VAASTU WISDOM

Are you headed in the right direction?

If in doubt, better stop and check with the help of the Vaastu compass. This will save you from the chaos and hardships on the unpredictable road of life.

Vaastu Shastra, basically a science of directions, specifies the correct directions for everything — from eating to sleeping and from working to decorating the house.

According to Vaastu, each direction is governed by a ruling deity and a ruling planet that dictates the location of rooms and the placement of components within. If any element is not located or placed in the proper direction, it causes defects and compromises the suitability of the place.

What Vaastu does is to harness the energies of different directions for our prosperity. This makes it all the more important for all to have some knowledge about the attributes of the eight directions.

Let us take a look at the characteristics of each direction:

North: The north is governed by Kuber, the God of Wealth and Soma, the Lord of Health. It is ruled by Mercury, the planet influencing the mind and intelligence. Its element is water and colour black. Its attributes are : Associated with tranquillity, relaxation and sexual relationships. Good zone for spiritual studies and meditation. Enhances the healing properties of medicines. Source of female issues and should never be blocked. Ideal for master bedroom, bestowing contented marital relationship and stable sex life.

North- east: The north- east is governed by Eesh, the Lord of Energy and Knowledge. It is ruled by the planet Jupiter. Its element is earth and colour blue. Its attributes are: Associated with self- awareness and knowledge. Promotes divine contemplation. Bestows honour, respect and prestige in society to the occupants. Most favourable for keeping Gods idols and pictures.

East: The East is governed by Indra, the King of Gods. It is ruled by the Sun, the promoter of health and source of divine influence. Its element is wood and colour green. Its attributes are: Provides contentment, optimism and encouragement. Infuses positive energy in the dispirited and the depressed. Bestows long life and continuance of family lineage.

South- east: The South- east is governed by Agni, the Lord of Fire. It is ruled by the planet Venus. Its element is wood and colour purple. Its attributes are: Influences health, wealth and prosperity in all forms. Promotes creativity and natural abilities.

South: The South is governed by Yama, the God of Death. It is ruled by the planet Mars. Its element is fire and colour red. Its attributes are: Most auspicious for wealth, success, happiness and peace. Provides strong energy for business and other commercial ventures. Helps re- ignite passion and promotes enjoyment of carnal pleasures.

South- west: The South- west is governed by Niriti, the Lord of Demons and the Goddess of Destruction. This direction is ruled by Rahu. Its element is earth and colour pink. Its attributes are: Bestows tranquillity and purity. Provides character and longevity.

West: The west is governed by Varuna, the God of Water and Rain, and Upholder of the Universal Law. This direction is ruled the planet Saturn. Its element is metal and colour white. Its attributes are: Associated with success, glory, fame and fortune. Promotes love amongst family members and ensures their overall prosperity. Children do not face childhood difficulties. Most suitable for locating the dining room

North- west: The North- west is governed by Vayu, the God of Wind. This direction is ruled by the planet Moon. Its element is metal and colour grey. Its attributes are: Promotes sense of responsibility and ability to plan, organise and lead. Benefits employees seeking promotion and enhances social life.

The Plot Holds the Key to Prosperity

The house where we live gives us both peace and prosperity. It energizes our body, soul, and mind and makes the inhabitants of the house feel happy by maintaining good harmony among the family members. But if the selection of the plot or the house goes wrong, life could be pretty miserable.

In a recent case, a lady was offered a plot in the high- end city of Gurgaon, Haryana for an astronomical amount. She asked me to check the plot for her. The moment I reached the location, I rejected it. It took me no time to reject this plot. What was wrong with the plot? Well, it had one of the gravest flaws a plot can ever have, as far as Vaastu is concerned. It was located between two big plots, whose front areas were more than this plot. A small house sandwiched between two big ones on either side is very bad because the occupants remain under mental pressure exerted by the big houses. This results not only in a suffocating existence, but financial problems and losses too. Selection of the plot also carries a lot of significance. This is the first and the most important point that should be kept in mind. There are so many points that one should take care of while selecting a plot or a constructed house. A few points to be kept in mind while selecting a plot:

Orientation: East or north- facing plots are considered the best. An east- facing plot receives the benefit of the morning sun, while a north- facing plot receives the blessings of Kuber and Soma, ensuring both wealth and health. However, there are distinct benefits of other directions too.

Cardinal directions: A plot should align with the exact cardinal directions — north, south, east or west. Avoid plots that are not exactly aligned.

Shape: Square and rectangle are the most ideal shapes. If constructing on any other shapes, keep the shape of the building square or rectangular. Only circular plot should have a circular building.

Angles: Plot with all corners at right angles is most auspicious. If the plot does not conform to this, ensure the angle on the north- east corner is not more than 90 degrees.

Frontage: Plot with wide frontage and narrow rear, called Singh Mukhakar, is good for commercial purposes, but not for residence. Its reverse, Gau Mukhakar, is ideal for residence, but not for commercial purposes.

The slope of the land: A plot should be elevated towards the south- west and depressed towards the north- east. Reject the plot if the situation is reverse. Although some minor Vaastu defects can be rectified even without demolition of the building or the house but it is always better to opt for an ideal plot, since a plot is the key to ones prosperity!

Pyramid yantra for vaastu remedies

The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt still fascinates people. Although posing as a tomb, it seems to have a greater purpose. Otherwise, why would the Egyptians build their tombs in the shape of a pyramid and not in any other shape? Research has shown that pyramid- shaped structures possess certain powers that influence persons and objects placed under it. Pyramids are seen to heal and improve the general state of health, help in mental relaxation and even keep milk and grocery fresh! The powers possessed by pyramids have been used in Vaastu remedies for long. Since, in the present- day scenario, it is practically impossible to ensure Vaastu in readymade apartments, flats and even designer houses, pyramid yantras come in handy. Furthermore, their use help prevent expensive demolitions and renovations — the common remedies for Vaastu defects. The pyramid yantra works on the premise of mind over matter, that is, it rectifies the negativity of the structure at the mental level and obviates the need to do anything at the physical level.

Let us see how the pyramid yantra helps in overcoming Vaastu defects:

Plot shape: According to Vaastu Shastra, the Vaastu- compliant shapes are square, rectangular, circular (provided the building constructed on it is also circular), hexagonal, quadrangular and octagonal. The plot shapes that should be avoided are triangular, dholak or mridang shaped, wheel- shaped, cartshaped, fan- shaped, winnow- shaped, bow- shaped, elliptical and irregular shaped. In case you are stuck with any of these defective plots, you can make use of the pyramid yantras . Place nine yantras on each corner of the plot to form a square or rectangle. The combined power of these will help confine the prana energy within the four walls of the plot and ease their circulation over the plot. Plot direction: According to Vaastu Shastra, the alignment of any plot should be exactly along any of the cardinal directions. A plot not orientated to the cardinal directions should be avoided. In case you already possess a defective plot, pyramid yantra can help remedy the defect. Plot slope: According to Vaastu Shastra, the south- west corner of a plot should always be higher than the north- east corner. So, a plot with slope towards the southwest constitutes a major flaw. To remove this defect, place four pyramid yantras in the north- east corner and five in the southwest corner of the plot. Centre of the house: According to Vaastu Shastra, the centre of the house is ruled by Brahma, the Creator, and is called the Brahmasthan. Although it does not belong to any direction, this central zone possesses the most powerful energy, which influences the physical, spiritual and emotional health of the occupants. Unfortunately, the modern- day architecture pays little importance to the sacred space and does not even cater for it. Ideally, place 25 yantras in the centre of the house that is built on 500 square yards and 49 for the one built on 1,000 square yards.

Entrance: The main entrance of the house is important, as this is the entry point of prana energy, which brings good fortune, prosperity and happiness into the house. So, the main entrance should always face the auspicious directions – east, west or north. In case it faces some other direction, make use of pyramid yantras . For the main gate on the compound wall, place a yantra about two feet from the pillar on either side of the gate. For the main door of the house, place the yantra in the centre of the door.

Bedrooms: Wrongly located bedrooms pose a serious problem for the occupants of the house. For example, a bedroom in northeast strains relationships and undermines health and the one in south- east lead to irritability and short tempers. Place one yantra outside the entrance door of the room and another opposite to the door on the far wall, inside the room. One yantra should be placed in the corner of the room, adjacent to the wall on which the door is installed.

Toilet: According to Vaastu Shastra, a toilet in the east causes illness and one in the north- east weakens the finances and general prosperity of the occupants. So, if your toilet is located in any of these directions, rectify it with pyramid yantra . Place six yantras, three each on either side of the toilet door, on the outside. The correct placing of the pyramid yantras is important, as wrong placement can prove ineffective at best or cause negativity within the household, at worst. It is advisable to engage a Vaastu expert for this.