Vaastushastra, as we all know, is an ancient Indian architectural science. It contains principles to ensure a harmonious balance between man and nature, thus bringing happiness, health, wealth and prosperity. However, as an architect, I see how people have now begun to practice vastu more as a superstition than a logical ancient science that is relevant to the modern world in a limited capacity.
Vaastushastra originated thousands of years ago in ancient India. In those days people depended on the elements of nature to meet all their basic needs. The sun provided light and warmth, the wind provided a cool breeze, rivers and rain were the main source of water, the earth provided food and shelter, and fire provided warmth and protection. Thus the principles of building science established during those days were also purely based on the effect of the elements of nature. At the time it was formulated, society was largely illiterate, and illiteracy generated fear of the unknown. Science was beyond the realm of their understanding, while religion was pervasive. Therefore, it was easier for ancient Vastu scholars to spread the concepts of Vastu Shastra through the intricate web of religion and superstition. Unfortunately, as time went on, only the superstition trickled down from generation to generation, while the real theory eluded the world.
All the ancient doctrines of Vastu Shastra may not be fully applicable in the current scenario. Some of the principles show a particularly strong social bias, which was relevant to the social structure that existed at the time. Such principles have certainly lost their meaning now. However, the fundamentals of the vast theory are still relevant and can be adapted to the modern world.
What we must keep in mind is to recognize it as a logical science that has nothing to do with religion. It is true that, over the years, Vastu Shastra has absorbed religious connotations, but that does not seem to have been the original idea. The religious implications were probably inculcated by the proponents of science, when they realized that the society of that time, being God-fearing, would not accept norms that deviated from notions of God.
To understand Vaastu all one needs is a little knowledge about astronomy. For example, we know that our earth, while moving around the sun, keeps turning on its own axis with a tilt of 23.5 degrees. As it rotates, the earth moves from west to east. You’ll notice that the car is designed in such a way that its front end is kept lower than the rear, to allow it to overcome wind resistance at high speeds. Similarly, the nose part of the plane and the rocket keep tapering forward. Since our earth moves from west to east, if your building is lower in the east and higher in the west, only then will it be able to easily withstand the resistance of the winds and fill with positive energy from the northeast, leading to peace and prosperity of the inhabitants. Similarly, the Sun, as revealed by our ancestors, is the only source of light and heat for humans and other living things. It directs and sustains life on earth. Therefore, the rising Sun is like God, and its rising direction is considered pious and taken as a reference point. Therefore, the effect of direction affects the building/house built on it. Therefore, a clear understanding of the principles of science can help you delve into the true meaning of Vastu Shastra.
It is a fact that the original Vastu principles prescribed the type of site and then specified the design materials and construction techniques and directions. In an urban environment, one can hardly afford to choose housing sites or, indeed, the address of choice. (I myself live in an apartment in a building, both of which hardly abide by most of the vastu rules, but still, without being immodest, I can say that I am healthier and wealthier than many of my clients I mentioned above) . We should seek to adapt the macro level implications of vastu to contemporary needs logically not superstitiously.
Vastu Shastra cannot be directly linked with prosperity. It only suggests ways that we can live in tune with the laws of nature so that we can be healthy and at peace and work efficiently. Ancient Vastu Shastra texts have probably claimed to bring prosperity, as an indirect consequence of being able to perform well at home and at work.
I would like to emphasize that no matter how God fearing you are, you should not feel threatened by Vastu Shastra because it is a science. Science does not condemn God, nor does it disprove his identity. Vastu Shastra is the science of structure, formulated to help us live in harmony with nature. It does not give solutions to their domestic or financial problems.
Vaastu Shastra evolved as a compilation of planning principles for healthy living based on the knowledge base of the time (similar to Western treatises such as Vitruvius) and was not intended to be absolute. In recent years, it has gained popularity again and there are a number of Vastu ‘consultants’ in India, some dubious, some genuine. Unfortunately, once again, many of the modern exponents of Vastu are exploiting the ignorance and credulity of the layman.