Cardinal Directions

Cardinal directions have a great impact on the life of human beings. Tradition has granted each direction a unique, mystic meaning. Therefore, to set up a perfect north-south, east-west axis on the site is a very important aspect of design. After plotting the north-south, east-west axis, the plot or vaastu should be set out into modules. This procedure is known as pada vinyasa.

Brahmasthana: This is the centre of the plot. In the design it is important to create a centre for the building which grows into the total form. This growth out of the centre is comparable to the 'experience of centre,' where creative action is brought out from the centre.For meaningful action, the weight and energy of the form is anchored in the centre.

The Brahma Pada or Veethi: This is the central area of the total form which includes the central point. In the process of design the brahma pada is considered to have very high concentration of energy (of the total form). Therefore traditionally it was either opened out as the courtyard or made into a central hall for collective gathering.

The Deivika Pada or Veethi: This is the first concentric space around the central brahma pada. In this space, the energies are considered to be fairly high and so the allocation of passages and rooms for collective rather than individual use such as dining and family rooms are recommended here.

The Manusha Pada or Veethi: This is the second concentric space. It is considered to contain energy which is fairly comfortable for human activity and therefore, all activity rooms such as kitchen, bedrooms, study areas, puja and rooms for individual use may be placed in this part of the layout.

The Paisaacha Pada or Veethi: The final concentric space which can contain the storage areas, outer verandah, external walls, outer walkways and activity areas such as bedrooms and work rooms. In general, manusha and paisaacha may be considered together for all special activity areas.

Site Selection

Today, the designer is offered the site drawing by the client and then takes the building design forward. Traditionally, the designer was also involved in the choice of the site. The designer considers the following aspects as important while choosing a site:

Shape of the plot: Odd-shaped plots are not considered auspicious for building in the vaastu tradition. Rectangular plots are most auspicious. The actual building plot needs to be defined either by means of a fence, a wall, or with pillars demarcating the boundary. The plot meant for construction should ideally be a geometric form such as a square or a rectangle. The remaining portion of the site may be used as a garden or a playground.

Composition of earth: The characteristics and composition of soil are very important for two reasons: one is the load-bearing capacity of the soil which defines the type of foundation to be employed, the other is the ability of the land to sustain vegetation. The designer would traditionally observe the site to ascertain whether the soil is fertile, holds water and sustains life forms such as plants, birds and animals. Any soil that is incapable of regeneration would be set aside as bad for human habitation. From an ecological point of view this analysis is extremely wise and can be added to the responsibilities of the designer.

Natural gradation: All sites have some gradation already existing in the land (refilled plots are different). The designer has to examine this and build as sensitively as possible using the natural gradation.

Water points, staircases, sewage disposal should take into account this gradation of land, in the design.

Some slopes considered auspicious are south west to north east, north to south, and west to east. Whatever the direction of the slope, it must be utilised effectively. One interpretation for the importance of slopes in vaastu is that each direction of the slope is meant for each community. This could well be a practical consideration where water source and sewage is concerned so that the entire neighbourhood, village or city could have its waterways well worked out. The impact of negative values to directions seems to have been a later addition, perhaps to prevent mixing of communities.

Water source: The location of water in a site is one of the most important aspects of design. There are several ways in which water sources can be tapped. Ancient texts say water on the north or east is beneficial but when a water source is not possible or available in these two sides, any suitable location can be accepted. This is true for both individual buildings and for group housing. It is only logical that the natural slope of land, the water source and the collection of rain water would be symbiotically linked. Water is also divined through various methods, hence the location of good water in the proposed site or settlement is a cause for great jubilation. Its direction becomes secondary.