Every living being in this world aspires for a place in which to live comfortabl y, enjoying all the luxuries

and happiness of this world getting maximum benefit s of heavenly boons. Every one is aspirant of having sound health, beautiful wif e, healthy children, wealth, and means of earning through business, profession, and high reputation in society and over all mental and spiritual peace. The sea animals and amphibians prepare a dwelling place on the sea shore, the birds buil d nests in the trees, the insects make a hive, and human beings are ambitious of making a house on the earth where all the liabilities towards this world and to wards heaven can be fulfilled without any disturbance and trouble. Therefore, aware of the need of a house and in order to avoid troubles, man want s to construct a house on such a ground where he can feel all sorts or happiness and can lead a peaceful life free of troubles and enemies, thereby deriving spi ritual peace. With this aim in his mind, he sets out in search of the learned wi se persons who can guide him in selection of a site (plot) of his choice, and in construction of the house. He wants to know the proper auspicious time, and pri nciples (laws) of construction of the house. Also he has in mind the colony or city, neighborhood, sources of water, natural environment, means of transport, etc. while selecting a plot for building a hous e, at the same time he thinks of his own interests and profits. The external features of the plot can only be known with the help of persons liv ing around or nearby the flat. Only Shastra can judge the quality and nature of the land. Therefore the selection of a site and the plan of the building is mate rialized only after consultation and seeking advice of expert astrologer and Vaa stu Specialist. There are saying like Nadi Shotriyo Raja Devagyo Na Chikitasak Tatra Vaso Na Kartavaya A place where there is no river (Source of water - pond or well etc.), scholar, astrologer, ruler and medical expert, should not be selected for living thereon, it should be rejected. Dushta Bharya Shath Mitra Bhratiyaschottar Dayak; Sasarpe Ch Grahey Vaso Mirturev Na Sanshaya. If there is house in which lives an unfaithful wife, a foolish friend, an outspo ken servant and a snake, the owner of such a house may die any moment.If such th ings are associated with the house constructed by some one, the life of the inma tes becomes troublesome and unhappy, and there is always a fear of death. Therefore everyone is curious to know as to what is Vaastu Shastra, and what pri nciples and methods regarding construction of buildings have been given by the a ncient saints and seers on the basis of their experience and commands in the div ine scriptures. With the help of Vaastu Shastra and Shilpshastra, knowledge abou t the better and auspicious way of construction of a house, the positions and di rection of gates, doors and rooms etc. in it, is gained so that a house may be b uilt which will provide all round prosperity and happiness to the inmates. Thus Vaastu Shastra provides some principles and rules on the guidelines of which sui table and comfortable buildings for residence, temples, etc. are built and towns , colonies are planned. Principles: While constructing a house, the principles of Vaastu are based on a set pattern. This, in turn, is based on the convenience of those living and certain basic ru les of direction. It is believed that a slight deviation from the pattern might have an adverse effect on our lives. Three principles of design have been put forth which cover the entire field of d esign, whether it is a building, a craft item or an article of daily use.

Bhogadyam: The designed product must be useful and lend itself to easy applicati on. Sukha Darsham: The designed product must be aesthetically pleasing. This princip le covers the exterior of a building as well as the interior. Ramya: The designed product must be capable of evoking a feeling of well-being a nd contentment. In Vaastu there are multiple ways in which the designer and occupant can create a space for experience. If the space has a specific activity, then gathering all energies in a single centre proves to be very powerful. Though the science of Vaastu follows generic rules, certain specific principles are followed: Vaastu practitioners believe that rooms in the eastern and northern part of the house must have a smaller carpet area than those located in the western and sout hern parts. This principle is followed due to the belief that the eastern parts of the house are sensitive to heavy loads. There must be an equal distribution o f heavy and light rooms in the house for a free flow of positive energy. The North-eastern part of the house is very see that no heavy object is placed in that e tables and refrigerators must be arranged . These principles are followed to maintain lly applicable. Vaastu Philosophies: Vaastu Shastra is an integral part of Vedic culture and philosophy. The five ele ments of nature, namely: earth (stability), water (purity); fire (energy and pow er); air (pervasiveness) and space (creativity and dynamism), are co-related wit h everything that goes on in the Universe. The relationship between Vaastu and Astrology Vaastu and astrology have both originated from the Vedas, and are inter-dependen t on each other. In fact, both are derived from each other and complement each o ther as well. Vaastu Shastra, while trying to find out muhurta (auspicious momen ts) depends on astrology to find out the right time. An astrologer, while perfor ming yagnas, must depend on Vaastu to get an idea of the location. While both th e sciences are independent and complete in themselves, a joint study helps for a better understanding. The Vaastu Philosophies are: Jivatman: Some locations are sacred in their very character. In such places, the building also imbibes power, which can bestow siddhi or spiritual powers to the occupants. The physical abode is the resting place for the body, psyche, spirit of the individual and the smaller unit of a family or group. This is the shape wherein the jivatman of the individual can achieve spiritual harmony and content ment, during their sojourn in earthly life. Panchabhoota: In an act of creation, the objects formed become subservient to th e cosmic order of Panchabhoota. In other words, the five elements, namely space, air, fire, water and earth play a subtle part in the emanated form and each has its location and role, meaning and power. Dvaitam/ Advaitam: To achieve the sublimation of the jivatman with paramatman, t wo paths have been recommended, one known as Dvaitam and the other as Advaitam. In the field of architecture, the philosophies of Dvaitam and Advaitam have had great impact, particularly in the realm of religious buildings. All temple preci ncts are built around the concept of form and space, which articulate the Search sensitive, and care must be taken to part of the house. Heavy objects lik in the southern or western direction a sense of balance, and are universa

for the Divine either within the self or outside of the self. Purusha: Vaastu Purusha is the body on which every aspect of human activity is c arried out. Whether we build a house or playground, we place it upon the sacred body of the cosmic, in order for it to reside with us. The manifestation of ener gy in the universe of reality, or prapancha is the movement of purusha/prakriti. Shivam/Shakti: This movement from stillness and bliss into manifestation is the secret of creation. The still centre is known as Shivam, and the energy which is the energy of creation is Shakti, the former the male principle and the latter the female. In the Indian tradition the male/female is inextricably linked as the Ardhanaree shwara (half male and half female) and the Srivatsam (the mole) on the body of V ishnu. (The feminine principle exists in the form of a mole on the body of the m ale). Triguna: Each physical form is perceived as a composition of three: Gunas or cha racteristics known as Satvika, Rajasa, Tamasa. When one of these Gunas is predom inant, then the nature of the material objects takes on the dominant character. In Vaastu, the three Gunas are characterised by the three shapes of a circle, oc tagon and square respectively. The energy contained within the square and rectan gle is the most stable, restful and in equilibrium. This is considered suitable for residences and places of learning. The energy contained in a polygon is a su itable centre of energetic activities, such as offices. The energy contained in the circle is very high, and is suitable for entertainment centres, amphitheatre s, council chambers, and sometimes for religious centres such as prayer halls an d temples. Karma Bandhanam: It is the confinement of each individual to repeated births as a consequence of action accrued in each birth. The delusion of a trouble-free ex istence must be effaced, so that the spirit can accept and live through the trav ails and the highs and the lows with equanimity and grace.