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After 1000 years of slavery and 50 years of
freedom, with new fond passion of VAASTU , it appears now that we may have
another theme of liberation which could be "VAASTU MATHRUM".
It is a matter pride for us that our ancient Indians were learned and
enlightened people, and they have bestowed upon us the ancient knowledge
of VAASTU and other occult sciences which are commonly known as Shastras.
Like may other ancient knowledge's of our ancient culture, VAASTU also has
remained a secret and through the journey of 1000 years of slavery, the
process of guru shishya education suffered set back and valuable knowledge
of our ancient culture has come to a stage of mere traditions and rituals
which are followed without understanding; whether it is marriage ceremony,
or Deepavali pooja or Griha pravesh.
VAASTU is currently a fad in high society, and it is surprising that there
are millions of educated "VAASTU IDIOTS" who seek VAASTU experts through
yellow pages, and self styled VAASTU experts advertise in the classified
columns of financial news papers offering guaranteed results and financial
gains in the name of modern PRACTICAL VAASTU. It shows that even modern
educated and learned people belonging to wealthy circles are quite
superstitious and they are blind faith and "Andh Vishwasi".
Here is the case of a rich man who bought a duplex apartment in a swanky
Malabar Hill building facing the Chowpatty sea-face in Mumbai. The
apartment was designed in such a way that the living room and the bedrooms
faced the sea towards the south, since VAASTU is a fad, sure enough the
VAASTU expert came, but a bit late via the yellow pages and as predicted
the VAASTU expert put his foot down and said this was sacrilege. So what
if the building was designed in such a way that it faced the sea view
towards the south? He asked. The south was an awful direction, he
declaimed, it was the place of Yama (the God of Death) and of Agni (Fire),
and the apartment would bring misery to its owner.
Having invested a lot of money in the purchase of apartment, now what? Was
there a way out? Yes, there was a way out. The apartment with a sea view
(a feature that attracts a premium in Mumbai) had to be altered, ruled the
VAASTU expert. He proceeded to bring the kitchen, the servant's room and
the internal staircase on the sea-facing side and shifted the bedroom to
the service lane. Yet, the owner was quite pleased with all these
alterations and said, "Never mind the view, as long as I can maintain my
wealth".
It is surprising that today the learned and the successful people lack
basic conviction of logical reasoning and fall prey to superstitions and
dictates of the unqualified, smart, self-styled experts in the name of
VAASTU.
I decried such blind superstition and wondered why nobody stopped to ask
some simple questions such as "Why is the south considered to be
inauspicious?"
As an avid reader and eager student of architecture, I went back to my
books, I came upon a map of ancient India tracing Indian civilization to
the Indus Valley about 5,000 years ago. When the Aryans came to the
country they traveled along Taxila to Harappa to Mohenjodaro and so on,
moving from a north-westerly to an easterly direction and going down to
the south.
It is worthwhile to note that, all the rivers flowed from north to south,
from the northern Himalayas down the slopes and into the ocean. When the
Aryans came (from the north-west) they settled on the western banks of
rivers. Since the rivers flowed from north to south, the new settlements
were located in such a way that they could draw water upstream from the
river. The water here was clean and potable. This was also the place where
they built their holy ghats and their temples. As the town expanded, the
sewage lines flowed downstream to the south. This was a natural, hygienic
facet of town-planning. As a result, the southern side of the town was
dirty and the unhygienic part of the city. It was also the southern part
of the town where the cremation ghats were located to ensure that the
ashes flowed downstream and away from the town. The dirty river water, by
process of aeration and exposure to the sun, became clean, clear and
potable about 100 miles downstream. And the next town was usually located
about 100 miles downstream from the earlier one.
Such an environmental aspect of ancient Indian town-planning has lead to
the myth that south belongs to the God of Death, and it is followed as
BLIND RITUAL in the name of VAASTU.
Going by this logic, the Taj Mahal Hotel and Gateway of India in Mumbai
being to the south of the city - would have been the location for the
city's cremation ghats and Kanyakumari down south of India, the monumental
place of Swami Vivekananda, should be the abode of "Yama", but this is not
the case.
Thus, it is clear that the "location" of the God of Death to the south is
a mere myth and there is no sense in blindly following all old rituals
without logical interpretation. "We are carrying our rituals too far
forwards".
There is another example of ritualistic approach of the modern VAASTU
Pandit, that south west side of the house or office should be heavier and
higher being good for the welfare and prosperity of the master, and
sometimes in the Office layout, part of the room is raised just by an inch
or so by use of little raised wooden floor, or thicker carpet just as a
ritual of VAASTU.
Nobody asks why south or south-west side should be higher and heavier, and
how does this brings prosperity to the master of the house hold?
Tracing back the history of living habits, and living environments, it has
been observed that due to social customs, and safety security of the
inmates of the family, houses were built inward or enclosed around walled
structures, mainly in southern states, and hot region like Rajasthan and
north west India. These houses were generally built with a courtyard which
served as a protected space for use of ladies, children and family
activities and house hold occupation, when the men folks were out of the
house for their work, or on long trading journeys. Since sunrise in the
north east side is at lower angle, the north east section of the house was
at low height to receive the comfortable morning sunlight into the
courtyard of the house. The south-west of the house was made higher so
that in the afternoon when it is hot, the higher portion of the south-west
corner of the house will cause shadow in the courtyard giving protection
from the hot sun for comfort and welfare of the inmates. Such an
architectural planning based on environmental aspects has been distorted,
by the modern VAASTU Pandit and hence the interior of an enclosed office
space or office floor, raised by couple of inches in the south-west corner
as specified by the VAASTU is nothing but a superstitious ritual in the
name of VAASTU.
We do realise that our ancient Indians were learned and enlightened people
and we must take advantage of inheritance of our ancient texts, which come
to us in the form of VEDAS, SHASTRAS and various other SUTRAS. We must
explore the mysteries and interpret logically our ancient knowledge and
rationalize the applications of ancient principles in the present day
context for the betterment of society.
What is VAASTU? Is it a Faith? but Faith is a product of imagination
rather than logical conclusion. Belief is a popular concept which is not
necessarily true. Since VAASTU cannot be believed without logical
reasoning, hence it cannot be termed as FAITH. Also since faith is a blind
phenomenon then there should be no further question and matters settles
itself that VAASTU is not a FAITH.
What next? Is VAASTU a science or (Vigyan)? Science is based on tested
truths and is built on proven facts. Some VAASTU experts advocate that
Science of VAASTU pertains to mystique of cosmic influence on humans and
their dwellings - but science does not consider natural causes without
explanation of phenomenon as science, and hence VAASTU cannot be
considered "Science as a Whole".
Most People refere VAASTU as a SHASTRA? Is VAASTU a SHASTRA?
Research of our ancient culture reveals that there were 4 vedas, 6
shastras, 18 puranas, 24 upanishads and VAASTU is not listed among any of
these compilations or listings, that means VAASTU is not among the listed
shastras. Perhaps it is the manipulation of the clever mind of the media
or the pandits who propagate VAASTU as Shastra to call themselves as
Shastri or VAASTU Shastri, perhaps to attach greater significance or value
addition to their qualification in the name of Shastra.
If VAASTU is neither a Shastra nor a faith, and not even science (Vigyan),
then what is it? It has to be some thing. Atleast it has to be either
VIGYAN or GYAN or some kind of knowledge. THE QUEST MAY END UP AT THE
STAGE OF GYAN - THAT MEANS COMPOSITE KNOWLEDGE. VAASTU is composite
knowledge of our ancient Indians, which was evolved during the process of
development of our ancient society.
Unfortunately our modern educated society is still under the influence of
western culture, and western media. Interpretations of our ancient culture
and our ancient sciences has been motivated by the objectives of profits
to be derived from the publications, and hence it is subject to saleable
interpretations by the manipulation of the clever mind of the western
media.
For example, to most Indians and to most people world over our ancient
text of "KAMASUTRA" pertains to art of sensual love, and erotic aspects of
sex and this has been highlighted and projected by the western media as a
saleable product for the material gains and profiteering. Indians also
have started to believe so. Most educated Indians have not even cared to
study or understand the KAMASUTRA text, because our modern Indian society
is yet inhibited and has a mental block in the name of ancient traditions
and rituals, and thus our modern Indian society is missing most of the
valuable knowledge from Kamasutra. It was about 3000 years back well
before the period of Ashoka, based on the tested knowledge and experience
of our ancient Indians Rishi "VAHTSYANA" had compiled in a text form, the
principles of their living style in a simplified manner as performing arts
or KALAS and these principles were formulated as Sutras - which became to
be known as KAMASUTRA.
Prinicples of VAASTU can be traced from the philosophy of Indian way of
life, which can be best understood from the two celebrated texts of our
ancient Indians. One is "GITA" and other is "KAMASUTRA". While the essence
of GITA pertains to Karma Promo Dharma or duty is worship, KAMASUTRA
pertains to skills of performing duties. KAMASUTRA is a detailed text of
64 basic arts which the men and women of noble civilisation had to perform
for the fulfillment of their life with success and glory. Out of 64 basic
arts only 4 arts were meant to be personal and generally not discussed in
public, 24 pertain to daily life activities, 16 pertain to gambling
including practical aspects of gambling and 20 pertain to skills including
VAASTU and SHILPI. VAASTU somehow or the other has relevance to all the
arts which become allied to the activity of VAASTU, which include
philosophy, science, astrology, mathematics, geomancy, divining, fashion,
trends of beautification, music, dance, drama, crafts, artful
presentation, elocution, skill of intuition, mystic judgement and what
not. RISHI VAHTSAYANA, IN HIS TEXT OF KAMASUTRA, HAS DESCRIBED "VAASTU" AS
AN ARTIST, ARCHITECT, TOWN PLANNER, INTERIOR DECORATOR ALL INONE, WITH
ABILITY OF MANY MORE SKILLS.
VAASTU or VAASTU PURUSH can be termed as supreme who is superior to all.
In modern day time; Architecture is called mother of all arts and today
Architect is expected to perform the role similar to that of VAASTU - as
was envisaged by Rishi Vahtsayana about 3000 years back that means an
architect is expected to possess multiple skills, arts and ESP as well,
and that will make such an architect "THE VAASTU".
WHILE TRACING THE PHILOSOPHY OF INDIAN WAY OF OUR ANCIENT INDIANS, it may
be noted that our ancient Indians had learnt the secrets of life as a
cycle path from evolution to subsistence to residue and regeneration. They
also understood that our human form and our nature is unification of
cosmic or (solar energy) and organic energy of earth and the human form or
our body is a part of nature, and human body is designed to acclimatize
with nature.
Our ancient Indians also realised that state of human existence is a
stream of consciousness which is very much dependent on nature. The
consciousness is the state of body alive and our real body is the stream
of sub-conscious - which flows in our body in the form of white cells in
the blood chemical composition of white cells is similar to that of the
brain.
The stream of consciousness which flows in our body is maintained by three
factors, which are AYUR, TARANG and YOG. AYUR - means body temperature and
thus the knowledge of ayurved was formulated to enable the human beings to
use natural ingredients for maintenance of body temperature - which
ensures the body free from physical alignments. TARANG - means Rythm or
body Rythm or energy Rhythm, this can be modulated by music. Music helps
the mind or state of mind. YOG is the process of unification of mind and
body. All these three factors are again very much dependent on the NATURE.
In this context our ancient Indians had evolved the methods or prinicples
of living in harmony with nature or natural way of living with environment
which could be conducive to pursue the maintenance of stream of
consciousness and or to attain the state of super consciousness or State
of Sat-Chit-Anand. THE VERY PROCESS OF LIVING WITH NATURE / OR PRINCIPLES
OF NATURAL WAY OF LIVING WAS TERMED AS "VAASTU".
Every author of VAASTU in the foreword writes in one way or the other,
such kind of statement : "THAT THE VAASTU PRINCIPLES WERE FORMULATED BY
OUR ANCIENT INDIANS TO TAKE THE MAXIMUM ADVANTAGE OF SUNLIGHT / AIR AND
ORIENTATIONS AND ENVIRONMENT AROUND FOR THE BENEFIT OF NATURAL WAY OF
LIVING FOR BETTER HEALTH AND PROSPERITY"
Form the above statement, it is very clear that VAASTU principles were
formulated as :
i. Guide for NATURAL WAY OF LIVING.
ii. Guide for living in tune with the environment.
iii. Guide for taking advantage of natural light and ventilation.
Having said as above, there is no scope left for any rigid formula and
orthodox attitude of application of common prescription or ritualistic
directions for different geographical locations and different situations.
It is obviously clear that essence of VAASTU advocates that living style
and dwellings should be such that advantage can be derived from the
natural environment, surroundings and natural light and ventilation's for
better health and pleasant feelings. It means "ADVANTAGE FROM NATURE AND
SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT" is an important; theme aspect of VAASTU. Since
nature and environment is variable from location to location, the
application of orientations at physical level become dependent on the
variable locations and relevant environment and hence applications of
principles of VAASTU at physical material level are variable and flexible
to the extent to achieve the main objective of taking advantage of nature
and environment.
For example; houses and dwellings in the plains of northern India, it will
be natural to plan the houses in such an orientations that advantage of
natural cross ventilation can be derived from the East-West winds. Houses,
dwellings units along the west-south west coastal region shall be so
oriented that advantage of natural ventilation can be derived from south
west winds. Similarly advantage of water resources can be derived mainly
from flowing water of rivers in the northern region, and in the coastal
hilly region advantage of water resources can be derived from the stored
water in lakes and reservoirs, as per natural topography irrespective of
orientation and direction.
The requirements of sun light in the north Himalayan region is much more
to give protection against the cold winds whereas in the desert zone and
in the zone of equator sunlight is required to be shielded to over-come
the dis-comfort of heat and glare.
The above examples illustrate that in different locations different types
of dwellings are required to be worked out to achieve the common factor of
"taking advantage of natural light and ventilation and surrounding
environment for natural way of living of humans". Hence there is no
rigidity and application process is variable and flexible and universal
for all humans irrespective of cast, creed and religion, and hence it can
be considered that "VAASTU PRINCIPLES PERTAIN TO APPLICATION OF THE
KNOWLEDGE OF ENVIRONMENT" or VAASTU can be termed as "ENVIRONMENT ORIENTED
ARCHITECTURE". |
