Survey Note: Comprehensive Analysis of Construction, Real Estate, and Vastu Shastra in the Atharva Veda
The Atharva Veda, recognized as the fourth Veda in Hindu scripture, is a repository of knowledge encompassing spells, incantations, and practical guidance for daily life, including construction and architecture. Its connection to Vastu Shastra, the ancient Indian science of architecture, is particularly significant, offering a framework for designing buildings that harmonize with natural and cosmic forces. This survey note provides a detailed examination of the relevant principles, rituals, and applications, drawing from the rich textual and interpretive tradition.
Historical Context and Origins
The Atharva Veda, also known as Ātharvāṅgirasa, was composed by groups of rishis, including the Atharvanas and Angirasa, and is considered a late addition to the Vedic corpus, focusing on popular religion and everyday practices. Vastu Shastra, derived from the Sthapatya Veda, a subsidiary branch of the Atharva Veda, deals with the planning, design, and construction of houses, villages, and cities. It integrates science, art, astronomy, astrology, and mystic doctrine, aiming to create structures that enhance health, wealth, and happiness.
Core Principles of Vastu Shastra
Vastu Shastra is built on the concept of the Vastu Purusha Mandala, a symbolic diagram representing the cosmic man pinned to the earth. This mandala divides space into sections, each associated with specific deities and elements, guiding the orientation and layout of buildings. The principles emphasize balancing the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and space—to ensure harmony.
Directions and Deities
The Atharva Veda, through Vastu Shastra, assigns deities and planetary influences to the eight main directions plus the center, influencing room placement and energy flow:
| Direction | Deity | Planet | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | Kubera | Jupiter | Treasury, study, children’s room |
| South | Yama | Mars | Bedroom, high walls, toilets |
| East | Indra | Venus | Prayer, study, water tank |
| West | Varuna | Saturn | Toilets, septic tank, stairs |
| Northeast | Lord Shiva | Mercury | Entrance, prayer, water storage |
| Southeast | Agni | Moon | Kitchen, gym, generator |
| Northwest | Vayu | Ketu | Food storage, unmarried girls’ room |
| Southwest | Pitru/Nairutya | Rahu | Bathroom, bedroom, overhead tanks |
| Center | Brahma | Sun | Open space, fire rituals |
These associations ensure that each direction supports specific functions, aligning with cosmic energies for optimal living conditions.
Land Selection and Soil Testing
The Atharva Veda provides detailed methods for assessing land suitability, crucial for real estate decisions:
- Soil Testing: Dig a cubic pit with dimensions of 2 feet (length, width, depth). Fill it with the same soil:
- If soil is left over, the land is of very good quality.
- If no soil is left, the land is of good quality.
- If soil falls short, reject the land.
- Alternatively, fill the pit with water and observe after 15 minutes:
- If the water level remains the same, the land is good quality.
- If 10-20% of the water is absorbed, it’s okay to buy.
- If more water is absorbed, reject the land.
- Avoid Buying From: Land from individuals who are bankrupt, suffering from serious illnesses (e.g., leprosy, psychological problems, insomnia), or planning to leave the country is considered inauspicious.
Plot Elevation and Shapes
Elevation and shape are critical for Vastu compliance:
- Plot Elevation:
- Gaja Prishtha: High in the west (NW/SW) – Promotes wealth gain.
- Daitya Prishtha: High in the east (NE/SE) – Leads to loss of wealth, children, and happiness.
- Naaga Prishtha: Elevated east and west, high north and south, hollow middle – Associated with death in the family.
- Koorma Prishtha: High in the middle, slopes all directions – Considered good.
- Land Shapes: The shape of the plot influences energy flow:
- Good shapes include rectangle, square, circle, trishul, elephant, bull, egg, flag, bhadrasan, hexagon, octagonal, simha, and gaumukh.
- Bad shapes include uneven, elliptical, snake, bow, vyajan, brihan mukhi, hill middle elevated, triangle, window, moon, odd sides, mridanga, tabla, danda, sieve, damru, tortoise, fruit, gada, fan, cart, pot, muslakar, varaha mukhi, and long bar.
- Triangle shapes are linked to revolutions, anger, anti-government sentiments, rainfall scarcity, food scarcity, and unemployment, making them highly unfavorable.
Foundation Findings
The Atharva Veda prescribes examining the foundation for omens:
- Good Findings: Stone, bricks, copper, cow horns, gold, silver, coins, zinc, brass – Indicate wealth, prosperity, and comforts.
- Bad Findings:
- Wood: Reject land immediately.
- Skull, rags: Lead to quarrels and litigations.
- Straw, eggs, iron/steel: Associated with death.
- Coal: Causes sickness and wealth loss.
- Animal bones: Obstruct progress.
- Snake, scorpion: Bring fear and building obstructions.
- Ant hill, termites: Lead to wealth destruction and reduced longevity.
- Cotton: Causes sorrow.
- Good Findings: Stones, coins, metals (non-iron/steel) – Promote family prosperity.
Room Usage by Direction
Specific rooms are recommended for each direction to optimize energy flow:
- North: Treasury, study, children’s room, basement (no living).
- Northeast: Entrance, prayer, pool, lawns, garden, small plants, water storage; walls should be 21 inches shorter than south, west, or southwest.
- East: Prayer, study, drinking water tank.
- Southeast: Kitchen, gym, fitness, inverter, generator, motor.
- South: Bedroom, big trees, high walls, toilet, parking, lifts.
- Southwest: Bathroom, bedroom, big trees, high walls, toilet, armory, stairs, parking, overhead tanks.
- West: Toilets, septic tank, lifts, stairs, overhead tanks.
- Northwest: Food storage, unmarried girls’ or old-aged bedroom.
- Center: Open space, no roof, suitable for fire rituals, marriages, events, and playing.
Main Entrance VEDHA Doshas
The main entrance’s surroundings can impact the household:
- Big tree: Trouble for kids.
- Gutter, ditch, garbage: Grief, death, mishaps.
- Open well: Mental problems, depression.
- Building corner: Mental problems, depression.
- Water drain: Wealth loss.
- Straight street: Reduced longevity.
- Weak house/walls: No prosperity.
- Staircase railings: Suffering.
- Pillars, electric/telephone post: Health issues for women, progeny, marriage.
Rituals and Construction Practices
The Atharva Veda includes rituals for construction, such as groundbreaking ceremonies and foundation laying, to seek divine blessings and protect the site. These rituals involve offerings to deities like Vastu Purusha and Bhumi (Earth Goddess), ensuring the land is purified and auspicious for building.
Modern Applications and Controversies
Vastu Shastra remains influential in contemporary real estate and architecture, particularly in India, where many architects and builders integrate its principles into designs to meet client preferences. For instance, aligning entrances to the east or north and placing kitchens in the southeast are common practices. However, its scientific validation is debated, with some viewing it as a cultural tradition and others as a pseudoscience. This controversy highlights the tension between ancient wisdom and modern empirical standards, yet its cultural significance endures.
Unexpected Detail: Influence on Urban Planning
Beyond individual buildings, Vastu Shastra, as derived from the Atharva Veda, extends to the design of villages and cities, aiming to create harmonious communities. This broader application, such as planning towns with cardinal alignments, is less commonly discussed but offers insights into ancient urban planning principles, potentially informing sustainable development today.
Conclusion
The Atharva Veda and Vastu Shastra provide a comprehensive framework for construction and real estate, blending spirituality with practicality. From detailed land assessment methods to specific room placements, these teachings ensure buildings align with natural and cosmic forces, promoting well-being. While its modern application is debated, its enduring influence underscores its relevance, bridging ancient traditions with contemporary living.
