The Power of Vastu

Within the Vedas, there is a sacred science of building called Vastu Shastra (vastu means building; shastra means science). It explains how to create an environment in accordance with the laws of nature, so that one experiences support and prosperity in life. It is the science that reveals why we feel uneasy in some environments and why in others we are uplifted.

In 1922, archaeologists under the direction of R.D. Banarjee, began excavating Mohenjo-Daro, an ancient city in the Indus Valley. It was determined that the city was at least 5,500 years old and that it had been built using the principles of Vastu. Mohenjo-Daro had been an advanced and prosperous civilization featuring elaborate architecture and sophisticated works of art. Streets were set up in a grid system running north-south, east-west, at right angles to each other, with open space and a temple at the very center of the city. The homes were built according to a rectangular design with a cooking area in the southeast and an open central courtyard.

As a result of a series of foreign invasions the knowledge of Vastu was lost. For thousands of years, portions of this valuable knowledge were retained for the exclusive use of the upper echelon of India’s society. Recently, as Westerners have begun seeking out new ways to improve the quality of life, the enormous benefits of Vastu have once again become available through Vedic translations to people worldwide.

The far-reaching influence of Vastu can be seen in great architectural monuments that have withstood the ravages of time and the elements: the Egyptian and Mayan pyramids, the Roman Coliseum, the Greek Parthenon, and the Taj Mahal. In every respect these monuments were built according to the principles of Vastu: in shape, proportion, measurements, and alignment to the cardinal directions. 

About three thousand years ago monks crossed over the mountains from India, through Tibet and into China, carrying with them this ancient Vedic knowledge. In China the science of Vastu Shastra was adapted to local climatic and cultural conditions. In this way, Vastu gradually evolved into the various schools of Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of placement and design that results in improving the flow of energy in an environment.