Vastu can transform your space, and understanding these Vastu design principles can help you live a balanced and prosperous life.
Vastu Shastra, an ancient Indian science of architecture and building, guides the design and construction of buildings using nature’s harmony to enhance well-being, prosperity, and happiness. This traditional system, rooted in India’s rich cultural history, harmonizes architectural principles with the natural elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space, aiming to establish a balance between human dwellings and the environment.
Origins and Roots
The origins of Vastu Shastra trace back to ancient Indian scriptures known as the Vedas, with references found over thousands of years. It’s a part of the Stapatya Veda, a branch of the Atharva Veda, demonstrating its deep-rooted connection to Indian philosophy and spirituality. The principles laid down in these texts were formulated by sages and architects of ancient India, who observed the influence of the cosmos and natural elements on living spaces.
Importance and Science Behind It
The importance of Vastu Shastra lies in its holistic approach to design, which goes beyond aesthetics to ensure that buildings support the health, wealth, and happiness of the occupants. The science behind Vastu incorporates the use of directional alignments, geometric patterns, spatial arrangements, and the flow of energy. It’s believed that adhering to Vastu principles aligns the built environment with the universal energy flow, promoting harmony, efficiency, and well-being.
Architectural Application & Key Vastu Fundamentals
Vastu Shastra remains popular in India due to its cultural significance and the belief in its benefits. Indian architects integrate Vastu principles into modern design by aligning buildings with cardinal directions, optimizing space for natural light and ventilation, and creating layouts that promote positive energy flow. This blend of ancient wisdom with contemporary design caters to those seeking a harmonious and prosperous living environment.
Vastu Shastra texts outline fundamentals relevant to modern interior design and architecture. Here are a few, simplified and explained:
- Directional Energy Alignment: The entrance facing east for sunlight, prosperity, and positive energy. In modern design, this translates to positioning windows and doors to maximize natural light and air circulation.
- Space Utilization: The importance of efficiently using space, avoiding clutter, and ensuring open areas for movement. Today, this principle guides architects in creating functional, spacious, and organized interiors.
- Five Elements Harmony: It highlight the balance of the five elements (Panchabhutas) within a space. Modern applications include incorporating natural materials, water features, and plants to enhance well-being and connect occupants with nature.
- Center of Home (Brahmasthan): It states that the center of the house should be open to the sky or well-ventilated, symbolizing the connection to the divine and cosmic energy. Contemporary designs often feature courtyards, skylights, or open living areas in the home’s heart.
Understanding Vastu Design Principles through Vastu Shastra Verses
To understand Vastu based design in bit more in detail let’s try to understand the Vastu Shastra verse in detail.
Kitchen Placement: Agni kone samsthapya
This Vastu shloka suggests placing the kitchen in the southeast corner of the home, where Agni (the fire element) resides. The reasoning is that the southeast direction is associated with the fire element, promoting efficient cooking and positive energy flow. In modern homes, aligning the kitchen with this direction can enhance functionality and energy efficiency.
Bedroom Serenity: Shayane dakshinottaram
This verse advises the bedroom to be in the south or west part of the home, ensuring peace and stability. The south direction is associated with relaxation and deep sleep, making it ideal for bedrooms. Modern design translates this into placing bedrooms away from the noisy, active parts of the home, fostering a calm and restful environment.
Entrance Energy: Pravesham mukham uttaram
Highlighting the importance of the entrance facing north, this shloka taps into the welcoming of prosperity and positive energy, as north is ruled by the deity of wealth, Kubera. In contemporary design, a north-facing entrance is considered to bring in natural light and energy, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Water Element Placement: Jalasya dishi nairyatyam
Suggesting the placement of water elements (like wells, ponds, or water storage) in the northeast or northwest, it aims to balance the water element within the space. Modern interpretations include designing bathrooms, pools, or water features in these directions to promote positive energy and purity.
Study Room for Knowledge: Adityam vidya sthanam
Advocating for the study or educational spaces to face east, the direction of the rising sun, to enhance concentration and knowledge absorption. Modern homes can incorporate study areas or home offices with east-facing windows to maximize morning light, which boosts productivity and focus.
Living Room Dynamics: Vayavye sannidham sthalam
This vastu design principle recommends the living room to be in the northwest, leveraging the air element’s qualities for social interactions and family gatherings. Modern designs achieve this by situating living areas where air circulation is optimal, ensuring a lively and comfortable space for socializing.
Dining Room Harmony: Agni parshve anna sthanam
This vastu design verse suggests placing the dining area near the kitchen, ideally in the east or southeast direction, to harness the energy of fire for digestion and family bonding. In modern homes, an open plan that connects the kitchen with the dining space facilitates not only the efficient flow of food and energy but also enhances social interaction during meals.
Bathroom Placement and Purification: Varuna nairritye gatishcha
It advocates for the bathroom to be positioned in the northwest or west, aligning with the water element’s cleansing properties. Modern design interprets this by ensuring bathrooms are placed to allow for efficient plumbing and natural light, promoting hygiene and energy purification within the space.
Prayer Room Sanctity: Ishan kone pooja sthalam
This Vastu principle the northeast corner for the prayer or meditation room, considered the most sacred area. This direction is associated with spiritual energy and tranquility. In contemporary homes, creating a quiet, well-lit corner or space for meditation and prayer in the northeast can help in spiritual grounding and bringing positive vibes into the home.
Garden and Plant Placement: Bhoomi parshve vriksha sthanam
It suggests planting trees and gardens in the south or west of the property. This placement protects the home from the harsh southern and western sun, creating a natural cooling effect. Modern landscaping uses this principle to design gardens that enhance the home’s energy efficiency, provide shade, and create a serene outdoor environment for relaxation.
Storage and Heaviness: Nairrityam bhaara samsthaanam
This Vastu design principle advises placing heavy furniture and storage units in the south or west sides of the room. This aligns with the principle of grounding and stability. In modern interiors, heavy items like wardrobes, shelves, and beds are strategically placed against south or west walls to enhance the room’s balance and energy flow.
Open Space for Flow: Madhye cha brahmanam sthalam
Emphasizes keeping the center of the home (Brahmasthan) open to allow energy to circulate freely. This central space should be free of any obstructions. Modern architecture incorporates this principle by designing homes with open floor plans, central courtyards, or skylights that invite natural light and air, fostering a sense of openness and connection within the home.
Workspace Efficiency: Vayavye udhyogasthalam
This vastu design principle encourages placing the workspace or home office in the northwest part of the home to harness the air element’s qualities of movement and communication. This direction is believed to boost creativity, motivation, and career growth. In contemporary design, ensuring the workspace is well-ventilated, receives ample natural light, and is positioned to minimize distractions aligns with this principle for enhanced productivity.
Staircase Placement and Direction: Agnikone sopanam yatu
Suggests that staircases should ideally be located in the south, west, or southwest direction and should ascend clockwise. This placement respects the home’s energy flow, avoiding the northeast, which is considered sacred. Modern homes can incorporate this by designing staircases that are not only functional but also aesthetically positioned to complement the home’s energy dynamics.
Balcony Bliss: Purva uttare vataayanam
Advises having balconies or windows in the north or east to welcome the morning sunlight andfresh air. This principle promotes health and vitality among the home’s inhabitants. In modern architecture, balconies and windows facing these directions are designed to maximize natural light and improve air quality, creating inviting and energizing spaces.
Master Bedroom Authority: Dakshinasyam pati shayanam
This vastu design principle recommends the master bedroom be located in the southwest part of the home to symbolize stability, strength, and leadership within the family. This direction is associated with grounding energy, making it ideal for the head of the household. Contemporary designs often place the master bedroom in this area, ensuring it is a peaceful retreat with minimal outside noise and disturbances.
Children’s Room for Growth: Pashchime putra sthanam
Suggests placing children’s rooms in the west direction to support their health, creativity, and academic success. The setting sun’s energy is believed to foster positive growth and development. Modern designs can incorporate this by ensuring children’s rooms are well-organized, receive ample evening light, and are equipped with spaces for study and play.
Water Feature Placement: Ishanye jalasya sthanam
Water features, like fountains or aquariums, should be placed in the northeast. It is believed to attract wealth, enhance positive energy, and promote peace within the home. In contemporary design, integrating water elements in the northeast part of a living space or garden can create a serene atmosphere, contributing to the home’s aesthetic and energetic balance.
Guest Room Welcoming: Nairritye atithi shayanam
Advocates for guest rooms to be located in the northwest to foster relationships and ensure the comfort and privacy of visitors. This direction is associated with air and space, promoting movement and exchange. In modern homes, placing guest rooms in this area can provide a welcoming space that’s easily accessible yet offers guests their own secluded retreat.
Vehicle Parking Dynamics: Vayavye yanasya sthanam
Suggests the northwest direction for vehicle parking. This placement is believed to ensure the easy movement of vehicles without obstructing the home’s positive energy flow. Contemporary residential designs often incorporate this principle by positioning garages or carports in the northwest, facilitating convenient access and efficient use of space.
Treasury for Prosperity: Uttare koshthasya vidhih
Recommends placing the treasury or safe where valuables are kept in the north direction, as it is ruled by Kubera, the god of wealth. Aligning the home’s wealth storage in this direction is believed to attract financial stability and abundance. Modern interpretations suggest placing safes facing north within closets or in discreet areas of the master bedroom to enhance financial security and prosperity.
Health and Well-being Area: Arogyam dhatri sthanam
Emphasizes the northeast for health and well-being spaces, such as home gyms, yoga studios, or meditation areas. This direction is associated with clarity, purity, and spiritual health. Integrating wellness spaces in the northeast corner of the home in modern design can help residents maintain physical and mental health, benefiting from the calm and revitalizing energy.
Utility and Service Areas: Agnaye sevadhikam yat
This vastu design principle advocates for utility areas, including laundry rooms and storage, to be placed in the southeast, harnessing the fire element’s energy for efficiency and purification. Modern home layouts can apply this by locating utility rooms for optimal functionality and ease of access, ensuring these areas do not disrupt the home’s aesthetic or energetic balance.
Recreational Spaces for Family Bonding: Vayavye krida mandiram
Suggests the northwest for family recreational spaces or playrooms. This direction supports leisure and relaxation, fostering family bonding and happiness. In contemporary design, creating a dedicated space for relaxation and entertainment in the northwest can enhance family time and provide a perfect setting for informal gatherings.
Reflective Water Bodies: Ishanyam jaladhi jalam
Indicates the northeast for reflective water bodies, like pools or ponds, to attract positive energy and reflection. This placement is believed to enhance mental clarity and spiritual growth. Modern landscaping incorporates this by designing water features in the northeast of the property, creating serene focal points that harmonize with the natural environment.
Incorporating these Vastu principles into modern architectural and interior design not only pays homage to ancient wisdom but also enhances the living environment by promoting a harmonious balance between human habitation and natural forces. By carefully considering directionality, element placement, and space utilization, designers and architects can create spaces that elevate the quality of life, reflecting a deep respect for the environment and the well-being of occupants.
Shilpa Ahuja is a designer and editor of Decorisk Magazine. She has worked in hotel interiors at The Park Hotels, India, and has completed several home interior design projects as a freelancer.
She completed her Masters in Design Studies (MDesS) degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Design. She also has a Bachelor degree in Architecture (B.Arch) from Chandigarh College of Architecture. Her work has been published in Indian Design & Interior magazine and exhibited at Harvard University and at Aroma Hotel, Chandigarh.
Shilpa is also the Editor-in-Chief of Shilpa Ahuja Digital Media, which includes ShilpaAhuja.com, one of India’s most-read digital fashion magazines. Originally from Chandigarh, she is currently based in Chennai, and can be reached at [email protected].