'Vas' means 'to dwell' or 'to occupy'. Vasthu means 'dwelling place.' Vasthu Shastra is the set of guidelines prescribed by the Rishis or learned men of ancient India for planning and constructing our dwelling places which range from our homes, cities, states, countries and eventually extend to our planet and the universe!

Nature consists of Panchabhutam, the five elements -

Akasham or Sky, Vaayu or Air, Agni or Fire, Bhumi or Earth and Jalam or Water

The shastras or the ancient Indian texts on science tell us that cosmic energy has a specific influence on living beings.

Five elements reside in nature in specific proportions. Vasthu Shastra involves the alignment of these five basic elements according to the law of nature. The effects of these five elements have to be studied to appreciate the science of vasthu in its pure form and also to pacify skeptics who question the efficiency and validity of vasthu shastra.

Plants and animals live in perfect harmony with nature. But we human beings, the superior beings that inhabit the earth, have forgotten how to keep peace with our surroundings. If we can modify our homes to harness the energy of the cosmos in such a way that our homes are in complete harmony with our bodies it can help us to succeed in all our endeavors. Due to the magnetic properties of the earth, the needle of a compass always points to the north.

Since vasthu is based on the permanent property of the earth namely inclination towards the north, the effect of vasthu is universal . Which means the effect of vasthu does not merely extend to the people of India or to the followers of Hinduism!

The Vasthusasthram has developed over generations as a result of observations of the influence of the SUN and the MAGNETIC fields on earth and living bodies, mentally and physically.

For any problems that you may be having with your health, mental and body peace, it is recommended that you construct buildings "as per the principals of Vasthusasthra - THE LAW OF NATURE

There are two parts to Vasthu Sasthra.

1. The science of Vasthu of land.

2. The science of Vasthu of building.

The science of Vasthu of land:-

We have to study the level, shape, and size of land before starting any construction. The shape of a land may be changed by adding or deducting parts or corners. We can also provide boundaries to separate the compound to suit Vasthu Sasthram. A land may be square or rectangle with all corners, Right angle is good for construction. A plot that slopes to the north or east or northeast is good for any purpose. In a plot having a way on its east and north and slopes to the east or north is considered very good for construction or for business.

The science of Vasthu of building:-

Before undertaking any construction of building you have to think of your financial position and requirements and consult an experienced engineer having a thorough knowledge of the preliminaries of Vasthu. While planning your home, remember to position your master bedroom in the southwest, sleeping with your head towards the south or east. Businessmen may sleep in the southeast or northwest bedroom. Our head has a magnetic power, and has to be placed opposite to the north i.e. place your head towards the south for a sound sleep.

The water tank should be positioned in the southwest / south / west and never the northeast. An underground tank or well in the northeast is considered good.

Necessity of Vasthu:-

In remodeling any existing house, you must consult a Vasthu experts say that they have come across many cases where people complain of financial and other problems after the marriage of a son or daughter. This, he say , is due to the remodeling or rearranging of rooms or a change in position of doors or windows in connection with the marriage.

Some important points while planning your dream home

Everyone dreams of owning a home. To make this dream a reality, we should first consult an experienced architect and plan the house. We should then approach a good Vasthusasthram consultant and adopt necessary changes in the plan of the prospective site.

There are eight directions - East, West, North, South, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and southwest.

There are specific positions for Everything including jewelry and money.

While sleeping, the head should be placed towards the South for good health or the East to be blessed by God.

Never place your head towards the North.

Kitchens, bedrooms, dining rooms, prayer rooms, store rooms etc. have specific positions.

All plants have medicinal value if used correctly. In the garden, plants like the holy Basil (tulsi), Neem, the Bael (vilwa) etc have to be placed as per Vasthusasthra.

Bed Rooms

Everyone sleeps for an average of 8 hours per a day. i.e. 1/3 of a day. This would mean that we spend roughly 240 hours of a month sleeping ,that is 10 days. In a year, we would sleep for 120 days or 4 months and that would amount to 20 years of sleep in 60 years! Hence the bedroom is the most important room in a house.

Kitchen

We start our day going to the kitchen early morning to fix breakfast. The kitchen should face the east so that the sun's first rays enter it . The powerful sunrise during Utharayanam can only be effective if the kitchen faces the southeast with a window to the east.

Construction Tips

Use hard wood for door frames and window frames. For shutters any kind of wood may be used.

1. Marble

There are many varieties of marble in the market. Hard slabs or tiles such as Makrana kumari, Adanga, Basilana Block, Makrana white, Makrana pink, Makrana rose pink, Dungri Adanga, Alberta white, Alberta brown, Ambaji white, Ambaji Adanga, Agriga white, Bundi green. Kesaria green last for over 100 years.

Morvad Items:

White, Gray, Adanga, Udaypur pink are only average item.

Rajanagar white, Adanga, Andhi pista white, arswana white, sawar items etc may fade and become dirty in 3 to 5 years use and is not good for flooring.

2. Granites

Granites are harder than ordinary marble and hence good for flooring. According to polish, method of cutting and uniformity in thickness, cost of each variety of stone / slab / tile may vary up to 100% cost. Export rejected materials are good in polish and uniform in thickness. These too have hard and soft materials.

Materials that are available locally in India are

Indian Juprana, Red Multicolor, Ruby Red, Fantasy Pink, Jhansi Red, New Imperial Red, Tan Brown, Savana Rose, Green Onyx, Tropiac Green, Hassan Green, Kuppam Green, Seaweed Green, Silver Pearl, Absolute Black, Black Galaxy, Vizag Blue, Paradise, Lavender Blue, Raw Silk, Himalayan Blue, Tiger Skin, Yellow Fantasy, Paradise Bash, Sapphire Brown, Paradise light, Classic White, Colombo Juprana, Kashmir White, Red Wave, Serpentine, Orissa Blue, Sivakasi Yellow, White Galaxy, India Mahogany, Lille, Maple Red.

For foundation and basement water proofing stones like rubble, sand, or stone is good. For superstructure, bricks, laterite lime stone or any local stones are good and cheaper.

After finalising the plan and estimate, the first step is to collect required materials especially local seasonal production of country brick, sand etc.

Local materials are always cheaper.

The labors are to be arranged on piecework contract method