VAASTU AUSPICIOUSNESS

Vaastu is based on certain principles of balancing the various elements and harmonic energy flow including those emanated by various planets, apart from geomagnetic, solar, wind and other energies. Ignoring these as superstitious causes distress when this is followed by delays in completion which are termed as differences with architect or contractor, paucity of funds, labor shortage and so on. It becomes a nightmare to see your long cherished home completed.

            Deviation in the magnetic direction may be ignored from 5 to 12 degrees when deciding the cardinal directions, which varies according to authorities. For non-cardinal direction homes, the accuracy in calculations may be rather accurate as far as possible.

Dwar Bheda or Shoola in the middle of the proposed entry point like a tree or electric/telephone pole should be taken care before starting construction. Any tree required to be removed should better be removed six months after necessary pooja before start of construction, and still better if the tree is replanted elsewhere.

Commencement of construction should be avoided if any member of the family is in mourning, a child is born in the family (start construction only after 40 days of the birth of the child), a female member of the family is in her menstruation.

Similarly, T-junction falling on points stated earlier must be appropriately attended to. Planting of a Pomengranate (Anar) sapling in an appropriate direction will be an help in timely completion of the project. Cash flow can be improved for a project on hand by application of vanaspati and paryavaran vaastu, in owner's current home or workplace.

Lack of respect for bhumi puja (ground breaking) and/or shilanyas (foundation laying) at a chosen muhurtha (auspicious moment) may hinder the progress of work at various stages. Unchecked delegation of work may result in doshas (malfeasance) due to irregularities at the project such as unpaid labour crying for wages, unclean site, wasteful flow of water from taps, as well as indiscriminate use of unwanted material like malba fill in place of fresh soil fill. Donations and distribution of prasad (sweets) at the site should be liberal to ward off malfeasance occurring during construction due to known or unknown reasons.

The foundation digging should be started from northeast and moving towards southwest from both the flanks.  The filling and brickwork should be started from southwest and moving towards northwest from both the flanks. The fixing of door chaukhats (frames) and the doors should be undertaken from southwest and graduating via northwest and southeast towards northeast, and likewise glazing of windows, etc. Used or old wood materials should not be used in the new house and the wood should be of same quality and genre.

 It is highly recommendable that a Rainwater Harvesting or Water Charging system is set up in the proposed property.  The underground tank is recommended in the north of north east and the rainwater harvesting pit in the east of north east.  Septic tank, if required, can be placed in the northwest.  The sewerage pipes can be taken out from northwest too.

The three exiting pipes may be installed in the order of rainwater towards east or north, followed by the sullage pipe and last being sewerage pipe.

The house once constructed should not be kept vacant for more than three months, and if need be, it can better be let out than left unoccupied.

Levels in a home should always be uniform.  Split levels are not recommended.

Prayer Room

1.      Northeast sector is best for a prayer room, it can be slightly to the east or north.

2.      Brahmasthana is considered best for a prayer room.

3.      Lord should face the east or north in that order or preference.

4.      Sanctum or the Sanctum Sanctorum should be organised in keeping with the spiritual disposition of the inmates.

5.      Santum area can be lifted from the floor and can be in three steps.

6.      The image or statue of the main deity must be placed in the centre of the sanctum.

7.      The room can be energised by use of energised roof i..e. pyramid.

8.      White or blue or subdued shades are recommended.

9.      A window is a must to let the morning rays of the sun let in.

10.  Avoid having mystic devices (yantras) or idols of ancient temples in the puja room.

11.  Keep the pooja room absolutely clean, and well attended daily, first thing in the morning.

12.  Never have a pooja placement in bed room.

13.  Basement also not suitable for a pooja room.

14.  Pooja Room under or above a toilet is not auspicious.

15.  Photographs of dead are not to be kept in pooja sthal.

16.  Photographs of non-sastric gods or sages should not form part of the pooja sthal.

17.  If required, the photos of modern day sages can be placed in the pooja room elsewhere.

The image of deities reflective of softer attributes such as meditative or blessing are extremely harmonious. Images of Shiv-Parvati and Sita-Ram are powerful to activate harmony and strengthening marital relations, and image of Lord Krishna (in bal-leela or as makhan-chor) for good children. Arranging plants in the east or the north and planting trees in the west or the south provide environmental balance. Thorny plants should be avoided around the main door as well as close to the bedroom. Fragrant plants and shrubs should be used in plenty as these activate and promote harmony, ambition, drive and success.

Vaastu Sutra Upanisad is devoted to the images as well to disposition and emotions connected with the sacred images and application of aesthetic experience of emotional attitude (rasa) and expression (bhava). The accepted expressions in an image for a family abode are love (srangara), laughter (hasa), compassion (karuna) peaceful (santa) and meditative - half closed eyes (saumya). The furious (raudra), terrifying (bhayankara) and disgust (bibhatsa) are unacceptable, whereas heroic (virabhava) is restricted to certain areas.  Notably, nude depictions need be avoided in homes as they tend to sap the energy of the viewer.

A prayer or meditation room, to be placed in the northeast sector, in an abode is not a substitute of a visit to a place of worship. Interestingly, judicious use of religious symbol like the Swastik or the Om has been identified under Geo-biology, a branch of Geomancy. These are known to restore the static energy fields and ensure a positive environment.

Grih pravesh should be initiated only after the roof slab has been laid, outer doors and windows have been fixed, name plate installed, and at least one lamp has been lighted on the succeeding day from sunset to sunrise. One water pitcher may also be placed in the north-east direction on the previous night and water sprinkled on the area of pooja before pooja is started.

All the requisites must be attended to in detail in consultation with a karmakandi brahmin assigned to perform the ritual.  Toran (preferably made of marigold and mango leaves) and Vandanvar should be tied at the mahadwar (main door). 

An image of Lord Ganesha (Vighneshwar), preferably terracota with all the godly attributes can be installed looking over the main entrance. A statue of Lord Ganesha, preferably less than 11" in height can be installed inside the above looking towards the entrance.

Grih pravesh (house-warming) at a chosen muhurtha, provides the opportunity of sharing your joy of moving to your own home with all those who care for you and ensures an auspicious living to the entire family.