving financial success and prosperity. Worshipping this yantra drives away 'Durdin-Durbhiksha', poverty and debts. Reciting Lakshmi sukta or Chanting the following mantra in front of this yantra is especially beneficial.

Om Shreeng Hreeng Shreeng Kamaley Kamlalaye Praseed Praseed Shreeng Hreeng Shreeng Om Mahalaxmyai Namah

¬ Jha gzha Jha deys deyky;s izlhn izlhn Jha gzha Jha ¬ egky{E;S ue%A

Maha Lakshmi Yantra

Kamla Yantra Worshipping this yantra ends poverty, debts, criminal tendency, scarcity, diseases and tension. The houses flourishes with prosperity, peace and happiness. This is a powerful yantra for invoking blessings of Goddess Lakshmi.

Om Ang Hreeng Shreeng Kleeng Hasauh Jagatprasutyai Namah.

¬ ,sa gzha Jha Dyha g~lkS% txr~ilz Rw ;S ue%A Kamla Yantra

Baglamukhi Yantra The main utility of this yantra is in winning over enemies by destroying them. This yantra activates courage, valour and power, and through them defeats the enemies. Wearing yellow clothes and chanting the following mantra in front of Baglamukhi yantra gives victory in court cases and in disputes with enemies.

Om Hreeng Baglamukhi Sarvdushtaanaam Vacham Mukham Padam Stambhay Jeevhaam Keelay Keelay Baddhim Vinaashay Hreeng Om Swaha.

¬ gzha cxykeqf[k loZn"q Vkuka okpa eq[ka ina LrEHk;A ftOgke~ dhy; dhy; cqf)a fouk'k; gzha ¬ LokgkAA

Baglamukhi Yantra

Direction-Planet, Correlation, their Defects and Remedies | 147

Matangi Yantra Marital happiness can be achieved by worshipping this yantra. All kinds of luxury and comforts are also achieved.

Om Hreeng Kleeng Hung Matangyai Phutt Swaha

¬ gzha Dyha gwa ekraX;S QV~ LokgkA

Matangi Yantra

Exercise Q1. Which remedies can be done for the correction of the fault of East direction? Q2. Which remedies can be done for the correction of the fault of West direction? Q3. Which remedies can be done for the correction of the fault of North direction? Q4. Which remedies can be done for the correction of the fault of South direction? Q5. Which remedies can be done for the correction of the fault of South-East direction?

148 | Domestic Vastu

Feng Shui

The Five thousand year old Feng Shui has played an important role in Chinese and Japanese culture and has enhanced their progress. Now Feng Shui is becoming popular all over the world due to its effective results. Wherever it is not possible to apply the remedies suggested by Vastu, there we can take the help of Fengshui. With the use of Fengshui items, we can balance the defective location and bring there the balance of elements taking into account the need of particular element or elements. Vastu Shastra in Chinese language is called Feng Shui, which is a combination of two

words (wind-water). A literal translation of these words is wind and water. According to their geographical location, the Chinese consider water, fire, earth, wood and metal to be the pancha tatvas. In Fengshui the pancha tatvas or the five elements have special importance and they also represent certain directions. Elements and Lords of Directions

Elements Wood Metal Water Fire Earth

Lords of Directions East West North South South-west

Achieving a healthy, wealthy, and prosperous life through proper utilization of the natural energies flowing around us is the basic principle of Feng shui. This is a mysterious Chinese art which is based on the principle of Tao. This harmonizes our personal environment. The main original text of Feng shui is in Chinese language. It has been translated into English and then into Hindi and many other languages. The origin of Feng Shui can be traced back to India, and it happens to be our Vastu

Feng Shui | 149

shastra only. It travelled through Tibet to China where it was popularized. Feng Shui is greatly influenced by Indian culture, especially by Buddhism. The Chinese corelate the honour or dishonour attained in this human life to the energies generated on the earth. They do not give much importance to human performance or action. Prosperity, good health and god's blessings, all the three are related to the wind and water of the world. Certain invisible powers are active in the world. The modern science calls then gravitational force and electromagnetic force. Because of these forces energy keeps flowing on the earth continuously. In Chinese this flow of energy is called ‘Qi’. This energy is classified into two forms, Yin, the negative (-) energy and yang the positive(+) energy. Both yin and yang have their own gravitational forces and are complementary to each other. Independently they are incomplete. Their forces are basically Geological positive and negative forces. These forces can be detected with the help of a magnetic compass. Yin and Yang are forces of two opposite elements and are the binding forces of the entire universe. Yin is female while Yang is male. Yin represents darkness while yang represents the sensitive sunlight. According to the Chinese doctors Yin is active within the body while Yang is active outside the body. When there is some disease in the body then it affects the yin yang balance of the body. Balance of Yin and Yang is necessary for keeping the body healthy because these two are also the magnetic force of the human body. The human ‘Qi’ gives man intelligence, wisdom, strength, power and physical capability. It becomes necessary to co-ordinate the construction of the house with internal decoration, furniture, paintings, curtains and other utility items, so that a good balance of Qi is maintained between man and his living surroundings, along with their corelation with the earth’s forces. This same balance makes residential premises apartment buildings, shops, offices, hotels, gardens, parks and industrial complexes, compatible with the forces of the earth, which makes them successful and long lived. According to the Chinese philosophy the entire universe is operated and maintained by Yin and Yang. They control different directions and have their own effects, which are as follows Yin and Yang effects

Yin - Female force Negative inactive Cool colours Darkness Night

150 | Domestic Vastu

Yang - Male force Positive Active Warm colours Brightness Day

Yin - Female force Moon Shadow Soft materials Fixed tendency

Yang - Male force Sun Light Hard materials Movable tendency.

Five main Elements of Fengshui

Directions and aspect of life

Five elements of Fengshui According to the Chinese philosophy the entire universe is composed of five basic elements Fire, Water, Wood, Metal and Earth. Along with being the forces of the universe, these elements also represent their complex interdependence and their delicate precarious balance. Persons who maintain the balance of five elements, lead happy and peaceful lives and those who cannot or do not maintain this balance suffer throughout their lives.

Wood Wood represents nourishment, family mentality and flexibility. It is generally connected to progress. People supported by wood are energetic. They are creators of new concepts and ideas and are also successful because of their impressive personality. They are inclined towards art. As opposed to this, people who are either not supported by wood or opposed by it are impatient and easily angered. They are not able to complete any project which they have started. The direction of this element is East. Its colour is green. Its shape is straight and rectangular. Its season is spring and it is an indicator of the growth of plants and vegetation.

Feng Shui | 151

Fire An environment charged with fire energy gives a person inspiration, encouragement and enthusiasm and makes him intelligent and wise. This can also bring light, warmth and happiness in the person's life. On the negative side, it can even cause a fire, explosion or destruction. Fire element can give honour and justice. On the other hand it can support attacks and wars. People supported by fire element are generally leaders and politicians and are very active. Positive support of this element makes a person active, jovial and patient. People opposed by this element are unrestrained exploiters and selfish. Direction of this element is South, its colour is red, its shape is triangular and its season is summer. This element provides maximum prosperity in Summer or is most productive in summer.

Earth People supported by this element enjoy nurturing and helping others. They are

Fire

Earth

Wood

dependable, faithful, duty conscious, kind and gentle. If under the adverse influence of this element, they can be temperamental and tense regarding minor matters. At the same time they can even exploit and hurt others.

Water

Metal

Five Elements

Location of this element is in the centre, its colour is yellow, its shape is square and dense and its influence remains throughout the year.

Metal Metal element is connected to abundance and materialistic success. It also shows clear cut thinking and awareness of widespread knowledge. People supported by this element are forerunners in future planning and they perform their best in beautiful environment enjoying it thoroughly. They are good managers. They are very serious and patient and rarely agree to help others. The direction of this element is West, its colour is golden and white and its shape is round or rolling pin shaped. Its season is autumn. During autumn, the wood element becomes weak and metal destroys it and becomes strong.

Water Water

element

represents

social

interaction,

telecommunication

and

intellectuality. It is sensitive due to internal inspiration. Water element represents introversion, art and beauty. People supported by this element are interested in learning and spirituality. People dominated by this element earn their livelihood through intelligence, knowledge, wisdom and education etc. They are well behaved, peace loving, social and helpful, basically with a good and sensitive heart. In addition they are able to understand other persons' mentality and get

152 | Domestic Vastu

their work done tactfully. They even take risks and strike beneficial agreements and contracts. Its direction is North, its colour is black and blue, its shape is like a wave and its season is winter. It is more powerful at the time of snowfall.

Difference between Fengshui and Vastu China is situated in the extreme East of Asia. Icy cold Mongolian desert is towards its North and vast open Pacific ocean is towards its East. Icy cold wind blows from the North bringing in yellow deserts and for this reason North is not considered auspicious in China and it is not considered good to have doors and windows opening towards the North. Even veranda in North is not considered good. Pleasant sea breeze blows in from the East and the South during summer, so East and South directions are considered auspicious there. In contrast to this vastu considers North to be auspicious.

Similarities between Fengshui and Vastu In both systems East is considered to be auspicious. Importance is given to the five elements and to their own Astrology. In both systems man has been balanced with nature. Northeast is related to knowledge and education by both. Red colour has been gives to South direction by both the schools and both have kept benefit of mankind as their primary motive. Remedies of both the schools produce auspicious results.

Principle Concerning Bagua Bagua is an octagonal chart. In Chinese language Bagua means Eight sided which shows the eight directions of the compass. Every direction of the compass controls different aspects of life, like profession, wisdom, health, money, fame, marriage, children and helpers. Centre of the bagua is called Taichi which represents yin and Yang in a circle. This is a symbol of completeness and totality and reminds us that balance is necessary.

Bagua

Knowledge of different directions of the compass, their speciality and the areas influenced by them, helps us to modify the surroundings to remedy the defects and to enhance the results to fulfil our aims.

South This direction controls the status, fame, destiny and the celebrations. The season of South is summer, colour is red, number is 9, base element is fire, animal is the immortal imaginary bird Amarpakshi.

Feng Shui | 153

North North represents professional success. It is an important direction for achievement of professional aims. The season is winter, colour is black, element is water, number is one and the animal is tortoise, on account of his hard and strong shell. The tortoise represents stability, protection, and long life.

East East controls health, intelligence and family life. Its season is spring, colour is green and light blue, element is wood, number is three and animal is the powerful inspiration giving kaliya winged serpent.

West Represents children, destiny, happiness and creativity. Its season is autumn, colour is white, element is metal, number is seven and animal is the dreadful white tiger.

Southeast Though half of the directions of the compass promise wealth, Southeast is the most powerful and obvious direction for wealth. Its season is spring, element is wood, number is four and colour is purple or violet.

Southwest This direction represents marriage, relations, partnerships and motherhood. If you are looking for a good business partner or want to strengthen some professional contact, then you should activate this direction. Its season is summer, colour yellow, element Earth and its number is two.

Northeast If you want to educate yourself more or to improve your intellectual ability, then you should activate this direction. Green colour is for expansion and blue is for high aspirations. Combination of the two is sea green, which is the most effective colour in this direction. Its season is winter, element Earth and number is eight. In Chinese culture, number eight represents prosperity.

Northwest If you are attracted to distant places, or if your interest takes you away from house environment then you should enhance or activate this direction. If you wish to spread your business out of your city or outside the country at an international level, then you should expand the Northwest corner of your office or work premises through the means of Feng Shui. This direction represents fatherhood, benefactors, advisors and your other helpers. Its season is autumn, element hard metal, colour grey and number is six.

154 | Domestic Vastu

Cycles of Creation and Destruction The universe is composed of five basic elements namely fire, water, wood, metal and Earth. These five elements represent the nature’s forces, their inter dependence and their precarious delicate balance. If these five elements are utilised according to the correct and appropriate balance, then they assist our all over development and progress in the desired manner. But if they are utilised in an inappropriate balance, then they can destroy everything.

Cycle of Creation The figure below shows the constructive creative cycle - Wood lights fire. Fire produces ash which makes earth - Earth produces metals, Vapour appears on the surface of metal and this produces water - Water produces plants and trees which produce wood. When the cycle moves in this direction it promotes progress. Here each element complements the other.

Cycle of Destruction

Cycle of creation

When these elements are combined in the opposite manner, they hinder each other's progress, density and influence; then the cycle becomes destructive. Water puts out the fire, fire melts the metal, metal cuts wood, wood takes nourishment from earth and water makes the earth muddy and boggy. Here a disbalance and confusion is created between the elements and they go haywire and the cycle of destruction is complete. No element is destructive by itself. In fact all are essential for our environment.

Cycle of Destruction

These cycles become important guidelines for making fine improvements in our surroundings. For instance an aquarium should not be placed along the South wall. Element of South is fire. Water will destroy the influence of fire. Similarly a brown decorative article or terracotta pot should not be placed in the Northern part of the work place or office. North represents water. Earth element or terracotta or brown article can affect your professional opportunities and success adversely.

Feng Shui | 155

Rectifying Vastu Doshas without demolition Correct Direction

Mirrors

Placing articles in their proper position and proper direction can give some relief. For example if kitchen is made in the wrong direction, then by placing articles of the kitchen like gas stove etc. in their proper direction can provide relief. Similarly if boring is in the Agneya, it is in the wrong direction. In this situation, by installing the electric meter in the Agneya and by turning the water towards East or towards Ishan can counter act the water dosha of the house.

Mirrors Mirror is very important from the point of Vastu, because it has the power to reflect back an external vastu related flaw. Mirror enhances the internal beauty and gives protection. Mirror should always be placed in the North or East. It is the most beneficial in these positions. A person normally gets enthusiasm in front of a mirror. A mirror in the North or East produces financial gains. If there is no door or window in the North or East, then mirror placed in these directions can work like a door or window or ventilator. A mirror in the North creates an imaginary reflection of itself in the Northeast, which opens avenues of income, gains and wealth. Additionally a mirror on the eastern wall gives happiness from children.

Bright Bulb Bright light is very important for correction of Vastu defects, it can improve the environment. It can turn an L shaped house into a square. Bright light behaves like sunlight which brightens the whole house inside and outside. Darkness signifies misfortune, misery and sadness while brightness signifies good fortune and happiness. According to vastu if Eastern part or Ishan of the house is always bright or brightly lit then the Gods keep blessing that house.

156 | Domestic Vastu

Musical Chime or bells This plays an extremely important role in correction of defects according to Feng shui. If a five rod metallic chime of silver or white colour is hung in the western part of the house or of the room, it promotes family happiness and gives mental peace. Similarly if a metallic chime of golden or yellow colour is hung in the Northwest (vayavya) of the house or the room, it produces new opportunities of progress and gets help from people. It can also give opportunities of foreign travel.

Musical Chime

Crystal Ball Crystal ball plays a prominent role in removing the vastu dosha by circulating positive energy in the whole house. A pair of crystal balls are hanged to increase the harmony between husband and wife.

Trees and Bouquets Trees, plants and bouquets are beautiful gifts of naturefull of life. They not only give us oxygen, they also beautify the house. They play an extremely important

Crystal Ball

role in curing diseases, improving health and rectifying vastu doshas.

Aquarium Aquarium also signifies life force and is a gift of nature. The air bubbles rising in the aquarium indicate life force. These bubbles usher in wealth. If water element is lacking in the house then placing an aquarium or a fountain or a picture of water in the North is auspicious.

Fountains

Aquarium

In large houses, multistoried building or commercial buildings, ponds and fountains are made to reduce or remove vastu doshas. Fountains which signify money inflow are arranged very carefully. If outflow of water is not in the right manner, then all the money of the house can go to the wrong way.

Heavy stones and Statues Sometimes heavy stones, rocks or statues are used to make certain corners and directions heavy. Sometimes separation between husband and wife, instability

Fountain

and problems of constant travel can be solved by putting weight in certain directions and corners.

Feng Shui | 157

Heavy electrical appliances Sometimes placing heavy electrical motors, washing machine, refrigerator and television etc. in the correct place improves and maintains the digestive power and energy level of the family members.

Bamboo and flutes Bamboo has an important religious significance in China and in central Asia. A flute made from bamboo gives peace, good news, permanence and stability. Flute

It has been assumed that the holes made in the flute one after another protect the floors of the building made one above another. To protect the area under a beam, two hollow bamboo sticks can be placed in a slanting manner with their opening towards each other. Silk tassels can be attached to these bamboos. If a flute has to be used then it should be wrapped in a red cloth and its mouth should face down ward. According to the religious belief when a flute is held in hand and shaken then evil sprits run away. When it is played then micro cosmos sound waves enter the house.

Pakua Mirror Pakua Mirror is fixed on the main door when the house is getting vedha from some house, temple or a church. Pakua gives protection. If the back door is also getting such a vedha, the pakua should be fixed on the back door also. Both Pakua Mirror

the doors will get protected. It should be placed on the centre of the main door.

Bagua This is similar to Pakua. In the centre of Bagua there is yin and Yang symbol instead of a mirror. This is hung on the door of the master bedroom with a red string. Bagua does not allow negative energy to enter the house and the bedroom. It also does not allow positive energy to leave the house. Bagua

Mandarin Ducks By placing a pair of Mandarin ducks in the Southwest corner of the bedroom, peace and harmony develops between the husband and wife. Their relationship becomes lovable and their lives are filled with happiness. These ducks can also work as a remedy in the case of delay in marriage. If a pair of Mandarin ducks is placed on a wooden stool in the Southwest corner of the room of the

Mandarin Ducks

marriageable boy or girl, then it gives quick results.

158 | Domestic Vastu

Three legged frog It is a belief in China that if the entire frog family lives behind your house, then you will be protected from all kinds of dangers and misfortune. A three legged jumping frog with a coin in his mouth brings in wealth but it should be placed correctly. It should always be placed inside the house or the office, otherwise the money can even go out of the house. It can even be placed under the sofa or inside a cupboard. It is forbidden to keep it in the temple, bathroom, bedroom

Three Legged Frog

or in the kitchen.

Laughing Buddha Placing laughing Buddha with a bag full of money on his shoulder in the Northwest direction fills the entire house will prosperity and happiness. Along with this a beautiful chandelier should be hung in the Southwest corner.

Tortoise

Laughing Buddha

Keeping a live tortoise or placing a statue or a picture of tortoise in the North direction of the house promotes happiness and prosperity. The face of the tortoise should be towards East. It also enhances longevity. Having a live tortoise in the North in a pond or a tub of water is beneficial for the prosperity and the longevity of the family members.

Tortoise

Luk Fuk Sau Chinese gods Luk Fuk Sau are considered to be bestowers of prosperity, honour and long life. Keeping their statues in the house ensures everything. Luk Fuk Sau are the three Chinese gods which have great significance in Chinese culture and

Luk Fuk Sau

tradition.

Rose Quartz Rose Quartz are quite useful for the unmarried boys and girls who wish to get married soon. The boys and girls whose marriage is delayed should place rose quartz in the Southwest of their room. Opportunities of marriage will arrive soon.

Golden Temple Golden temple is considered quiet auspicious and is emblem of progress and prosperity. Placing a picture of the golden temple in the Northeast promotes prosperity and happiness.

Feng Shui | 159

Picture of the Mountains Mountains are the symbol of strength and stability. If the pictures of mountains are hanged, they signify allround well being. Stability, confidence and strength Mountains

can be acquired by placing a picture of the mountains (without lakes, rivers or streams) on the Southwest wall.

Celestial Animals Four celestial animals represent the four directions. Their forms or pictures can be placed on the walls of the drawing room in their respective directions. This nullifies Celestial Animals

the vastu dosha inside the house. Celestial Animals, Colour & Direction

Animal

Colour

Direction

Dragon

Green

East

Tiger

White

West

Phoenix

Red

South

Tortoise

Black

North

White Tiger White tigers are the symbol of courage, adventre and strength. In order to get rid White Tiger

of enemies or to nullify the effects of black magic, evil eye and evil practices, the picture of white tiger should be hanged on the West wall.

Phoenix Phoenix indicates courage and valour. In order to surmount the infathomable, the picture of phoenix should be used. Strength and stability can be acquired by Phoenix

placing the red phoneix on the South wall.

Dragon Dragon is the auspicious symbol in Fengshui used by the in Chinese culture and tradition. Prosperity and purity can be achieved by placing a green wooden Dragon

dragon on the eastern wall.

Garuda In Indian mythology, Garuda is considered to be the vehicle of Kuber, the lord of wealth. It is supposed that strength and stability is achieved by placing a picture Garuda

of Garuda on the southern wall.

160 | Domestic Vastu

Gem Stone Tree The gem stone tree should be placed in the Southwest or Northeast for generating positive energy in the house. For financial gains and wealth, a tree with topaz, emerald, rubies and margaj should be placed in the Northeast. For enhancing good fortune a tree with all types of gems should be placed in the Southwest.

Gem stone tree

Lucky Coins The three Chinese lucky coins should be kept in the purse for financial gains. If they are kept in the cash memo, they increase the number of orders. It is also considered auspicious to hang them on the door handle.

Lucky Coins

Love Birds Love birds are the symbol of immense love and harmony between husband and wife and lovers. These are placed in the bedroom of husband and wife to make their relationship sweet and happy.

Education Tower

Love Birds

Placing an education tower on the study table of a student helps him climb up the ladder of success in the field of education. He is able to concentrate well. His determination and desire to study becomes strong and his logic increases. He gets the inspiration to study.

Education Tower

Symbol of Double Happiness This symbol inculcates peace and happiness if kept in any house. Placing this symbol in the Southwest of the house ushers in many happy and auspicious events. Marriageable boys and girls also get married.

Mystic Knot Symbol

Double Happiness

Mystic knot symbol is a mysterious portrayal of an image where there is neither any beginning nor the end. It is not possible to make out the beginning and the end of this knot. Placing it in the North of the house or the office gives good health and financial gains.

Golden Fish

Mystic knot symbol

In Fengshui Golden fish are the imaginary symbol of wealth and prosperity and used quite frequently in all the Chinese house holds. Golden fish promotes wealth and prosperity. It should be placed in the North direction facing East. Fish is considered to be the Matsya Avatar of Lord Vishnu. Golden Fish

Feng Shui | 161

Dragon Faced Boat Dragon faced boat is the symbol of unity in diversity and harmony amongst the members. For keeping good relationship and unity among the family members, Dragon Faced Boat

this boat should be placed in the Southwest corner.

Crystal Globe Crystal globe should be kept in the house or in the work place in such a way that it faces you. It should be turned around at least thrice a day. It will be beneficial for career and business. It also promotes education and knowledge. Crystal Globe

Other Remedies of Vastu and Feng Shui

Fixing a nine pyramid yantra on the door removes Dwar Dosha.

If three doors are in a row in a house or in any vastu, then hanging a crystal ball in the centre of the door removes this defect.

A small aquarium of golden fish in the house enhances good fortune of the house. it can be kept in the North or in the East.

For developing pleasant relations in the family, a group photograph of the entire family in a happy mood should be hung in the house.

Swabbing the house with salt water helps in removing the negative energy from the house.

Place a ceramic bowl full of sea salt in the toilet. It can remove the dosha of a toilet made in the wrong direction.

Place a globe in the Northeast for education and knowledge. Hang pictures of great personalities in the children’s room.

Hang a picture of mountains (without water) in the Southwest.

Place love birds in the Southwest.

Keep Chinese lucky coins in your pocket for financial prosperity. Fix three of these coins on the money box.

Horse shoe is considered to be very lucky and auspicious in India. It enhances good fortune or Saubhagya. For getting protection and good fortune, the horse shoe should be fixed in the centre of the frame (door sill) of the main door. It should never be fixed on the door in the East and Southeast direction. It should be fixed on the doors in the West, Northwest or North direction. This would be beneficial. The horse shoe should always be placed like a U.

For reducing the dosha of a beam in a room, two flutes should be tied with red ribbon and fixed at an angle of 45° on both sides of the beam.

Sacred Tulsi plant, which is a symbol of good health should be placed on both sides of the main door. Main door is that part of the house through which all the beneficial and harmful energy enters the house. Placing Tulsi

162 | Domestic Vastu

plants on both sides of it, attracts the guests and increases the grandeur, majesty and prosperity of the persons living within.

For success and prosperity, keep a gem stone tree in the Northeast of your sitting room.

For stability and status, use red colour in the Southern part of the house and decorate it with red articles.

Picture of Shri Krishna removes Vastu dosha and brings in happiness.

For marital happiness, keep a picture of Krishna ji playing his murali accompanied by Radha ji and a peacock. The peacock feather of Krishna ji’s crown is also a symbol of happiness.

If there is some obstruction like a pole or a tree in front of the main door then fix a pakua mirror to remove this dosha.

Never keep papers related to any dispute in the Agneya (Southeast) direction. They should be kept in the Ishan or in the Northern Vayavya.

Place a clock either in the North or in the East.

If there are thefts in the house regularly, then Mangal yantra should be installed. If there are riots, uproars and disasters in the house then Bhaya keelak yantra should be installed.

In the houses, in which Ishan kona is reduced or cut or afflicted, it is beneficial to carry out this remedy. Fill a copper pot (lota) with water, cover it with a silver bowl (katori) and keep four pearls in it. Every morning rub and wash the lota and katori and fill the lota with fresh water.

If the cooking stove of the house is in the Ishan and it is impossible to remove it due to circumstances then light a red bulb in the Agneya and always keep a plate full of water under the stove.

Maruti yantra is the yantra of Hanuman ji, son of Maruti. There are many uses of this yantra. One of these is a very popular use related to vastu. If somebody’s land is not getting sold or if his land is under some dispute, then he should take this yantra and go to his land on a Tuesday at 12 noon. He should face East and bury the yantra in the ground. The owner should himself dig a pit of 1¼' length of the land in the East or Northeast and then bury the yantra and pour milk and Ganga Jala over it. The dispute will get resolved within three months and the land will be sold for a good price.

The houses in which there is some kind of constraint, progress has come to a stand still and no amount of effort is relieving the situation, then they should hang a lemon and green chillies on the main door on Saturdays. Slowly the constraint will ease away.

Feng Shui | 163

Exercise Q1. What do you mean by Fengshui? Q2. On which concept Fengshui is based and what are its utility? Q3. What is meant by Yin and Yang? Q4. What are the five elements of Fengshui and what are their role? Q5. What are the similarity between Fengushi and Vastu?

164 | Domestic Vastu

Pyramid

The literal meaning of pyramid is conical stone pillar. According to the Egyptians the word Pyramid is made from two words Pyra and Mid and their combined meaning is Triangular. Fire energy is generated in its centre. Pyra means fire, indicator at the centre core or nuclei and mid means middle.

Pyramid Energy The ancient rishis of India and the metaphysicians have proved that maximum energy is generated in a triangle and its centre. For this reason a triangle is considered to be a source of energy. Since a pyramid is constructed by four triangles, it is natural that any article or any shape which is constructed by a combination of four triangles will generate four times the energy and will provide four

Pyramid Energy

times more stability also. Hence a pyramid which is a symbol of four triangles provides stability. If we look at each triangle of the pyramid below, we will find that the two angles at the base are of 58° each and the angle at the apex of the triangle is of 64°. The four triangular directions generate energy. The base joining the four triangles is a square, this square foundation transmits the energy. Placed within the pyramid, the basic material of any object does not break down or scatter. It is maintained in its original shape and composition. The pyramid has the power to reconstruct the broken down or scattered material. For these reasons if pyramid is used on any person or in vastu, it produces miraculous results. It protects the physical, mental and intellectual powers of a person from deteriorating and keeps them strong and long lasting. No stink or impurities can survive inside the pyramid. So

Pyramid | 165

any type of Vastu dosha or health problem can be treated by the use of pyramid. The pyramid should be placed in a clean and airy place. Some side of the pyramid should be placed (samanantar) parallel to the North and South pole of the earth. There should be no dirt near the pyramid and it should be kept away from electrical wires and appliances. But it can be placed on top of a computer or other electronic gadgets.

Rectification of an extended plot Southwest extension of any plot is not considered good. It produces Rectification of extended plot

illness, mental tension and accidents. Additionally fear of ghosts and suicidal tendencies are also seen. To rectify this fault, a wall of pyramids should be made and fixed below the plot so that the plot could become a square or a rectangle. The maximum distance between the pyramids can be three feet, but it is best to have them at a distance of one foot from each other. The wall should be made with multiples of 9. Eg 9, 18, 27 etc.

Rectification of reduced plot

Rectification of a plot with reduced corners Reduced or cut corners of any plot are not good, especially if Northeast is reduced. It produces mental tension, lack of wisdom, money, children and spiritual progress is curtailed. To rectify this defect a wall of pyramids should be made and fixed in the corner.

For keeping the Brahma sthan free from defect Brahmasthal is supposed to be the heart of the Vastu Purush, so Brahma sthan

it is most essential to keep it free from affliction. To keep this area energized, place 9 multier pyramids in the Brahmasthal of the house.

For keeping the toilet free from defects The toilet should not be located in the Northeast otherwise it creates financial problems. To rectify this fault, pyramids should be fixed on its outer walls. This reduces the negative effects. Toilet

166 | Domestic Vastu

A pillar on the Brahmasthal Since Brahmasthal is the heart of the Vastu Purush, no weight should be loaded here. This hinders the progress of the whole family. To rectify this, eight pyramids should be placed around the pillar.

Pillar in Bramhasthan

Apart from this the pillar can be divided into two equal halves with the use of pyramids and the dosha can be rectified as shown in the figures.

Protection of the Main Door Main door is the most essential segment of any structure and its should be fully Vastu compliant. Unless the Dwar Dosha is rectified, full result of the other remedies

Main Door

can't be received. By fixing 9x9 pyramids this dosha can be rectified.

Protection

For energizing the rooms Pyramids and Pyrastrips are one of the best source of the rectification of Vastu faults. For removing the vastu dosha inside the rooms and for energizing the rooms, Pyra strip can be fixed as shown.

Correction of the Slope

Energizing Room

Slope of the floor towards the Northeast gives happiness and prosperity. If this slope is defective, i.e. is towards Southwest, then pyramids can be fixed as shown to rectify this defect.

A small plot between two houses If a small plot is located between two large plots then its progress is stunted. To remove this defect, pyramids should be placed on both walls as shown. This is an

Slope Correction

effective remedy.

Obstruction to the main door The main door should be free from any obstruction. If there is an obstruction to it

Small plot

then a protective wall of pyramids should be made inside the gate surrounding the house.

Electrical appliances not in the Northeast No electrical equipment should be plugged in or used in the Northeast. If it

Obstruction

happens to be there, then to remove this defect eight multier pyramids should be fixed around the equipment.

Pyramid | 167

Fire and water not in one line Fire and water should not be in a line on the same platform. It creates disputes and bickering among the family members. This can be rectified by attaching a Fire & Water

pyramid strip on the ceiling of the kitchen as shown.

Face East while Cooking The housewife should face East while cooking so that she gets the benefit of energy from East. She would remain healthy and cook nutritious food. If she faces South or West while cooking, her health will get affected adversely. If there is a Cooking

problem in facing East while cooking, then a 9x9 pyramid of 3 inches should be fixed directly in front of her face.

Toilet not adjoining the bedroom Now a days attached toilets are the need of the hour. But according to Vastu any toilet should not be attached or adjacent to any bedroom. If it happens Toilet

to be there then, three pyramids should be fixed on the door sill of the toilet as shown.

The Staircase not in the Ishan The staircase in Ishan produces financial scarcity, mental tension and many other problems. If possible the staircase should be moved to the Nairritya. If this is not possible then 9x9 max pyramids should be fixed under the steps. In addition three Staircase

pyramids should be fixed up to the third step so that the energy lost by the Ishan because of the staircase can be replenished.

Exercise Q1. What is the meaning of Pyramid and what is its utility? Q2. How is pyramid used to correct the extended plot? Explain through diagram? Q3. How is pyramid used to correct the truncated plot? Explain through diagram? Q4. How is pyramid used to correct the Brahma Sthan? Explain through diagram? Q5. How is pyramid used to correct the obstacles in front of main entrance role?

168 | Domestic Vastu

Plans based on Vastu Principles

If construction is done on any plot based on the knowledge of Directions and on the principles of Vastu, then residing in such a house, a person can be happy, prosperous, healthy and peaceful. Before starting the construction on any land, it is essential to make the layout according to the need taking into account the principles of Vastu so that complete harmony could be maintained and peace, happiness and welfare of the residents could be ensured. These plans are based on different directions and different shapes of plots.

Plan for a plot facing the North Road Road Main Gate Servant Room or Garage

Garden 15'

Boring

W S

Main Gate Children or Guest Bed Room Toilet

Toilet

Master Bed Room

Bed Room Living Hall Dining Room

Garden Pooja Room

Kitchen

In this plan the main gate is in the Ishan which falls in the best category according to Vastu and is very auspicious. Pooja, bedrooms, staircase and the kitchen all are in their ideal position. This is an excellent plan as per Vastu.

Plans based on Vastu Principles | 169

Plot Facing the North Road

Main Gate

Drawing Room

Puja Dining Hall

Bed Room

Open Space

Toilet

Open Space Bed Room

Kitchen

Bed Room

Open Space

It is the best to leave open space on all four sides of any plot. Most of the open space should be towards Northeast and the rest should be left in the Southwest. These factors have been taken into consideration in these plans. The other important consideration is to leave Brahmasthan as clear as possible. Heavy objects in the Southwest, Pooja in the East, toilet in the West Vayavya and another toilet between Southern Nairritya and South, all are according to vastu principles. All the entry doors are in their ideal places.

170 | Domestic Vastu

Plot with Road towards North Main Gate N E

W S

Guest Room

Bed Room

Garage

Toilet

Dining Hall

Kitchen

Bed Room

Level+1'6" Generator RM

Level 2

Gate

Passage

In this plan the main gate is in the Northeast, at the same time another gate is made in the Western vayavya, vastu principles have been followed in the plan. Maximum open space is left in the East and in the Brahmasthan.

Plans based on Vastu Principles | 171

Plot Facing the East Road Open space is left all around the house. All the rooms are according to vastu principles. Brahmasthan is fully open. The kitchen is next to the dining room which is very convenient. Septic tank is in the Northern vayavya. The main gate is in the Eastern Ishan. The gate is in Eastern Ishan and in the East. The garden is towards the North and East. All the placements are vary good according to Vastu.

Gate

Pooja

Toilet W/c

Room

Bed Room Store

172 | Domestic Vastu

Kitchen

W S

Gate

W/c

Hall Cum Dining

Drawing Room

Flower Bed

Bed Room

Plot Facing the West Road N

Drawing Room

Pooja Room

Bathroom

Gate

Garage

Toilet

Dining Room

Bed Room

Kitchen

The master bedroom is according to vastu principles. The gate is in the West and the garage is in the Northwest.

Plans based on Vastu Principles | 173

Plot facing the West Road N E

W S

Boring Guest Room

Bath Room

Verandah

Drawing Room

Main Gate

Dining Room

Bed Room

Pooja Room

Kitchen Store Room

This plan is also as per Vastu principles. The guest room and master bedroom are in the right places. Boring is in the Northern Ishan. The house is happy, peaceful and prosperous.

174 | Domestic Vastu

Plot situated on the South Road Road

N Open Space

Verandah Drawing Room Pooja Room

Passage

Bed Room

Road

Toilet/ Bath

Bed Room

Kitchen

Bed Room

Entrance

Road In this plan, the road is towards North and East. Its main door on the ground floor is in the East and the person enters the southern part of the house. The kitchen is in the Agneya and the master bedroom is in the Southwest. Open space is left all around the house. This plan is acceptable.

Plans based on Vastu Principles | 175

Plot facing the South Road

N E

Guest Room

Toilet Toilet

Bed Room

Hall and Dining Room

Change Room

Bed Room

Pooja Room

Kitchen

Drawing Room

Garage

Main Gate The road is towards the South of the plot and the boundary is all around the plot. The garage is in the Southeast, master bedroom in the Southwest, pooja in the Northeast and the hall is in the centre of the house.

176 | Domestic Vastu

Plot Facing the South Road N E

W Toilet Bed Room

Bath Room

Drawing Room

Pooja Room

S Bed Room

Hall and Dining Room Bed Room

Bed Room Kitchen

Main Gate

This plan is also suitable for a South facing plot. The Brahmasthan has been kept free from any kind of weight.

Plans based on Vastu Principles | 177

Plan for a Vidisha Plot

Entry

Living

W/c

Dining Room

Duct/ Wash

Kitchen

Entry Bed Room Toilet

In a vidisha plot (a plot which does not face the main directions), the house should be constructed parallel to the boundary and not parallel to the main directions. In this plan the master bedroom is made in Nairritya and all the rooms are in their appropriate locations according to vastu. The centre of the house has been made into the dining area and is quite open, which is necessary according to Vastu.

178 | Domestic Vastu

E S

Vidisha Plot facing the North roads

Toilet DRG Dining Room

Bed Room Bed Room

Toilet

Kitchen

Family Room

Pooja Room

Entry Main Gate

Main Gate

Flowers RM

Open to Sky Courtyard

This plan is for a vidisha plot facing a North road. Its main door is in the North, the pooja is in the Northeast, the family room is in the East and the kitchen in the Southeast. Dining room is in the South and the master bedroom is in the West. In this manner any kind of plot can be made Vastu friendly by following the principles of Vastu.

Plans based on Vastu Principles | 179

How to rectify the Vastu defects of a house (Analysis of a defective house) Main Gate

N Garage

Ground Floor

W S

Verandah Bed Room Bed Room

Drawing Room Bath RM

Pooja RM

Bed Room

Kitchen Lobby Toilet

Open Space

In the original house, the kitchen is made in the Southwest. Right next to the kitchen, in the Southwest itself a bathroom including toilet is made. Another toilet is made towards centre and a staircase is made in the Southeast direction. This is not acceptable from the point of vastu. The result was health problem of the family and an under developed child.

180 | Domestic Vastu

Correction of the same house according to the principles of vastu Main Gate Garage

Ground Floor

Toilet

Bed Room Drawing Room Pooja Room

Toilet

Master Bed Room

W S

Verandah

Guest Room

Dining Hall

Lobby

Kitchen

Open Gate

The extended part (garage) in the Northern Vayavya has been corrected by the use of pyramids. The owner was advised to make the master bedroom in the Southwest, toilet in the West, pooja in the East. Alongwith this, a staircase was constructed in the Southwest. The progress and prosperity of that house is clearly visible after the Vastu corrections.

Plans based on Vastu Principles | 181

Analysis of a defective house Gate

Main Gate

Lawn

Bed Room Bed Room

Bed Room

Toilet

Kitchen

Bath

Toilet

Verandah

Courtyard

Hatch Portion

Flower Bed

Pooja RM

Boring

Off ice

Verandah

A lot of open space in the Southwest and a reduction in the Southwest of the plot proved unfortunate for the owner. No one living in this house could live beyond sixty years. The staircase in the East and a toilet beside it, proved harmful for the health of the residents. A bathroom in the Southwest and the kitchen also in the Southwest is against the principles of vastu. Boring in the Eastern Ishan was beneficial. A tamarind tree on the road towards North was also harmful for the health of the residents.

182 | Domestic Vastu

Correction of the same house according to Vastu principles Main Gate N E

Lawn

Gate

Room

Bath

Boring

Bed Room

Bed Room Verandah Toilet

Bed Room

Courtyard

Hatch Portion

Pooja RM

Bed Room

Toilet

Pyramid Wall

Office

Verandah

Main Gate

Master Bed Room

Bed Room

Kitchen Verandah

Store RM Pyramid Wall

The master bedroom was shifted to the Southwest and the kitchen was shifted to the Southeast. The toilet in the East was converted into a bathroom with a tub. Removal of the Eastern staircase was advised but it was not possible to remove it immediately, so max. pyramid was used under the stairs. To correct the extended plot towards the West, a pyramid wall was made next to the hatch wall and small stones were placed towards the Southwest of the pyramid wall to give it more weight. Pyramids were placed around the irregular part of the plot. To reflect the shadow of the Tamarind tree a Pakua mirror was used. All the sources of water and the bathroom in the Southwest were closed. After these remedies five years have gone by and the family is enjoying health, wealth, prosperity, and happiness.

Plans based on Vastu Principles | 183

Analysis of a defective house N E

W S

Balcony

Toilet

Bed Room

Kitchen Dining Balcony Drawing RM

Main Gate

Toilet

Bed Room

Entrance

The main entrance to this house is in the Nairritya, which is a major vastu dosha. It was found that the women of the house were always sick. The vayavya of the house was also cut that was the other reason for the ill health of women.

184 | Domestic Vastu

Vastu Correction of the same house N E

W S

Bed Room

Toilet Kitchen

Main Gate

Bed Room

Balcony

Toilet

Dining Master Bed Room

Drawing Room

Entrance

The owner was advised to change the main door and shift it to Southern Agneya. The cut vayavya was rectified by the use of pyramids. All the doors were shifted to better positions. After this the health of women started improving.

Plans based on Vastu Principles | 185

Analysis of a defective house Gate N E

W S

S.Tank Toilet

Room

Passage

Room

Boring

Room

Verandah

Room

I examined this house in October 2007. The major dosha of this house was a staircase, toilet and Septic tank in the Ishan, the Ishan kona of the house was badly afflicted. This was a big hurdle in the family’s mental and financial progress. The children were not doing well in studies.

186 | Domestic Vastu

Vastu Correction of the same house Gate N

Septic Tank

W S

Bed Room Guest Room

Toilet

Pooja RM

Bed Room

Boring Verandah

Store

Bed Room

Kitchen

Dining Hall

First of all I advised the family to change the toilet, septic tank and the stair case. The owner followed the advise and modified the house as shown. One year has passed and there is satisfactory progress in all areas.

Plans based on Vastu Principles | 187

Analysis of a defective house N E

W S

Bed Room

Kitchen Open Space Bath RM Toilet Under Ground Low Shed

S Tank Main Entrance

Gate I examined this house in October 2006. The main entrance was in the Southern Nairritya and the septic tank was also located there. There was a huge underground room for keeping cows in the Agneya, and there was a toilet in the East. The North and East directions were absolutely closed. There was a four feet wide lane towards the West and a twelve feet wide road in the South. Three members of the family died within one year of griha pravesh into this house.

188 | Domestic Vastu

Vastu Correction of the same house N E

W S

Bed Room

Toilet

Bed Room

Pooja Room

Toilet

Bath Room

Pass Dining Hall

Master Bed Room

Drawing Hall

Store

Kitchen

Gate

Bed Room

Main Gate Entrance

First of all I advised them to close the septic tank. Now septic tank was to be made in the lane in the Western Vayavya. The underground room in the Southeast was to be closed. The toilet was also to be made in the Western vayavya. The main door was to be shifted to the main South. The family followed all my advise and now they are living happily in the same house for last two years.

Plans based on Vastu Principles | 189

Analysis of a defective house N

Tree of Guava

S Tank

Bed Room Kitchen Toilet

Bed Room

Main Door

Hall

En Ma tra in nc e

Toilet Room

Garage

Entry

Cow Shed

This is the house of an administrative officer, which I examined in July 2005. Soon after entering this house he lost the happiness of his wife and child. In addition to this many other problems cropped up. The main reason was a septic tank in the Ishan kona, cut vayavya and main door in the Nairritya. In addition to this, toilets were there in the East and in Eastern Agneya huge guava trees were also there in his house.

190 | Domestic Vastu

Vastu correction of the same house N

Tree of Guava

W S

S Tank

Kitchen

Main Entrance

Bed Room

Hall

Bed Room

Pooja

Master Bed Room Bed Room

Room Toilet

Garage

Cow Shed

First of all he was advised to shift his main entrance to the West. A new room was to be made in the Southwest. Septic tank was to be removed from the Ishan and made in the North vayavya. Cut vayavya was corrected by pyramids and he was asked to remove the Guava, papaya and the thorny plants from the house. There has been a lot of improvement after following the advise. In spite of being retired his advice is taken in the administrative matters of the government.

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