The word Vaastu means a dwelling. Vaastu Shilpa means the science of house building. The science of house building is very ancient in India. The knowledge has come down from creator Brahma through an unbroken succession of sages. According to the Vishwakarma Vaastu Shastra, the celestial architect Lord Brahma got a thorough knowledge of his science from Lord Shiva. The present day Vaastu owes its origin mainly to 125 verses contained in Brihat Sanhita of Varahamihira. We are presently below a simplified summary of Vaastu principles. The Vaastu Shastra in itself is too detailed to be presented at a single place. Nor it is likely to be understood by the modern day's generation in its original form.

Five Elements Of Vaastu

The whole universe is made up of five basic elements, the earth, water, fire, air and space. Our body is also made up of these five basic elements of nature. The pancha-mahabhootas are related to our five senses of smell, taste, hearing, touch and sight. Any imbalance in our external and internal Vastu translates into unhappy situations. Vastu teaches the individual to live in balance and harmony with the panchamahabhootas.

Prithvi (Earth)

Human beings have a natural and emotional affinity with the Earth. The Earth revolves around the Sun and has gravitational and magnetic force. Scientists have proved that earth is a huge magnet with two poles-North pole and South pole.

It has also been proved that the human body is a 'magenetisable' object with a large percentage of iron in the blood. As all know, opposite poles of a magnet attract each other and same magnetic poles repel each other. The Vastu principle of placing the head in South direction while sleeping is based on earth's magnetic property.

Our ancients have found that sleeping with the head towards the South enables one to go with the nature and draw maximum positive energies from the cosmos to keep fit and healthy. Vastu also deals in detail about inspection of soil, selection of site, shape, shape and size of plot to land.

Earth is the only element linked to all five senses of taste, sound, touch, smell and sight and sight and thus exerts the maximum influence on us.

Positive Energy Centres

Early morning ultra-violet rays of Sun that have a beneficial effect on our body, correspond to the North-East sector of the site. The places where positive energy is generated by early morning Sun rays are lsh, Agni, Surya, Soma and Brahma. Sun rays must fall on these sectors and they must not be blocked by constructions. In case toilets, septic tanks, garages, storeroom etc. are constructed here, they give very adverse effects.

Negative Energy Centres

• The late afternoon and evening Sun with harmful infrared rays falling on negative energy centres like Yama, Pitr, Dwarpal, Asur, Papa and Roga have harmful results.
  

• The Sun rays here give negative energy and should be blocked.
  

• At the corners of Pitar and Dwarpal, store rooms should be constructed. Big trees can be planted here. The South and West side should be kept heavy and high.
  

• This can be done by planting high/heavy trees or by raising the compound wall.
  

• The walls in South and West can be thicker than walls in North and East.
  

• At Papa and Roga places servant quarters or motor garages can be built.