1. IMPORTANCE OF FIVE ELEMENTS IN VAASTU
Vaastushilpi.Dr.B.N.Reddy, Dr.N.V.Srinivasulu
Vaastu Shastra is a part of Vedas, which are believed to be four to five thousand years old. The
art of Vaastu originates in the Sthapatya Veda, a part of the Atharvana Veda. deals with the
architecture. We can find many references in Vedas, Puranas and other subsequent
literature. "Vaastu" has been derived from the word "Vaas" which means "to live".
Vaastu helps us to align the energies of our house with that of the environment. It helps us to live
in balance with nature. Our ancient saints have concluded that anything living or non-living in
the universe is made up of five basic elements or Panch Maha Bhoot. Vaastu is directly related
to these five elements.
We all agree that the whole universe is made up of five basic elements namely the Earth,
Water, Fire, Air and Space. Our body is also made up of these five basic elements of nature
also known as panch-mahabhootas. Shelter is the one of the basic need of every living being on
earth. Every one build a house for living and to live a peaceful, happy and healthy life. A house
or any building constructed as per Vaastu Shastra ensures maximum benefit to the habitant.
The panch-mahabhootas are related to our five senses of smell, taste, hearing, touch and sight.
Any imbalance in our external and internal Vaastu translates into unhappy situations. Vaastu
makes the individual to live in balance and harmony with the panch-mahabhootas.
Vaastu Shastra is the only science which instructs how to maintain best equilibrium of these five
elements in a building and make best use of them to energize mental and physical energies of
inhabitants to the maximum extent. In other words Vaastu tells us how to make use of these five
elements for the maximum convenience, comfort and security keeping them in perfect harmony
in our home or place of work so that one should enjoy health, wealth, prosperity and growth.
Prithvi (Earth)
Human beings have a natural and emotional affinity with the Earth. The Earth revolves around
the Sun and has gravitational and magnetic force. Scientists have proved that earth is a huge
magnet with two poles-North pole and South pole. It has also been proved that the human body
is a 'magnetisable' object with a large percentage of iron in the blood. As we all know, opposite
poles of a magnet attract each other and similar poles of a magnet repel each other. The Vaastu
principle of placing the head in South direction while sleeping is based on earth's magnetic
property.
Jal (Water)
After earth, water is the most important element. It is linked to our senses of taste, touch, sight
and hearing. More than 80% of our body and two-third of earth's surface contain water. Vastu
provides important information about the placement of water sources like wells, boring,
underground water tank, overhead water tank etc, while planning the house. Positions of septic
tanks, sewerage, drains etc. are to be decided carefully to optimize the benefits of water element.
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2. Therefore, it is recommended to have a well, or bore or sump in North-East corner of the plot.
Agni (Fire)
Sun is the most important source of natural energy and light and is the soul of the universe. Fire
element "SUN" is related to our sense of sound, touch and sight. It is difficult to imagine life on
earth without Sun.When the Sun rays combine with water, they get additional benefits.
Therefore, it is recommended to have a kitchen in south east corner of the house.
Vayu (Air)
The Air or Vayu is vital for our survival and sense of sound, touch and feel are related to Air.
The air on earth is a mixture of various gases like nitrogen, oxygen, helium, hydrogen etc. Vastu
recommends proper placement of doors, windows, height of structure and placement of trees and
plants for balancing the Air element within the structure.
Aakash (Space)
Vaastu is the only body of thought that gives Space the status of a natural fundamental element.
Vaastu Shastra is, therefore, superior to any modern or traditional school of architecture in the
world.It is related to our sense of hearing, space element is related to the centre portion or the
brahmasthan. Any disturbances in the space element affects your growth.
The four directions and the four mis-directions are as shown in fig.1.
Figure.1
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3. Some important vaastu tips for a happy, peaceful and prosperous living.
1. More open land in north and east than south and west.
2. Bore or well should be in north-east.
3. South & West compound walls should be heavy and higher than north & East compound
wall.
4. Kitchen should be in south-east and platform should be in east.
5. Sink should be on left side of the platform and gas (cooking range) should be on right
side of the platform.
6. Racks or almirahs should be in south & west direction in all the rooms facing north or
east only.
7. Never fix a mirror on south and west wall if possible.
8. Toilets & bathrooms should be in south or west ,or north-west portion.
9. Bedrooms should be in southwest, north west and west.
10. Master bed room should be in south-west.
11. While sleeping head should be in south or west but never in north.
12. Pooja room should be in north east. All photos or idols should be facing east or west
only.
13. All rain water should flow from south to north and west to east only.
14. Septic tank should in the eastern or northern side.
15. Staircase should be in the south east, north west or south west corners only.
16. Over head tank should be in the Southwest corner of the terrace.
17. Plant big trees only in south and west sides only.
18. There should not be any pole or pillar directly opposite to the main door.
19. Place an aquarium in Northern area or in NE corner of the NE room.
20. Never construct a house adjascent to the temple.
Positons of various rooms and elements are as follows:
position Element / room
NE Bore or well or sump
East Pooja, drawing room
South east Kitchen or furnace
South Store, bed room, toilets
South west Master bed room, heavy machinery, raw
material
west Bed room, toilets
North west Toilets, children bed room.,
finished goods
North Hall, less weight
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4. Effect of bore /well in a place other than in NE corner:
South east Health problems for ladies, misunderstandings,
loss of wealth, problems to children
South, southwest Sudden accidental death., financial problems,
no settlement in life, suicide attempts,
miserable life
west Defame, major heath problems, hardships
North west Unnecessary enmity and theft, Wavi nature of
mind, paralysis attack, insolvency
North east Wealth and prosperity
Centre of the plot Ruin the family
east prosperity
north Increase in wealth
south Untimely death
Author,s address
1.Vaastushilpi.Dr.B.N.Reddy,
Chairman, Chaitanya Bharathi Educational Society,
CBIT, Hyderabad-500075.AP.India.
2. Dr.N.V.Srinivasulu
Associate Professor, Department of Mech.Engg.,
CBIT, Hyderabad-500075.AP.India
Email: vaastusrinivas@gmail.com
Cell: 9848592815
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