Frequently Asked Questions on Vastu (FAQ)

Q. What is Vastushastra?

A. VASTUSHASTRA is an ancient Vedic Science to construct buildings in harmony with natural forces for well being of humanity as a whole. It is the traditional Indian system of architecture and design of Vedic origin. Vastu means the dwelling of humans and Gods. Many Vastu rules are derived from 'Vastu Purusha' who is depicted as a man lying with his head pointing northeast, in a grid of usually 64 squares. The different directions and sectors are assigned to different Gods and Guardians.

Q. What is the main object of Vastushastra?

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

Q. Why one should apply Vastushastra?

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

Q. Does Vastushastra brings prosperity?

A. Yes, Vastushastra suggests ways in which we can live in tune with the laws of nature, so that we can be healthy, peaceful and work efficiently that results in prosperity.  

Q. Which is the ideal plot?

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

Q. How one can determined direction of his plot?

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

Q. What should be the proportion of length and breadth of house?

A. The proportion between length and breadth should be 1:1 but it should not exceed 1:2 ratio. 

Q. Does the size of house affects the fortune of the person who is living in it?

A. Yes, the size of length, breadth  both effect the fortune of the person who lives in it. 

Q. In which direction one should sleep?

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

Q. What are the things that are to be kept in mind while selecting a plot ?

A. The major factors to be kept in mind while selecting a plot are :  Geographical surrondings & Level of the land and Roads around the plot.

Q Is your Home Lucky for you? How does Vastu affect luck?

A. Each structure that is built has a purpose. Vastu as per the contemporary definition helps a building achieve its purpose. Such a building is considered 'LUCKY'. The word Vastu is derived from the Sanskrit root 'Vas-Niwase', which literally means 'a liveable space' or, a space worth living in. Therefore, your home is lucky for you if, it provides you with love, happiness, prosperity & a sense of fulfilment. Your office or workplace is lucky for you if it gives you success, growth, fame, recognition, money, etc. These spaces fulfil their purpose. If the opposite is true then the spaces are considered 'UNLUCKY' such spaces have Vastu dosha which prevent them for achieving their purpose. With the understanding of Vastu principles, Vastu doshas can be corrected which then ensures a particular result.

Q. How does Vastu work?

A. As per the ancient Hindu wisdom, in a given space, when all the 5 elements (panchmahabhoot) assume their respective places, their energies combine to form a life.

Q. What drives life? Is it the flesh and bones, or the heart, or the brain?

A. It is neither of these; life is controlled by the mind. The mind is divided into the conscious and the subconscious part. The subconscious part controls every aspect of life, physical, mental, neurological, emotional etc. We do not have direct access to this part of our minds. It is this subconscious part of the mind that is one with the universal or cosmic intelligence; the same intelligence that creates sustains and destroys the world. This cosmic intelligence expresses itself in the form of instincts, insights and or intuitions, all beyond logical explanations.
The subconscious mind is formed and shaped by the environment around us, which in turn is the product of the energies that make up life itself. The radiations from the cosmos and the earth continuously affect all life at the neuron level by effecting the chemical composition. The link is clear, an imbalance of these energies would have and adverse effect, causing disease, sickness, mental strife, anxiety, anguish, blocked creativity and a whole range of problems. The converse, a balance state and harmony with nature would support life and all its activities This is where and how Vastu Shastra influences life.

Q How long does it take a Vastu remedy to show results?

A. If applied correctly, Vastu remedies generally give results within 15 to 45 days depending on how receptive the land is, and the intensity of the Vastu defect. With more advanced Vastu techniques, an expert achieve the desired results in as little 3 days in certain cases.

Q. If my place is wrong according to Vastu, do I need to change it?

A. In 90% of the cases Vastu defect of a space can be treated either with the help of remedies (energy enhancers, colour / metal strips, colour schemes) or through Vastu corrections (shifting rooms or activities to another location, etc). Only in very rare cases will you find a space that must be vacated because the Vastu defect cannot be treated.

Q. What is Vastu Shastra?

A. Shastras are books, texts and treaties on a particular subject so any written records on Vastu are known as Vastu Shastras. These shastras were written by well-known and well-respected scholars and expects of vastu. These ancient texts now serve as the basis for modern day Vastu practices.

Q What are the original books on Vastu?

A. The original ancient texts on Vastu are as follows:

• Manasara Silpa Shastra
• Mayamatam
• Vishwakarma Vastu Prakash (by Vishwakarma)
• Samarangana Sutradhara (by Raja Bhoj)
• Aparjit Praccha (Aparjit Vishwakarma's son)
• Silparatna

Q. Is Vastu based on science or faith?

A. What does the word 'science or scientific' mean when used to describe something? If it means that when an experiment is performed repeatedly, then the results achieved must be similar each time. By this definition Vastu is scientific as it guaranties specific results. For example by placing an energy enhancer like galloping white horses in the North of North-West you can ensure support from banks and other financial institutions (loans, over draft etc). Vastu follows certain laws and principles. It does not require you to have blind faith but encourages you to take part in experimentations.

Q Why is Vastu necessary?

A. Vastu is necessary because it ensures a holistic growth. Vastu is the study of the law written by nature. It is the knowledge of the power that each of the 16 directions (as per the KB Way) offers. It is the art of assigning functions to the directions so as to enhance the outcome of each action. Vastu is the tool given to us by Mother Nature with which we can create an environment conducive to the fulfilment of our desires. A careful study of each space will enable the creation of a space that will ensure a solution to most of the problems that each of us faces everyday. Vastu creates the ideal living and working conditions by connecting each individual life to the cosmic life and each, individual intelligence to the cosmic intelligence.

Q Where or in which places is the application of Vastu absolutely  essential?

A. The most important places are where we live and work. These spaces affect us the most as we spend the longest duration of our lives here. Places where invest money as well as temples, hospitals and institutions are also important as they too play a vital role in our lives. Vastu ensures that the purpose of a building is achieved, thus the proper application of its principles in these buildings is essential.

Q How do Vastu remedies or solutions work in favour of human beings in terms of family life, business, home, career, etc?

A. As explained before, life is an outcome of the play of energies of the 5 elements. A space can be divided into 16 zones, each with its own function

Q. Why one should sleep with the head toward South?

A. North & human head both are positive poles, due to which they repel each other. Flow of magnetic field is from North of South, so body in North South axis will receive magnetic field from the feet resulting in proper blood circulation, due to presence of iron in the blood.

Q. Why North East corner of the house is so auspicious?Why should we keep it open?

A. Due to the tilt of the earth (22½°) North East corner of a structure receives energy. During early morning when the sun is at its maximum distance from the earth, only infrared rays are able to reach the earth, which are beneficial for the human body. Hence Northeast portion of the house should be such that it should receive beneficial infrared rays.

Q. Are all houses situated in front of a T-junctions are bad and why?

A. Generally speaking, one should avoid a building in front of a T-junction. In comparison a house in front of a T-junction in the South or West direction has more bad effects then the one facing North or East direction. The harsh energy due to the traffic on the road entering directly into the premises results in a tense and negative environment.

Q. Why North is considered to be best direction for facing while studying or working?

A. When you are facing the North, the magnetic field of the earth hits your face and charges you up resulting in sharp memory and increase in grasping power.

Q. Is Vaastu applicable only to Hindus?

A. No, infect, it is a science of directions. It was written 5000 years back keeping in mind that, who so ever resides in a house, will be benefited, so the question of religion does not arise.

Q. Can Vaastu defect can be corrected by performing pooja, yogas etc.?

A. If your electrical fan is not working, you will call an electrician rather than praying to God. Vaastu is science related to Geo energies, so doing all this to remove defects is nothing but waste of money and time.

Q. What are the factors on which Vaastu is based?

A. Vaastu is a combination to Bio energy force, gravitational force, magnetic field of earth, solar energy, velocity of wind and cosmic radiation's.

Q. Why South West room is considered to be a powerful room?

A. The positive energy received through northeast corner gets stored in south west area. The more you are away from northeast corner, more you will find peace & comfort. Southwest area denotes earth element, which gives more stability. Northeast room is like front seats & Southwest room is like balcony of a cinema hall.

Q. Southwest entry is not supposed to be anspicious. Why?

A. All the positive energy from Northeast corner will move away through Southwest door. It is supposed to be the door of leakage of money. Southwest corner should also be closed and blocked to avoid negative energies entering into the house.

Q. Are all remedies an integral part of Vaastu?

A. No, remedies were never discussed or written in any of the Vedas. Pyramids, mirrors, yantras are used to help in improving the environment, thought process and general happiness with in the household.

Q. What is the basic difference between Vaastu shastra and Feng Shui?

A. Vaastu Shastra is primarily a pre construction science while Feng Shui is a post construction art.

Q. Are Basements not good for living or working?

A. Due to the low level of energy, basements are ideally not good for living but if one can create & enhance the energy level with the help of lighting, proper ventilation & air conditioning etc; the same can be used as a working area.

Q. It is said that only North or East facing plots are good, Is it ?

A. In Vaastu, all directions are suitable for facing a house. It is only the inner layout, which is more important. But in a house facing North or East the incurring of Vaastu principles become easy. The possibility of Vaastu error is less in North or East facing house in comparison to the one facing West or South.

Q. Is it possible to have different effects on two different persons living in the same house?

A. Generally speaking, the effect is same. But it depends on various other aspects as well. For instance, lets assume that between the two different persons living in a house, one shifted them from a house with Vaastu rating of 4 and the other from a Vaastu rating of 8 and the current house has Vaastu rating of 6. Then the effect for the earlier person will be positive where as the effect from the new house for the latter person will be negative.

Q. South West is a dry zone, then why an overhead water tank in allowed in that corner?

A. Overhead water tanks create height & weight, which is good for Southwest direction. But any activity related to water, overflow of water, leakage etc; are not allowed in that corner.

Q. What is the most negative Vaastu flaw in a house?

A. A underground water tank in the Southwest area of a house is the most negative and major flaw in Vaastu. This leads to the defects represented by the 3 D's: Debts, Delays and Disharmony in the family.

Q. What are the directions we should avoid while placing the kitchen and toilet in the house?

A. Only NorthEast and Southwest corners should be avoided.

Q. What care should we take while constructing the staircase?

A. Positive energy moves in the clockwise direction and negative energy moves in the anticlockwise direction. So, the staircase should be made in the clockwise direction with odd number of steps for positive effect.

Q. Why are corners so important in Vaastu?

A. The corner represents the blending of two cardinal directions which also represents either of the four elements of Vaastu ie (Northeast -water, Southeast -Fire, Southwest - Earth, Northwest -Air). That is why the corners are very important in Vaastu .

Q. Is the shape of the plot is important in Vaastu?

A. Yes, infact it is the first important thing to be considered while choosing a plot. A square or rectangular shaped plot is taken as ideal in Vaastu. Any other shape with Southwest corner at 90° angle, with Northwest and Southeast corners having more then 90° angle and Northeast corner at less then 90° angle is also considered auspicious.

Q. Does the magnetic field of the earth have anything to do with Vastu Shastra?

A. Yes. Most Certainly. The magnetic field of the earth plays and important role while formulating Vastu Shastra which can significantly influence human life. According to Vastu Shastra, one should never keep his/her head towards the north while lying as it obstructs the circulatory system causing irregular sleep, tension, paranoia and other mental problems. The magnetic fields of the same poles repel each other while the opposite attracts each other, therefore a person should keep his/her head towards the south or east.

Q. What role does soil play in the selection of a plot?

A. According to Vastu Shastra, a plot with soil that has a large salt content is considered to be inauspicious. The ground water table should be minimum 10-12’ below the existing ground level and maximum 30’. It should not have any sanitary back-filled or reclaimed soil or rubbish, bones, hair and other filthy material. The soil should be fertile and free from any decrepit or dead material.

Q. Does Vastu Shastra apply to boundary walls as well?

A. Vastu Shastra holds the conviction that the boundary walls are an effective way of containing the energy level and the magnetic field of the plot. The wall should be thick and high in the western and the southern directions. In the north and the east a smaller, thinner wall is desired.

Q. What are the things that are to be kept in mind while selecting a plot?

A. The major factors to be kept in mind while selecting a plot are:Geographical surroundings,Level of the land, and Roads around the plot.

Q. The staircase in my house is damaged. What does Vastu Shastra say to that?

A. If the steps leading to the entrance are damaged or broken, then the master of the house will face problems with his career and his expenses will soar. The staircase should ascend clockwise. The total number of steps should be such that on division by 3, a remainder of 2 should be obtained for eg. 7, 11, 17, etc.

Q. Does Vastu contain anything that relates to the color of paint on the interior walls?

A. It certainly does, the interior is one of the biggest parts of the house. Here is what Vastu Shastra says about interiors:Too Bright colors should not be used in the house.Cold and light colors should be used for painting the house.

Q. Does Vastushastra bring happiness, peace, prosperity, wealth and health?

A. Definitely yes. Vastushastra brings happiness, peace, prosperity, wealth and health if you imbibe it right. Vastushastra tells you the different ways of balancing your vastu and your stay in it with the laws of nature so as to attain the maximum stability of mind and body, increase the productivity, and ultimately achieve the goals in your life. Vastushastra will not change your destiny but help you to improve the quality of your life. It creates positive energies and neutralizes the negative energies in and around you. This finally leads to happiness, peace, prosperity, wealth and health in one’s life. How this could be achieved? is a big question in everybody’s mind. Is there any logical or scientific theory involved in Vastushastra? If this is your question then my answer is definitely yes. Contact a well trained and experienced Vastu Consultant to know this.

Q. What is the basic difference between Vastushastra and Feng Shui?

A. Vaastu Shastra is primarily a pre construction science while Feng Shui is a post construction art.

Q. Does south entrance considered as negative entrance?

A. As per Vastushastra there are only five positive entrances available and south entrance is not one among these. But the south entrance does give a lot of wealth upto a certain period of time from the time when the vastu is constructed. By applying vastu remedies you can have the positive entrance and neutralize it’s negative impact.

Q. Is it good to have a east-west vastu or a north-south vastu?

A. This is a common question in everybody’s mind without proper knowledge of vastushastra. A east-west vastu or a north-south vastu does not give clear idea of what is exactly located in all these directions and where is the entrance of the house? Only a well trained and experienced Vastu Consultant will give you the exact direction of the vastu and analyze it. As per vastushastra, to have the noth-south axis longer than east-west axis of the vastu is always beneficial.

Q. What are the vastu external and internal factors?

A. The factors which are inside of the vastu such as various bed rooms, kitchen, living room, entrance etc are the internal factors of the vastu whereas the nearby hospital, road, cemetery, underground water tank etc which are near to your vastu are the external factors.

Q. Is there any scientific analysis of Vastu?

A. Yes. Your vastu is acting as a media between you and the nature for acquiring the natural energies. If the house is built as per the rules of vastushastra then maximum amount of natural and positive energies can be acquired by you. Vastushastra rules are based on scientific theory of five elements and eight directions which are proven and existent in nature. These are based on earth’s rotation around sun, earth’s gravitational force, earth’s electromagnetic forces, cosmic rays, solar energy etc. Contact a well trained and experienced Vastu Consultant to know this scientific approach.

Q. Does a Vastu is to be a square or rectangular in shape?

A. Yes. The vastu has to be in a square or rectangular in shape because this will help generate simple harmonic motion in the vastu.

Q. In which direction we should sleep?

A. We should always sleep with head towards south direction. The head of human body is acting like a North Pole and the feet as South Pole. So if we sleep in proper direction with head as north pole towards south direction which is a south pole, the unlike poles will attract each other and create a proper balance of human body even while sleeping. Magnetic field is from North Pole to South Pole, so the human body rests between the north south axis which results in proper blood circulation, due to presence of iron in the blood. But if we sleep with head in north direction there will repulsion between like poles and the human body will be imbalanced with respect to earth’s magnetic field.

Q. Is Vastushastra applicable only to Hindus?

A. Definitely no. Vastushastra has scientific approach and the factors such as eight directions and five elements are universal irrespective of any religion. It has nothing to do with the religion but specifies existence of certain spiritual powers.

Q. Is Vastushastra applicable to rented vastu also?

A. Definitely yes. It is recommended that whether the vastu is owned by you or a rented one, it should be constructed as per the vastushastra rules. Or made suitable by applying vastu remedies without the demolition. The vastu defects in a rented type of vastu are troublesome equally for both the owner and the tenant.

Q. Can I get the Vastushastra results in an already constructed vastu without the demolition?

A. Definitely yes. It is recommended that the vastu should be constructed as per the vastushastra rules. However it is possible to get the good vastushastra results by applying vastu remedies in an already constructed vastu without the demolition.

Q. What are the vastu remedies without demolition?

A. Vastu remedies are applied when the vastu is not constructed and planned as per vastushastra to neutralize the negative energies in your vastu and create the positive energies with the use of Pyramids and Yantras which will help to improve the environment.

Q. What are the vastu defects?

A. Vastu defects in any type of vastu give bad results and they are caused due to the ignorance of vastushastra rules. Some of the vastu defects are listed below.

• Losses in business
• Obstacles or hurdles in the progress path
• Delay in work progress
• Money or cash flow is bad
• Property disputes
• Legal problems, lawsuit problems
• Problems out of Jealousy
• Money Comes in and goes out as quickly
• Continual sickness • Continuous arguments with spouse, partner etc
• Behavioral or educational problems in children
• Unwanted negative thoughts
• Communication problems with known people
• Disharmony among the family members
• No soundness of sleep
• Lack of stability
• Divorce
• Accidents
• Infertility
• Heavy financial losses
• Unnecessary expenses
• Suffering from an ill-defined disease

Q. What is the time period to get the Vastushastra results?

A. The time period to get the vastushastra results is different in different cases but it surely gives the good results. If the house is constructed as per vastushastra rules or the vastu remedies without demolition are applied for a constructed vastu, in both the cases the outcome is good and approximately it takes minimum of 4 to 6 months time to give the results