Principles of Vaastu

STHAPATYA VEDA: Dr. V. Ganapathi Sthapati; Dakshinaa Publishing House, Plot S-46, First Avenue, Vettuvankeni, Enjambakkam Village, Chennai-600041. Rs. 1,000.

THIS PUBLICATION, titled ``Sthapatya Veda,'' the ancient name for Vaasthu science/Vaastu Veda, is a compendium of talks delivered by the author, a leading authority on Vaastu Shastra and a direct descendant of an illustrious lineage of scholars in traditional scriptures and temple architecture. He highlights mostly the science part of Vaastu, rather than technological aspects. The principles of Vaastu Shastra are based on a unique science of ``energy and matter'' and ``absolute time and space'', observes the author.

The structures designed on Vaastu principles create a rhythm in spatial form resulting in physical appealing and spiritually alluring creations on earth. The author draws parallels between such creations by human beings on earth and creation of the universe by the Ultimate Creator. The rhythmic vibrations in the subtle energetic space manifest the energy in the subtle state to gross state and an equation is drawn between time and space.

A building enclosing the space is surcharged with eight elemental forces, the quintessence of which is Vaastu which takes material form. The house is a living organism with active foundations of the four gross elements at corner zones with the primal element of space (energy) acting at the centre.

After explaining the central theme of the title, he has made attempts to establish that Vaasthu is a scientific treatise and not a religious document and glorifies Vaastu Shastra as a class by itself.Contemporary scientists may be interested in the chapter ``Vibration and resonance as applied in traditional architecture'' in which the author establishes that Indian architecture is superior and scientific. He brings to light an extension of the theory of resonance caused by identical frequencies of sound waves to the resonance of material spaces and structures of identical dimensions, two dimensional or three dimensional forms.

In the chapter, ``Shilpa Vidya Rahasyopanisha Vaastu Sutropanisih'', it is said that out of 108 Upanishads, more important Upanishads than Bruhadaranyaka and Chandokya have been set aside by the scholars. Vaastu Sutropanishad is one of the six important ones not included in the list of 108 Upanishads. Another Upanishad omitted is Agama Sara Nirnayopanishad which explains the exact meaning of 97 Rig Veda Manthras frequently recited in temple rituals. Of these, 27 manthras are not available in the printed editions of Rig Veda. However, these have been preserved and recited by the Sivacharyas of Tamil Nadu in which the exact meaning of the first Manthra of Rig Veda has been duly explained. This Manthra speaks of the five concentric belts of structure which have large implications.

Other chapters in this book include selection of building site, orientation of buildings, cities and villages, design of house buildings, basic patterns, outlines of temple architecture, selection of trees and plants around the buildings and Vaastu Puja. A few model designs based on Vaastu principles have been provided.

In the chapter on selection of building sites, the ill effects of the eastern and south-eastern side being high are said to result in the death of children and loss of wealth respectively.

The reader should not get scared by reading these lines, as compliance of all aspects are to be studied and non-compliance of one aspect should not be relied to infer the result.

In the chapter of Ayadi calculations (the process of mitigating the fate by calculating the organic form based on the birth star of an individual), the author has taken the circumference of the building as the basis, while the area of the building is taken as the base by some authorities. The method of corrections to be made in existing buildings which are not in compliance with Vaastu principles and limitations of Vaastu have not been covered in this edition.

The author is to be congratulated for the pains taken in collecting lot of materials including Vedas and Upanishads to establish that Vaastu is not a religious document but it is based on scientific principles. Discussions have been made making use of English, Sanskrit and Tamil terminologies.

One has to go through this book patiently and deeply to assimilate this science when Vaastu can be perceived in its true perspective.

C. H. GOPINATHA RAO

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