Vastu Shastra Basics

Vastu Shastra is the traditional Indian science of buildings. It relates the directions to the five elements and suggests how to arrange a space so it supports health, peace and prosperity.

Directions and elements

• North-east (Ishan) — water and spirit; keep it clean, light and open; good for prayer.
• South-east (Agneya) — fire; good for the kitchen.
• South-west (Nairitya) — earth; heavy and stable; good for the master bedroom.
• North-west (Vayavya) — air; movement; good for guests and storage.
• Centre (Brahmasthan) — space; keep it open and uncluttered.

Common guidelines

• Main entrance preferably in the north, east or north-east.
• Kitchen in the south-east, with the cook facing east.
• Master bedroom in the south-west; sleep with the head to the south or east.
• Toilets away from the north-east.
• Heavy furniture towards the south and west.

Corrections without breaking walls

Many faults can be eased with simple changes: moving furniture, using colours suited to the direction, keeping the north-east clean, and placing mirrors, plants or lights with care.

Keep it practical

Safety, light, air and comfort come first. Vastu adds a traditional layer of guidance. TRAC's Vastu page lets you mark your rooms and explains each suggestion.

The Vastu Purusha Mandala

Classical Vastu imagines the plot as a square grid with the Vastu Purusha lying across it, head in the north-east and feet in the south-west. Each square of the grid is ruled by a deity, and the centre (Brahmasthan) is kept open. This is the basis for the directions of rooms.

A worked example

A flat has its kitchen in the north-east and the master bedroom in the north-west. Without breaking walls, simple corrections could be:

• keep the north-east kitchen very clean and light; place the stove in the south-east corner of the kitchen if possible;
• use the south-west room, if available, as the master bedroom; if not, place the bed in the south-west part of the current bedroom with the head towards the south;
• keep heavy cupboards on the south and west walls;
• keep the north and east windows open for light and air.

Plot shapes

Square and rectangular plots are considered best. Cuts or extensions in corners are read carefully: an extension in the north-east is considered good, while a cut there is something to balance.

Common mistakes

• Breaking walls hastily. Most problems can be eased with arrangement and use.
• Copying rules without considering climate and safety.

Frequently asked questions

Does Vastu apply to rented homes? Yes, through arrangement — furniture, colours, and the use of rooms.

Which direction should I face while working? North or east is traditionally preferred.

Colours by direction (traditional)

• North — green and light blue.
• East — white and light colours.
• South — red, orange and warm shades.
• West — blue and grey.
• North-east — light yellow or white.
• South-west — earthy browns and beige.

Key points to remember

• Keep the north-east clean, light and open; keep the centre uncluttered.
• Kitchen in the south-east; master bedroom in the south-west.
• Heavy furniture towards the south and west.
• Most corrections can be made by arrangement, light and colour.

Is Vastu the same as Feng Shui? They share some ideas about directions and flow but come from different traditions with different rules.