Vastu comes from Sanskrit “Vas” & “Tu” i.e. to dwell/live somewhere in a physical space or object & hence the ancient Bharatiya/Indian science of Vastu Shastra is all about understanding how the space or environment around us, along with how we’ve arranged or utilised it, can impact our life, mood, behaviour & thoughts.
Knowledge of or guidance on Vastu Shashtra can help you ensure that your home, work & other daily environments are conducive to your spiritual, financial, physical & mental growth as well as stability in the long-term.
Vastu Shashtra belongs to a larger branch in our Hindu/Sanatan Dharma culture, called as Sthapatya Veda (स्थापत्य वेद), which is a branch of the Atharva Veda. Sthapatya Veda is the ancient Indian science of architecture, construction, and design, encompassing a wide range of disciplines such as civil engineering, town planning, temple architecture, and the construction of dwellings.
Sthapatya Veda is the umbrella science that includes both Vastu Shastra (the science of architecture and spatial arrangement) and Shilpa Shastra (the science of sculpture, iconography, and fine arts). While Vastu Shastra focuses primarily on the harmonious construction and layout of buildings, Shilpa Shastra deals with craftsmanship and artistic details in architecture, idols, and temples.
At the simplest level, Vastu Shashtra says that just as your body needs proper functioning, a space is also a body - from the smaller levels like a home, room or building to larger levels like cities, countries & the entire Earth - and hence we need to properly construct that body to ensure its smooth functioning, too.
This thought is encapsulated in the concept of the “Vastu Purusha” Mandala, which is essentially a 3*3 grid map or snapshot of a typical vastu with a guy sitting/sleeping/placed in the middle. It basically tells us that the vastu is an extension of the purusha (self) i.e. person living in it. More on what each of the 9 boxes in this grid represent later.
The way our vastu functions (smoothly or not) is by regulating the flow of 5 energies. There are the 5 elements that make up our world: space (aakash), water (jal), air (vayu), fire (agni) & earth (prithvi). Together, these are called the “panchamahabhutas.”
These mahabhootas all flow, interact & exist in specific ways - the theory is that disturbing the flow by incorrectly planning a vastu (home/office/space) causes problems in the people living in that theory.
There is an order in which these elements work as well because the mahabhootas flow as per the Earth’s & Sun’s movement - they all flow in an order throughout the day.
The reason the guy is placed facing the north east is that this is where the day begins. Because of the Earth’s axial tilt, the Sun rises slightly in the north east direction, not exactly fully east. That’s where the journey begins. This is hence considered the most auspicious direction. Because the Sun is calm & nice in the pre-early morning when it rises, this direction is represented by water - jal is soothing & nurturing.
Water is fluid, clear, and cleansing, just like the soft, early morning sunlight that enters from the northeast. This light is considered rejuvenating and life-giving. Symbolically, water in the northeast represents the purification of energy, allowing a fresh start. That’s why this area is ideal for meditation rooms, pooja rooms, or water features like fountains, ensuring that this life-sustaining energy flows freely into your home.
Next, the Sun moves to East, which is when we actually start feeling the Sun’s energy through its first rays falling upon us. The east is where the sun rises, symbolizing new beginnings, potential, and the vastness of possibilities, much like the concept of space itself. This direction is all about openness and expansion, reflecting the energy of the sky and the boundless universe.
Space, or akasha, is the fundamental element that holds everything together. The east is the direction where the sun’s first rays appear, representing the clarity and expansion of the mind and soul. In Vastu, windows, doors, or open spaces in the east allow this fresh, positive energy to enter, just as space allows for growth and connection with the cosmos.
Next, we reach the southeast, and the element here is agni (fire). That’s because this direction is where the sun’s energy becomes stronger as it rises through the sky. Fire represents transformation, energy, and warmth, which is why this direction is ideal for placing the kitchen or anything related to heat and fire.
As the sun gains strength in the southeast, this direction holds the fiery, transformative energy of the day. Fire is crucial for cooking (transforming raw food into something nourishing) and symbolises willpower and strength. The southeast, with its connection to fire, is where energy is generated and transformed, making it essential to place activities related to heat or action here.