Frequently Asked Questions on Vastu (FAQ)

1. What is Vastushastra?
Answer - VASTUSHASTRA is an ancient Hindu practice to construct buildings in harmony with natural forces for well being of humanity as a whole. It is a rich Hindu philosophy, which is given in a number of ancient works including Vedas. It is the traditional Indian system of architecture and design of Vedic origin. Vastu means the dwelling of humans and Gods. Many Vastu rules are derived from 'Vastu Purusha' who is depicted as a man lying with his head pointing northeast, in a grid of usually 64 squares. The different directions and sectors are assigned to different Gods and Guardians.

2. What is the main object of Vastushastra?
Answer - The object of Vastushastra is to provide guidelines for proper construction of houses, shops, commercial buildings etc. Vastu determines the position of the house with regard to points of a compass and dictates the proportions of every detail in building, lines, directions, skylines, elongations, levels, slopes, water (underground and overhead), kitchen, bedrooms, toilets, staircase, heights of ceilings and roofs, entrances, location of doors and windows, compound walls and so on.

3. Why one should apply Vastushastra?
Answer - Vastushastra is a result-oriented science and gives definite and immediate results if applied properly. It defines the proportions and details of building elongation, slopes, water tanks, kitchen, bedrooms, stairs, heights of roofs, entrances, doors, windows, walls etc. Living in harmony with the nature is theme of Vastushastra. Vastushastra is important for construction of houses, villages, towns, and cities.

4. Does Vastushastra brings prosperity?
Answer -Yes, Vastushastra suggests ways in which we can live in tune with the laws of nature, so that we can be healthy, peaceful and work efficiently that results in prosperity.

5. Whether Vastushastra is linked to any religion?
Answer - Yes, it has been developed by Hindus, but being an art and science of structures, it can be used and applied irrespective of the religion.

6. Which deity is worshiped in Vastu Shastra?
Answer - The ancient text of Vastu Shastra mentions various Gods from Hindu mythology fixing their locations on the site and prescribing the offerings to be made to them. We should treat our house like a human being, like a good friend who gives us comfort and protection. We can also give a personal name to our house. In Vastushastra it is known as Vastu Purusha. The 'Vastu Purusha' is said to be the spirit of the site. It's in the form of a human male and lies on the site with his head towards the east, his posture fitting exactly in a square. Aesthetically correct dimensions of rooms, doors windows and even the structural members like plinth and pillars can be determined on the concept of ‘Vastu Purusha’. Even the interior can be made by the posture of the 'Vastu Purusha' and the norms, which specifies where and how the structure should be built, so that it does not injure him.

7. Which is the ideal plot?
Answer - A plot is square if all four sides are straight and equal in length and it has equal angle of 90 degree at all four corners. Square is the best shape of a plot. A plot is rectangular if it has four straight sides and equal angles of 90 degree at all corners with opposite sides of equal length. A rectangular plot having its length not more that double the breadth (length and breadth not more that 1:2) is a very good plot.

8. How one can determined direction of his plot?
Answer - Direction of a plot can be determined by any of the two modern simple methods by using a compass, the device for finding direction which has a freely moving needle which always points to the magnetic North. make two lines crossing each other dividing a paper in four equal parts at 90-degree angle. Place a compass on paper in the middle of your plot and align it with two lines in the North and the South of the needle of the compass. Extend these lines on the plot and mark it to have exact direction.

9. What should be the proportion of length and breadth of house?
Answer - The proportion between length and breadth should be 1:1 but it should not exceed 1:2 ratio.

10.Does the size of house affects the fortune of the person who is living in it?
Answer - Yes, the size of length, breadth both effect the fortune of the person who lives in it.

11. Which is the best location for bedrooms?
Answer - The Southwest portion of the house is meant for bedroom for adults. It may be located in the South, and will be congenial for comfortable living. Master bedroom may be on the upper storey, if any, in the Southwest portion of the house.

12. In which direction one should sleep?
Answer - Direction of a person while sleeping also has importance in Vastushastra. One should never sleep having head towards the North Pole and legs towards the South Pole. However one may sleep having legs towards the West and head towards the East for mental peace, good thoughts and spirituality.

13. Which is a good location for children room?
Answer - Children room should be in the northwest or West Side. To have a better concentration they should have a separate study close to their bedrooms.

14. Whether there is any principle in Vastushastra regarding location of Kitchen?
Answer - Location of kitchen has health implications. Presiding deity of the Southeast is Agni, the God of fire; hence kitchen may be located the southeast corner of the house.

15. Whether Location of studyroom has any effect on Vastushastra?
Answer - One should face the North or the East or the Northeast while studying and he will be shining more. Therefore the best locations for study room are the north, east, or northeast. These directions attract the positive effects of Mercury increasing brain power, Jupiter increasing wisdom, Sun increasing ambition and Venus helps in bringing about creativity in new thoughts and ideas. Books may be kept in the Southwest side of the room. Study room may have door on the East or the North, or the Northeast

16. Which is the best location for Dining room?
Answer - The dining room should be located in the East or the West or the North nears the kitchen. Northwest corner is good for perishable goods. Dinning room may be in the Northwest direction, which leads to quicker consumption of food.

17. Is there is any location of bathrooms prescribed in Vastushastra?
Answer - As per Vastushastra, the East is the place for the bathroom. Attached bathroom may preferably be in the North, or the East of a bedroom. Shower, bathing tub and wash basin in the bathroom may be in the Northeast, or the North or the East direction. One may have bath in the North or the East area in the bathroom. Bathroom should never be constructed in the center or in the southwest corner of the house.

18. What should be the best location of Drawing room?
Answer - Drawing room should be preferably in the Northeast or the North or the East but not in the Southwest portion of the house. More vacant space should be given in the Northeast corner of the drawing room.. Door is preferable on the East towards the Northeast side.

19. What should be the best location of storeroom? Answer - Storeroom should be made in the Northwest or Southwest portion of the house. It is very beneficial if grains and other provisions are stored in the Northwest store. All heavy things may be stored in the Southwest of the storeroom. Garbage may be collected in the Southern side portion of the house.

20. What are the things thar are to be kept in mind while selecting a plot ?
Answer - The major factors to be kept in mind while selecting a plot are : Geographical surrondings & Level of the land. And Roads around the plot.