VASTU ORIGIN Vastu means "the art of building one's living and working spaces in harmony with Nature". It consists of the percepts that were defined by the traditional views on how laws of nature have a greater impact on spaces we live.

Vastu is believed to be a bridge between humans and nature. We know that the powers and influences of our Mother Nature are beyond our control, but the concepts of Vastu enables us to grab nature's auspicious influences into our life's various aspects such as wealth, health, energy levels, spirituality, prosperity, influence, education, fame, and relationships.

In the traditional historical ascriptions it is quoted that the foundation for Vastu was led by the sage Mamuni Mayan in South and Vishvakarman in North India. Vastu has its inscriptions in different epics like Mataysya Purana, Skanda Purana, Agni Purana, Garuda Purana and Vishnu Purana.

PANCH MAHA BHOOTA Vastu says that the world encompasses five basic elements which are collectively called as "Panch Maha Bhoota".

The five elements are as follows:

• 1. Earth
• 2. Water
• 3. Air
• 4. Fire
• 5. Space

A constant indistinguishable relation prevails between all these five elements. Vastu acts as an medium for bringing all these five energies together and bestowing the benefits of them in a balanced formulae for establishing a amiable living and working environment for paving each individuals way with health, wealth and prosperity.

EARLY REFRENCES OF VASTU Vastu has its refrences in great epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana. The epic tells that when kings were invited to the city of Indraprastha, for the Rajasuya Yagna of King Yuddhistira, many houses were built which followed the Vastu guidelines. These houses were free from obstructions and had big compounds with great walls. The symmetry of various elements required for the construction of the palace was also taken into consideration. Even the mayasabha of the Mahabharata was built according to the ancient principles of Vastu.

While in Ramayana it is mentioned that the construction of the holy city of Ayodhya, where Lord Rama was born and ruled, shared a similarity with the plan written in the great architectural text Manasara. Even the Ramsetu of Ramayana was based on Vastu principles.

Buddhist literature also makes numerous mentions of buildings based on Vastu. It is said that Lord Buddha used to deliver discourses on architecture and he was very much conscious of the construction of the buildings in order. There is a mention of various viharas, temples, houses, buildings in the various Buddhist texts, based on Vastu.

VASTU - FACT OR FICTION Vastu can be considered as an admixture of science, astronomy of astrology. Vastu describes about the influence of the sun, moonlight and heat, the earth's atmosphere, wind direction, magnetic field and gravitation force on human beings.

Vastu is a contrivance to reduce the gravity of the problems faced by human beings as well as industries particularly those suffering from sickness through the vibrations of Panchabhutas, which has anchored their roots in the body of the human beings as well as the external and internal building configurations. The concepts of Vastu are not superstitious values but rather it's a tactic to bridge harmony with the Nature laws for a better living of the human by retaining a balance in the positive and negative energies

VASTU PURUSH Vastu means 'the art of building one's living and working spaces in harmony with Nature' and Purusha refers to energy, power, soul or cosmic man. There are two legendary stories narrating about the existence and importance of Vastu Purusha.

STORY IN MAYAMTAMAccording to the ancient Indian text "Mayamatam" Brahma- the creator of universe experimented with a new creature. He created a large cosmic man, who grew rapidly larger and larger and started to devour everything that came in his way, in order to satisfy his amaranthine hunger. He became unmanageably so big that his shadow fell on earth just like earth was to be under a permanent eclipse.

All the deities were in utter dilemma seeing the destruction by this creature. So all gathered to plead Lord Brahma to present them a solution for this. Brahma after realizing his mistake summoned the Astha Dikapalakas - the Gods of the eight cardinal directions. All came together and subjugated the monster and held it flat against the earth while Brahma jumped on its middle. Unable to bear the weight of all the deities he prayed Lord Brahma for mercy. Being pleased by his prayer, Lord Brahma bestowed a boon on him that "while constructing any dwelling units, temples, parks, and water bodies" etc. people shall worship you, and people who won't, they shall suffer poverty, obstruction in every activity they do. The creature was held on the ground in a particular direction.

• Head on North-East side.
• Feet on South-West side
• Both the hands on the northwest and southeast side and face downwards

STORY IN MATSYA PURANA According to the story inscribed in Matsya Purana there was a demon named ANDHAKA who was killed by Lord Shiva after a long fight between them. As the fight prolonged for a long time, lord Shiva was very tired and was sweating copiously. A man was born out of the drops of Shiva's sweat that fell on the ground. He was very cruel and was very hungry. So he decided to make forfeit with the god to appease him so that he can get a boon from him.

Lord Shiva was very much pleased by him and offered him the boon of his choice. The devotee demanded for the permission to eat up all the three worlds. Shiva being bound by his promise offered him the boon. All the deities and rakshshas were terrified due to this and decided to hold down the devotee to the earth so as to protect the universe from destruction.

The devotee being overpowered like this requested all the gods to abide him from such pain. Being pleased by his prayers lord Brahma bestowed him a boon that he would be worshipped by everyone when any plots or construction work is to be initiated. Since then the worship of Vastu-Purusha has been in vogue and it has become compulsory for those who want to construct any kind of building.