VASTU

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Vastu | Vastu Shastra Vastu means home or dwelling place. Vastu Shastra is ancient Indian science based on the Vedas. It explains the basics of architecture, interior designing and construction on the basis of principles of Vaastu. It is fundamentally a Hindu Art of planning the central architecture of a building. Vastu somewhat perished in the industrial and colonial era especially during the British Raj but was largely practiced in Temple architecture. The layout details and specifically the main door or entrance hall of all temples in India was planned according to Vasthu. Recently there has been tremendous increase in the popularity of Vastu remedies. Even the demand for Vastu advice and consequently experts and consultants has soared high. As an initiation towards understanding the very essence of Vastu Shastra, we bring to you this dedicated section on Indiahousing.com that will answer all your information-seeking quests on Vaastu. The science of Vastu Shastra explores the relationship between energy field of a man and his physical surroundings. The effects of the environment on man are clearly demarcated as physical, mental and spiritual and managing the cosmic energy in the buildings and structures a man lives in can bring positive energy in our lives. Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui and the usual fundamentals of astrology are combined by the consultants to give you remedies against the Vastu Dosha in the course of your home building experience. On our subsequent pages you will find quick Vastu Shastra tips, learn more about the applications of Vaastu for home, office, plots or particular areas of your house and even get details on the Vastu basics like Vastu Purush Mandala, mantras, Yantras, Vastu Dosha and much more. Just browse through our Vastu section and quench your thirst for any information on this ancient science of architecture.

A guide to VAASTU SHILPI SHASTRA

The method of designing buildings that are in harmony with Nature is rooted in the ancient Indian science of Vaastru Shilpi Shastra. The origins of this highly evolved science can be traced to one of the four ancient Indian Vedas – the Atharva Veda and was widely applied in most historic monuments which stand tall and strong even today. This mystic science is being rediscovered by modern architects and is being increasingly employed today. There have been claims of immense wealth and personal health within days after making structural changes in one’s residence as advocated by Vaastru Shastra. Though this may be viewed with suspicion, the basic tenets appeal to the scientific mind as building designs recommended do in fact improve air circulation and natural lighting. This in turn improves the health and behavior of the occupants. Wealth you will agree is a natural outcome of good health and clear thinking. The impact of celestial bodies like the Sun and the Moon on human behavior is more widely accepted by modern science than was the case a few decades ago. However, ancient Indian Scriptures carried discussions on astrology that are said to predict the entire future of new born babies. There could still be scientific support at some future date for all the unexplained esoteric tenets of the Vaastu Shilpi Shastra.

CONSTRUCTING A NEW BUILDING

It is very important to time the start of the construction.Start excavation and fixing of the main door in :

Chaitra (March-April) -will bring financial loss Vaishaka (April-May) -very auspicious Jaistha (May-June) -death and unhappiness Shraavana (July-Aug.) -a healthy family Bhaadrapada (Aug-Sept.) -disease in the family Ashwayuja (Sept. –Octo) - family feuds and enmity Kaarthika (Octo- Nov) -will attract wealth Maargashira(Nov –Dec) -troubles in fears in daily life Pushya(Dec-Jan) -destructive fires and troubles Maagha (Jan-Feb) -good family life Phaalguna(Feb –Mar) -will gain wealth and fame Further Mondays,Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are auscpicious

CHOOSING THE SITE Avoid black clay soils, as the foundations will be weak. Avoid sites with anthills (fear of termite destruction) , land with big boulders and reclaimed land with loose soil. Land must be sloping to the North or East. The site should be at least 50 m away from Shiva Temple and must not be to the left of a Durga temple or behind a Vishnu temple. Shape of the plot It must be square or rectangular and the East-West dimension greater than the North –South. Any other polygonal shape is generally inauspicious. Avoid land that has no ground water.Dig a well in the NE corner and use the ground water for prosperity. The North _East corner must never be rounded off in a corner site (at an intersection) to the South West corner may be rounded off. Direction of roads: Plots with roads on all sides is the best. Roads must be on the East or the North side. A water steam that flows from the West to the East is good as far as it is to the North of the site. . THE BUILDING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY: The area of the building in square feet if divided by 8 must leave a reminder on either 1,3,5 or 7. Old buildings that are damaged by a natural calamity like fire, lightening, rain etc are to be avoided. Never acquire a house in which a suicide has taken place or a new born baby died or a pregnant lady expired. Should be sufficiently away from trees whose roots can damage the foundation Door/windows The main entrance /door must be from the North or the East. An entrance from the West or South –West is extremely bad. The number of door and windows must each be an even number. Columns and beams must also be an even number.

A door must never be in the center of the façade of the house. If there are 2 doors never have them on the West (main door) and South (side door) , South (main) and West (side) and West main) and North (side). Pooja Room: The N-E is the best location. The Deity facing the West and the person offering prayers facing the East is the best. However, the Deity facingthe East or North is also acceptable. In a multistoried building the prayer room must be on the ground floor. Bed room: Ideal location is South or S-W corner. However, the East, N-E and S-E may also be used. Avoid bedrooms in the Northern side as this will lead the user into financial difficulties. One must sleep with the head facing the South ideally. However head facing the East is also permissible. Head facing either the North or the West can be disastrous. Bathrooms: Should be to the East or North of the bedrooms. Toilets : Should never be in the N-E corner of the Building Kitchen: The ideal location is the S-E corner of the building with the cooking platform on the eastern side with the cook facing the East. The N-E corner of the building is also acceptable location for the kitchen. Staircases: Must be located as far as possible to the South or S-W portion of the building. Cellar/basement : Must be to the North or N-E portion of the building Under ground water tanks: (incl. swimming pools) Must be in the N-E corner of the plot but never in the S-E corner. Overhead tanks: Must be in the S-W corner but never in the North, East or N-E corner. Rented House

The principles of Vaastu apply to both rented houses as well as houses owned by the resident. If a portion of a building is being rented out , the North or N-E portion must be rented out, the Southern portion must be occupied be the owner. No house must be kept vacant for more than 3-4 months. The practical angle to this is that rodents and white ants can create havoc on the foundation of the building if unoccupied. Further, it is believed that evil forces of nature take recluse in the long vacant buildings. The ground floor must never be kept vacant, the higher floors may be kept vacant. Color scheme: This depends on the direction in which the house faces East facing : white, off white South facing :Pink, orange, red S-E facing : dark shades of green South _west : olive green, parrot green West facing : shades of blue North facing : green or yellow North _west : White, off white Auspicious periods

The Vaastu Purusha is considered to be awake when he is oriented towards the cardinal points, and is said to be asleep when oriented towards the non-cardinal points like the NE, SW, SE, NW. During the period of Dhanur (December-January), Mina (March-April), Mithuna (June-July), Kanya (September-October), it is considered inauspicious to begin building activities. During the period of Mesha (April-May), Vrishabha (May-June) Kataka (July-August), Simha (August-September), Tula (October-November), Vrichika (NovemberDecember), Makara (January-February), Kumbha (February-March), It is auspicious to build. The spin is clockwise and around its own centre. Like the Vaastu Purusha, all living beings are also material in their origins. Hence, they too are earth substance. It can be said that we too are earth or bhoomi and the energy within us is Vaastu Purusha. When the earth is dormant, the Vaastu Purusha is considered to be asleep. At this time it is not beneficial to begin house-building activities. The Shastras state that this `wrong’ time could lead to negative effects on the residents. One must learn about the cycles of the earth before beginning auspicious acts. The face of the Vaastu Purusha is oriented towards the position of the sun. On the opposite side will be

placed the feet of the Vaastu Purusha. His left hand will be placed below, the right hand above. It is observed that Vastushastra is totally based on sunrays and the invisible effect of these rays. The different colours of the rays have useful as well as destructive effect depending upon the direction and varying from sunrise to sunset. The seven colours forming the sunrays are different goddesses of power and are serially known as Parjanya, Kashyap, Mahendra, Surya, Satya, Bhrush and Nabhas. Different sages and seers studied extensively, the properties of these rays and named them Kanchansam, Sphatic-Nirmal, Indranil, Vaidurya, Padmarag, Vajrak and Brahamatej. These seven rays are known as Saptadevta (the seven Gods). Therefore, even the day is divided into seven parts. Brahmyamuhurta, Ushakal, Arun, Pratasanghav, Madhyanha, Apranha, Sayankal. Gods Associated With Vaastu If we consider the curved surface of the earth as the horizontal plane, we get the four main directions The East, The West, The North and South and the sub directions The South-east, the South-west, The North-west and North-east. Every direction is ruled by one God. Rituals/Poojas to be performed

The Vaastu Shastras are full of ritualistic data that pertain to the relationship of a person to the earth (bhoomi) or with the energies (vaastu devata) or to the trees (vana mahotsavam, vana muhurtam). To understand the right time to plant, to sow, to build, to reap, and to expand businesses are all part of the Vaastu Shastras. Many important functions such as the following:Vaastu Muhurtam, Bhoomi Puja, Garbhanyasa, Kumbhabhishekam, Grihapravesam have been pointed out below: Vaastu Muhurtam. After referring to the Panchangam or Indian calendar, the right time is chosen to inaugurate the site and to propitiate the energies. The time chosen is when the Vaastu Purusha is awake and therefore capable of participating in the ceremony in a powerful manner. As already stated, the Vaastu Purusha is awake during eight months of the year and asleep in the other four. (Eight months of wakefulness-Mesha, Vrishabha, Kataka, Simha, Tula, Vrichika, Makara, Kumbha. Four months of Sleep-Dhanur, Mina, Mithuna, Kanya.) Bhoomi Puja. Usually this puja is carried out at the same time as vaastu muhurtam. A small 64-part diagram denoting the manduka padam and the Vaastu Purusha within it is marked in the NE part of the property using different seeds and colouring substance. To each of the devas of this mandala, the chants and the offerings mentioned earlier are made. It is also common to make a test pit in the NE in which the first bricks or stones are placed during the bhoomi puja. An effigy of the Vaastu Purusha is made in straw and burnt. This is to ward off evil spirits. It is recommended that this ritual be carried out in the morning.

Garbhanyasa. This is a ritual carried out to bring alive the building and its spaces. It is recommended that this ritual to be carried out in the evening or night after the building has been completed and it is ready for occupation. For the ritual a specific location is picked and a small cavity is dug out into which a box made of copper or silver is placed. It may have nine or twenty-five compartments, which is a mandala form known as peetha padam (nine). Upapeetha padam (twenty-five). In the compartment facing east, offerings to Surya and Indra are made in silver and gold, in the south to Yama and Simha in iron and gold, in the west to Varuna in silver, in the north to Soma in silver, and similarly to all the other directions. Nine grains, nine gems, minerals and herbs are placed in the box. The bottom of the cavity or pit should have earth from different places. First placed. This is then covered with a wooden lid and placed in the cavity. The cavity is filled up amidst chanting and prayer. This box or casket is held to be the source of life and movement. By placing it with its offerings to the energies, the building comes alive. Garbha means the womb, hence this is the womb or life-defining ritual. The ritual may be carried out in the centre or brahmasthana, or in the north, west, east, south, on one side of the central axis (to the right facing from the outside). Kumbhabhishekam. This ritual is usually carried out for temples. After the temple structure has been completed, and the image of the Divine One placed in the garbhagriha or sanctum, the kalasam or bronze urn is placed on the top of the outer structure. With hold water that has been purified through puja, the kalasam is finally cleansed. It is this final ritual which marks the completion of a temple and with which it promises that the temple is now ready for the dialogue between the community and the gods. Griha pravesam. In residences, the final action of purifying and making ready the space for occupation is called Griha Pravesham. The planets and the devas are propitiated, Vinayaka invoked, the space sprinkled with holy water, and sanctified with the sacred Vedic ritual. After this ceremony, the inhabitants may move into the built space and start their new lives. With all these rituals, the tradition has helped people understand the intrinsic and extraordinary relationship they share with their physical and spiritual environment. There is no connection with organized religion in any of the rituals, they take on an almost tribal character in the offering of energy back to the earthly systems Vaastu and Geopathy

The ancient science of Vaastu is based on realistic energy effects, be it magnetic, radiation or sound waves. The concept of "negative" and "positive" energy being properly harnessed forms the basis of several ancient sciences on the well being of man.

Environment, mental and physical health of the human being are closely related. Once this factor gained recognition, efforts were made to create proper environment for the people. This recognition gave birth to the science of vaastu in India, the same concept led to the birth of Fengshui in China. In the western world, the recognition led to the understanding and development of the science of geopathy. Geo means 'earth' and pathy means 'disease'. The science of geopathy is therefore the study of the diseases of the earth. One interesting aspect of geopathy was that equal importance was given to both the structure and the radiation underneath the earth which are invisible. Geopathy recognises electromagnetic radiation Geopathy recognises that electromagnetic radiation which are cosmic in origin surrounds the globe. The geopathic scientists were of the view that radiation distortions were a natural phenomenon which could make a site unsafe for building anything over it. These distortions would result in a distorted energy field in a structure if the structure was near or over the distorted point. Geopathists put forth the theory that this could result in unhappy homes, sickness and lack of prosperity. There are several factors that can contribute to geopathic stress. One is the underground streams which suddenly change course or meet with falls even if they are at great depths from the surface. Dr. Curry of Germany discovered electrically charged lines of natural origin flowing on northeast-southwest and southeastnorthwest lines at approximately three metres apart forming a grid which is now known as 'Curry grid'. Sleeping over crossed junctions can cause organic diseases Dr.Ernst Hartmann, another German scientist discovered charged lines crisscrossing on east-west and north-south directions and where two lines met they formed over each other, double positive or double negative junctions. Extensive studies in this field have established that sleeping over these crossed junctions can cause organic diseases, including cancer. Geopathy has made tremendous strides in the past few decades and today geopathic experts are routinely called to analyse 'sick building syndromes' when the effect is not due to adequate ventilation. Modern geopathy recognises several factors which could make a building 'sick'. I want to mention a few of them just to show that vaastu although evolved in a different part of the globe has much in common with geopathy.

Dampness can cause negative energy

An area which is consistently damp or smells of dampness without any apparent cause is an area of 'negative energy', according to geopathy. Vaastu also holds that one should not build a structure where there is dampness all the time. Anthills carry negative energy Vaastu advocates rejection of plots with anthills. Geopathy also concedes with this observation. Any place where ants build a home has negative grid points and are not advisable. As per geopathy, certain measures are to be taken to overcome the negative energy before considering a structure on the plot. Beehives are not auspicious Vaastu rejects plots having trees where beehives exist. Similarly according to vaastu in a existing structure if bees try to form a hive it is considered as ill omen. Geopathy also states that bees favor negative energy field for building a hive and corrective measures to eliminate the negative fields are to be adopted if bees are spotted frequently or if they start working on a hive. The above examples show that the ancient Indians were well aware of the negative energy fields which exist on plot and gave guide lines to recognise and avoid the effects of such fields. Feel ill? Check the radiation below your house Studies have shown that good health and vaastu are closely related. It is an established fact that earth has a magnetic field. Some of the radiation from the earth is beneficial while some are hazardous. The harmful radiation is due to the presence of ores underneath, due to underground streams and due to rocks lying in parallel alignment. An expert on vaastu conducted a survey on a house where a strong negative current was giving out harmful radiation to the inmates. The inmates of the house were having breathing problems. The expert identified the problem to be due to the harmful radiation emanating from below the house. It acts in your office too As a form of experimentation, the person who was experiencing breathing problem was asked to change the place he slept. Immediately, he felt some relief. The same holds good for office premises. The chair that you sit on has energy fields below it, affecting your performance. When there were many instances of cancer in Germany, the German Central Committee of cancer research conducted a study and found that every person who had died of cancer had his or her bedroom exactly above a radiation point. The studies, conducted in other countries also, were published in Earth Radiation, published in Britain.

It is interesting to note that gypsies never get cancer! Why? Because they are nomads, who can instinctively locate an earth radiation. Exposing oneself to earth's radiation for a long period of time leads to cancer. Just check out if you are staying in a radiation zone and are prone to problems due to that. If your answer to most of the following questions is YES then watch out you could be prone to cancer. Are you feeling tired most of the day? Do you finding attending to the daily chores a problem? Are you depressed? Do you feel irritable most of the times? Do you feel (if you are ill) that you are not responding well to medical treatment? Do you find your child highly aggressive and hyperactive? Do you get up in the morning with a tired feeling? Do you frightening dreams, feeling of constricted breathing and night sweats? Do you suffer from undiagnosed headaches? Do you suffer from insomnia? Do you have a back problem, which grows worse at night? Do you get up in the morning feeling bruised all over?

Pregnant women beware! Care should be taken that pregnant women do not sleep over such radiation zones, to ensure that the baby born does not have complications. It has also been proved that miscarriages are common in weeks after conception if the woman sleeps over a radiation zone. If you are having problems moving into your new house, check when you moved in and find out when the problem started. If you have a cat, which loves to sleep on your bed, the indications are there is a R-zone underneath. On the same token your pet dog will not sleep under some area of the cot, which is hit by earth radiation. Also, if you find too many ants in your apartment or house, if bees come to start a hive you should suspect a radiation distortion. It has also been observed that the problem of the person afflicted will worsen on a full moon day, or when there is heavy rain.

Researchers have come out with electronic equipment which ensure a uniform spread of Schumann waves in the structure. One equipment can take care of about 1,500 sft area, adequate to meet the requirement of most houses. So if you cannot change your bed location then you can try installing a wave generator. Dressed stone structures and Vaastu impact

With advancement in technology and more resilient building materials being available, stone structures have gone out of demand, at least in the West. But in India, the rocky terrain, cheap labour and fine craftsman abound, made stone a preferred choice. Temples like the Khajuraho are fine examples of stone structures standing the test of time. The beauty of dressed stone is breathtaking, and since it is maintenance-free, it has even more appeal. Then what is the trouble? Simply that it emits negative energy. We understand how living beings undergo stress. Now it should be interesting to take note of how inanimate beings undergo stress. In a simple operation like hammering, violent mechanical forces are introduced to an object. In an operation like forging, where a piece of steel is heated and repeatedly hammered to give it a particular shape, at the end of the operation, the object cannot be used as it is filled with stress. Stress relieving is basically more like massaging a human being. It takes the object through a tortuous cycle of heating and cooling and the object regains its normal strength. Dressed stones has little chance to release the stress But in the case of dressed stone structure, every stone is prepared by hammering and on an average every dressed stone takes not less than 500 hammer blows. And there is no scope for relieving the stress, which the stone has suffered and the stress remains locked up. A building of dressed stones has tens of thousands of stressed stones, each laden with quite a substantial amount of stress locked up inside. Thus, in effect, such buildings are nothing but huge blocks of negative energy, just as a person who is in great stress. When a person is under stress and strain he is a source of unhappiness and misery for those who are around them. Similarly, the stone building brings unhappiness and misery to the occupants. How do stone buildings influence the activity that goes on inside it? Some findings on this are interesting. Stone buildings as hospitals Take the case of stone buildings used as hospitals. A few examples are the hundredyear-old Lord Minto Eye Hospital, Victoria Hospital in Chamarajpet, Bangalore, and NIMHANS on Lalbagh Road in Bangalore. A hospital by nature stands for disease, death, sorrow and despair. No laughs, smiles or jokes, but the whole atmosphere is depressing and gloomy. All one can come across are patients in agony, their

relatives in fear and suspense, grave-faced doctors, stone-faced nurses and scowling ayahs! And the result is, there will be an unbridled expansion of activities when a stone building is used as a hospital. It is interesting to see that although these hospitals started in small buildings, several new blocks catering to different specialties have come up over the years and more and more expansion takes place. Also, the number of patients visiting these hospital complexes, from far and near, is increasing day by day. But, an increase in the number of sick people is nothing to cheer about. Stone buildings as maternity hospitals Surprisingly, in the case of maternity hospitals the atmosphere is more relaxing and the end result is a happy one most of the time as everyone is looking forward to the arrival of a new-born who will bring comfort and cheer to the entire family. This is an activity going against the stressful field already present. When a stone building is used as a maternity home, it is found that there is no expansion but only stagnation. Some of the standing examples of this are the Vani Vilas Hospital in Bangalore where reportedly with over 50 per cent of the wards closed, Corporation maternity hospital on JC Road, Bangalore, Maternity hospital in NR Colony and Maternity Hospital in Sajjan Rao Circle, all in Banglaore. Although these hospitals are several decades old none of them had any phenomenal growth or development. Stone buildings housing educational institutions If the building has an excellent north and east openings at low level, then the institution survives and makes a mark in the academic field. But the expansion will be difficult. It will not branch out and grow with increased faculties or branches. In the cantonment area of Bangalore for example, there are several premier educational institutions, all stone structures. The St.Joseph School and college which is over hundred years old, is much sought after and enjoys a very high reputation in academic circles, which remains undiminished till today. But considering the expansion of the city population this institution has not grown much. This applies to other convent schools of old Bangalore, the one near Fraser Town, one near Briand Square, one on Residency Road and so on. A bad Vaastu can make the institution suffer from gaining in popularity and carve a niche for itself. Consider the Renukacharya College of Commerce in Bangalore. Unfortunately, it has a very bad Vaastu. Although it is several decades old and is situated in a prime area, it failed to attract students. The same applies for Girijamma Mukunda High school in Basavanagudi, Corporation Girl's High School near Thimmiah Road, Industrial training center on Lalbagh Road. However, it should be noted that, this is not a reflection on the quality of education given. To be fair they are as good as the best. But all the efforts are made futile by a stone building with bad vaastu.

Another noteworthy aspect is if there is a stone building institution then invariably a hospital comes up around it! Consider the following examples in Bangalore: Mallya Hospital close to St. Joseph School, Bateja Nursing Home close to St.Joseph College of Commerce Yellamma Hospital close to Post-Graduate College of St. Joseph, Kidwai Cancer Hospital close to Industrial Training Institute, Ramiah Medical Hospital close to Indian Institute of Science, General Hospital close to High School in Briand Square and Pandu Nursing Home close to Girijamma Mukunda High School. Stone building in business/ factories Stone buildings are unsuitable for business purposes as well. Although they do well in the beginning, eventually the negative field gathers strength and the business is likely to run into trouble. Consider these: the Binny Mill building, Minerva Mills and Raja Mills are all stone buildings which did extremely well one time but that is no longer true. The same is the case with the BRV theatre, which enthralled millions with Bond movies in the sixties and earned handsomely in that period is now used as army canteen! The KR Market, which did roaring business, was pulled down to make way for a concrete complex. Stone buildings as offices A government office remains unaffected, as there are no expectations or business approach involved with them. In Bangalore, we have the LIC Buildings on Residency Road and Corporation Circle, AG's office in Race Course. However, if the institution is expected to deliver results then the stone building has a different story to say. Consider the Corporation Offices for example. Although they do their best, people have more complaints than compliments. Same is the case with Vidhana Soudha from where the government is run! The people remember the lapses than the contributions of governments, and results in no party consistently occupying the seat of power. Stone building palaces/forts Dressed stones were the choice material in most of the palaces and forts. Uniformly they failed their rulers. Most of the forts are in ruins today. It makes one wonder whether the fall of India to the British was due to the fact that all palaces and forts were made of stones. Stone building as temples If the temple has good north and east openings as with the case of educational institutions, then the temple will be popular. One should note that the atmosphere in a temple is somewhat similar to that of a hospital. Here mostly people come to unload their grief and seek the help of the almighty. Only if the total vaastu is bad the temple fails to become popular. Stone building as residences As residences are small buildings comparatively the effect can be balanced if the landscape is as per vaastu. If landscapes are badly placed, residences have little

hope. Electronic instruments which super imposes a positive energy field inside are now available. This is one consoling factor for residences built in dressed stones. Conclusion Experiences with the stone buildings lends credence to the fact that there is quite an amount of truth in the belief that stone structures are unsuitable, from the point of view of prosperity and happiness. This however does not apply to facade stones, stones used for foundations (not dressed but natural rough-cut with no stress factor) and pavement stones. Financial

Temple on right side of plot or straight ahead of gate. Temple behind the plot. Small plot between two big plots. Dust bin within plot or on road adjacent to the northeast. North east of plot is closed, heavy or neighbor's building ahead on north east. Damaged building opposite gate or door. Drain opposite gate or door. If there are two roads serving the plot on opposite sides 'and there are two main entrances, one each on either road. If the road is higher than floor of building. If road serving plot, slopes from north to south or from north east to south west. If there are three adjacent roads and entrance is not kept on the center road. If the Northeast is cut, curved or damaged. If plot is a southeast plot. North facing entrance for northwest plot. If the land is Vayavya land. There are anthills, termite hills or snake pits in the plot. Land has pebbles.

Many depressions occur naturally within the plot. Plot is too raised from surrounding. Land has big rocks or boulders within. Land is barren with no greenery or water. There is a slope towards southwest or west. The northeast, north and east are raised within and outside the plot. If southeast is the highest point in the plot, floor or building. If southeast, south, southwest or west is lowest. If east is the highest and west is the lowest within the plot building or floor. Poverty, loss in case of Diatya prastha land. If rain water exits in southeast, northwest, south or southwest. Plot is Bar shaped; wheel shaped, semicircular, odd shaped with 4 sides none of which are equal, cart shaped, trapezium shaped, hand fan shaped, winnow shaped, oval shaped, triangle shaped and parallelogram cause loss and poverty. South east of plot has expanded towards east. Southwest of plot has south expansion: Northwest plot expansion on either side. Angular plot retraction towards north in northeast. Southeast plot angular retraction towards south. South West angular plot retraction towards west. Northeast angular plot retraction towards east. Southwest angular plot retraction towards south. Northeast plot retraction as square. More open space in south east on either side. More space in south leads to loss. Excess space in west lowers wealth. Less open space in northeast. Building on east wall or Building on north wall.

Poverty or poverty in spite of riches when northeast is closed. Bankruptcy or poverty if northwest is closed. Poverty when north or east sides are closed completely or partly. If north compound wall is curved or dilapidated. If plants with milky sap are present within the plot. Tall trees in north or east block wealth. If the gate of the plot and the door of the building face opposite directions. If gate faces south in the southwest corner. If there is a well in the south of southeast. If there is a well in a raised south. If well is in excessive space at southeast. Well in the south of southwest. Well in west and effect more if west is raised. Well within the perimeter of the building, Stagnation or closing of business if well is in west of northwest. Separate building in north, northeast or east of the plot. Very large door in proportion to size of building lowers wealth. Entering the building through a door in the backyard. If door makes the sound of the turning of a chekku or ghani. If there is a south facing southwest door. Even numbered rooms within the building. God signifying wealth (Balagi, Kubera or Lakshmi) facing the exit. Southeast land, floors of the building or terrace low. If south or southwest is lowest point in land, building or floor. If overhead tank is in northeast.

If northeast, south or east is used as kitchen or hot process. If north or northeast is the highest point in land, building or floor. Treasury in east leads to no inflows in wealth. Treasury in Southeast destroys wealth. Treasury in North leads to scarcity. Treasury in Northeast leads to poverty. Staircase in north or east leads to poverty. Store room inn north or east leads to poverty. Any heavy thing in north or east leads to poverty. First floor in northern half or eastern half lowers wealth If land area in South is bought and added to existing plot. Wealth lowers if building is expanded on west alone. Ups and downs in financials, if east floor depresses. Loss occurs if buildings for residence are built with 2 or 3 wings. Building has 2 opposite wings of north and south or east with west. If the building has 3 wings East, West and North. DEBT

Liabilities arise if natural depression or holes are in the plot. Business affected and liability exists when excess space is in west or southwest. Debt if in plot north, east and west are raised and there is a depressed south or a south street. It indicates loss of wealth also. Well in south of southwest or west of northwest. Water tank above the ground on the plot in northeast. If there are no windows on either side of the main door.

Northeast closed or raised. WASTEFUL EXPENDITURE

Wasteful expenditure is caused when southeast in plot expands towards south. North facing gate in northwest. If there is a well in a southeast which is elevated. Water tank above the ground in northeast or north. North facing northwest main door or gate. Northwest floor lower than rest of the building. West Vayu growth in building. Northeast is highest point in building. Northwest treasury leads to excess outflow. If northeast of plot is sold it leads to financial disaster. More space in southwest towards west increases excessisve pending. Excess expenditure caused by constant flowing water before the gate. Unexpected expenditure caused by spearing street from east at Agni. SORROW

If there is a hill straight to entrance of plot or entrance. If there is ditch opposite gate or door. Tall buildings in north and east. Plot not parallel to the cardinal directions. If cotton is found on first excavation. If north and east are raised within and out side the plot. If there is slope towards south.

If south east or west is lowest in plot or building. More open space in southeast towards east. Southwest expanded in west. Peepul tree in the east. Northeast angular retraction towards north. Southeast angular retraction towards south. Northwest angular retraction towards west. Northeast or southwest retraction as square. Northwest closed. Gloomy atmosphere persists if there are 3 doors in 3 directions excepting south. Ceiling shaped like mountain peak. Stair railings opposite the door or gate. Tall building in north east in north east WORRY

If the shadow of one particular external tree falls within the plot from 9 am to 3 PM, it causes constant worry. If eagles or kites reside within the plot it causes worry. Temple in left side of plot Anthills in plot. Plot is higher than surroundings. If west is lowest within the plot. If rain water exits in south, southwest, west, northwest or southeast. If the opening of door sounds like braying of donkey or turning of oil mill. If door doesn't open freely.

LACK OF PEACE

Cemetery in vicinity. Plot not parallel to cardinal directions. Natural holes in plot. Rain water exit in northwest. If plot is odd shaped and 4 sides not equal. If plot is winnow shaped. Northeast angular retraction towards east. Excess space in northwest. Excess space in west. 2nd hand things used in construction. Northwest plot acquisition leads to lack of peace and continuos agony. BUSINESS IS A BURDEN Overhead tank in northeast. MENTAL UNREST

Tall buildings in north and east. Cemetery in vicinity. Open well opposite door or gate. Corner of another building opposite gate or door. If road tapers from east to west. South Nairudhi spear. If northwest has expanded in west. If southwest has expanded in west.

Well in northwest. Thorny plants in the plot. Unrest for northeast retraction as a square.

TENSIONS AND STRAIN

Nagprastha land. Tension, if northeast raised. Tension, for heat in south. Tension, for Northwest kitchen. Tension, for Weights in east, north and northeast. Strain, for northwest angular retraction towards west. Mental strain, for northwest angular retraction towards west. Mental disturbances, if door opens by itself. Tension, if rooms are even numbered. Tension, if northeast or south kitchen is used. Mental disturbance, if northwest floor depresses. Mentally tired for northeast weight. FEAR If running water is in south or west. if the building has east, west and north wings. Land which served as yaga sala causes fear. North facing gate or door in NorthWest. WAVERING MIND

Dharmasala in vicinity. North facing northwest gate or door.

Unsteady mind if northwest floor is low. If east floor lowers. If land in northwest is lowest, doubts, insecurity and mental weakness arise. UNTOWARD DEATH

Untoward deaths occur for turtle shaped plot. Untoward deaths occur if plot is adjacent to cemetery. Untoward deaths occur for land with cracks. Untoward deaths occur if coal or iron is first found on excavation. Untoward deaths occur if southeast is raised with well. Untoward deaths occur if there is slope towards south. Untoward deaths occur if southwest is lowest. Untoward deaths occur for excess space in southeast towards east and well also there. Untoward deaths occur if southwest if southwest floor is lower. Untoward deaths occur if southwest is the lowest point in the building. Untoward deaths occur for Northeast over head tank. Untoward deaths occur if there are 7 doors in the building. Untoward deaths occur if door makes high sound on opening. Untoward deaths occur for southwest door facing west. Death occurs if building has north and east wings. ENMITY

Enmity increases for depression in south. Enmity increases if neighbour's effluent flows within plot.

Enmity increases if 4 roads serve the plot. Enmity increases if plot has ups and downs. If southeast is lowest there exists danger from enemies. Enemies increase if northwest is lowest. Enmity increases if west and southwest are high and east and southeast are lower. If plot shape is oval with cut it leads to loss of friendship. Enmity increases if northwest expands towards north. Enmity increases if rain water exits in west. Enmity increases if there is excess space in the southwest and there is a well. Enmity increases if there is a well in the north of northwest. Thorny plants within perimeter will cause enmity and defeats because of that. Enmity increases for northeast angular retraction towards north. Enmity increases if excess space in southwest, enmity more if well is also there. Enmity increases if southeast is lowest point on terrace. Enmity increases if it is a three winged building with south, east and north wings. Enmity increases if there are 3 doors in the building. Enmity increases if expansion of building in done in east alone.

ENEMY ATTACK Enemies attack if plot is bow shaped. Enemies attack if there are thorny plants within the plot. Enemies attack if southeast floor lowers

CONTROVERSY

Controversy arises if depression is in southwest.

Controversy arises if neighbour's effluent flows within. Controversy arises if northwest or west kitchen is used. Controversy rises if south floor lowers after moving in. ACCIDENTS

Generally, accidents occur for Nairudhi spears. Automobile accidents occur for South Nairudhi spear or west Nairudhi spear. Accidents occur for Slope towards southeast. Accidents occur for Southwest expansion towards west. Southwest extension towards south causes general accidents. Southwest extension towards west causes serious accidental danger. Accidents occur for northwest retraction angularly in west. Accidents occur for East facing southeast gate or door. Accidents occur for South facing southwest gate or west facing southwest gate or doors. Accidents occur for acquisition of land in southeast or west. Limb damage occurs if southeast floor lowers after commencement of living.

FROM VENOM AND POLLUTANTS If neighbour's effluent or rainwater flows within out plot pollutants harm the members. Wasps, snakes, scorpions attack if southeast is highest and the northwest lowest. Southwest kitchen causes food poisoning.

WATER ACCIDENTS Open well opposite the door or gate. Well in southwest or south. FIRE OR ELECTRICITY

Fire accidents occur if there is pond outside plot in southeast. Fire accidents occur if Shiva temple is in vicinity. Fire accidents occur if there is slope towards southeast. If southeast is lower point it indicates loss by fire. Triangular plot leads to fire accidents. If northwest is the highest point and southeast the lowest it leads to fire accident and arson. Fire accidents if Southeast expansion or extension towards east. Fire accidents if Northeast angular retracts towards south. Fire accidents if Well is in excessive space in southeast towards south. Fire accidents for Southeast well. Fire accidents for East facing gate or door in southeast. Fire accidents if southeast is lowest point in building. Fire accidents if door or woodwork has burn marks. Fire accidents if land is acquired in southeast. Fire accidents if northwest kitchen is nor proper. IMMORAL, UNETHICAL, NEFARIOUS ACTIVITIES

East Agni spear causes immoral or unethical activity. If southwest is lowest point in the building. Gate in west of southwest. Well in south of southeast. If southwest is lowest in plot. Factory on Asura land. Greed, if there is east Agni spear.

If southeast has excessive space and there is a well. Profession or earning unethical for South Nairudhi spear. If southwest expands towards west both unethical earning and spending. Criminal activity if southeast is lowest in floor, building or plot. If north and northeast are raised and south and southwest are lowest in plot it causes criminal activity. Well in southwest with excess space causes nefarious activity. Illegal or immoral activity if there is garbage dump in northeast. Commerce become unethical or fraudulent if snake pits are within the plot. If height of building is not proportional to width and length then nefarious activities, friendship with the evil. Contact with evil people occurs if excess space in southwest towards west. HARM Harm or misfortune, if there are 3 or 4 main doors. Danger for northeast weight (stairs, stores etc.) Unhappiness for overhead tank in northeast. Overall harm, if west compound wall is improper. ROBBERY

If plot has 4 roads If Vishnu temple is in the vicinity. If the mutts are in the vicinity. If the plot is bow shaped it leads to robbery and dacoity. If southwest is lowest. If northeast is highest and southwest the lowest in plot. Southeast well.

Well in west of northwest. Totally ten doors within building. Main door not facing a cardinal direction. East facing southeast door or gate. Southwest kitchen. Land acquisition in southeast. LITIGATIONS Litigations occur if corner of one building is opposite to gate. Litigations occur for North west plot. Litigations occur for South and west Nairu spear. Litigations occur if skull is present within plot. Litigations occur if Sun triangle higher than moon triangle Litigations occur for Southeast expansion of plot towards either side. Litigations occur for Northwest expansion towards north. Litigations occur for Southwest angular retraction towards south. Litigations occur for excess space in south east towards south plus well. Litigations occur for excess space in southwest. Excess space in south west plus well causes litigation and auction for the building. Litigations occur for well in west of northwest. Litigations occur for septic tank in northwest. Litigations occur for southeast or northwest closure . Litigations occur for Northwest sewage exit. Litigations occur for Southeast acquisition of additional land. Litigations occur for constructions on east or north compound wall IMPRISONMENT, SUPERIOR ACTION, DEFAMEMENT

Southwest and south are lower and north and northeast are higher. Triangular plot leads to jail or penalty problem from higher authority. Trapezium shaped plot causes court action. Turtle shaped plot sends members to jail. Defamation and superior action like suspension if southwest has expanded towards south or northwest has expanded towards north. Banyan in west causes government action INSULTS, LOWERING OF STATUS

South Nairu spear lowers status of the building in eyes of society. Depression or pond in southwest insults for man and first child. Abattoir in vicinity lowers status. Temple behind plot lowers status. If northeast is raised bad reputation arises. If southwest expands at south or northwest expands at west they lower status. If rainwater exits in southwest it lowers status. Bad name if rain water exits in west. Southeast well lowers name and fame of men. Well in south of southwest lowers status of men. Bad name arises if well is in a raised west. Status lowers if water tank above the ground is in the east. Banyan in south gives defamation and insults. Status lowered by first progeny excess space in southwest Loss of reputation southeast, angular retraction towards east.

Reputation and position lost for angular retraction at southwest towards west. Excess space in northwest towards west status lowered for men. Degradation of men for west facing for door at southwest. Fame and name goes down for weight in east. NO PROGRESS

Little progress if Vishnu temple is in vicinity. Little progress if Temple is in front of plot. Very little progress if Tall building is in northeast. Failures if road tapers from north to south. Very little progress if plot is at dead end of road. Very little progress if dead soil. Very little progress if tree opposite gate or door. Obstacles, if bones are found on excavation. Very little progress if plot is pot shaped. Very little progress if southeast expands towards south. Very little progress if Northwest expands towards west. General instability for north facing northwest gate. No progress for men south is lowest. Very little progress for Southwest angular retraction towards south. More space in southwest leads to many obstacles. Excess space in west affects men career. If northwest is closed then there is no progress and people suffer suffocation. West Nairu spear weakens the very destiny of men. Large open space in west lowers men's profession.

Northeast retraction as square mars progress and career. Instability if north west door facing north No results if building is very tall when compared to width and length. No progress if building has south and east wings. If rooms of different zones are not as suggested by Vastu. Buildings with 2 or 3 wings used for living. Adversity, hardship, stumbling blocks for progress for east facing southeast door. GENERAL PROBLEMS

Running water in south and west causes general problems. Nuisance, misunderstanding if Shiva temple is in vicinity Excess space in southwest causes nuisance. Problems arise if main door is too small. Problems arise constantly if passage within building is anti clockwise. Problems arise constantly if door makes the sound of an oil mill. Needless problems if south floor lowers. Adversity, hardship for east facing southeast door. Instability for north facing northwest door. Trouble arises if land has the parts of dead and buried animals. Costs increase due to much guests if rain water exits in northwest. No comfort if rain water exits in northwest. No help from others for spear at east Agni.

GENERAL SUFFERING Water seeping from the ground.

Plot with holes. North east of plot is raised. If rain water exits in west. Southeast expansion towards south. Southeast expansion towards east. If there is a tree opposite the door or gate. If eagles or kites reside within the plot. Well in excessive space in southwest: Well in northwest. Water tank above the ground in west or northwest. Toilet in northeast makes business take more time to settle or they are unsettled. If there are 3 roads and gate is not in middle road. Excess space in southwest. Deterioration, if floor levels on either sides of the main door are unequal. If there are not windows each on either sides of door. Building on east wall. Antisocial activities if plot is eroded. PROBLEMS FOR PROMOTERS

Promoters become useless for heat in northeast or kitchen. Profession lowers for West sewage exit. Less open space in northeast towards east makes promoters unhappy. Promoters suffer harm if east is closed. Promoters suffer harm if south and east compound walls are improper.

DIFFERENCE OF OPINION AMONG PROMOTERS Spear at southwest from south. Between partners if excess space is in southeast towards east with well also there. If northwest floor is lower.

INFIGHTING Pillar opposite gate or door. Southeast well. Doorway leans inside. Northwest floor low. Fighting for south Agni growth in building. Partners fight if any wall within the building is improper, incomplete or is curved. Heat in the west zone is being used. If north alone is added in construction of additional area. PARTNERSHIPS BREAKING

Separation occurs for North facing northwest gate. North facing Vayu door. Separation occurs if the building has two wings in south and east. Excess space in southeast towards east with well leads to separation. Quarrels if sun triangle is higher than moon triangle. Infighting if northwest is lowest. Quarrels if shape of plot is parallelogram. Internal turmoil if southeast expands towards east. Infighting occurs in Asura land. DISCORD WITH WORKERS East facing southeast gate or door. Well in north of northwest. Southeast is lowest point in plot or roof Southeast extension towards east.

Door made of 2 different woods. South east floor low For any fault in east agni

DOMINANT WORKERS East is raised in plot or building. West is lowest in plot or building. Plot has north road only. North sewage exit. Excessive space in the north

WORKERS SUFFER Well in north of northwest. Large open space in south. North is raised. Door made of 2 woods. South floor low. Walls incomplete or curved or low within the building.

COMFORT LOWERED FOR WORKERS Southwest extension in south. If southeast plot is owned by men. Building right on the north border. Heat is used in the east.

WORKERS DISSATISFIED

Southwest expansion on either side. Less open space at northeast towards north.

UNITY AFFECTED Water tank above ground in northeast. Excess space in the southeast towards east with well. Structure itself destroyed if gate faces temple. Structure in shambles if southwest is the lowest point. Industry shattered if toilet closes the northeast. PROMOTER 's DEATH

If north is high and south lowest, the man dies. Men may die for west facing southwest gate. Death of owner if there are north and west wings. Well in southwest indicates death for owner. Death may occur if sump is in southeast. Death may occur if building is added on south. Death may occur if southwest floor lowers.

LONGEVITY OF PROMOTER AFFECTED Longevity lower if road is opposite to door. Longevity lower if it is southwest plot. Longevity lower if plot is too high than surrounding or if land is too low. Longevity is affected if southeast is lowest or east is highest. Longevity is affected if West is lowest.

Longevity lower for abattoir in vicinity. Longevity is affected if there is pillar opposite gate or door. Life span of promoter goes down if main door disproportional to building. Life spans down if main door is attacked by weapons. Life span of promoter down if 2nd hand things are used in construction. Selection of the Plot

For any building the site (Kshetra) is the basic requirement and utmost care must be taken in it's selection. Normally an Architect or Vaastu Shilpi is brought into the scene only at the designing stage but it is advisable to involve him at the stage of buying the site itself. In selection of the site the following aspects should be taken care of: (1) Types of Earth : Earth is classified according to it's colour brick red, dark brown; white, red, yellow, mixed colour, black and also according to their smell, taste, texture, etc., Black and clayey soil is not good for construction and while designing the foundation/footings, the load bearing capacity of the soil should be ascertained. Sites with big boulders, anthills or where murder or burial has taken place and those with loose or filled-up earth should be avoided. (2) Location and Environment : As far as possible the site should be Ievel or sloping towards North and East or North-East. If it is a small one, which normally is the case in the towns or cities, there should not be any big trees like Aswatha (Peepul), Mango, Banyan, Tamarind etc., whose roots and branches may cause damage to the building. If the site is big then the building area should be sufficiently away from them. Site which has fertile earth, flowering plants, fruit trees, grass etc., is good and sites without the source of ground water should be avoided. Those abutting temples, ashramas, schools, colleges, kalyana mantapas are not advisable for obvious reasons and sites behind Vishnu temple or to the left of Durga temple are also not good and it should be at least 50 meters away from a Shiva temple. [Any site to the South or West of hills shall be rejected, but site to the East or North of hills should be accepted.] This is not possible in aIl the cases.

Attributes of Earth Surrounded by oceans, the landmasses have heights and depths of mountains, plains and plateaus and are enlivened by veins of rivers and network of streams and lakes. On and beneath the surface of earth lie the soils and minerals in varying degrees that make life infertile or prosperous. The revolution of earth gives us the day and night that regulates the activities of plants and living beings. The tilted rotation of the earth around the sun sets the rhythm of the seasons, which are important for

vegetation and harvests. Whether each location is cool or warm is largely determined by it's relative distance from the equator and it's height above the sea level. Climate not only plays a great part in composition of soils but also affects the character of plants, animals and most importantly the man's energy. Hidden aspects of natural laws give birth to life and for better or for worse, the rules of nature command that life and therefore a close adjustment to the natural background becomes a bare necessity. The characteristics and composition of soil are very important for two reasons. One is the load-bearing capacity of the soil that defines the type of foundation to be employed, the other is the ability of the land to sustain vegetation. The designer would (traditionally) observe the site for one season at least to ascertain whether the soil is fertile holds water and sustains life forms such as plants, birds and animals. Any soil that is incapable of regeneration would be set-aside as bad for human habitation. From an ecological point of view this analysis is extremely wise and can be added to the responsibilities of the designer. Testing of selected sites Testing The Soil METHOD 1 This involves digging a hole in the plot to be tested of 0.5 metres in width, breadth and depth. The soil taken out is filled again into the hole without any noticeable wastage. There are three results possible in this test. If after filling the pit some balance in soil remains, then the owner of the plot on construction of the factory will enjoy wealth and prosperity. If the pit is entirely filled with no balance in the excavated soil, then the owner of the plot who constructs a factory on it will have a smooth life and will meet all his commitments in life. However his chances of becoming wealthier or richer is lower. If the pit cannot be completely filled with the excavated soil, then it is a problematic plot. The owner will suffer physically and mentally and suffer from want of the better things in life. Care should be taken to make sure that the entire soil excavated is carefully retained without wastage till the end of the experiment. METHOD 2 A pit is excavated in the same dimensions as above (0.5 metre cubed) and it is fiIled with water. Then a person is to walk hundred steps away and return (this was an appropriate technology to measure a small space of time in an era without watches and clocks). If the level has dropped below one fourth, that is if less than 12.5 em of water is standing, then it is undesirable and the plot will give bad results. If it is between 12.5 em to 25 em it will give medium results.

If the water level is more than 50 percent, than the plot is one that will provide excellent results. The lesser water that is absorbed the better. METHOD 3 Dig a pit of fore arm length, breadth and width (approximately the same dimensions as the above experiments) and fill it with water up to the brim just as the sunsets. Just before sunrise the next day check the level. If the water level has dropped only marginally, then the plot will bring excellent results in future. If the water is 50 percent only, then problems will be faced in completing the factory but things will be okay by the end. If water is completely dry, problems will abound. If the pit is fully dry and we find cracks at the bottom, it indicates death and destruction. Such a plot should not be chosen.

Facing of plots is important Facing of plots is not considered important. There is a wrong notion that north- and east-facing plots are better than south and west-facing plots. This is not true. However, in the case of north- or east-facing plots, half of the plot that lies towards north or east is the sensitive portion. The rear half is dense. Thus the building can come up in the rear half allowing for a front garden. This increases aesthetics as well. This advantage will not be available if the plot faces an approach road on South or West. Here, the sensitive half is in the rear and the dense portion capable of taking the load of the building is in the front. The building has to come up in the first half facing the road. A owner of such a plot has to reconcile himself for a backyard and garden as he will have less space in the front. If this is acceptable, by all means purchase a west- or south-facing plot. The problem arises when an owner of a south- or west-facing plot uses the rear half for building and goes for a garden in the front. This will make the subtle energy areas in north and east come under great strain, thus affecting their strength adversely. The dense areas which are in the front are negatively strong and thus the whole structure is placed in a distorted field. Most of the ill-effects ensue because of this problem. So before you purchase a plot decide the first question; would you like a garden and wide open space in the front or the rear?

Correction of existing plots

As we have seen before, some plots have inauspicious Vithishulas. A needy plot purchaser purchases any inauspicious plot and constructs his proposed building on it. If he finds after some years that the building he has built, is harmful, he cannot easily sell out the building and shift else where. In the situation like this, to overcome inauspicious Vithishulas, he should use the following remedies. Do not construct the compound gate at the place, where the inauspicious Vithishula meets the plot.

Let the compound wall be thick built in stone and as far as possible,taller. While constructing the compound wall, to protect from inauspicious vithishula mix old nails and used shaving blades in the construction material. Use the black or grey colour for the outer side of the compound wall. In the place, where inauspicious Vithishula meets the plot, construct a slantwise, C shaped wall, at least of 2 ft. high from the ground outside the plot. The space or the corner of the plot, where the inauspicious Vithishula meets should either be sold or turned into auspicious Vithishula by constructing another compound wall. In the space, separated from the plot by the wall, a shop can be opened.

Remedy to overcome inauspicious Vithishula in the East – Southeast : Here the plot has an inauspicious Vithishula on the East – SouthEast corner. In order to cut off this corner from the rest of the plot, construct two walls, one in the North and the other in the West, as shown in the fig. In this way, two beneficial objectives are served at a time. They are (1) Removal of the inauspicious Vithishula in the East – Southeast corner and (2) Auspicious extension of the plot towards the East. Now, the East – Southeast corner has become a small plot without any problem arising from the inauspicious Vithishula. Besides, the small plot has a road only to the East. It is also auspicious. Hence, it is better to use this small plot for any occupational shop or beauty parlour. Let the main compound gate of the plot be in the East – Northeast. Other things will be advantageous, if they are done according to Vastushastra.

Remedy for inauspicious Vithishula at the West – South-West: The plots having an inauspicious vithishula at the West – South-West corner, should, in order to cut off this corner from the rest of the plot, construct the compound walls in the North and East respectively. The compound, thus constructed in the corner of the plot, serves as a beneficial objective i.e. removal of the inauspicious Vithishula at the West – South-West corner. Since the West – South-West corner of the plot has been cut off, it averts many calamities arising from the inauspicious vithishula. Now, the West – South-West corner of the plot itself has become a small plot without any calamity arising from the inauspicious vithishula. Besides, the small plot has a road only to the West. It is auspicious too. It is advantageous to use the small plot for a flour mill, hotel, bicycle mart, garage etc. As shown in the fig. Let the compound gate be in the West – North-West. Other things are beneficial, if they are carried out according to Vastushastra.

Remedy for Inauspicious South – South-West Vithishula:

The plot has a very inauspicious vithishula at the South- South-West corner. In order to cut off this corner from the rest of the plot, construct the compound walls in the North and East respectively as shown in the fig. The compound, thus constructed in the corner of the plot, serves advantageous purpose like the removal of the inauspicious Vithishula at the South – South-West corner. Since the South – SouthWest corner of the plot has been cut off, it averts many calamities arising from the inauspicious Vithishula. Now, the South – South-West corner of the plot has itself become a small plot without any calamity arising from the inauspicious Vithishula. Besides, the small plot has a road only to South. Let the small plot have the gate, as far as possible, in the South – South-East. There is no any harm if the gate of the small plot is built in the entire South. The small plot can quite profitably be used for any purposes like mutton shop, win shop, tyre shop, hardware shop, garage, flour mill, masala grinding centre, blade grinding, sharpening centre etc. Toilets 1)The toilets in the building should never be in the centre, the north-east, the southeast and the south-west corners. 2)The toilets should be constructed to the west of the building or the north-west side of the north or the south directions, leaving the south-east and the south-west corners. But septic tank should not be in the south. If the pit of the outlet is in the south, they should not be very deep. 3)The pot in the toilet should be in the west, the south or the north-west side of the west. 4)The construction of the toilet should be such that the persons sitting there have their faces towards the north or the east. 5)The toilet should be one or two feet higher than the ground level. The door of the toilet should be in the east or the north direction as far as possible. 6)The water storage or the taps in the toilet should be in the east, the north or the north-east corner.It should never be in the south-east or the south-west direction. 7)The slope of the flooring of the toilet and the outlet should be in the east or the north. Marble tiles should not be used in the toilet. 8)The colour of walls of the toilet can be according to ones own choice. 9)In the toilet, there should be a small window,in the east, the west or the north, be used. Security room

Security guard room can be in the South-East side in case of gate in the East; NorthWest side in case of gate in the North; South-West side in case of gate in the West; South-West side in case of gate in the South; but it should be away from the boundary.The Gurkha room for the sake of most efficiency should be placed near the gate.The Gurkha room should face only north or east.The room should not touch the compound walls in case of north or east walls. They can touch the south or west compound walls.Make sure that the corners of the building are not straight to the doors of the main factory. The doors of the room should be in the exact northeast or other corners. Avoid putting toilets or washrooms if the Gurkha room is in a position unfavourable to it.Avoid building circular Gurkha rooms with conical roof. This type of ready-made fibre glass moulded security rooms are available. These cause terrible results, as observed in case studies. SOUTH FACING PLOT The gate will be positioned in southeast facing south. The Gurkha room should be to the west of the gate and face north. The door of the Gurkha room should be in the east-facing northeast. The building can touch the south compound wall. Toilet is allowed if the building lies within the southeast zone of the plot only. Do not place the Gurkha room closing the south east corner. NORTH FACING PLOT The gate will be positioned in northeast facing north. The Gurkha room should be to the west of the gate and face east. The door of the Gurkha room should be in the east-facing northeast. The building cannot touch the north compound wall. No toilet should be attached to the Gurkha room.Make the room as small as possible. Closing of the north east corner is not allowed. WEST FACING PLOT The gate will be positioned in northwest facing west.The Security room should be to the south of the gate and face north.The door of the Gurkha room should be in the north-facing northeast. The building can touch the west compound wall. Attached toilet is allowed. Do not place the Gurkha room closing the north west corner.

Kitchen

Best location for the kitchen is the South-East (Aagneya) corner. The cooking platform should be towards eastern side wall of the kitchen, as good results can be achieved when one faces East while cooking in the South-East corner of the kitchen. Platform touching the Northern wall of kitchen should be avoided, but platform can be extended on the Southern side. When the entrance to the house is from East and South it may be difficult for obvious reasons to locate the kitchen in the South-East corner, and in that case the Kitchen can be located in the North-West corner. Here also the platform should not touch the Northern side wall and cooking should be done facing East in the South-East corner of the kitchen only. And when the kitchen is located in the Western side and outside the house, it should be in North-West

corner and the gap between the kitchen and house should be less than that between the kitchen and compound on the North and floor level should be little more than general house floor level. Similarly when it is located outside the house in the SouthEast corner, there should be a gap between kitchen and East compound wall, which shall be more than the gap between the house and kitchen and the level of the floor should be little higher than that of the house. North side entrance to the site particularly form North-East corner with the kitchen in the South-East corner of the building is the best opportunity anybody can look forward. If the entrance is from the North or West, then the kitchen can be on the South-East corner and the above said procedure can be followed. In no case the kitchen should be in the North-East corner of the house or of the plot. If any one attempts this, then it is like burning oneself to death in all spheres of life. If loft is required in the kitchen it should be in the Western and Southern walls and not in the Northern and Eastern walls. If needed all the four walls can be used for having lofts and not the North and East walls only. Sink or basin for cleaning vessels in the kitchen should not be exactly in the North-East corner of the kitchen, but drinking water should flow from North-East corner. If the drainage water flows through North-East corner it is good. Staircase

Staircase is necessary to reach the terrace or the first floor of the house. It has to be constructed depending on the vacant space in and around the house, and the face of the house. If an internal staircase has to be provided, the same may be constructed, in any room excepting the northeastern room and southwestern room. The steps should be designed in such a way, that they do not touch the eastern wall and a minimum inter space of three inches must be allowed in between the staircase and the wall. The steps should proceed either from north to south; or alongside or away the southern wall from east to west or alongside or away the western wall from north to south and the above inter space principle may be followed in respect of the staircase towards north, to step up from east, to west. If a linear staircase, is designed either in side or outside, steps should proceed either from east to west or from north to south initially and can turn towards any direction thereafter. Roofs

Roofs are made of stones, earth, R.C.C. etc. Generally the roof level should be slanting towards east or north making the drain flow down in northern or eastern open area and then flow out thro’ east / north / northeast. This is admitted, because it augurs well. Contrarily, if the roof levels are down towards west / south the whole process will become uncongenial. Hence the drains in south / west are prohibited.

Roof level projection to a house facing west and south should be horizontal to or higher than the house roof level and in no case they should be slant in shape or lower than the original roof level of the house. However, projections to the houses facing east and north should be slant in shape or lower than the roof level and in no case they should be higher than the roof level. The projections should emanate below the roof level. This will augur well and attract riches. For the sake of spaciousness, people make slanting projections on any three sides of the house. They should be in north, east and south or in east, north and west directions. Instead of that if the projections are made towards east and south it will cause ill health to the women folk; while projections in north and west will spoil the health of the male. If the projection is on one side that is west or south it will cause ill health to men or women. If the projections are in west and south then the health of men and women of that house will be doomed. I f a house possesses a slanting projection in west, it should invariably possess a similar projection in south, it should invariably possess a similar projection in north. Same principle is applicable in respect of straight projections also. If the projection slopes merely towards east it yields positive results on the health of the male inhabitants, and if the projection slopes towards north similar effects are noticed on the female inhabitants. If the projections slope towards east as well as north, they will take care of the health of both the male as well as the female inhabitants.

Veranda

1. It is beneficial to have a Verandah to the east or the north side of the main structure. Because of this Verandah, evil forces do not enter the house at once. Shoes etc. can be removed here before we enter the main building. The holiness and the cleanliness of the structure are then maintained. 2. The height of the Verandah should be a little less than the other rooms. Verandah should not be to the south or to the west sides of the main building. No corner of the Verandah should be oblique cut or of round shape. 3. The sitting arrangement in the Verandah should be in the south or the west part of the Verandah. If there is a swing in the Verandah, it should be in the east-west. 4. If the Verandah has a roof, the height should be less than that of the roof of the main building. If the roof is slanting in the east or the north direction, it is auspicious. Roof should not be made of tin as far as possible.

5. Flower pots in the Verandah should be of small size. Flower pots with creepers should not be kept in the Verandah. 6. A photograph of the lord Ganesh or the lord Shankar in the Verandah is auspicious 7. The shoes of the visitors should be in the north west direction. 8. Stone, mortar or the grindstone should not be kept in the Verandah. The Verandah should have maximum number of windows and free ventilation. Portico

1. Porch or portico should be in the east or the north direction. If it is in the west, the south-west corner should be vacant and if it is in the south direction it should be in the south-east corner. But this can be tolerable only. 2. The roof of the porch in the east or the north direction should be of two feet shorter in height than the main building. Porch with downward slope towards the north is very good. 3. When the car is parked in the porch, its face should never be towards the south. As far as possible, it should be towards the east or the north. If the face comes towards the west of the north-west, the car remains in the porch for a very short time. It means that there is a lot of travelling. 4. The parking site of any building should not be in the north-east and the southwest corner. The best site is of course, in the north-west direction. If it is in the south-east corner, minor repair work is expected. If the parking is in the south-west corner it does not come out of the garage and is always out of order. Parking is suitable if done in the basement in the east or the north directions. 5. For parking the gates in the east and the north-west direction are the best. However, the height of the gate should be less than that of the main gate of the wall compound. The pillars of the porch and the parking should not have arches or triangles. Porch should not be constructed with the support of the compound wall or by extending them. (It should be separately built from the main building.) 6. The proper colours for the porch are white, yellow or any other light colour. However, black and gray colour should be avoided. 7. If a business deal is to be finalized the vehicle should be kept with face towards the north on the previous night. It is beneficial. Administrators and officers should keep their vehicles with face towards the east. On the Full moon day and Zero moon day, one should not cross the city boundary between 11p.m. to 4p.m. in the afternoon and at night. If you are travelling, you should take rest in this period. During this time due to the attraction and repulsion forces of the moon the atmosphere is charged which is condusive to accidents. Similarly one should avoid travel in the south and the south-west direction on Saturday. The direction and the day belong to the Yama. On every Zero-moonday we should tie Biba (A marking nut)

+ 1 lemon + 1 Biba + Seven green chillies + 1 Biba, upto 11 a.m. (This is a method of defence against evil and cruel forces. Feng Shui — To understand life better

Feng Shui (pronounced Fung schway), or the art of placement, is the art of observing and understanding what makes everything bubble with life in universe. The Chinese call it C’hi, the Japanese know it as Ki, for Hindus it is Prana. You can find it in anything — mountains, rivers, trees, buildings, furniture, and other inanimate and animate beings. Feng Shui helps in ensuring people a prosperous life, providing nourishment for body, mind and soul. Feng Shui is based on the Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang, the two opposite forces (receptive and active) that complement each other. Combining the ancient knowledge of Feng Shui with intuitive vocal sound allows us to work directly on the vibrational state of a space. Everything on the universe contain a ‘life-force’ in them Like us living beings, buildings too contain ‘life-force’ and need passages for energy to pass through. Lighting, roomy spaces, ventilation and temperature can change the energy field of a room. It is said that Helen Keller could judge the mood of a person when after they have left a room, just by feeling the energy force and temperature of the room. Music too plays an important role in ascertaining the quality of life, in the sense that when you sing, you affirm that you are willing to usher in change and exhale the past. You exist for the present when you sing. Life is all about harmony. Different facets of life remind us time and again about this aspect. Feng Shui is one such medium. When the Age of Science dawned, centuries old traditions, customs and practices started to be considered as blind beliefs or superstitions, works and activities, recommended by the ancient scriptures; were looked down upon, and neglected, since they were thought to be completely useless. Though the rebellion against traditions and customs was due to the influence of the western materialistic mentality, the main reason was that science itself was in a nascent stage. Whatever scientists could not prove in laboratories, they declared them as fraudulent or imaginary. Certificate by science became the criterion for truth. As a consequence people lost interest in the ancient sciences, bestowed upon us by the Divine Consciousness of the great Sages. Discarding this invaluable heritage became the symbol of modernity. However, by the end of the 20th century modern science developed in leaps and bounds. Ironically, this science itself is vindicating the truths expounded by our ancient seers, centuries (perhaps millennia) ago. We had accepted them out of devotion and reverence whereas the modern science has adopted the path of logic. Though logic has got several shortcomings, it has enabled

the science to understand the greatness and multi-faceted dimensions of India's ancient wisdom. That's why Vaastu, Tantra,Yoga, and Astrology etc. are becoming popular in the Western World and, thereby, in India. Atheists, believers, educated, uneducated, all are reaping benefits of these sciences, transcending the barriers of class, creed, community and religion. Beyond the physical - Had Vastu being confined to the physical aspects of buildingconstruction there would have been no confusion and conflict of views. But it involves non-physical realms of Super Consciousness and subtle dimensions of nature that are beyond the range of our five senses. Only the physical aspects can be comprehended by our normal perceptive faculties. The major part, which is more important and crucial, can be understood only though the power of consciousness. The principles of Vaastu were realised by the ancient Divine Seers in deep trance (samadhi) when the individual's consciousness awakens into Universal Consciousness. Later, they explained them so that every one can understand. This is the main reason why intellect or rationality cannot fathom the depths of the Science of Vaastu. Vaastu can be properly understood only by people who are developed and sensitive enough to perceive the finer impulses and vibrations of nature. Feng shui could boost tomato yields! Tomato growers, who last year successfully introduced pop music to pep up production, have now turned to the oriental teaching of feng shui to ensure a bumper harvest. Feng shui is the Chinese equivalent of the Indian Vaastu. A team of experts skilled in the ancient Chinese art visited glasshouses across the United Kingdom, advising on the siting of the hives for the 2.5 million bumblebees imported from Belgium and Holland to pollinate the UK crop. Peter Lansdale, chairman of the British Tomato Growers’ Association (TGA), said: "I know a lot of people are skeptical about feng shui but we saw production rise by nearly five per cent last year. While we don’t put it entirely down to the introduction of rock’n’roll music, whose sound waves help with the pollination process, it has encouraged us to think laterally and not be afraid to try new ideas."So, we are looking to a new kind of harmony, that of feng shui yin and yang, to help us achieve growth and prosperity." In the Far East, many companies have traditionally used feng shui practitioners to advise on every aspect of their operations, from the siting and design of a new building to remedies for ailing business. Its use in the UK is growing steadily but its introduction into UK tomato-growing glasshouses is a first for both the growers and the practitioners. One thing growers and feng shui do have in common is their respect for the bumblebee. Gerry Hayman, independent horticulture adviser to the TGA said: "The bee is a symbol of industry in Chinese philosophy. We introduced bumblebees into British glasshouses 10 years ago as the most natural way to pollinate the tomato flowers, but they also provided an enormous saving in labour for growers. "Tomato flowers are self-pollinated, only bearing fruit once the pollen and the female ovules come into contact. Before we could call on the bees for help we had to walk

around the crop several times a week, shaking the open flowers on each plant with special vibrators, known as electric bees, to encourage pollination — a pretty mindnumbing job. Now, the real things do the job for us and do it better. "One bumblebee does the work of 100 honeybees, visiting 400 flowers in one trip and making five trips a day. At a cost to the grower of around 50 pence (there are 100 pence in one pound sterling) a bumblebee, we consider they earn every penny." Pyramids follow the principles of Vaastu The pyramids of Egypt fascinate everyone. However, what is not very well known is the fact that the principles followed in their construction correspond with those of Vaastu Shastra, the Indian science of architecture. The pyramids of Egypt, built in the hoary past, continue to baffle the modern scientific mind. Many scholars think the pyramid shape was an important religious statement for the Egyptians, perhaps symbolizing the slanting rays of the sun. Some speculate the sloping sides were intended to help the souls of the king buried there, to climb the sky and join the gods. Granaries, temples all follow Vaastu In India, huts and granaries in some villages are built in the pyramidal shape, facing east. In the temples, the grabha griha, the sanctum sanctorum where the main deity is installed, is constructed in the shape of a pyramid. It is said that prasadam, fruits and other offerings kept there remain fresh for a long time because of the shape of the garbha griha. It has been scientifically proved that pyramidal structures keep foodstuff fresh for a long a period. Razor blades retain their sharpness when placed under pyramids for a considerable time. Scholars now believe that what has been considered the superstition of past civilization is now proving to be the core of ancient science. If a pyramidal structure has such a miraculous effect on inanimate things like foodstuff, no wonder if the houses built in line with Vaastu Shastra bestow on inmate's health, wealth and prosperity. Yin and Yang The concept of Yin and Yang is one of the most fundamental and profound theories of Feng Shui. It is the Chinese perspective on balance and continual change. The basics of this deep and extremely significant diagram are pretty subtle yet profound. Yin and Yang is a foundation theory for Feng Shui that supports many other theories including the Five Elements Theory and the Environment. Uniqueness Yin and Yang are dependent opposites that must always be in balance. The opposites flow in a natural cycle always replacing the other. Just as the seasons cycle and create times of heat and cold, Yin and Yang cycles through active and passive, dark and light, etc. Yin and Yang evolved from a belief of mutually dependent opposites that cannot live without the other. More interestingly, there are little cons in every pro and vice versa. Nothing is total.

The Eastern view of opposites is, excuse the pun, is the opposite of a Western view. Western philosophy tends to look as things as black or white, right "or" wrong, etc. There is separation and unrelatedness in the Western perspective. Whereas, the Chinese view is not opposites, it's perspective. Everything is as evolving and cycling. There is neither right or wrong, but rather there is balance, transformation interaction, dependent opposition and most importantly transition. Symbolism Yin and Yang can further be explained as a duality that cannot exist without both parts. Here is a list of some of the many opposites that are contained in such a simple symbol. Yin - (The Black Portion): Passive, Cold, Death, Winter, Female, Night, Even, Moon, Water Yang - (The White Portion): Active, Hot, Life, Summer, Male, Day, Odd, Sun, Fire Within Yang, there is a spot of Yin and vice-versa. Just as in the heart of winter, a seed lays in wait to become life, so is Yang waited within Yin for its turn. In a hot summer, a sudden desert storm can bring coolness. This too is an example of how Yin is found in Yang. Thus we also observe that the separation of the circle (symbolising the earth or alternatively, the full circle of life) is not cut into straight halves. They are curved and they alternatively advance and accommodate into each other, depicting the alternation. Again, there are no absolutes, just cycles in time. This early philosophy of nature, the complementary alternating forces of Yin and Yang, dark and light, female and male, which maintain the balance of the cosmos, are the foundation of Feng Shui. The Yin and Yang for the Home The list has given us a few interpretations of Yin and Yang. Each of this needs to be founded or instituted in a particular area in the house, depending upon its relevance and prominence. For example, the night stays in the inner rooms (the energies of the house are concentrated in the bedroom and kitchen), thus it is a Yin stronghold. On the other hand, the day stays in the outer rooms (the energies of the house are concentrated in the drawing room, study or the porch). Thus, the directional placement and arrangement of the house has to be in a way, that Yin and Yang are placed properly. For example, as Yang is light, the house should open towards a source of light and not towards a source of water as the prosperity may 'flow' away. Many such calculations are based on Yin and Yang 'residences'. However, there are many other factors like the five elements, directions and magnetism that work closely with Yin and Yang in Feng Shui.

The house is not a home always When setting up your home, make sure than there is a free flow of energy Natural Harmonies Inspirational and informative, I am dividing your journey through Feng Shui into two parts. The first being the principles I have so far explained: * Chi-the energy that animates everything and is the common bond connecting all the exist as in the universe *Yin and Yang-representing the dual forces and their ever-constant, ever changing activity to achieve balance and harmony. *Five elements –their constant interaction gibing us the cycle of generation and the cycle of destruction *Bagua –the template which highlights the energies reflecting the state of our life aspirations In the second part I shall elaborate on how to assess your space and make necessary Feng Shui adjustments. What is the difference between a house and a home? A home is more than a structure made of walls, doors, windows, and a sturdy roof. It is more than the carpets, furniture, TV, refrigerator, clothes, etc. home is a feeling-a state of mind. Deep in the heart of every person there’s a longing ‘to go home’ Like a supportive friend, a home embraces you from the moment you walk in through the front door. What ever a home be, it shoal aspire to be alive, lively energetic and liberating. For many, home may represent a safe respite and escape from external pressures and conditions beyond one’s control. However, creating a perfect home is a never ending process. You may experience ‘being home’ for a while at a certain time and place in your life, but then things change. Either you change, your family make –up changes, your needs change, your priorities change or the energy field in your environment changes… and the search for home starts again. Have you ever really considered the vast number of emotional, physical and spiritual changes you experience in just one twenty-four hour period? The congested road you travel on the way to your workplace, when you clear off your desk or allow papers to pile up, the places you go shopping, the people you meet, the new chair placed in the lobby of your home the flowers that just bloomed on your balcony-each of these trigger unique sensations and reactions. Creating a direct link between the inner world and the outer is the power that Feng Shul provides. To understand better and sense the energy that exists in your home, do the following mental exercise. Visualize your home, Begin at the main entry door and start your tour. Do you feel welcomes? Where down your mind take you next? Are you moving easily from the entry to the next room and the next? Where do you hesitate? Where do you get stuck with your thoughts? Those may be indicators that the particular room or space is cluttered or blocked, thus blocking the free movement of Chi as well.

Do any areas feel incomplete or missing? They are likely to be missing in your life as well. After you have completed the tour of your house, write down what you experience, which part of the home stimulated you or where you experience discomfort or were restless, eager to move away, etc. Now you may appreciate why certain structural details are considered problematic in Femg Shui, they affect Chi and can cause discomfort for the occupants of the home. Some such structural features to consider are given below: Sharp Edges when pointing towards us will make us feel uncomfortable. Ideally plants, statues or decorative accessories are used to soften the sharp edges of columns, furniture and shelves in the home. Corners of rooms are often dark. The energy too may not easily circulate in these areas. It is beneficial to place a bright and colourful object like a painting, a lush green plant, a pedestal lamp or mechanical device like a ticking clock, etc, in such corners, which prevent the stagnation of Chi. Beams can be oppressive and will suppress the Chi of persons, there fore avoid positioning he bed, dining table, your favourite chair or study desk under a beam. Main entry door is also treated as the main entry point of chi into our homes. Should it be opening to face a dead wall, the inmates may feel over whelmed and life seems a struggle. Similarly the front door should not be opposite a window, at the rear of the house or the back door itself, as the Chi simply funnels out without circulating and nourishing the home. A front door, which opens up into a warm, welcoming and pleasant interior, draws the Chi in. Doors provide us access to the outside world on the one hand and give us security on the other. Neither of these functions should be hindered as the flow of chi into and around the home will be affected. Fix doors that squeak, do not shut properly, have broken parts or defective locks and handles too close to the edge causing knuckles to be scraped each time when used. Windows are like the eyes of the home, they afford you a vision of the world and also allow Chi to filter into the home. Fix windows that have broken, chipped or cracked glass. Windows should provide a clear view, and the top of the window should be higher than the normal height of an adult. Avoid windows, which are directly opposite each other. If unavoidable ,use thick curtains. Staircases are a vital part of the home as they connect one area with another. Therefore, their shape and location are important .In homes where the stars are located directly in front of the main door, the Chi funnels out without having a chance to circulate. It is therefore a good idea to screen –off the view, use a screen or divider, etc. spiral staircases are best avoided as they are considered to act like a cork-screw in the area of the home they are located. The height of each riser should be comfortable and the overall size in proportion to the dimensions of the rest of the home. Staircases should be brightly lit.

Various types of material, aesthetics aside, with which were surround ourselves affect us on the physical and psychological levels through their energy. Like everything else, different types of material have the qualities of the elements they are composed of, which affect the Chi of the home and can also have a profound affect on our health and well-being. The Five Elements Theory of Feng Shui Though the Yin and Yang Theory explain to us the foundation of Feng Shui mechanisms, the rules and remedies of this are also greatly influenced by the Theory of the Five Elements. The Chinese believe the interactions of these five elements - earth, wood, fire, metal and water - can be combined in different quantities to create all the permutations that are found in the forces of nature. A significant portion of Feng Shui practice is based on interpreting how these elements interact in the physical environment to create good or bad luck. The elements have various connotations as followsFire is red, an auspicious color. It represents summer and is placed south. Water is black or dark blue, a solemn colour. It represents winter and is placed north. Wood is green, a prosperous colour. It represents spring and is placed east. Metal is white or golden, an intense colour. It represents fall and is placed west. Earth is yellow or brown, a colour of attainment. It represents the centre. The elements are, in fact, involved in two kinds of cyclical relationships: the productive and the destructive cycles. In the productive cycle, fire produces earth, which produces metal, which produces water, which produces wood, which in turn produces fire. In the destructive cycle, wood destroys earth, earth destroys water, water douses fire, fire melts metal, which in turn will chop down wood. Feng Shui practice requires that these individual symbolic elements be incorporated into the positioning of homes and workplaces using the Chinese system of categorising everybody's date and hour of birth according to the elements. It would not be beneficial for some one born in a fire year to have much water in the home, so fountains, aquariums, and dark-coloured objects (black or blue - the water colors) should be avoided, because water destroys fire. On the other hand, plants and green objects representing wood are considered auspicious, since wood produces fire. Additionally, it would be beneficial if one slept in the room located on the south side of the apartment. But too many plants in the home

would not be very auspicious if you were born in an earth year, because wood destroys earth. Instead, decorating with red objects and bright lights would be conducive, since fire produces earth. Since earth is the central element of the five, earth people should sleep at or near the centre of the house. These examples demonstrate the various combinations that would or would not work from a Feng Shui point of view. In the case of a family, where each member is born under a different element, it is the element of the bread-winner or the head of the household that is deemed the most significant. It is his or her element that should thus be considered when diagnosing for appropriate positions and furnishings. Other rooms in the house can be designed to benefit their principal occupant. Thus on the basis of the five elements, practically all phenomena have been categorised. Everything, from a river to sounds to the organs in our bodies, can be described in terms of the five elements. How the things are characterised depends entirely on their individual qualities. For example, earth is associated with growth and nourishment, so the spleen, which monitors the blood - digesting debris and producing antibodies when necessary - is categorised as an earth element! To conclude, it must be said that you should not use any of these elements haphazardly. Ideally, a proper Feng Shui analysis should be performed by a qualified practitioner. Used incorrectly, the elements can cause harm to relationships, health, or money prosperity. When used correctly, they can strengthen relationships, health, and money. They permit the right amount of Chi - the auspicious or the good forces and hold back Sha - the unsightly or bad influences. Further ahead, we shall explore the elements in much depth, especially with focus to health and interiors.

Help your child study better with Feng Shui

The Chinese science of Feng Shui places so much stress on the arrangement and surroundings of a child's study area. You could also make use of Feng Shui techniques to enhance your child's concentration and development. To begin with, the position of the study desk is very important. Make sure your child does not sit with her back to the door. If she has to, and you have no other way of arranging the room, then place a mirror in front of her so that she can see the door. As for the chair, ensure that nothing sharp or piercing -- even in terms of graphics -- is directed towards it as it will create more bad energy. Even a poster with arrows or airplanes with weapons pointing towards the room can create negative energy.

The study table surroundings also need a lot of attention. Have your child sit facing the best study direction and with solid support behind or a painting of a mountain to give support. Place a crystal sphere in the main window to activate Chi. Try not to have your child sit in front of a window - it will harm her concentration. Observe her study area and desk -- are there any exposed overhead beams or edges, or sharp edges of furniture, pillar or protruding corner nearby? Be careful for these bring bad energy. Keep the desk area clear of clutter and place a laughing Buddha on the desk, if possible. The child's bedroom is going to be a hard one to handle. Try and keep rooms tidy and clutter-free. You will be amazed how much of a difference this can make. There are also some prescribed charms that can be used for your children. Placing a lead crystal sphere in your child's room can be very beneficial. This article is quite brittle and costly, so you could substitute it with a solid crystal ball. The laughing Buddha is a symbol of wealth and happiness; place one in your child's room -- just looking at his jolly face will cheer your child. A Feng Shui myth has it that stroking the laughing Buddha's belly daily can bring good luck. Hematite is an energetic stone, specially recommended for children. Hematite can help solve children's health-related problems, especially blood and abdominal ailments. It would also help them get good sleep. Hematite wards off bad moods and depressing thoughts. It is beneficial to the circulatory system, increases resistance to stress, stimulates spleen, restores vitality and calms excessive energy. This one is especially recommended for teenagers. There, now you have enough ways to help your child concentrate better, study harder and make you a proud parent. Start following these Feng Shui principles and wait for us to come back to talk on how this art of living helps you beat the blues.

Discussion on Feng Shui based on the effect of colors and numbers Though the Yin and Yang Theory explain to us the foundation of Feng Shui mechanisms, the rules and remedies of this are also greatly influenced by the Theory of the Five Elements. The Chinese believe the interactions of these five elements - earth, wood, fire, metal and water - can be combined in different quantities to create all the permutations that are found in the forces of nature. A significant portion of Feng Shui practice is based on interpreting how these elements interact in the physical environment to create good or bad luck. The elements have various connotations as followsFire is red, an auspicious color. It represents summer and is placed south. Water is black or dark blue, a solemn colour. It represents winter and is placed north. Wood is green, a prosperous colour. It represents spring and is placed east.

Metal is white or golden, an intense colour. It represents fall and is placed west. Earth is yellow or brown, a colour of attainment. It represents the centre. The elements are, in fact, involved in two kinds of cyclical relationships: the productive and the destructive cycles. In the productive cycle, fire produces earth, which produces metal, which produces water, which produces wood, which in turn produces fire. In the destructive cycle, wood destroys earth, earth destroys water, water douses fire, fire melts metal, which in turn will chop down wood. Feng Shui practice requires that these individual symbolic elements be incorporated into the positioning of homes and workplaces using the Chinese system of categorising everybody's date and hour of birth according to the elements. It would not be beneficial for some one born in a fire year to have much water in the home, so fountains, aquariums, and dark-coloured objects (black or blue - the water colors) should be avoided, because water destroys fire. On the other hand, plants and green objects representing wood are considered auspicious, since wood produces fire. Additionally, it would be beneficial if one slept in the room located on the south side of the apartment. But too many plants in the home would not be very auspicious if you were born in an earth year, because wood destroys earth. Instead, decorating with red objects and bright lights would be conducive, since fire produces earth. Since earth is the central element of the five, earth people should sleep at or near the centre of the house. These examples demonstrate the various combinations that would or would not work from a Feng Shui point of view. In the case of a family, where each member is born under a different element, it is the element of the bread-winner or the head of the household that is deemed the most significant. It is his or her element that should thus be considered when diagnosing for appropriate positions and furnishings. Other rooms in the house can be designed to benefit their principal occupant. Thus on the basis of the five elements, practically all phenomena have been categorised. Everything, from a river to sounds to the organs in our bodies, can be described in terms of the five elements. How the things are characterised depends entirely on their individual qualities. For example, earth is associated with growth and nourishment, so the spleen, which monitors the blood - digesting debris and producing antibodies when necessary - is categorised as an earth element! To conclude, it must be said that you should not use any of these elements haphazardly. Ideally, a proper Feng Shui analysis should be performed by a qualified practitioner. Used incorrectly, the elements can cause harm to relationships, health, or money prosperity. When used correctly, they can strengthen relationships, health, and money. They permit the right amount of Chi - the auspicious or the good forces and hold back Sha - the unsightly or bad influences. Further ahead, we shall explore the elements in much depth, especially with focus to health and interiors.

Chinese philosophers believe five things determine a good life: fate, luck, accumulated good deeds, education, and Feng Shui. We may not be able to control external circumstances, but we can control our immediate environment by reaching out to opportunity and fortune. If your heart doesn't lift when you return home each night, you need Feng Shui. If you don't leave home in the morning refreshed, comforted, and confirmed in your innate worth, you need Feng Shui. That’s the gist of this science. Wherever you live, an efficiency apartment or a mansion on the hill, your home should be a sanctuary for repairing hurts and celebrating joys. Feng Shui uses practical means to alter the physics of space and infuse rooms with harmony. Thus, our lives improve because energies in the home are focused. Life opens up in remarkable ways. For example, a lady resumed her social life after a five-year hiatus when she placed a four-foot statue of Kwan Yin, goddess of compassion, on the crest of a low hill overlooking her garden and lit the figure with nine (the most auspicious of numbers in Feng Shui) lights. The illuminated Kwan Yin smiled down on guests gathered on the moon-lit terrace. The effect was magical. You can replicate this effect on a balcony, in an alcove, wherever sufficient space sets off a symbol of affirmative emotions. In Feng Shui, everything in the universe is linked by Chi, a universal energy, which, when flowing smoothly, that is, neither too fast nor too slow, conducts vital forces to work on our behalf. If you doubt this, consider where you thrived, did your best work, met people who greatly interested you. You felt energized in a particular way – well, that was Chi par excellence. On the other hand, consider where you felt drained and lacking in vital energies. This is because you, your environment, home or office, were disconnected from the energy at the centre of the Feng Shui system. When Chi does not flow smoothly in life, difficulties grow, and one can suffer inexplicable reverses in professional, financial, and relationship spheres Next time we shall start talking about actual placements and arrangements. Till then, you can take good care of yourself with the Feng Shui number primer. Feng Shui Numbers Primer 1 is considered both lucky and unlucky. As the first of all numbers, it is associated with the energies of birth and other beginnings, but its ideogram looks like a bar across a door, which is inauspicious in Feng Shui. 4 is considered very unlucky because it sounds like the Chinese word for "death" and is therefore associated with loss, death, and misfortune. 5 is lucky because it is the number of the Chinese elements: fire, water, earth, wood, and metal. 8 and 88 are both very auspicious numbers. 8 is associated with prosperity and creativity and resembles the infinity symbol. There are also eight immortals and eight triangles of

the I-Ching or Book of Changes, an ancient Chinese system of divination. Eighty-eight resembles the Chinese pictograph for "double happiness." 9 is extremely auspicious and considered incorruptible. It is associated with heaven, longevity, and fullness. It is also the centre number of the Ba Gua, an octagon-shaped compass based on the eight triangles of the I-Ching, with the yin-yang symbol in the middle, used in Feng Shui. 13 is considered fortunate because it is the number of lunar months in the year. The importance of arrangements in Feng Shui Last time we talked about the importance and the need of Feng Shui for a happier day. Before we take to the actual scriptures, let's start with some quick tips from these practical case studies. You shall see how the art of Feng Shui takes stock of the minutest things in furniture placement. A psychologist once moved into her new office, a large room with two over-sized windows and three doors (too many!). Key pieces of furniture - sofa for the clients, chair for the therapist, and a desk chair - had their backs to the room's entrance. Now, this is a no-no in Feng Shui because you should have an unrestricted view of the door so you can see who comes into the room. The furniture needed to be re-positioned for unobstructed view of the entry-point. Two long sheer curtains in natural colors were hung from large brass rods over doors that were not in use (on that note, the ratio of one door to three windows in a room is considered auspicious in Feng Shui). A large leafy fern was placed on a pedestal table in a corner behind the diagonally placed sofa. The room was transformed. On entering the room now, a healing serenity welcomed therapist and client. Sashaying curtains were hung to diffuse the strong window light. (Excess Chi from harsh light rushes out the windows, carrying money and opportunities.) As per the auspicious number code - nine green saplings were placed under the windows to strengthen the healing atmosphere. The therapist smiled and admitted feeling energized. You shall see in Feng Shui that along with correct placement of key furniture to control Chi, the use of natural color palette, sensual textures, tempered sound and even fragrance is also necessary. For example, Chinese Feng Shui masters believe every room should have a touch of true Chinese red, because red is considered the color of luck, power, and energy. But remember just a touch! For in Feng Shui, less is generally more. Emperor yellow, the second most auspicious color in Feng Shui, is excellent for a narrow wall with a gentle glaze of raw amber and a flick of Vermillion red. A dreary dining corner can be transformed with a sunny yellow print tablecloth, tempered with a border of red, blue, and green and family spirits at dinner are lifted instantly. If you

like blue, indigo is preferred in classical Feng Shui, as it comes from the seven colours of the rainbow and the refractions from cut crystal. Symbolism is very far-reaching in its effect on emotions and states of mind, so be attentive to what is on your walls. An art-collecting family had two dismal images facing people entering their homes. One was a painting of a dead fish, the other - an exhausted woman hanging laundry. Both were by well-known artists, but this hardly altered the negative energies projected. Happily, the paintings were replaced with better ones - with positive Chi. Interior doorways are dramatized in Asian and European houses to control the flow of Chi. In a London apartment, moving from one space to another is marked by floor-length door curtains of heavy bronze velvet tied back with tasseled ropes (tassels are considered lucky and suggest Chi energy). Japanese indigo-dye cotton curtains veil the upper third of doorways to control over-strong Chi movement; their designs of flowing water and fish are reflections of nature. Carved wood panels mounted on lintels subtly suggest the character of the room beyond. In many cultures, there is the belief that empty corners harbor spirit mischief. Thus, flower arrangements, sculpture, screens, corner cabinets, and ferns are placed to create effect in corners, adding a gentle softness to a room. Curiously, appropriate treatment of corners, especially the placement of ferns and flowers, subtly raises the energy of a room. The moral of the story being - Unlike Vaastu more than directions, Feng Shui stresses on arrangement. Next time we shall see how Feng Shui is more a manual of remedies - through some more case studies - than being a text of celestial laws. And may you have good Chi. Feng Shui and Your Love Life

Last time, we talked about how Feng Shui can enhance positive vibes at your workplace. Chi - the primary source of purity and luck -- is also very vital for a healthy love life. For a typical fast-moving DINK (Double Income No Kids) couple, bonding often takes a back seat, give individual ambitions and professional aspirations. Feng Shui alterations can help you set your relationships right. Always keep in mind that the southwest corner of your house is where love reigns -- it governs the luck of love, romance and family happiness. So, pay special attention to this area. The simplest way to spruce up your existing relationship is by placing a photo of you and your spouse in the southwest corner. Make sure it is a happy photo, though! If you wish to enhance the quality of your romantic encounters, also place a dragon-headed tortoise with a piece of red ribbon in its mouth. Feng Shui charms like these are freely available in gift shops.

The right kind of lighting also goes a long way in strengthening relationships. Hanging a chandelier or an illuminated crystal sphere in the southwest corner of your home activates the Chi energy that stimulates romance. This introduces fire into this segment, which has earth as its presiding element, to bring love luck. Soft or pastel colour lampshades with soft lighting in the southwest should also do the trick. They create an atmosphere of romance. Harsh lighting and spotlights are to be strictly avoided. Bright lights may get prosperity but it scares love away, is what Feng Shui believes. Candles and crystals in all shapes, sizes and colour are welcome. Apart from creating a warm glow, they improve the entire look of your home, while enhancing romance. Natural crystals are the best natural charms; rose quartz and yellow citrine are crystals that work well to bring you lots of erotic and romantic times. Place these crystals in the form of pebbles or larger forms like the raw amethyst in the southwest corner of your living room to energise love and activate Chi. However mischievous this may sound, pink sheets and curtains raise subtle yang energy, which enhances feelings of affection and togetherness in those who seek conjugal bliss in the bedroom. Besides this, talk openly about your relationship and ways to improve it in your living room - with mellow lighting. If possible, place an indoor water fountain in the south-west corner of your home, you will be amazed at the effect this can have on your relationship; it could even encourage a new one. How Feng Shui can help you lead a beautiful life If your heart doesn't lift when you return home, you need Feng Shui We did start our stint with Feng Shui with the Yin Yang and the five elements and now that we have our basics right, we may question the reason of the whole process. Why should sophisticated post-moderns take an interest in an esoteric system of placement that is 3,000 years old so complex? The simple answer being that this wind-and-water philosophy (feng shui literally translates as "wind" and "water") works with astonishing ease. It's an elegant antidote to lives abuzz with computers, cell phones, beepers, chattering faxes, and hectic schedules, which intervene between the natural world and us. And this is how Chinese philosophers believe five things determine a good life: fate, luck, accumulated good deeds, education, and Feng Shui. We may not be able to control external circumstances, but we can control our immediate environment by reaching out to opportunity and fortune. If your heart doesn't lift when you return home each night, you need Feng Shui. If you don't leave home in the morning refreshed, comforted, and confirmed in your innate worth, you need Feng Shui. That's the gist of this science. Wherever you live, an efficiency apartment or a mansion on the hill, your home should be a sanctuary for repairing hurts and celebrating joys.

Feng Shui uses practical means to alter the physics of space and infuse rooms with harmony. Thus, our lives improve because energies in the home are focused. Life opens up in remarkable ways. For example, a lady resumed her social life after a five-year hiatus when she placed a four-foot statue of Kwan Yin, goddess of compassion, on the crest of a low hill overlooking her garden and lit the figure with nine (the most auspicious of numbers in Feng Shui) lights. The illuminated Kwan Yin smiled down on guests gathered on the moon-lit terrace. The effect was magical. You can replicate this effect on a balcony, in an alcove, wherever sufficient space sets off a symbol of affirmative emotions. In Feng Shui, everything in the universe is linked by Chi, a universal energy, which, when flowing smoothly, that is, neither too fast nor too slow, conducts vital forces to work on our behalf. If you doubt this, consider where you thrived, did your best work, met people who greatly interested you. You felt energized in a particular way - well, that was Chi par excellence. On the other hand, consider where you felt drained and lacking in vital energies. This is because you, your environment, home or office, were disconnected from the energy at the centre of the Feng Shui system. When Chi does not flow smoothly in life, difficulties grow, and one can suffer inexplicable reverses in professional, financial, and relationship spheres Next time we shall start talking about actual placements and arrangements. Till then, you can take good care of yourself with the Feng Shui number primer. Feng Shui Numbers Primer 1 is considered both lucky and unlucky. As the first of all numbers, it is associated with the energies of birth and other beginnings, but its ideogram looks like a bar across a door, which is inauspicious in Feng Shui. 4 is considered very unlucky because it sounds like the Chinese word for "death" and is therefore associated with loss, death, and misfortune. 5 is lucky because it is the number of the Chinese elements: fire, water, earth, wood, and metal. 8 and 88 are both very auspicious numbers. 8 is associated with prosperity and creativity and resembles the infinity symbol. There are also eight immortals and eight triangles of the I-Ching or Book of Changes, an ancient Chinese system of divination. Eighty-eight resembles the Chinese pictograph for "double happiness." 9 is extremely auspicious and considered incorruptible. It is associated with heaven, longevity, and fullness. It is also the centre number of the Ba Gua, an octagon-shaped compass based on the eight triangles of the I-Ching, with the yin-yang symbol in the middle, used in Feng Shui.

13 is considered fortunate because it is the number of lunar months in the year.

Using objects for Feng Shui ambience

In our conversation before we spoke of lights, mirrors and bells. Most of these are defined as solid or fixed elements. They are more or less permanent in nature. There are some objects however, that are symbolically 'alive'. Though most of them need lots of care and alertness in terms of maintenance, they tend to be the best hosts for Chi. Flowers are always a cheerful sight and encourage Chi. Potted plants and freshly cut flowers are best for apartment residents. One has to be careful about dead flowers in the sense that they create negative Chi. Once flowers start fading they need to be disposed. Dried flowers as strongly discouraged as their life (water element) is drained out of them. Artificial flowers are a good alternative for busy people, provided they are dusted and washed at regular intervals. Among live flowers, most are good and brighter they are, the better. There are five flowers that Feng Shui places right on top and believes to be especially beneficial. Chinese roses - These represent love (red), wealth (yellow) and honour (white). Chrysanthemums - It is a flower of happiness, laughter, comfort and relaxation. Magnolias - They represent feminity and serenity. Orchids - These are known to spice up sensuality and initiative. Lotus - The sacred flower of the Buddhists, it represents purity, peace and triumph. All green plants are known to create Chi and help to get in harmony and balance in the home. The best locations are east, southeast and the north as plants relate to wood and water elements. Plants can also effectively eliminate the undesirable Khi caused by sharp corners. For instance, if you have a square pillar in your living room, it helps a great deal to have a creeper running around it to the top. Healthy plants at entrances and windows make an attractive display as well as ward of all the Khi but not as much as aquariums. Aquariums and small indoor fountains can become a feature of a room, while at the same time increasing the wealth of the occupants. Water symbolizes

wealth and abundance. Gently moving water also promotes calmness and serenity. Be it an aquarium, a fountain or a miniature waterfall, you should never place them in the south. North is the ideal direction. A water presence in the north, west or northwest will help you progress quickly in your career. Placing them in the east or southeast gets peace in the house and conflicts get resolved faster. Stone, metal, ceramic and glass animals are also used in Feng Shui. Fierce animals like lions, tigers and birds of prey like eagles and falcons are generally placed outdoors to provide symbolic protection. In many cultures you have feline mammals placed on each side of the main entrance to a building. More docile animals such as elephants (representing power) tortoises (representing longevity) and rabbits (representing fertility) are to be placed indoors in relevant locations. Thus elephants go well in a study or office, tortoises in drawing rooms and rabbits in the bedroom. Small animals can be fun to collect and provide symbolic security to the house. Feng Shui for your workplace

Looking down the commercial streets, we can categorise businesses into two classes: trading points (shops) and corporate space (offices). In trading businesses, the concern is aimed more at attracting and having more customers come through the door. In the office world, while we definitely want an attractive office, the concern is more with the productivity of both employers and employees. Trading businesses could refer to anybody. Bulk agencies, shops, stores, restaurants, galleries and malls; all want to attract customers. This is so relative that while one establishment might be very successful, while another right next to it struggles. You might even think about the infamous "dead corners" - places where it seems that every business that starts there dies in 6-12 months, and another starts. For a shop especially there are many considerations, in view of daily direct transactions. The front door needs to be in `prosperous' positioning. Pantry and lavatory facilities need to be in the right energy field. Most importantly, the building itself needs to be an `optimal' one for making and keeping money as well as the perfect one for attracting people. In the commercial office, the environment scores over positioning - one that helps people be more happy and productive in their work. The `facing' of the desks, wall colours, lighting, departmental positioning need to be sorted out with the correct Feng Shui, taking into consideration the nature of business.

Feng Shui enables you to calculate the energies of the building and recommend remedies for the problems that might exist - both before and after you are in a building or space. Your office is your resource base. The energy patterns surrounding it have an important influence on your entire life and your financial well-being. Many offices are being built close to a street. Streets are major conduits and the adverse energies as a result must be taken into consideration. A Feng Shui Auditor is able to determine what remedies are necessary to redirect those negative energies. The balance of both interior and exterior spaces is one of the keys to a positive cash environment. The placement of landscaping and other exterior features is one way how this balance is achieved. Feng Shui audits are performed for any type of building and should be scheduled preferably prior to beginning the works. Here is a brief problem and solution memorandum about office arrangements. Try to work it out, till we meet next and talk about enhancing the environment and 'feel' of the office, at length. You cannot see the room's entrance door by merely looking up from your computer screen. - Move your PC sideways so that you can view the door in a right angle. If you still can't, mount a convex mirror onto the side of your computer, as to view the doorway.

A heating or air-conditioning duct is above your chair. - Redirect the air currents off yourself. If you can't, mount a panel or a pennant below the duct, to direct it away from your body.

The room contains a tall piece of furniture within your line of vision. - Move it. High objects looming over you can have an undesirable effect on you. They deplete your confidence and feeling of well-being. Less furniture and fixtures encourage free roaming of Chi.

A desk lamp is positioned on the side of your dominant hand while you face the computer. - A light on the same side as your dominant hand, casts a shadow over your assignments. Thus your ability to concentrate comes under strain. Over time, even a small annoyance can sap your enthusiasm.

You cannot see outside while sitting at your computer. - If you have no windows, or you work at night, hang a scenic picture of natural exteriors within easy view or put a potted plant in the vicinity. As your eye appreciates it occasionally, your soul shall appreciate the work.

Your computer is next to the door. - Move it or hang a plant or a dividing screen, in between. If that can't be done, keep the door closed and dangle a Chinese bell over it.

You don't have kinetic or energetic (continuously mobile) objects in your office. - Keep the windows open so as to let the air circulate causing some motion. If you can't do this, keep a fan and some plants or curtains with tassels. Such movement keeps you feeling energetic.

Your desk is against a wall shared by a bathroom. - If you can't move, mount a thick decorative wall-rug on the wall. This shall prevent Chi flowing out.

Your office is in an out-of-the-way or undesirable, dim-lit location

- Use a high wattage bulb to illuminate the approach to your office. Paint the exteriors in a bright colour and decorate the outside with plants and woodwork. This is very inviting for Chi. Feng Shui and subliminal signals Feng Shui is much more than good arrangements or the proper placing of objects within a structure. Are you aware that the areas we use day in and day out - our main door, the landing outside it, the steps leading out - all give signals to our subconscious mind? These signals can be positive or negative. Should you receive negative signals every day or several times a day, be rest assured that you and peace of mind, prosperity, health would remain strangers for all times to come.

How does one ensure that one receives only subliminal signals, which can better one's health, wealth and peace of mind? To take a simple example, what would it do to your mind if the road you were driving on, were bereft of any signs guiding your journey? Similarly, the entry and exit paths to our house should have positive subliminal `markers' which not only create a happy state of mind whenever we enter or leave our abode but also protect us from any potential harm. Many builders are in the habit of making steps and landings of white concrete with no `subliminal marker' distinguishing the elevations. No visual demarcation between the landing and steps, steps and patio, shakes one out of one's peaceful state of mind. Also, ascending or descending such monotonous routes causes a great deal of stress since one has to concentrate on differentiating the elevation changes oneself to avoid tripping and falling. Such undifferentiated landings and steps in front of a house, which blend into each other, also give the subconscious mind the message that reaching the front door is a Herculean task. The unhappy result would be that such occupants would be bereft of opportunities. The correct `subliminal marker' in such a case would be a clear transition to mark each separate elevation. Alternating colours, textures, and materials cry out aloud: `This is the landing, you are safe here as you can clearly see where it ends and the steps begin.' While descending the stairs, a clear demarcation between the steps and the next landing states clearly: `You can't take a false step here. You are now stepping on the landing.' When one finally exits the building, it's with the confidence to face the day. Some other measures for improving landings, steps and patios are: Replacing concrete steps with flagstone or brick, covering existing steps with brick pavers, staining wooden steps, placing large pots of flowers/plants on either side of the top and bottom step. The happy outcome for the occupants of houses with well-defined walkways, landings, and steps will be that opportunities will visit them frequently - guided as they are by the `subliminal markers'. We normally think of a house as a structure merely of bricks and cement and set a price on it based on its physical strength. But the economic value of a house can also be governed by the presence or absence of the life-giving force of Chi. What the Hindus call prana, the Chinese call Chi. Where Chi is abundant, prosperity and happiness result and vice-versa. The lifeforce energy of Chi is carried by currents of Feng (wind) and Shui (water).

While Chi is beneficial, Sha does the exact opposite to one's life. Sha means negative Chi and carries with it harmful energies. Sha oozes through cracks, holes and broken windows in homes and is prevalent in corners and sharp angles. It also occurs in places packed with human beings, animals, or things like lifts, trains... and rooms. Bad odours, bright lights and loud disturbing sounds intensify Sha. So it's clear that if one wants the value of one's house to increase, the flow of Chi in it should be bettered and Sha eliminated. The main thing to ensure is that the design and appearance of one's property is in harmony with the surroundings. The property should be maintained in such a way that a sense of order and beauty in relation to the environment is effected. The house should be designed such that good relations with neighbours result. Such good relations boost the positive energy of the area. Electricity wires and pollution very close to one's property give off a lot of Sha and can not only adversely affect the value of one's property but also one's health. The entrance to the house can be made a rich source of Chi. Opportunities enter the home through the front door, hence it should be made to look inviting. The front doors and even its surrounding areas should be neat and clean and kept in good condition so as to exude Chi. The look and feel of the insides of the house directly results in Chi or Sha, depending on the atmosphere created inside. Light and airy homes give off Chi whereas a dark, damp and heavy atmosphere means that the house is overflowing with Sha. Surely no one would pay a good price for the house if such were the case. Windows are important inlets for Chi. Hence, they should be large, preferably wall-to-wall. The current trend of providing such windows in city apartments bodes well for the Chi level in the house. Light, warmth and breeze should enter the home lighting up all dark corners and banishing Sha. An unkempt home cluttered with all sorts of unnecessary items is a breeding ground for Sha energy. Removing such unwanted objects not only gives one more space to move around increasing the Chi level of energy but also obviously drains out all the Sha energy. One should avoid buying houses in dead-end streets. The residents of such localities are always at odds with each other. Hence, nobody is prepared to pay a good price for houses in such areas. Similarly, cemeteries, junkyards, and prisons close to one's home literally swamp the house with negative energy, or Sha. Symmetry is an important principle of Feng Shui. The shapes of wall within and without a house should be in perfect alignment. A house, or rooms, with many angles reflect brokenness and this quality can lend itself to the lives of the inhabitants of such houses.

One very important danger to watch out for within a house is heavy overhead beams. The beam carries within it the weight of Sha energy. Such harmful energy can give migraines to those sleeping under it. If one keeps the above tips in mind, peace shall surely exude from one's house creating a favourable impression on the minds of the prospective buyers and prompting them to pay a good price for one' home.

Construction of home by self

Constructing your own home needs you to pay special attention to certain aspects pertaining to the site: •

Ensure that the paper work and title documentation are in order. You might want to consult your lawyer in this area.

•

Bear in mind factors like approach roads, upcoming structures in the area and the availability of all basic amenities. The check list below details the same facts. Compulsory checks Other checks Type Legal

Title deeds of the land under construction Ensure that the job of construction is entrusted to a contractor vide enforceable agreement. in your favour. Previous title deeds covering a period of 13 years. Sanctioned plan & license for construction. Encumbrance certificate for the past 13 years. Upto-date tax paid receipts. Estimate of construction from a registered engineer.

Location

Check for electricity connections.

Pollution due to industries etc in the area.

Check for municipal water connections.

Check for developmental activities of the area.

Whether well laid out garbage disposal arrangements.

Public transport facilities in the area. Check for educational institutions, hospitals, shopping avenues nearby, green belts and rain water drainage.

Approvals

From city corporation, Area Development Authorities, Electricity Boards, Water Supply & Sewerage Boards.

Amenities

Check whether drinking water is available.

Ensure natural lighting, ventilation, water connection & sanitary connection.

VASTU SHASTRA GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION November 03, 2008 Vastu Shastra lays down guidelines on the construction of different types of buildings. While many regard Vastu as a superstition, in reality it is a science, developed thousands of years ago by the ancient Indian Architects. They laid down these guidelines with the aim to create buildings that vibrate with Universal Energy and brimming with good positive energy by manipulating the elements of nature, so that the inmates always have a sense of well being and contentment. As these guidelines have a scientific basis I have explained them here along with the possible logic and reasoning. ACCORDING TO VASTU SHASTRA WHAT ARE THE RITUALS TO BE DONE JUST BEFORE CONSTRUCTION? Vastu Shastra advocates five rituals or activites to be done before the actual construction begins.

As Vastu is a science, there is scientific reasoning for doing these rituals. They have been explained below: * VASTUPOOJA - The first ritual to be done before starting the construction, is a Vastu pooja or Bhoomi Pooja. This is ritualistic and should be done at an auspicious time and on an auspicious day, as fixed by your astrologer. Before doing the pooja, the site should be cleared. Dirt, stones, holes in the ground, and trash should be removed. Thorny bushes should also be uprooted and removed. The pooja should be done in the North-East corner of the site. The pooja should not be done if the woman in the household is more than seven months pregnant. The reasoning - The purpose of doing a pooja is to psychologically give the owner the confidence that the seemingly huge task of building a house can be accomplished without any problems since, the bare earth of the site (bhoomi) has been blessed and has acquired a divine life. The purpose of selecting auspicious time and day is for the same reason. The reason why the pooja is not to be done when the woman of the house is heavily pregnant is obvious - since the pooja ceremony calls for sitting on the ground, it may be uncomfortable for the lady or cause premature delivery. * BALIDAANA - This is also a ritual. Offerings are made and spirits and demons are requested to leave. The Reasoning - With this ritual, the owner will psychologically feel that the site is purified and freed from any old associations and is receptive to a new beginning. It is like he is starting life from scratch without any stains. * HALA-KARSHANA - This is the levelling of the site wherein the site is sloped according to Vastu guidelines so that the site is at a higher level than the road level and the South-West corner is higher than the North-East corner. Vastu recommends that the whole site be ploughed to rid it of the past and give the soil a new life. The Reasoning - The levelling is done to remove unwanted stones, rocks etc to facilitate the easy digging of the trenches for the foundation. The reason for having the whole site ploughed is to expose any debris or pests which may be underground, as normally only the ground is dug where the trenches for the foundation are marked. So some spots where there are pests may remain undetected and can cause problems after the structure comes up. * ANKURAA-ROOPANA - This is the sowing of the seed and a final offering to the memory of those who have left the place and is also the first offering to the new ploughed ground. The Reasoning - The germination of the seed gives a psychological feeling that the new undertaking will be fulfilled - that it will be completed without any problems. * SHILAANYAASA - It is the foundation laying ceremony. The groundbreaking ceremony for the house should only be done during the Uttarayan period, when the sun is in the northern hemisphere, from June 21 through December 20. The stone which is consecrated at the time of the Vastu Pooja, is laid first in the South-West corner of the trenches dug up for the foundation. The Reasoning - It makes sense to start construction in the Uttarayan period, when the days are longer than the nights as the construction activity can go on at a rapid pace as there are more daylight hours during this period. WHAT ARE THE VASTU SHASTRA GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION? There are three things to be constructed before starting the construction of the house namely: * WELL/ BOREWELL/WATER SOURCE - The first step before the commencement of the house construction, is to dig the well or the borewell because if water is used from this well for the construction, it is auspicious for the family who will live in the house.The Reasoning - Even if there is municipal water supply, it is better if the owner has another source of water as a backup, because nowadays there is acute shortage of water. Moreover, since municipal water supply connection is given only after the completion of the building, it makes sense to have a constant source of water for the construction form your own well or borewell instead of buying water for the construction. So this should be the first priority.

- It is best if the well or water source is on the north or northeast side of the land. It is inauspicious to have a well in the middle of a house. It is not recommended to share wells between two properties. Ideally, the well water should be exposed to sunlight for five hours a day.The Reasoning - It is practical to have this well in the North-East corner which is anyway to be left open as per vastu, to enable the morning sunrays to enter the house. Moreover, the suns rays will purify the water and kill the germs. - The well should be dug after bhoomi pooja has been performed on the site, at an astrologically auspicious time. The Reasoning -And psychologically the owner will feel the well will yield good amount of water if the digging is done at an auspicious time and day. * STORAGE SHED - The next thing to be constructed is a storage shed for storing all the material like cement, wood etc. The storage shed can be located in any part of the site except in the North or East. A watchman is to be retained to guard the material. The Reasoning - A place to store the cement bags and other building material safely and away from moisture is essential, as you can’t keep buying these things in small quantities. Since the North-East side of the site is to be kept open, the shed should not be placed there, as it will block the sunlight and movement around. Also having a watchman to take care of these things gives you a feeling of security. - Only new bricks, wood, and materials should be used when building a new house. Materials from an old building should not be used to build a new one as these old materials may have absorbed negative energy of negative incidents that occurred in the old house. If there are old materials available, it is better to sell them and use the money to buy new materials. Materials that have been stored for a long time should also not be used.Iron grills should only be used when needed. The Reasoning - Building materials stored for a long time may not be effective, as they may not have been stored well, away from moisture etc. Also, material from an old building will have less strength and so it is better not to use them in the new one. - Wood from thorny trees should not be used. The Reasoning - Generally the wood of thorny trees is not suitable for house construction. * COMPOUND WALL AND GATE - The third thing to be constructed is the Compound Wall. This should be built before the house is constructed. The compound wall should not be higher than the house, and the southwest side should be the highest and the North and East sides should be the lowest. The Reasoning - The purpose of the compound wall is to protect the site from the outside environment, from thieves, etc. However, if there are buildings all around the site, the compound wall can be done after the construction. The higher compound wall in the South-West prevents the evening sun rays from heating up the house. - It is best that there are two gates to the compound, so evil things entering one gate will exit from the other. The Reasoning - It makes sense to have a big gate for the car to enter and a smaller gate which is easier to handle near the entrance. Some other considerations in construction are: * Construction should not stop once it begins as there will be more expense involved in stop-andstart work. * Workers should not be unnecessarily pushed to speed up their work as they will do a shoddy job. Moreover, some things like setting, curing of columns, beams, slabs etc cannot be rushed as there is a risk that the structure may collapse. * Work for the day should stop at sunset. No construction should be done at night as it is difficult to see and do a good job. Also the workers need to have rest as they can’t do a good job if they are overworked.

* A qualified engineer should always oversee the construction, since any mistakes that come up can be noticed by a qualified person who is always at site.

VaastuShastra Vaastu Shastra a super science, evolved some 5000 years ago in India. Ancient in comparison to Chinese discipline of Feng Shui, which is 3500 4000 years old. Vaastu Shastra essentially deals with practice of architecture and building / construction science, but it touches every facet of life on this earth and the universe. The ever-present link between man and the cosmos is the basic theme of Vaastu Shastra. Vaastu Shastra principles provide guidance for making optimum use of cosmic energy to achieve cosmic harmony. Pyramids, mirrors, bells, gems, precious stones, metals, colours, yantras, trees, flowers serve as catalysts in reestablishing the connection between man and the divine energy. With all its sublime and mysterious ways, the basic parameters used in vaastu shastra compliant designs are: geomagnetic flux, solar energy, sound energy, and water sources. vaastu Shastra, the ancient science of structure is popularly believed to promise prosperity. It is actually is a matter of faith. Vaastu is a complete understanding of direction, geography, topography, environment and physics. It is a study that dictates the form size and orientation of a building, in relation to the plot, soil, surroundings and the personality of the owner / dweller. There is no room for rituals and superstitions. Concepts like harmony, balance, rhythm, form, shape, proportions, functional utility, efficiency and beauty are valid in European architecture as well as vaastu shastra. But, inspirations differ. vaastu shastra designs dwellings beneficial to body and mind of the dweller. Modern architecture forgets the inherent psychological needs like peace and tranquility of human beings in pursuit of illusive economy, lifestyle, function, and work efficiency. In vaastu shastra, shapes like square and rectangle indicate safety, competences, and stability. Triangular and round shapes popular in modern architecture are strictly avoided in vaastu shastra. Modern architecture is yet to assimilate the smooth balance between symmetry and asymmetry evident in structures designed as per vaastu shastra principles. Vaastu orientates, places and dictates the proportions of every detail as in building lines, skylines, elongations, levels, slopes, water tanks (underground and overhead), kitchen, bedrooms, toilets, staircase, heights of ceilings and roofs, entrances and loci of doors and windows, compound walls and so on. Architectural science and equipment have undergone a sea change over the years. However, the principles of Vaastu, although modified to suit the modern times, still remain

applicable. Thus vaastu shastra is a science, which teaches about the construction of various buildings. By following the principles of vaastu shastra one can prosper in many ways. vaastu Shastra is based on ten directions and one God rules each direction. The good and bad aspects of that particular direction are thus predicted by their position. According to Science, vaastu shastra shows how a man can prosper by taking advantage of the magnetic poles of the earth. NOTE : The above material is based on information available in ancient vaastu shastra texts. Basic knowledge of rules is always welcome, but application requires due dilligence. Adherence to Municipal or Local Authority rules is a must for any building construction or dwelling. Principles of vaastu shastra application to your house Applying vaastu shastra while constructing your house is not that simple. Lot of things has to be taken into consideration like placement of living room, bedroom, kitchen, puja room, balcony etc and if one meticulously applies and follows the principles of Vaastu then satisfactory results can be attained. Following are a few points you must remember while applying vaastu shastra: Site and Building Plan The building should be built leaving open space on all sides. More open space should be left in North side of the plot and less space in the south. Similarly more open space should be left in the East than West side of the plot. The building height should be more on the South and West side. The height or level of the building should be less in Northern and Eastern side. Hall It is always advisable to have the hall on the north or east side of the house. This placement of hall allows positive energy to flow in the house, resulting in peace of mind and steady growth, especially for the younger generation. If the hall I not properly placed then there will be mental tension and agony among family members and growth will be uneven. Doors and windows As far as possible doors and all window openings should be placed towards north and east. Openings towards west and south should be avoided. The number of doors or windows should be even and not odd. However if your door is on the south side then what you can do is place your door in the southeast corner. One can also have the main door on the northwest side if the main door is in the west of the house. The house will then get the benefit of a good income source, wealth and prosperity. If the main door is not properly placed it can, according to vaastu, result in a lack of opportunity, continuous burden in business/career and

sickness in the family. Kitchen Kitchen should be located in Southeast or Northwest zone with the cook facing East or west. If you have heat in the southeast or northwest, it will create the balance between negative and positive energy flow. The right location of kitchen will not only bring happiness, popularity but also will ensure good health. Wrong kitchen placements create problems like continuous struggle; loss in business and money loss and it also affects the health of the women in the house. Bedroom The Southwest room should be the master bedroom. However if you cannot have the bedroom in the southwest corner, then one can either sleep in the south part or the west part of the house and get benefit of the energy field. The right location of your bedroom or sleeping place will give you a peaceful night sleep and thus give you lot of positive energy. Puja room, balcony and verandah and bathroom Northeast room should be pooja room. Balconies should be towards East or North. Verandahs should be towards East or North. No Verandahs should be built in the West or South side of the house. Bathroom normally preferred in East, where it is not convenient, South East or Northwest may be recommended.

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