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Glimpses
Of Traditional Vastu
Traditional vastushastra is based on energy needs
of a particular class of people. It indicates the specific directional
zones suitable for habitation by various groups. This segmentation
is derived from the qualities of eight directions, which are
characterised by certain energy levels, and specific virtues
as explained in the vastu purush mandal. This logic has been
extended in classification of sectors to be used for residence
by various castes, creeds, and social groups.
Intellectual congruities are directly correlated with
and are dependent on the daily routine. Energy needs of a given
class of people do not remain static or constant over a period
of time. Hence, in an ideal town planning, houses of various
classes should be arranged as per their immediate energy needs.
This apart, each class is found to have different eating habits
and corresponding cooking methods. For planning purposes, these
factors are given due consideration in traditional vastushastra.
Constraints on financial resources of different classes
impose limitations on choice of materials for house building,
a factor reflected in traditional style of architecture. In
planning a city or a town, logic of vastu purush mandal, extrapolated
several times over, has to be applied on the basis of energy
requirements of different strata of society. Here vastu is first
applied on a larger scale to demarcate public places, open grounds
and residential areas by virtue of different directions. Then
it is reapplied on a smaller scale for seperate plots to establish
miniature figure of vastu purush in each case. Thus an individual
gets associated with nature, and microcosm is correlated
with macrocosm.
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Methods Of Vastu Classification Three different methods are traditionally used for characterising
a vastu.To represent the effect of five great elements and the
variation of energy spectrum, the cuts or squares used in conventional
vastu are either 10 x 10, or 9 x 9, or 8 x 8 type. Suitable
nomenclature, generally a deity or a demon, is appended to these
squares as per the type, form, intensity, and effective energy
format. The charts include directional details, name of deities
etc. and are self explanatory.
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| Vastu Purush Mandal |
Matrix |
Vastu Type |
| Chatushashtipad |
8 x 8 |
Housing coloy layouts, plannig of small townships,
government or military camps. |
| Ekashitipad |
9 x 9 |
Houses of different classes of society, palaces,
public places, government offices. |
| Shatpad |
10 x 10 |
Tall buildings, mansions, temples, auditoriams
etc. |
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A vastu purush mandal with 8 x 8 = 64 squares
is useful in planning of colony layouts and smaller townships.
Vastu purush mandal with 9 x 9 = 81 squares is used in
town planning for classifying locations as per the caste factor
(caste here points to vocation of people). This is called ekashitipad
vastu purush mandal and is also utilised in placement of houses
for politicians, public places, courts, theatres etc. A vastu
purush mandal with 10 x 10 = 100 squares is applied in
planning of palaces, mansions, temples, and big auditoriams.
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Selection
Of Soil Characteristics (Bhoomi Lakshanam)
The suitability of soil fir individual entities is decided
on the basis of the biorythmic and organic origin of a class
of society. Characteristics of social classes are dependent
on the nature of work or job normally pursued and exposure to
the environment .
The holistic logic of soil selection is related to virtues
of five great elements as projected by qualities of the soil.
In vastu texts, properties of soil or earth are described in
terms of appearance, taste, odour, sound, color shape, touch
and slope of plot. These qualities find their equivalent
attributes in human classes. Naturally, a correlation between
soil characteristics and requirements of human groups can easily
be established.
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| Intellectual
Classes For intellectual classes, a square plot in north
zone is preffered. Audumber tree should be present
on the plot and the soil should be white, representing
jal tatva. Slopes towards the north direction are considered
advantageous.
Astrologically speaking, north zone is under the
influence of jupiter and moon, which are the governing
planets for education, culture, and religion. Hence,
north zones should be reserved for intellectuals in
any town planning. |
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| Military
And Police For military and police personnel, rectangular
plots in east zone are preffered. The soil should
be reddish in color, having bitter taste. The presence
of pipal tree on the plot with slopes towards the east
is considered advantageous.
A rectangular shape represents strength and force,
red color represents agni tatva, and slope towards
east leads to better correlation with qualities of planet
mars who is known as the warrior. Pipal tree symbolically
exhibits the activity of vayu tatva. All the
above attributes and parameters are a must for military
and police personnel.
Astrologically, the sun and mars having agni tatva
qualities and characteristics of a warrior govern east
zone. Hence, east zone should be reserved for military
and police cadre in town planning. |
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| Traders
And Businessmen A rectangular plot with excess length compared
to width is preferred for traders and business class.
The plot should be in southern zone with yellow colored
soil having acidic taste. The plot should slope towards
east.
The excessive length in rectangular shape allows
for better stream flow characteristics. The yellow color
simulates prithvi tatva symbolising stability, and the
eastward slope reinforces aditya pravah. This
means that stability is achieved along with alacrity
because of the favourable role played by the color,
the form, and the shape. These attributes are a prerequisite
for a stable and a enhanced growth pattern for the business.
Astrologically, the tenth house in a horoscope
represents business, profession, and work. Hence, the
south zone is suitable for traders and businessmen. |
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| Working
Classes Rectangular plot with length far in excess
of width is preferred for housing of working classes.
The soil should be black in color and bitter in taste,
with slope towards east is preferred.
Geologically black and bitter soil is rich in mineral
contents, and can be suitably used for vegetation and
plantation. Excessive length of a house can be used
for constructing separate rooms to accomodate different
activities which are part of daily routine of the working
classes and need to be carried out without disturbing
their work assignments. The task areas include storage
place for grain, workshops, etc. Slope towards east
allows aditya pravah inside house.
Astrologically, west zone is ruled by planet saturn,
which represents working class activities. Hence, west
zone is suitable for working classes. |
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