Study of the principles of vaastu in relation to the built environment and it's scientific value

Abstract

Architecture is a science more than an art, which needs an ordering principle to order itself. There are many principles, which have been used over the years. Vaastu Shastra was one o f these which is based upon science. It is a blend o f mathematics, environmental science, human biology, hydraulic science, soil mechanics and physics, and is strongly backed by laws of nature. The word Vaastu was known as Vaasthawya shastra or science o f Vaastawya in the olden days. The meaning of the above is "the land which is suitable for living ". Ancient civilizations had a vast knowledge about built environment and they considered architecture not only as a building exercise but also for organizing their environment and creating a specific atmosphere for living . The Indian architect; B. Niranjan Babu has defined thus 'the ancients considered the dwelling as a living organism. Whether it was a temple (prasada) or a palace (rajagruha) or a residential dwelling (sala) or the image (chitra) or idol of a deity (vigraha) perfection was the word that the ancients desired. They considered the plot 'kshetra' and the dwelling (vaastu or avastha) as having a rhythm and beauty which vibes perfectly with nature. Each plot and building had life and there was a necessity of building structures to be in proportions based on certain formulae. When houses were built using these formulae, they were said to give the residents health, wealth and prosperity. The author of Vaastu Sashikala Anand defined Vaastu in a nutshell as the traditional science of building designs and spatial configuration. The individual, as well as the collective, can live in greater harmony and property when human beings become aware of with subtle connections between space and form. To become aware o f the natural environment and to build in consonance with it is the message o f Vaastu. Using the principles of measurement, rhythm and proportion as the basis of all material manifestation, it states that the mind and spirit are capable of infusing life into a space, and promoting the free flow o f energy.