Vastu Research Paper

1 CHAPTER ONE : INTRODUCTION

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Vastu is a Sanskrit word which means Vaas: Live Tu: you, a place where you live or dwell. Shastra means a text which contains knowledge or instructions. Simply put Vastu Shastra means instructions laid down for building a structure. Vastu is an ancient science dealing with construction technology and techniques for building environment friendly dwelling which are in harmony with nature, cosmic forces and universe. Vastu shastra, the ancient architectural science, was first mentioned in the Indian holy texts called The Vedas. More specifically, it was mentioned in the Stapatya Veda, which is a part of the Atharva Veda. The Vedas are more than five thousand years old. The sages in those times plotted

Vas meaning to live and Astu meaning in this was. The combined meaning indicates the particular guidelines for human's dwelling on this mother earth in an environment-friendly manner. The other practical meaning and application of Vastu is to build a positive environment and a worth-living surrounding. In Sanskrit, Shastra means the rules and regulations to ensure a perfect system or by-laws. Vastu Shastra finds its origin mainly in the Sthapatya Veda, which is a part of Atharv Veda. Vastu Shastra, in fact, is nothing but creating a congenial environment by taking benefits bestowed by the five advantages or elements called Panch-Maha-Bhootas of the nature thus paving way for enhanced health, wealth, prosperity and happiness in enlightened milieu. The human being is made of these five elements. The origination from the earth, then one enjoys begins other like water, air, space, fire(sunlight and elements sunrays), attains the young age, then enters into old age and at last merges with the earth either through ashes or through burial. Vastu Shastra, in short, can also be defined as a source of harmonious and positive interaction of all matters encompassing human