Elaborated in ancient texts such as Manasara Silpa Shastra by Manasara, Mayamatam by Maya, Viswakarma Vaastushastra by Viswakarma, Samarangana Sutradara by Raja Bhoja, Silparatna, etc., Vaastu Shastra is among the traditional Hindu principles of town planning and architecture, and deals with the various aspects of designing and building environments that are in harmony with the physical and spiritual energies of the cosmos. This holistic approach to space and form is also the reason behind its current mainstream popularity.
Vaastu Shastra evolved as an answer to the need for healthy living, and was used extensively in temple design and structure.
While it can be argued that Vaastu Shastra is conceptually similar to Feng Shui since both serve to harmonize the flow of energy through the house, it differs in the details, such as the exact directions in which various objects, rooms, materials etc are to be placed.

Vaastu refers to the actual physical manifestation of the dwelling, and is represented by the following:
The earth/ site – Bhoomi, the principal dwelling place on which everything else rests
The structures built on the earth – Prasada
Movable objects (vehicles) – Yaana
Furniture – Sayana
The principles of Vaastu Shastra thus, extend across the complete spectrum – site selection, site planning and orientation, zoning and disposition of rooms, proportional relationships between the various parts of buildings and the character of buildings.

Vaastu Purusha Mandala
Purusha refers to energy, power, soul or cosmic man, while Mandala is the generic name for any plan, which serves as a symbolic representation of the cosmos.
A specific type of mandala used in Vaastu Shastra, the Vaastu Purusha Mandala is central to Vaastu Shastra, and serves as the mathematical and diagrammatic basis for generating an architectural design which incorporates the influence of physical, environmental and spiritual factors. The symmetrical geometric shapes of the mandalas draw the attention of the viewer towards their center.

In Hindu cosmology the surface of the earth is represented as a square, the most fundamental of all Hindu forms, where the four corners refer to the four directions, North, South, East and West. It is called Chaturbhuji, four cornered, and is represented in the symbolic form of the Prithvi Mandala. Vaastu Purusha identifies the importance of an area by placing his head to the north-east (balanced thinking) and his lower body to the south-west (stability and strength). His navel is in the center of the area (cosmic awareness) and his hands to the north-west and south-east (movement and energy). Thus, while modern architects tend to pay greater emphasis on the aspects such as aesthetics, ventilation, sunlight orientation and location, the Vaastu Purusha looks into the metaphysical (spiritual) aspects of a structure too. The mandala provides a useful design module for locating the various rooms of a habitation, the measurements of which are based on a set of six formulae normally referred to as the Ayadi Shadvarga. According to the legend of the Vaastu Purusha, a formless being once blocked the heaven from the earth. Brahma, along with the other Gods was forced to trap him to the ground. This incident is depicted graphically in the Vaastu Purusha Mandala with portions allocated hierarchically to each God based on the contributions and positions in performing this act. Brahma occupies the central portion, the Brahmasthana, with the other Gods distributed around in a concentric pattern
The Vaastu Purusha is the presiding deity of any site. Usually he is depicted as lying on it with the head in the Northeast and the legs in the Southwest but he keeps changing his position throughout the year.

Directions and their respective rulers

 

North-east (Ishaan) – ruled by Sadasiva or God Himself. Hence this direction is the most important, and deserves to be kept scrupulously clean, open and highly receptive.

East – ruled by Indra, the chief of the gods, giver of pleasures. The direction also represents the realm of the rising Sun projecting ultra-violet rays, and is hence essential for health.

South-east – ruled by Agni, is the habitat of fire, the storehouse of energy.

South – the abode of Yama, the god of death.

South-west – (Nairitya) is the abode of Putna demoness.

West – ruled by Varuna, the god of ocean.

North-west – (Vayavva) is the abode of air/wind, the invisible, but the most effective direction for all objects in need of motion/movement for their efficiency.

North – the abode of Kuber, the god of wealth.

Vaastu at the office
The concept of the Vaastu Purusha Mandala and emphasis on the directions, is equally applicable at your workplace as it is at your home. At the workplace an implementation of the principles could lead to greater harmony between the employees and also help enhance the profitability quotient of the business. It also serves to alleviate the obstacles that a business or the employees may face.

Offices should be designed keeping in mind the balance in the movement of work and the hierarchy of authority. If offices are not made according to these principles, the absence of balance would lead to loss in efficiency, and lack of control in running the organization.

Start with noting the directions using a compass from the center of the office, and work out all the eight directions. Vaastu considers South to be the best direction. The ancient texts emphasize on the synergy between South direction and the tenth house of one’s horoscope. Hence the managing director, chief executive or the officer in charge in their absence should occupy this direction. For better results they should face towards North but if not possible it could be East. If the subordinates are placed in the south and the officer in the Agni corner i.e. South East then they would soon witness ego clashes and the subordinate would be in a strong position to disobey his officer.

The South East corner is meant for those who are indulged in research work or involved in innovative and pragmatic projects. Ideally, laboratories, computers or control panels should be located in this corner. A drawback of this corner is that it brings aggressiveness in the temperament, which is fatal not only for the subordinates but also for the organization. The public relation officers should never sit in this corner. Such officers should also not sit in basement or under beams.

‘South-West’ has not been given importance and was meant for weaponry.

If the higher officials sit in Ishaan i.e. North East it would not be as beneficial as it would leave the other more important Vaastu positions for the subordinates. Position facing North should be followed but if not possible, it can be East.

Almirahs and racks should be placed in Nairatya i.e. South West. Heavy furniture and things should not be in north or Ishaan. For the purpose of office it helps the office run smoothly.

No permanent construction should be done in ‘Brahmasthan’, or the central point.

It is often said that water should be in north-east direction but this rule is applicable only with underground water tanks. So, water can be kept as per convenience. The canteen or pantry, however, should be in the south-east direction.

The sitting arrangement of the cashier should be aloof from other employees. His sitting arrangement should not be in south or south-west as this may make them lethargic and exhausted, creating problems for the employer. The best place for the cashier is north, which is also the abode of Kuber, the God of Wealth.

Employees occupying the west corner of the office are often found more talkative and may leak the confidential matters. Instead, West direction is best for training purposes.

The conference hall is best in the north-west direction. The flow of ideas is best in this corner. This corner is also suitable for waiting lounge.

Employees with high temperament should be given north-east corner. Less talented people should initially be given west direction and then should be shifted to south-east direction.

A pro vaastu door is very important for the growth of the office, with a limitation on the total number of doors. The higher officials should be in south, next to them in west and those related to reception or display activity should be in north-east.

Quick Tips
In the office, the temple should not be placed at the back of the owner’s seat.

The owner seat must be facing east or north. West is also permissible but it must not face south.

There must always be a solid wall behind the owner’s seat.

The owner’s desk must always be rectangle.

The central point of a factory, house and office should be empty.

Almirahs and racks should be placed in the South West.

Conference room should be in the north west, since that direction is best suited for a flow of ideas.

Cashiers should be in the North, the abode of Kuber, the God of wealth.