The Origin of Vastu
The origin of vaastushastra may have taken place well
over thousands of years ago. The learned men of
those days may not have lived in houses themselves
but they most definitely dedicated their lives to
the development of the science "vaastushastra" or
"vaastu", as it is popularly known today.
The principles of the science laid down during those
days were based purely on the effect of sunrays
during different times of the day. The observations
and corrections made were noted and concluded only
after in-depth screening of the situation.
Vastu is a part of Vedas, which are believed to be
four to five thousand years old. Through penance and
meditation yogis of that period acquired answers
believed to have come from the cosmic mind itself to
their questions. Hence Vedas are heeded with divine
knowledge. The art of Vastu originates in the
Stapatya Veda, a part of the Atharva Veda.
It used to be a purely technical subject and it was
only confined to architects (Sthapatis) and handed
over to their heirs. The principles of construction,
architecture, sculpture etc., as enunciated in the
epics and treatise on temple architecture, have been
incorporated in the science of vastu. Its
description is there in epics like Mataysya Purana,
Skanda Purana, Agni Purana, Garuda Purana, and
Vishnu Purana. There are some other ancient shastras
that pass over the knowledge of vastu shastra to
next generation, like Vishvakarma Prakash,
Samraangan Sutradhar, Kashyap Shilpshastra, Vrihad
Sanhita, and Praman Manjaree.
In the Mahabharata it is said a number of houses were
built for the kings who were invited to the city
Indraprastha for the Rajasuya Yagna of King
Yuddhistira. Sage Vyasa says that these houses were
as high as the peaks of Kailasa mountains, perhaps
meaning that they stood tall and majestic. The
houses were free from obstructions, had compounds
with high walls and their doors were of uniform
height and inlaid with numerous metal ornaments. It
is said that the site plan of Ayodhya, the city of
Lord Rama was similar to the plan found in the great
architectural text Manasara. References are also to
be found in Buddhist literature, of buildings
constructed on the basis of Vastu. They contain
references to individual buildings. Lord Buddha is
said to have delivered discourses on architecture
and even told his disciples that supervising the
construction of a building was one of the duties of
the order. Mention is made of monasteries (Viharas)
or temples, buildings which are partly residential
and partly religious (Ardhayogas), residential
storeyed buildings (Prasadas), multi-storeyed
buildings (harmyas) and Guhas or residential
buildings for middle class people.
The Vastu, with word meaning 'dwelling', is believed
to be the residing places of god and man. According
to its modern meaning it covers all buildings
irrespective of their use like residences,
industries, business establishments, lodges, hotels
etc. It is based on the five basic and essential
elements, such as Vayu (air), Agni (fire), Jal
(water), Bhumi (earth) and Aakasha (space), which
are known as Panchabhutas. Everything on earth is
built from these elements.
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