VAASTUKALA is the art and science of construction, be it the residential houses, religious architecture or royal palaces. As a science, it incorporates the principles of architecture, sculpture and constuction in an ambience that captures the positive effects of the bountiful nature.

Nature as we all know, consists of the five elements Space, Air, Fire, Water and the Earth, governed by the principles of evolution. It is the effective and balanced utilization of these natural resources by man in the construction of a dwelling place that determines the laws of peaceful co-existence.

History

With the advent of civilization, man evolved various methods to improve his standard of living, the term civilization is by itself a generalized connotation of that and vaastukala a part of it. According to historians, Ferguson, Havell and Cunningham, this science dates back to 6000 BC- 3000 BC.

It is referred to, in our ancient Indian literature- the epics and the puranas, as the science of construction of temples and royal palaces. It is also enunciated in ‘Amarakosa’, the Sanskrit dictionary of Amarasimha. A faculty of the architects (Sthapathis), it was handed down to the succeeding generations by word of mouth or through hand-written monographs.

Indian Literature on Vaastu

Literature relating to the schools of Vaastu propounded by the divine architects Maya and Visvakarma are the most sought after.

Viswakarma Vaastu Shastra

Considered to be an authoritative treatise on Vaastu, the period of its emergence is still unknown. Apart from sculpture, it deals with the construction of buildings and religious architecture.

Bruhatsamhita

Written by Varahamihira during the reign of the Guptas, this treatise is presented in a simple and systematic manner. It outlines the differences in various types of buildings, multi-storeys, the measurement of floors and characteristics of the idols.

Vishnu Dharmottara Purana

The origin of this epic dates back to the 7^th century AD. It deals with the basic principles of Vaastu, Painting and Sculpture.

Samarangana Sutra Dharana

Written by King Bhoja in the 11^th century AD, it deals with temple construction, idol fabrication, art and painting.

Pramana Manjari

Written by Sutradhara Mallu in the 12^th century AD.

Vaasthu Shastra

Written by Sukhananda Yathi in the 12^th century AD.

Aparajitha Prutcha

This treatise came to light during the 12^th century AD.It deals with secular and religious architecture, sculpture, dance and music, in the form of dialogue between Viswakarma, the divine architect and his ideal daughter Aparajitha.

Jaya Prutcha

Believed to be the oldest treatise on Vaasthu in South India, it covers the techniques of construction-for residential and ballistic purposes.

Vaastu Raja Vallabha

Written by Mandana Sutradhari in the 15^th century AD.

Silpa Ratnam

Inscribed on sculpture in the 16^th century AD.

Vaasthu Today

Keeping pace with the modern trends of development, the application of the concept of Vaastu too, has changed. Earlier this science was applicable in terms of religious architecture, construction of royal palaces, memorials, mansions and magnificent edifices, studded with precious gems, pearls and diamonds with gold plated kiosks. In India, especially in Kerala, these monuments and religious abodes are protected as part of the rich cultural heritage.

From the princely states, feudalism, to colonialism and then to freedom and democracy, the change had been accompanied by the changes in the socio-economic life, and in effect the royal mansions were replaced by the common dwellings. The modern Vaastu scientist looks into it with a scientific and modern perspective.

With the disintegration of the joint family into nuclear family, most of the traditional houses like nalukettu and ettukettu were replaced by Concrete, Staccato, and Terrace buildings. And with the increasing emigrations from Gulf and other nations, the conventional terrace buildings are giving way to sophisticated multi-storeyed buildings, flats and apartments.

As man evolved from a fictitious world to a complex and mechanical world, his aesthetic sensibilities depicted in the gorgeous structures have changed and is being replaced with scientific sophistication aimed at comfort coupled with utmost satisfaction of the increasing day-to-day needs to meet the challenges of globalization.

Why call it a Science

For Vaastu is systematic, based on observation, facts and experiments. It is rational for it is based on the laws of nature and it pertains to the geological conditions. It is demonstrated as being practicable, lives through time, is universal, utilitarian and governed by a set of principles.

Vaastu- a diagrammatic representation

A number of parameters and principles are to be followed for selecting a site and for the construction of a building. Taking note of the set principles and parameters, a sketch or a graphic representation is created prior to the construction.

This is a visual representation of the same taking note of the elevated and scanty or exiguous points of the site.

SITE SELECTION

A balanced and appropriate site has to be selected first, considering the environment and the shape of the land. One has to study the environment, the hills, slopes, the backwaters, lakes, and the other waterlogged areas beside to make the best use of it. It is a misconception to think that the site can be selected on the basis of the dimensions.

Instead one has to approach a Vaastu expert prior to the site selection and house construction, if one believes that no stone should be left unturned to maintain the peace and prosperity at home. It is advisable to select a rectangular or a square plot rather than a triangular piece of land or a site that cuts off in any other direction. It should be noted that the east-westward length should exceed the north-southward length.

The mode of selection of the sites vary according to the purpose of the buildings-it could be residences, hospitals or business houses.

The Eight Directions and its significance

The entire universe exists in an endless space, which has no directions as such. It is the rotation and revolution of planets (like the earth) in its orbit around the sun and the moon in the ethereal space and its gravitational force that keeps the planets in their respective orbits.

It is with respect to the sun that the directions are defined. When we are facing the sun, that direction is known as East, behind us it is West, our left hand-side is referred to as North and our right as the South. These are known as the four cardinal directions. Apart from that there are four intermediate spaces, i.e. between north and east-its Northeast, similarly Southeast, Northwest and Southwest.

According to the science of Vaastu, all the eight directions have their own respective influences on the human beings.

1. East is known as the paternal (father’s) side. If the vacant space in east is covered totally, then it is said that the male members will die.
2. Southeast begets health.
3. South brings happiness, peace and prosperity.
4. Southwest is responsible for attitude and behaviour.
5. West brings progress and pride.
6. Northwest governs the inter-relationship, which might vary from friendship to hostility.
7. North is the maternal (mother’s) side. If it were not kept vacant it would lead to the death of the female members in the house.
8. Northeast ensures the continuity of lineage.

These directions, intermediate directions and the angles that it makes, have major implications on the people.

Apart from all these, there are principles governing the main entrance, door, doorways, number of doors, windows and the road that leads to the residence.

Also the intricate details beyond that could be known from a Vaastu expert, and we are here to help you in all your positive endeavors...