|
In the field of Vaastu, three principles of design one paramount. They include:
a) Bhogadyam (suitable for the purpose):
The designed products must be useful, lend
itself to easy application. For example, a house must have ample space for storage of articles and facilities for cleaning.
b) Sukha Darsham (pleasing to the eye):
The designed product must be aesthetically pleasing. The proportion of windows and doors, the size of rooms, the rhythm of projections and depressions play a critical role in the aesthetics of form.
c) Ramya (should provide sense of well being)
The designed products should evoke a feeling of well-being and contentment in its user.
Picture of Jassim House, Mumbai, India e.g.: Traditional elements in a residence.
Form and center
Within the suggested form many centers (foci) must be established in a space meant for many people. If the space has a specific activity, then gathering all energies in a single center proves to be very powerful. This is possible for a place of learning, worship, manufacture and research. But in a home, a hostel, or neighborhood, several centers or
shifting centers is most inspiring and motivating. These centers can be open spaces, common gathering spaces filled with herbs, healing plants and sacred water, or a religious center.
It is possible in the contemporary context to adapt this principle in ways suitable for present day life styles.
· A square or circle for the cooking and eating zone.
· A square or rectangle for the preparation and storage of food and clothes.
· A square or rectangle for sleeping, washing, bathing and resting.
· A square, rectangle or octagon for studying,In the shifting centers, the relationship of each to the main center (brahmasthana) should be constantly classified.
Natural Environment and symbols
Some of the associations and connections between nature and concepts for building are:
Lotus- water pond -environment.
Bird- flight- skyline.
Rock- earth- stillness.
Trees, plants, waters, the earth, the sky, are there for us to connect with-older, wiser, more in touch with eternal ‘being’ The method of creating connections between the occupants of a built space and their heritage through symbolism and mythology is a very significant part of the tradition.
Shapes and form of habitat in nature
Any wisdom that comes down from the past should integrate the local needs and the constraints into its design solution to be effective or functional.
The wood and clay tiles and steep slopes give Kerala architecture its uniqueness and make it climatically suited to the west east. The Sanchi Stupa, even after so many centuries, continues to attract the viewer with its perfection of proportion and simplicity of line.
Orientation
The geographical directions have played a very significant part in the design of individual buildings and group housing in the tradition.
Cosmology
Any given physical space can be perceived in its connection with primary energies. The cosmology of the space depends a great deal on the dominant worldview of a people.
a) Mandala or Mandalam
It is a representation of the cosmos through geometric forms where by the living space is laid out in a variety of patterns.
b) Fixed locations
The direction in which a building is facing, the configuration of movement and the location of facilities can create infinite patterns for people to inhabit.
Shapes and color
Next shapes experimented with are square, triangle, polygon, rectangle, circle, ellipse, oval, or free form. The choice of shape would affect the management style, lifestyle and activity patterns.
Directive Principles of Vaastu Shastra :
First of all the direction and shape of the plot has to be considered well. A construction on quadrangular, rectangular or square plot is beneficial and good from all aspects.
Big plot fetches prosperity, but is should not be having cleavage or cracks any where.
Triangular shaped plot should not be selected for constructing a building. It is inauspicious.
A small narrow plot in between two big plots is also not good, because owner of the building on such plot always remains in troubles.
If the length of the plot in east-west direction is more than in north-south direction, it is better.
If there is more open vacant space in south than in north, it will lead to destruction and downfall whether it is in the house or a industry, or in a temple or a hut.
It is auspicious if there is more open space in the east than in
the west; and more open space in the north or than in the south.
All the heavy and permanent items should be placed in the south-west corner of the building or plot.
While sleeping head, should be kept in the east or south. Never sleep with feet towards should or east.
Water tanks on the roof in the south-west direction are auspicious. These should never be placed in the north-east (esshanya) corner.
Pooja room is always best in the north-east corner or near it.
Kitchen is always auspicious and best in the south-east (Agency) corner or adjacent to it.
Open space should be kept all around the building.
Building should be constructed such that it is higher in the south-west and lower in the north-east. Walls should be also be made in this manner.
Underground water tank (for storage water) well, hand-pump, boring etc. Should be built in unit in north-east direction only. Height of these water bodies forth should never be above the plinth level of the main Building.
As far as possible there should be only one main door of the house, which should be adorned with auspicious symbols.
All the doors and windows should be of the same height their upper edges being in the same straight line.
There should not be a door above a door. This principle does not apply multi-story buildings. Height of the door on upper floor should be kept less than that on the lower floor.
Family life will be more and more happy if more heavy items are placed in the rooms on the south-west and south sides.
The more lighter (weightless) items are there in the north, north-east and north-west directions, the more happier will be the life of the family in the house.
It is better if there are no tall trees in the east. Trees in the west are good.
In the same line, the plot having road on the east-north directions is better to be selected.
'Garbh' means the space or width in between two walls.
The essence of Vaastu Shastra is actually to make the house in total conformity with the utilisation of five basic materials, viz, earth, water, air, fire, space. Therefore it is necessary to build the specified rooms for specific functions in the directions or places determined for the same. For example, south-east corner is best for fire (kitchen etc.), North-west direction for attaining the bliss of divine
favor.
Specially, while constructing a house due care is to be taken regarding position of doors, windows, Chulha (fire, burner), well, bath room, bed room, toilet (latrine) and these should be constructed in the
places allotted as per Vasty principles.
If there is a well or any other pit in the south-east, south-west or north-west direction, there will always be quarrels in the family and there will be no peace.
West portion of the land should be raised and there should be slope towards the east, which is auspicious.
Four sided (square) shaped plot of land is considered to be the best as per Vaastu Shastra. All the architects (Vaastu Shastries) have this opinion.
Elmira's, Sofa Set, Table and other heavy items which can be placed permanently at a place, are auspicious if placed in the South-West corner or near it in the west.
A temple can have doors on all the four sides.
Divide the length of the wall, on the side in which main door is to be kept, in nine equal parts; then leaving 5 parts on the right and 3 parts on the left, door should be constructed in the remaining on apart or in the 7th part.
Door should be constructed in the portion as shown in the diagram given in the chapter on doors directions should be taken as it when coming out of the house.
If living in a newly built house is stated without worshipping Vaastu, Several troubles and difficulties arise in the family. Therefore Vaastu Poojan is a must.
For interior decoration of the house, pictures and scenes of war and battles, idols/statues of demons, pictures of pig(boar), leopard, tiger, jackal, serpent, eagle, owl, pigeon, hawk, crow, crane etc. are not auspicious. These should not be put on the walls in the house for decoration.
Flow of water and its outlet in the directions other than east, north-west, north-east and north is inauspicious and causes troubles.
Toilet (Latrine) is auspicious if constructed in north-west corner. If necessary or in case of lack of space it may constructed in any direction, but the seat in the toilet should be such that when using the toilet one should face towards south or north only.
Only new wood should be used in construction of a new house. Old wood used earlier if used again in the new house, it is inauspicious and must be avoided.
If only one kind of wood is used throughout in the construction of a house, there remain no default relating to Vaastu. At the most two or three types of wood may be used.
It is not auspicious to construct any thing towards the south or west of the Vaastu zone. Construction should be done towards north and east of this zone.
If extension is to be made, it should be extended in all the sides. Extension only in one side is not auspicious.
Door of the stair-case should face either east or south. It well be auspicious if the stairs are constructed in the west or south on the right side.
If the earth (soil) on the land is excavated and removed, and fresh pure earth from elsewhere is filled in it. there remain no defect of Shalya in the land.
Shadow of trees falling on the building in the duration 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is inauspicious and causes troubles.
TV. Radio or any other such device for entertainment should be placed near the south west corner.
If more than one door are required, doors should be constructed in the positions as suggested in the Vaastu Shastra, but no two doors be opposite each other.
Guest room or drawing room should be in the north or west direction.
Room for the watchman or guard should be built near the gate in the boundary wall on the left side. His quarter should be on the left side of the gate.
|
Forums
