VAASTU - SHASTRA:

Vastu shastra also vastu veda and vastuvidya, "science of construction", "architecture") is an ancient doctrine which consists of precepts born out of a traditional view on how the laws of nature affect human dwellings.The designs are based on directional alignments. It used to be applied in Hindu architecture, especially for Hindu temples, and covers other domains, including vehicles, vessels, furniture, sculpture, paintings etc.

Terminology:

The Sanskrit word vastu means a dwelling or house with a corresponding plot of land.The vaastu, takes the meaning of "the site or foundation of a house, site, ground, building or dwelling-place, habitation, homestead, house". The underlying root is vas "to dwell, live, stay, abide".The term shastra may loosely be translated as "science, doctrine, teaching". Historians such as James Ferguson, Sir Cunningham, Dr. Havell have suggest that Vaastu Shastra developed between the period of 6000 BCE to 3000 BCE, adding that Harappa, Mohenjo-daro stands on the principles of Vastu Shashtra.[4] It has been noted that that Vastu was one of the greatest architect and town planning expert ever produced by India who lived thousands years ago. The king would send him for planning and establishing a town.

Fundamental concepts:

There are many principles in Vaastu Shastra. To mention a few which involve certain mathematical calculations.According to vastu sastra, the world comprises five basic elements known as the pancha maha bhoota. Out of the nine planets, ours has life because of the presence and balance of these five elements. The five elements are as follows.
1. EARTH (Bhumi) - Earth, the third planet in order from the sun, is a big magnet with North and South poles as centers of attractions. Its magnetic field and gravitational force has considerable effects on everything on the Earth, living and non-living.
2. WATER (Jal) - This is represented by rain, river, sea and is in the form of liquid, solid (ice) and gas (steam, cloud). It forms part of every plant and animal. Our blood is mostly water..
3. AIR (Vayu) - As a life supporting element, air is a very powerful life source. Human physical comfort values are directly and sensitively dependent on correct humidity, air flow, temperature of air, air pressure, air composition and its content.
4. FIRE (Agni) - Represents light and heat which account for day, night, the seasons, energy, enthusiasm, passion and vigour.
5. SPACE (Akasha) - The Akasha provides shelter to all the above elements. It is also considered the primary conductor of all energy sources within the universal context – physical energies such as sound and light, social energies such as psychological and emotional, and cognitive energies such as intellect and intuition.

Vastu Purusha Mandala: The Vastu Purusha Mandala is an indispensable part of vastu shastra and constitutes the mathematical and diagrammatic basis for generating design. It is the metaphysical plan of a building that incorporates the coursly bodies and supernatural forces. Purusha refers to energy, power, soul or cosmic man. Mandala is the generic name for any plan or chart which symbolically represents the cosmos.

Directions:

1. North- Kubera- Ruled by lord of wealth (Finance)
2. South- Yama- Ruled by lord of death – Yama (Damaging)
3. East- Indra- Ruled by the solar deity- Aditya (Seeing the world)
4. West- Varuna- Ruled by lord of water (Physical)
5. Northeast {Eshanya} – Ruled by Shiva
6. Southeast- Agni- Ruled by the fire deity – Agni (Energy 7. Generating)
7. Northwest- Vayu- ruled by the god of winds (Advertisement)
8. Southwest- Pitru/Nairutya, Niruthi- Ruled by ancestors (History)

**Center- Brahma- Ruled by the creator of the universe (Desire)