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Chapter 2 Vedic Architecture and our Homes
Vedic Architecture/Aparna Patil
Chapter 2 Vedic Architecture and our Homes
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Our homes is where we rest and rejuvenate and spend time with our loved ones. Our homes must therefore be comfortable and fulfill our needs of recreation properly. If a space is beautiful and pleasurable it nourishes us and allows us to be creative, energetic, productive and healthy. Our lives improve if we are more content and happy and this contentment shows in all areas of our life. We perform better, we sleep better and our health improves. Design plays a very important role in creating beautiful functional homes and if you are working with a good architect you can easily keep them within budget. But that will be totally
If a space is new discussion which is way out of context for this book. A good comfortable home need not be expensive is what I am trying to impress. Infact a good beautiful and architect can transform a dull space into a very happy space by clever use of pleasurable it design. A good architect can also design a comfortable home that is perfectly nourishes us and affordable and yet very beautiful at the same time. The ancient principals of allows us to be Vedic architecture offer us all the tools necessary and much more to create creative, energetic, good nourishing spaces. Let us look at what these design principals are and productive and how best we can utilize them to enrich our lives.
healthy.
As we have already seen in the first chapter of this book, that Vedic Architecture follows the rules of climate and is universal in nature. Its principals are non sectarian and they are applicable globally to every geographical location and to every built form that we can think of. A home built in the humid coastal region will be different from one built in the hot arid desert area. Also a home built in the Northern hemisphere will be different from a home built in the Southern hemisphere in terms of window locations and how light is brought into the interior of the house. All of these differences are due to the regional climate, the tilt of Earth's axis and the local features of the site such as presence of water
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bodies, hills, forest lands and much more. No two sites are the same even though they exist side by side of each other. Each of these sites may have certain factors that are common to both parcels of land and there may be certain factors that are so different that it requires the application of a different design approach. Yet each of the dwellings on both of these sites can still be built by following the principles of Vedic Architecture. Infact the principals of Vedic Architecture can be applied to any and all sites whether they be for residential use or commenrical use. Just as we can solve a mathematics problem using a formula, similarly we can solve the problems of space design by plugging in the formula of Vedic architecture. In this process we of course use the template of the VaastuPurush mandala.
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North-West Zone of mobility & creativity Element: Air Ruling graha: Moon Lokpala: Maruta/Vayu North Zone of wealth & prosperity Ruling graha:Mercury Lokpala: Kuber North-East Zone of spirituality & compassion Element: Water Ruling graha: Jupiter, Ketu Lokpala: Brihaspati, Shiva
West Zone of honesty, discipline. Ruling graha: Saturn Lokpala: Varuna AIR WATER
AKAASH
EARTH FIRE
East Zone of fame & success Ruling graha: Sun Lokpala: Indra
South-West Zone of stability, power & long term vision Element: Earth Ruling graha: Rahu/Uranus Lokpala: Shukracharya South Zone of aggression & negativity Ruling graha: Mars Lokpala: Yama South-East Zone of grace, luxury, beauty, micro-management Element: Fire Ruling graha: Venus Lokpala: Agni
Notes: A ruling graha means the celestial body assigned to a particular direction. (Grahan means to accept, thus one that accepts and emits vibrations in space is called a graha. ) A Lokpala means guardian of a particular zone, somrtimes also refered to as the deity for that direction. Figure 5. Vaastu-Purush-Mandala
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VaastuPurush Mandala
We saw in chapter one that VaastuPurusha is the divine thinking-feeling being that is born when Akaasha is enclosed in four walls, ceiling and floor. In vedic architecture we use the word Akaasha and not just space, because the space surrounding us is an extension of the vast Akaasha that holds our solar system and milky way and all the galaxies we know of as humans. VaastuPurusha is thus the son of Akaasha that is created when Akaasha is enclosed in a man-made artifical enclosure of a building. Akaasha is the intelligent divine source out of which the four gross elements of nature namely water, fire, earth and air are born that constitute all the other physical manifestations of this universe.
A mandala that encloses the VaastuPurusha is called the VaastuPurush Mandala and it is represented as a square shaped geometric module of nine squares by nine squares that contains the coded message for space design. Figure no. 5 illustrates a simplified version of the VaastuPurush Mandala. The five elements of nature are represented in five different colors and the description of each zone is given briefly. You will find that along with the element of nature each zone also has a representating celestial body and a Lokpala. A Lokpala is the guardian of that particular direction. Every zone is unique and assumes the combined characteristics of the direction, the element, the celestial body and a lokpala. The VaastuPurush Mandala is the basis of all Vedic designs and is the template on which any and all physical designs can be laid out right from a sprawling airport to a modest cottage. In ancient India VaastuPurush Mandala was used for urban designs, community centers, religious buildings, residences and everything is between.
This VaastuPurush Mandala shown indicates the following: the element for every zone, the ruling celestial body for that zone and the guardian deity called lokpala for every direction. The path of the Sun in our sky decides the element for that particular zone. Thus in southeast we have the fire element, in southwest is the earth element, in northwest is the air element and in the northeast is the water element. There are a total of ten directions that are represented in a VaastuPurushMandala starting clock-wise from east, southeast, south, southwest, west, northwest, north, northeast, akash and patal. Akash is the direction above our head and patal is the direction below our feet or the ground level of the building. Thus out of ten directions, the eight directions are shown in the mandala and the other two directions are always considered by the designer even though they are not indicated on
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the mandala. The four elements of water, fire, earth and air occupy the corner positions within the mandala and the central position is occupied by the fifth element of akaasha. The cardinal directions of north, east, south and west each share two elements. The VaastuPurush Mandala also has an image of Vaastupurusha superimposed on it and it is not shown here for clarity. The head of the VaastuPurusha is always in the northeast in the water element and his feet are always in the southwest in the earth element. Each square module in the VaastuPurush mandala is called a pada. There are a total of 81 padas in a nine by nine mandala. Let us take a closer look at the VaastuPurush Mandala.
VaastuPurush Mandala: symbolism and iconography
VaastuPurush Mandala is a deeply coded geometrical formula with layers of information that when understood and implemented correctly allow the environment of a home to become climate friendly and nourishing. The positive results of applying of the fomulae are rarely discussed in the ancient texts of vedic architecture nor is any reasoning given about the formulae themselves. It is assumed that the student is well versed with the laws of nature and functioning of the universe and all the environmental aspects surrounding us and therefore no further explanation is necessary. The ancient texts simply make statements without so much as a commnetary about the rules that they lay down in the design of a building. So it is the responsibility of the architect to decipher the deep meaning behind the many rules and apply just what is required carefully and not all at once. For our purpose, let us try and decode the hidden meaning of various planets, lokpalas, the element of nature and the presiding deity that we see designated in the padas of a VaastuPurush mandala from our modern context. It is important to understand that the planets, lokpalas and the element of nature placed in various zones of the VaastuPurush mandala are symbolic of the energies they represent and the zone is studied by keeping in mind the attributes that each of this symbol represents. The position of planets is stationary on a VaastuPurush mandala and they do not move unlike in astrology or astronomy.
Why did the seers create such a framework and what was the purpose behind it's creation. Let us think of it from this way. Suppose you are asked to tell a very complex story without the use of words. What would you do? In addition you are told that this story must be universally understood by all and by every generation that is to come. Anyone and everyone irrespective of their background should be able to understand your story. In such a scenario, your only option would be to use symbols and diagrams that have been around for a very
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very long time, that are familiar to humans and that humanity can relate to since antiquity and into antiquity. You would use images, photographs, pictures, diagrams that are symbolic so that by simply looking at your chosen icons your story can be understood. Is this not what our ancestors have been doing on temple walls and through sculptures and wall murals? What are these iconic symbols? They are all around us in nature. Look around you. Do you see them? The trees, the flowers, the rivers, the oceans, the sun, the moon, the stars and the planets? Can you use them cleverly to tell a story? Yes, of course you can, but only if you understand them and their meaning correctly. The ancient Rishis of India did exactly this. The ancient Rishis had a thorough working knowledge of our universe and they used very strong symbols from the universe to convey the message that is coded deeply into the VaastuPurush mandala. They used their indepth knowledge of astronomy, astrology, mythology and selected such iconic symbols which when combined together in the VaastuPurush mandala would accurately define the characteristics of space for different padas. The VaastuPurush Mandala is roughly divided in three by three squares that can further be divided into three more divisions making a total of nine by nine squared mandala. Thus there are a total of eighty one padas or square modules. Each square pada has a unique set of symbols which render those qualities to that particular pada.
VaastuPurush Mandala and The Grahas
VaastuPurush mandala has one celestial body or a graha representing every direction. Starting from southeast they are Venus, Mars, Uranus, Saturn, Moon, Mercury, Jupiter and Sun.
Direction Graha or Celestial body Symbolism
Southeast Venus Micro-efficiency, luxury South Mars Southwest Rahu (Uranus) Aggression Power, Vision
West
Saturn Northwest Moon Honesty, disclipline Creativity
North
Mercury Northeast Jupiter and Ketu East Sun Intellect, communication Benevolence, compassion Fame, wisdom
In the list of celestial bodies or grahas, all are planets except for Sun which is a star. A planet is called a graha and the meaning of which is to absorb or partake. A graha is a celestial object in the sky that absorbs radiations and also emits radiations and every graha have their own frequency that they emit. Sun
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is also considered a graha because it too has vibrations that it emits and therefore is placed alongside the planets in the VaastuPurush mandala.
The placement of the planets on the VaastuPurush mandala is dependent upon the path of the Sun in the sky. As the Sun travels the sky from east to west with a southbound path the radiation in the atmosphere varies with the passage of the time. The morning sunlight is different than the midmorning sunlight is different than the overhead sunlight and is different than the evening sunlight. In other words the quality of the sunlight varies throughout the day and hence the energies created by that sunlight in the interior of the hosue also vary. These energies are represented by the planets positioned in that particular zone.
For instance the sunlight that enters the south east zone is from midmorning to almost noon which is from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm approximately. This sunlight has a maximum of infrared rays and is highly antibacterial in its quality. This is not good for direct exposure to the human skin, however due to it's antibacterial qualities it is good to bring this sunlight inside the house into those areas of the house that will benefit from it's antibacterial qualities. And the areas of a house that will benefit from antibacterial qualities are those that need to be disinfected the most such as the wet areas of toilets, bathrooms, sinks, laundry rooms, kitchen counters etc. Therefore it is recommended that the location of these areas be in the south and southeast zone of the VaastuPurush mandala to get maximum effect of the incoming sunlight. A kitchen sink on the south of south-east will receive the slanting sunrays of the early morning sun, the direct sunrays of the overhead southern sun and the slanting sunrays of the setting sun. This is space technology at it's best.
VaastuPurush Mandala and The Five Elements
The five elements of nature are placed as follows: fire in southeast, earth in southwest, air in northwest, water in northeast and akaasha in the center. Akaasha is the most important of all elements and is considered the source for all creation inside the universe as we know it. All the other five elements are born from the Akaasha and therefore they are placed around Akaasha. Akaasha is the thinking feeling intelligent space that is surrounding our solar system, the milky way and all other galaxies. For our understanding we can call it the Mother of all creation. Even though Akaasha seems like an empty space stretching between different celestial bodies it has the potential of birthing stars and of transmitting energy waves across from one galaxy to another. So in other words
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Akaasha is the vast intelligent nothingness that is the cradle of all creation. The next most powerful element is the fire element. The remaining three elements of watrer, earth and air are born of the heat of fire. The direction of the five elements is dependent on the path of the sun as it travels in our sky from east to west in a southbound path in the northern hemisphere.
VaastuPurush Mandala and the Lokpalas
Every direction in the VaastuPurush Mandala has a assigned 1lokpala. North is ruled by Kubera, the lord of wealth/abundance; East is ruled by Indra, also called Aditya, son of Aditi, the lord of light/beginnings; South is ruled by Yama, the lord of death/destruction and also of new beginings; and West is ruled by Varuna, lord of water/existence. The presiding deities for the intermediate directions are Shiva for Ishanya or Northeast, Agni for Agneya or Southeast, Pitru for Nairutya or Southwest and Vayu for Vayavya or Northwest.
VaastuPurush mandala and zones of a house
For the Northern hemisphere, let us try and understand the simple fact that govern the orientation of the house. As the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, it travels a Southbound path. The winds that we receive come from the West and Northwest directions. Because of the Southern inclination of sun's path of travel in the sky, we receive direct sunlight from the South and indirect light from the North. Vaastushastra uses this principle to dictate the orientation of the site and the house according to the surrounding physical elements such as roads, trees, wells, or hills. If applied correctly, this principle can give us the benefits of well-balanced natural elements in and around our home to enhance our comfort levels.
In the part of the Northern hemisphere where I live, for instance, a home must be oriented with the longer side on the East-West axis. This orientation affords more solar radiation on the South-facing wall,
keeping occupants warm in the winter and thus reducing our heating bills. The fenestration on the south
1 A lokpala literally means the guardian of a realm, wherein lok means a realm and in this case it implies the realm of a particular direction. Pala means to guard or take care of as a guardian would take care of it's progeny. Lokpala is a Sanskrit word. A lokpala can also be called a deity for a particular direction.
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wall is also kept a bare necessary for areas such as toilets, bathrooms and kitchen windows. South-West zone also the most ideal location for the master bedroom per Vaastushastra. The evening sun is received from west and the south wall can be made solid or with very little fenestrations. In the Northern Hemisphere we do not receive direct sunlight ever and so large openings, either doors or windows and a combination of both can be cleverly managed to bring in indirect sunlight and open up large views without the annoying glare of the sunlight. For this same reason, North and East are also very good locations for study areas, living room, prayer room, dinning room or a the library. North is the best direction for living areas that are used during the day and remain amply lighted with indirect sunlight. A dining room in the east would be wonderful because then you can enjoy the morning sunlight while you eat your breakfast. Placing the kitchen on the Southeast would cause it to receive sunlight for the maximum part of the day, which is required in this space for its anti-bacterial, cleansing qualities. It seems very logical also to have North or East facing entrance and provide arrangement of doors and windows to receive the beneficial morning sunlight, creating an alert and fresh mind which is a pre-requisite for prosperity.
With respect to a direction's presiding deity, there are some do's and don't s suggested by Vaastushastra. For instance, if the Northeast is clogged for some reason, then even the best and most honest human efforts and intentions to reach a particular goal may not yield satisfying results. It is therefore important that the Northeast corner of our homes be free from clutter, boring, pits, plumbing, and so on. The shastra is thus discouraging us from having the service areas of the house such as toilets and bathrooms in the North-East, because obviously these areas will not receive the direct sunlight that is valued for it's antibacterial qualities. South is the direction of Yama, the Lord of death and also of new beginings, because unless the old dies the new cannot be born. The location of master bedroom is recommended in the south west direction with the bedhead on the south wall. The shastra states that this is the most rejuvenating zone to rest for the night.
Vedic architecture follows not only the path of the sun, but also earth's magnetic field and we know that earth's magnetic field has a strong influence on human beings. A human body itself acts like a magnet with the heavy portion of head acting like a North pole and our feet like the South pole. Sleeping with our
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heads towards North creates pressure on our system resulting in high blood pressure and a disturbed sleep. Without a deep sleep we are not recharged fully and are unable to perform our daily tasks properly the next day. Therefore sleeping with one's head towards South is recommended.
Figure: 5. Significance of the Vaastu Floor Plan
Appropriate location of doors and windows is also very important to create the desired indoor ambiance. A dark interior devoid of natural light creates a feeling of claustrophobia and lethargy. The interior layout also requires good analysis of the directions, path of light, and position of doors and windows. Selection of color is equally important. Using the VaastuPurushMandala as a framework for design allows the freedom and at the same time creates a discipline for design that follow the rules of climatology. The VaastuPurushMandala is a deeply symbolic diagram and well beyond the scope of this book. Each module in the mandala needs to be decoded inorder to understand what it stands for. Therefore
North-West Kitchen, Home-Office, Guestroom, Conference Room, Library.
West: Store room, Bathroom, Laundry room, closets of all kinds
Southwest: Master Bedroom Office of CEO, Head of the company North: Main Entrance, Living Room, Library, Worship area, Reception
South: Store room, Bathroom, Laundry room, closets of all kind North-East: Can be extended beyond the Mandala. Garage, Worship Altar, Meditation Room, Living Room.
East: Main Entrance, Dining room, Breakfast area and Family, Worship area, Study
Southeast: Kitchen, Daughter's Bedroom, Hobby Room, Laboratory, Machine Room
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it is very important to work with someone who truly understands the symbolic meaning of the VaastuPurush Mandala.
Now it is quite possible that a home is not built on a site or with a floor plan that follows the Vaastushastra principals. Such situations can be 2yantra remedied in a number of ways. However, the important thing to understand is that Vaastushastra is not a fix for all problems experienced by human beings nor is it a substitute for honest work. It is just a catalyst that enhances human efforts. Most of our problems will be easily resolved if we follow good living habits. For instance, our homes and living spaces must be clutter-free at all times. Everything in this universe has its own kind of life and everything has vibrations, which are a form of energy, either negative or positive. Human beings with limited perception cannot perceive all forms of energy. Unwanted things or "stuff" create vibrations that block the flow of positive energy and therefore we must get rid of unwanted stuff. The principals of Vaastushastra can be and should be used to build and arrange our spaces, apply inspiring color schemes, enhance our landscapes to boost positive vibrations and create balanced, happy lives. But beyond these physical applications lies the realm of Karma, which every human being must endure.
2 At Mansara we use Vedic Yantras to bring about a balance of positive energies against negative energies. This is almost as effective as the accurately planned buildings or homes built upon the grid of VaastuPurushMandala.
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