Vaastu Shastra is an ancient Indian system of architecture that involves positioning and designing the space within and around buildings according to specific principles of spatial geometry and orientation. It is based on the premise that the five basic elements of earth, water, fire, air, and space influence the people inhabiting the building. The document discusses the principles of each element and how their proper placement and balance according to Vaastu Shastra ensures the health, prosperity and well-being of the inhabitants.

1. Vaastu Shastra is a part of Vedas, which are believed to be four to five thousand years old. The art of Vaastu originates in the Sthapatya Veda, a part of the Atharvana Veda. deals with the architecture. We can find many references in Vedas, Puranas and other subsequent literature. quot;
Vaastuquot;
has been derived from the word quot;
Vaasquot;
which means quot;
to livequot;
. <br />Vaastu helps us to align the energies of our house with that of the environment. It helps us to live in balance with nature. Our ancient saints have concluded that anything living or non-living in the universe is made up of five basic elements or Panch Maha Bhoot. Vaastu is directly related to these five elements.<br />We all agree that the whole universe is made up of five basic elements namely the Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. Our body is also made up of these five basic elements of nature also known as panch-mahabhootas. Shelter is the one of the basic need of every living being on earth. Every one build a house for living and to live a peaceful, happy and healthy life. A house or any building constructed as per Vaastu Shastra ensures maximum benefit to the habitant. <br />The panch-mahabhootas are related to our five senses of smell, taste, hearing, touch and sight. Any imbalance in our external and internal Vaastu translates into unhappy situations. Vaastu makes the individual to live in balance and harmony with the panch-mahabhootas.<br />Vaastu Shastra is the only science which instructs how to maintain best equilibrium of these five elements in a building and make best use of them to energize mental and physical energies of inhabitants to the maximum extent. In other words Vaastu tells us how to make use of these five elements for the maximum convenience, comfort and security keeping them in perfect harmony in our home or place of work so that one should enjoy health, wealth, prosperity and growth.<br />Prithvi (Earth)<br />Human beings have a natural and emotional affinity with the Earth. The Earth revolves around the Sun and has gravitational and magnetic force. Scientists have proved that earth is a huge magnet with two poles-North pole and South pole. It has also been proved that the human body is a 'magnetisable' object with a large percentage of iron in the blood. As we all know, opposite poles of a magnet attract each other and similar poles of a magnet repel each other. The Vaastu principle of placing the head in South direction while sleeping is based on earth's magnetic property.<br />Jal (Water)<br />After earth, water is the most important element. It is linked to our senses of taste, touch, sight and hearing. More than 80% of our body and two-third of earth's surface contain water. Vastu provides important information about the placement of water sources like wells, boring, underground water tank, overhead water tank etc, while planning the house. Positions of septic tanks, sewerage, drains etc. are to be decided carefully to optimize the benefits of water element. Therefore, it is recommended to have a well, or bore or sump in North-East corner of the plot.<br />Agni (Fire)<br />Sun is the most important source of natural energy and light and is the soul of the universe. Fire element quot;
SUNquot;
is related to our sense of sound, touch and sight. It is difficult to imagine life on earth without Sun.When the Sun rays combine with water, they get additional benefits. Therefore, it is recommended to have a kitchen in south east corner of the house.<br />Vayu (Air)<br />The Air or Vayu is vital for our survival and sense of sound, touch and feel are related to Air. The air on earth is a mixture of various gases like nitrogen, oxygen, helium, hydrogen etc. Vastu recommends proper placement of doors, windows, height of structure and placement of trees and plants for balancing the Air element within the structure. <br />Aakash (Space)<br />Vaastu is the only body of thought that gives Space the status of a natural fundamental element. Vaastu Shastra is, therefore, superior to any modern or traditional school of architecture in the world.<br />It is related to our sense of hearing, space element is related to the centre portion or the brahmasthan. Any disturbances in the space element affects your growth.<br />The four directions are as follows for a east facing plot.<br />The four misdirections are as follows.<br />Positons of various rooms and elements are as follows:<br />positionElement / roomN E Bore or well or sumpEast Pooja, drawing roomSouth eastKitchen or furnaceSouth Store, bed room, toiletsSouth westMaster bed room, heavy machinery, raw materialwestBed room, toiletsNorth west Toilets, children bed room., finished goodsNorth Hall, less weight<br />Effect of bore /well in a place other than in NE corner:<br />South eastHealth problems for ladies, misunderstandingsSouth, southwest Sudden accidental death., financial problems, no settlement in lifewestDefame, major heath problemsNorth west Wavi nature of mind, paralysis attack, insolvency<br />