What is Vastu?

„VAASTU /VASTU SHASTRA IS SCIENCE DEALS WITH THE ETERNAL PROCESS OF THE SUBTLE ENERGY MANIFESTESTING INTO THE MATERIAL SPACE OR MATERIAL FORM. IN SHORT, IT IS THE SCIENCE OF MANIFESTATION OF ENERGY INTO MATTER.“ Dr. Ganapati Sthapati
Article by: Sandra Petra Pintaric

The relationship between humans and their environment is a constant exchange of energy, functionality, ergonomics, and beauty. Space and surroundings influence our mood, health, energy, and state of mind. Conversely, we also influence our space, which reflects our way of life and state of consciousness. Together, we cultivate a steady and close relationship through various aspects of life.
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We inhabit the Earth, settle into spaces for living and working, and align ourselves within the Earth's energy field. Through Vastu knowledge, we understand how to influence our energy flows and the elements of nature and how to harmonize with them most effectively. Vastu utilizes the laws of nature and sacred geometry, along with primary and secondary cardinal directions for orientation, to determine the placement of the five elements, rooms, furniture, colors, shapes, and more.
The primary goal of ancient architecture and the art of construction was to design living or working spaces that bring greater harmony and positive energy, while also fulfilling our material and spiritual needs.
Angkor Wat, a Hindu-Buddhist temple and   World Heritage Site, is the largest religious monument in the world. This   Cambodian    temple deploys the same circles and squares grid architecture as described in ancient   Vastu Sastras.
Mohenjo-daro is an archaeological site in the province of Sindh, Pakistan. Built around 2500 BCE, it was one of the largest settlements of the ancient Indus Valley civilization.
Vastu knowledge is based on the sacred geometry of the Vedas, and if you have come into contact, even a little, with the architecture of ancient peoples, you have surely noticed that behind every construction or even city lies an entire background matrix with a conscious creation of living spaces in practical, aesthetic, and spiritual form. Besides the Vedas from which Vastu knowledge originates, even ancient Indians built their villages according to celestial events and connected their daily rituals to the laws of nature.
Vastu knowledge originates from the Sthapatya Veda (the science of construction, Vedic architecture, and design), which is part of the last of the four Vedas, the Atharva Veda. It elaborates on the principles of construction, architecture, and design in harmony with the laws of nature. This knowledge is the oldest recorded system of its kind, serving as the precursor to modern architecture and Feng Shui, and was documented over 5,000 years ago.
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Ancient civilizations and early cultures possessed remarkable construction skills that continue to astonish modern humanity. Although it is an ancient science, Vastu seamlessly integrates with contemporary interiors and architectural designs, providing timeless principles that align perfectly with modern aesthetics and functionality.
The word sthapatya  means establishing, and the word Veda means knowledge. The purpose of Vedic architecture is to establish a harmonious relationship between man, space and the laws of nature. Here the architect establishes this relationship to make the individual healthier, more creative and more relaxed.  Sthapatya Veda encompasses the needs of the human body and the environment into a holistic science. 
The word   vastu  comes from the root of vas    (live, exist) and the other definition is associated with the meaning of the word dwell. Vastu describes the process through which  Vastu (primary, unmanifest or potential energy, quantum field) is transformed into Vaastu (manifest forms and materials, in kinetic energy) that manifests itself through various forms and materials.

When Vastu is applied to a space or floor plan, it utilizes specific matrices, where the square is considered the perfect form. The square maintains all energy in harmonious balance. The corners of the square represent points of concentrated energy that are dynamic and active, with each corner cultivating the energy of one of the five elements: fire, water, earth, air, and space.​
"THE STRUCTURE OF THE VAASTU INSPIRED BUILDING VIBRATES WITH COSMIC ENERGY AND THE BODILY INSTRUMENTS RESONATES WITH THE VIBRATION. TO CREATE AND OFFER THE HOUSE OF SUPREME BLISS , AND TO ENABLE US TO EXPRIENCE THAT SUPREME BLISS HERE IN THIS MUNDANE HOUSE ITSELF -  THESE ARE THE PRIMAL MOTIVES OF VAASTU SHASTRA." ​
Dr. Ganapati Sthapati

Good energy, functionality and aesthetics of space

Some of the main guidelines of Vastu decoration:
  • 4 Pillars of Vedic architecture: proper orientation, proper scheduling, proper proportions and proper materials.
  • 3 design principles in Vastu: Functiency and easy application, the design must be aesthetically appealing and the material and proportions of space should be harmonious, the design needs to awaken a pleasant feeling.
  • 5 Elements of Nature: as the body requires a certain coherence of the five elements (ether, air, fire, water and earth), so our home demands a fit to have a healthy and harmonious living space. Each element has its own place in space, the government of certain rooms, shapes, furniture, colors and has its own specific traits. If the elements are not well spaced in space it greatly distorts the energy of the whole space and man. 
  • 9 Planets: Each of the eight routes in Vastu is governed by one of the nine planets and various aspects of the living space and its inhabitants are influenced by the quality of these nine planets. The planets make three types of relationships: friendly, neutral and unfavourable. Determining the quality of individual routes will affect each man, according to his personality, which is analyzed through Vedic astrology or Jyotish. The 9 planets are: Sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu.

Energy flows

Space is a subtle element of the aether which forms the basis of all matter. The entire planet is run by two global geophysical currents. The dynamic or solar stream flows from east to west while the organic or lunar flow flows from north to south. Energy flows from east to west, from north to south, from northeast to southwest. On each side of the world, this energy has its own quality. The radiation and movement of the Sun plays a big part in the Vastu arrangement where the best potentials of the sun's energy are used (from the rising to the setting sun) on the sides of the world, and that energy is used for the man who lives here, animals and plants.
In Vedic knowledge, the entire material creation is influenced by certain energetic movements, so every being, element and thing has certain characteristics that are caused by mixing these energies. They are the energy of virtue (satva), passions (rajas) and ignorance (tamas). 
  • satva guna: The space is bright, neat, airy, harmoniously arranged, comfortable and functional. The best places are in pleasant colours, lightweight, mostly new and well spaced.
  • rajas guna: Space is in passion and oscillations, occasionally neat, occasionally messy, scattered, dynamic, full of strong colors or colorful. The furniture is playful or in expressive colours.
  • tamas guna:  The space is dark, has heavy and old furniture, messy, rusty, bad smell, stale, insufficient light, moist etc.
"THE STRUCTURE OF THE VASTU INSPIRED BUILDING VIBRATES WITH COSMIC ENERGY AND THE BODILY INSTRUMENT RESONATES WITH THIS VIBRATION." - Dr. Ganapati Sthapati

Vastu Home

Vastu is an ancient wisdom fully applicable to today's era, for the needs of every person and for every space. Space and we are closely connected and in constant coexistence. Space can make us ill and heal us; it can take our energy and give us energy; it can be inspiring, and every little piece of our home carries part of some energy.

​Vastu adapts to the person and their needs for life on every life level. It is a space that rests on the laws of functionality, aesthetics, and favorable energy.  
​Vastu decoration can be applied to any interior and any style of design. Deviations from the proper square shape, proportions, or irregularities in the floor plan can significantly disrupt the symmetry of a space. In such cases, Vastu employs specific corrective measures. Additionally, if it is not possible to rearrange rooms or furniture, corrections can be made using yantras and mandalas, which protect the space, as well as mantras (sounds), pyramids, colors, mirrors, paintings, and statues.
Vastu House, Bangalore-Indian architecture of Khosla Associates ​   possesses an incredible ability to build highly modern compositions in conjunction with traditional methods. One such recently completed project includes 5000 thousand years old Vedic design Vastu.