Terrestial and Subterrestrial Vastu concerns

In my earlier posts, I have discussed the energy flows as well as the elements which make up any Vastu. In this post I shall discuss some Doshas (shortcomings) which are above the ground and some that are underground. These doshas are now commonplace in cities due to space constraints as well as instructions from the Town planning department. Along with the traditional doshas, there are modern doshas which cause ill health which have been discussed at the end of this article.

These shortcomings can be classified as per their cause.
1. Slope of the land.
2. Shape of the construction.
3. Shool (energy rupture).
4. Vedha (energy dissipation due to external objects).
5. Shalya (underground energy dissipators)
6. Geopathic stress
7. Electromagnetic smog

1. Slope of the plot

Land which slopes towards north, north-east and east are best for construction. They bring prosperity, good health and progeny. Whereas slope towards any other direction is unfavourable.
Misunderstanding:
Using the above principle, many Vastu consultants advise their clients to make their floor level low in the northeast and to gradually make it rise towards the south west. 
One has to understand that this gradient of slope is restricted to the slope of the land and has nothing to do with the slope of the floor in the house. In fact, if the level of the front side of the house is low, and the back side rises above it, the owner of the property faces adversity and misfortune. Eg. If a house facing east is constructed on a plot sloping east, it's floor level should never be low at the front side and rising on the backside. The following figure illustrates this point clearly.
 

Remedial measures:
Slope of the land is extremely important and has to be rectified by adding appropriate amount of soil or leveling it. Even after a building has been constructed, it is possible to add soil from above and change the slope. Appropriate measures for proper drainage should be taken.

2. Shape of the construction 

Though several shapes have been mentioned as per functionality of the building, square or rectangular shape of the plot and also the construction is favourable for all purposes. Triangular, rhomboid, uneven shapes should be avoided.
Nowadays, a plot on crossroads is always subject  to a cut at the corner as per town planning rules. But care should be taken that the building constructed on such a plot should not be round at the corner.
Misunderstanding : Many a times, a L-shaped property is classified as having a cut. But it is not so. L shape is made by two sides. where as a 'Cut shape' is an oblique cut to a rectangular shape.
If a building is constructed on the south and west sides of the plot leaving the north and east sides open, then it is extremely auspicious. In the figure below, the sketch on the left is a beneficial L-Shaped property while that on the right shows a cut at the corner.


3. Shool (rupture of energy field)

Shool means a spear in Sanskrit. A road which ends into a plot acts like a spear, rupturing its energy field. A road should always run on the plots side.
Misunderstanding : Some consultants say that a Shool in positive directions like east or north or north east is favourable for the plot. But a Shool in any direction is harmful. It drains away the energy of the plot. The following diagram will give an idea about the Shool to the readers. 

4. Vedha (disruptive energy aimed at the construction)

Vedha can be explained as an arrow hitting the bull's eye. There are many types of Vedha's. Most of them are external objects lying in the vicinity of the door or window.
Following are some examples of a Vedha.
a. A tree exactly in line with the property's entrance, or a tree's shade falling on the entrance of the house or compound.
b. A pole in front of the door.
c. Dirt and gutter water near the entrance.
d. A temple deity seen directly through one's house.
e. The shadow of a temple tower falling on the house.
f. Hutments near the house.
g. A well just near the entrance of the house.

In most cases Vedha causes the downfall of the house. It  causes disease, theft, quarrels loss of progeny etc.
A vedha is ineffective if it occurs from a distance equivalent to twice the height of the building in question. 
Remedial measures:  Care should be taken while selecting the property itself and also while planting trees. Walls or boundaries can be erected or screens can be put up as shields against the vedha.
Hanging tourmaline stone hangers in windows and doors where nothing else can be done is also a way to combat Vedhas.

5. Shalya (pricking of bad energy)

Shalya can be explained as a thorn which has pricked one's body and has broken inside causing pain.
Similarly, bones, hair, coal, remains of earlier construction cause misfortune to the inhabitants of a property if not removed before construction.
Shalya is ineffective if it is located more than seven feet below the property. 
Remedial measures :
It is best to dig up the earth before construction either till a depth of seven feet or till one strikes stone crust or water whichever is earlier.
Ritual remedial measures for removal of Shalya is performing Vastushanti and installing Panchashirsha.

Modern discoveries of doshas:

6. Geopathic stress :

Geopathic stress is often caused by underground water pipes, sewers, streams or fissures. These emit harmful rays that play havoc with health and property. Geopathic stress can be measured using some modern devices and also using copper L-rods and map dowsing.
Remedial measures : Geopathic stress cannot be combated fully. The only option is to steer clear of the areas prone to this energy.
Another temporary option is to wind a copper wire around the bed using the legs of the bed as supports for two to three rounds. This bed is protected  from the ill effects of geopathic stress.
Using Lakhovsky coils also protects the wearer from geopathic stress.
Crystals such as amazonite, amethyst, fluorite, obsidian, smoky quartz help protect against Geopathic stress. If available in geode form or large pieces they are kept near to the affected place. Smaller pieces of Aventurine are used for gridding houses and gardens and even smaller pieces are worn as pendants or carried in pockets.


Amethyst geode. pic courtsey: ebay.com


7. Electromagnetic smog :
With so many mobile towers, cell phones, gadgets and wireless appliances in our vicinity it is impossible to escape the effects of electromagnetic smog. 
There are cell phone harmonizers which, when attached to cell phones neutralize harmful radiations. 
The above crystals and Lakhovsky coils too help in allevating the effects of the smog. 
Orgonite tower busters shown below and orgonite pendants are wonderful tools to combat radiations from electric poles and mobile towers. 


pic courtsey: alibaba. com 

Harmony of Panchamahabhootas

Bhoota is derived from भू (भव्) Bhoo (bhav), the root of verb meaning ' to be' or to exist. It means, that which came into existence before present time. Ancient Bhaarateeya Cosmogony believes that whatever is seen as matter in physical or mental world is made by the gross or subtle essences of Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Air. They are called the Pancha-Maha-Bhootas (five great existences) since they are considered the first to exist and are the building blocks of this entire Creation. They are also called Tattwas. The Mahabhootas are the basis of our material existence.

The Panchamahabhootas build the entire body but are also assigned certain specific centres in the body called Chakras. Similarly, though the five elements make up the plot of land or a constructed building, there are certain areas in which their conspicuous presence is beneficial and some areas where such a presence creates disharmony.

Kindly refer the above diagram
       
Aakasha(space) is the first element represented by a black circle with a dot. All objects are enveloped by Aakaasha. 

Vaayu (Air) is the second element drawn like a grey six point star. It has been assigned the Northwest section.

Agni (fire) is in the southeast represented by an downward pointing red triangle. It rules the South east section.

Aapas (Water) has been allocated quite a few sections, yet it is more often recommended in northeast. It is depicted by a blue crescent.

Prithvi (Earth) is the substratum of all the beings. Since it is the only remaining element it is inferred that it rules the south and southwest regions.

Let us understand the affinity and animosity between these tattwas.

Aakaasha (space)

  A Goan house with central courtyard open to sky . PhotoCourtsey Navhind times, Arti Das 

 A Keralite house with central courtyard open to sky . Photo courtsey pinterest The  Hindu.

Openness is opposed by occupation of space. Therefore the grosser the element, the greater is its disharmony with Aakaasha. Since Prithvi (earth) is the grossest elements the direction it rules are not favourable for Aakaasha (space). One should therefore understand that overground or underground open spaces in the south or southwest are unfavourable for the residents of the house. 
Majority of traditional Indian houses have the middle portion called as Brahmasthana left open to sky to represent the space element. This is a pan India feature except for regions having harsh climatic conditions. It provides natural ventilation for the entire house as well as a generous dose of cosmic energy. 

Vaayu (Air)

Photo courtsey Pinterest

Vaayu requires space for movement. But Vaayu has so much power that it can at times sweep away any obstructions in its path. Therefore it is observed that, the objects or persons in Northwest section of the house which is assigned to Vaayu, are generally mobile.It has another characteristic. Air carries the subtle or energetic qualities of the objects it contacts. It is becomes hot or cool, life giving or toxic. One can therefore infer, that Vaayu is friendly and almost synonymous with Aakaasha(space). It supports both Jala (water) and Agni (fire). It is obstructed by earth. Hence, more windows in the  northern and eastern sections are advisable. One can always have lesser or smaller windows in southern and western sections for cross ventilation.This feature is not seen in the cold regions of Kashmir or Ladakh as the freezing winds from the North might take away precious warmth in the house. I think this might be one of the inconspicuous but important reasons why there is so much strife in the life of people living there. 

Agni (Fire)

Photo courtsey Pinterest 

Fire is an expression of energy. Fire represents power of life. It gives light and warmth. Fire is the singular reason why man could make advancement from his animalistic existence. 
Indian tradition gives great importance to fire. The Vedic rituals are based mainly on fire sacrifice. Ayurveda has identified 13 types of Agni present in the human body which keep a person healthy.
Yet, Agni is beneficial if under control and destructive when left unattended. 
Agni manifests as Soorya (Sun) in the sky, as fire in the hearth and electricity everywhere. So it is advised that Agni's presence through the sun rays during the morning can be sought by having windows in the eastern side of the construction. But the afternoon and evening rays should be controlled with curtains or smaller windows in the southern and western sections in the house.

Agni is present in all elements including water. Therefore Agni's presence in all sections in some form or other is accepted. But physically, water is inimical to fire. Hence, allocation of bathrooms, toilets and water bodies like wells, water tanks or ponds in the south east section damages the financial and physical health of the residents. Of course, use and storage of water in kitchen for cooking and cleaning is inevitable and acceptable.

Aapas / Jala (Water)

photo courtsey: Pinterest

Water is equivalent to life. The Vedic deities of water are Varuna and Soma. Indra is also related to water as he is the Lord of rains. Water also governs the flow of money in an establishment.

The middle part of the western section can accommodate water bodies which are above ground level.  North and northeast sections are best places for underground, above ground or overhead water bodies. These include fountains, swimming pools and even wash rooms. There are different positive and negative opinions about storing water in northwest or east. Toilets are generally advised  to be located in the northwest sector so that there is no problem of chocked  plumbing or septic tank gas emissions. Most classical Vaastu texts have strong objections to the storage of water in the entire southern section from south east to southwest and also object to water bodies in the centre of the house. 
Thinking laterally, leakage, seepage and plumbing problems should be always attended immediately lest they cause financial difficulties.

Prithvi (Earth):

                          

Photo courtsey : welcome2rajasthan.in

Earth is the womb of creation. It is equated with the female principle. Prithvi is the support on which everything rests. Earth gives solidity and firmness. Therefore activities of rest and rejuvenation like sleep, gymnasiums, ladies resting rooms, storage for implements and spices and salts are allocated to this sector. 

Earth does not tolerate hollowness or open spaces and wetness. Therefore basements, or courtyards or empty rooms in the south are definitely not acceptable. Neither is water compatible with earth as it spoils its solidity and erodes it.

Misconception about heaviness : 

The southwest or southern sector is often called the sector of heaviness nowadays.  Modern Vastu pandits mix up the concepts of Jadataa (grossness or solidity) of earth with Bhaara (weight). Elements have nothing to do with the outward appearance of an object. It is the functional aspect that decides the compatibility of elements.
Eg. A slab of ice or a water tank may seem heavy but water in itself opposes earth therefore, it cannot be allocated southwest sector. Or, a boiler is used to heat up water but it's basic function is to store and give hot water and that is why it would not be advisable to keep it in the Fire sector. It should occupy the slots allocated to water.

This in short is the nature of Mahabhootas considered in Vaastushaastra. So long as their harmony is undisturbed, the residents enjoy good health and prosperity. It is therefore an important concept in Vaastushaastra and needs to be understood carefully.