VASTU SHASTRA

Determination Of Direction

Directions continuously exert their influence on the human life. If the line that spans east-west in the middle of the house is used properly, the inhabitants get prosperity. This equator line is like the backbone of the house. If it is not used properly, it may lead to breaking of the owner's backbone. If it is used properly according to the law of the nature, the house proves to be the most fortunate one for the inmates.

ISHANYAM ISHVARAY NAMAH

If the north-eastern portion of the house is well illuminated by the Sun, the inhabitants have full grace of the Lord. Amarkosh (a sanskrit lexicon) mentions the directions. Thus!

SURYAH SHUKRO MAHOSUNUH RACHARBHANU BHOJUJO VIDHAS | BUDHO BRIHARACHATISHCHETI DISHA CHAIN GRAHAH ||

According to the shloka, directions of the planets are:

	Planet	Direction
1	Surya (Sun)	East
2	Shukra (Venus)	South-East
3	Mangal (Mars)	South
4	Yama	South-West
5	Shani (Saturn)	West
6	Chandr (Moon)	North-West
7	Buddh (Mercury)	North
8	Guru (Jupiter)	North-East

DIRECTIONS OF THE ZODIAC SIGNS

Aries, Leo, Sagittarius - North
Gemini, Virgo, Capricorn - South
Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces - East
Taurus, Libra, Aquarius - West

AUSPICIOUS DIRECTION FOR ENTRANCE

The direction, entrance of your home faces, is very crucial about your personal development as well as for the development of your family. You may decide on this issue according to your Sun sign as given below:

1) Aries, Leo, Sagittarius : People belonging to these zodiac signs ought to keep the entrance to their homes in north.

2) Gemini, Virgo, Capricorn : People of these zodiac signs must keep the entrance to their homes in the south.

3) Taurus, Libra, Aquarius : People of these zodiac signs must keep the entrance to their homes in the west.

4) Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces : People belonging to these zodiac signs must keep the entrance to their homes in the east.

Regardless of their Sun signs, however, people may keep the entrance to their homes in the east for better. Next to it, they may keep the entrance to there homes in the north. Otherwise, follow the guidance of VAASTU Shastra.

It is always better to consult an expert on Vastu before selecting a site for the construction of a house to reap the best advantages out of the proposed house. It is always advisable to go in for a site which is either a square or a rectangle in shape. A spacious site makes the inhabitant rich provided it is a perfect square or a rectangle. It should not be cut off in any direction.

It is very essential to determine the directions correctly. In absence of the correct demarcation of directions, positions of various rooms, and doors etc. will be faulty which will change the whole situation of the house. It may turn into situation against the principles of Vastu Shastra rendering the house inauspicious. Necessity of correct marketing of directions is also expressed in our scriptures:

Prasade Sadane alinde dware kunde visheshtah;

Dik moodhe kulnashah syatasmatsa shodhay eddishah.

i.e.; It is necessary to determine the directions correctly while constructing a temple, palace, house, gates, porch, pond etc. in proper direction.

Therefore as per instructions of Vaastu Shastra, a building construction should be started only after marking of the directions, east-west etc.

In ancient scriptures, methods for determining the directions with the help of the shadow formed when a cone is placed in sun on the open plot, or by observing the pole-star or other constellations in the night.

Now a days, directions can easily be marked by the architects with the help of the compass. Direction and position of a room or gate etc. can be correctly decided only when the construction work is started after marking the directions properly. It can be noted that several magnificent buildings built without proper consideration of direction are being rectified under the expert guidance of learned architects and scholars or Vaastu Shastra. Therefore it is better to start the work after determining the directions so that the building is constructed according verandahs (balconies) and also the rooms are constructed in proper place and in proper direction, there remains no defect in the building, and inmates are blessed with all the happiness and good fortune.

Just as it is necessary to think over the merits and demerits of the plot of land as mentioned in Vaastu Shastra, one has to be much more cautions in the construction of the building. A building constructed according to the basic principles given in Vaastu Shastra keeps the inmates happy and prosperous. In modern sense, to make the five basic materials, viz; earth, water, fire, air and space, fovourable to the house is the very essence of Vaastu Shastra. Therefore while constructing a house, rules or principles given in Vaastu Shastra regarding direction, shape, level should be taken into consideration. For example, south-east corner is the seat of the god of fire, Agnidev. So kitchen and any room for works related to fire/heat should be made in this corner, then only the house will be trouble free. Constructions against the laws of nature at one's own will may cause pollution, which gives rise to many other problems of health, fear etc. that will result in loss of wealth, property and life also.

Northwest Planet: Moon Lordship: Vayu (Wind) Guests, bathroom, garage, animals, utilities, pantry.	North Planet: Mercury Lordship: Kubera (Wealth) Mirrors (North wall), jewels and other valuables, children, family room, basement	Northeast Planet: Jupiter Lordship: Ishanya (the Supreme Lord) Prayer, shrines, living room, sun porch, patio or deck.
West Planet: Saturn Lordship: Varuna (Waters) Dining room, children's room, study room, den	Center The Brahma Sthana is here. This area should only be used for a courtyard or a religious shrine. Human activity should be avoided.	East Planet: Sun Lordship: Surya (Health) Bathroom, Dining room, family room, bay windows, mirrors on east wall, storage of ghee, milk, oil, rosewater etc.
Southwest Planet: Rahu Lordship: Nairuti (Dissolution) Heavy objects, Bedroom, no shrines or bathrooms.	South Planet: Mars Lordship: Yama (Lord of Death) Dining room, no main entrances, Bed room, Bath room	Southeast Planet: Venus Lordship: Agni (Lord of Fire) Kitchen, pantry, appliances, computers, exercise room, garage, weights.

All the directions are governed/guarded by gods/celestial beings, who in turn govern the respective energy of nature, as stated below.

Directions have very much significance in the construction of a building. The four directions have their own importance, where as the corners formed by the concurrence of two direction are much more important because effects of both the directions can be felt at the corners. The gods governing these directions are noted below:-

Directions	Name of the God	Effect
East	Indra	Progress & growth
South-East	Agni	Energy, vigour, strength
South	Yama	Death
South-West	Nairut (Demon)	Purity & Cleanliness
West	Varun	Water
North-West	Vayu	Air/Winds
North	Kuber	Wealth&Prosperity
North-West	Eeshwar	Religion, Divinity
Vertically above	Brahma	Spiritual Knowledge
Below	Anant	Resources, worldly pleasures.

These gods govern the directions and control the various areas as given above. For successful implementation of any plan, the concerned god is worshipped. Room or space in a particular direction should be used for a purpose suitable to the nature of the god and the material he controls in that area. That is how to avoid defects of Vaastu. The god controlling the area in the house is worshipped and offers made to please him, requesting for his blessings and peaceful happy life.

It is advisable to acquire an additional site located towards to east or north of the existing house. Any amount of investment for acquiring a plot situated towards the northeastern part of the existing plot, is not a bad investment. The topography of the plot reflects on the life of the inhabitant. Slope towards north or east showers bountiful blessings on the inhabitant. Similarly elevation in land in the western and in southern part of the site makes the life a prosperous one. People residing in such sites do achieve greater things. It is always better to select a spacious plot so as to facilitate construction of as many floors as one can.

A plot located at the confluence of two roads leading to east and north respectively, straight without turns makes the life of the resident a pleasant one.

If the plot is situated in conformity with the compass the house constructed, thereon also would be set as per compass. However any deliberate attempt to adjust the house as per compass, leads to directional dead-lock, because it result in extension of southeast, southwest and northwest. Hence if a site does not fall in line with compass, the house can be constructed consistent with the adjoining road and the neighboring housed. That is why a site possessing a straight and parallel road according to the compass must be preferred. However, a plot lying by the side of a road leading on increasing northeast, is said to lead the density of the occupant for a brighter tomorrow. The prosperity and progress in the life of the resident of a plot is directly proportional to the elevation of the western and southern parts of his plot.

One should never select a triangular site. Just as, it is difficult to change the properties of the soil it is also difficult to change the properties of a site or a plot is directly proportional to the elevation of the western and southern part of his plot. One should never select a triangular site. Just as, it is difficult to change the properties of the soil it is also difficult to change the properties of a site or a plot as one can't change a silk into cotton or vice versa. For instance, the existence of a high hillock in north east of the location of a tank or a river in west or south cannot be rectified. Similarly, one cannot change the direction of a road, which cuts across the northeastern tip of a plot. Further the existence of a small plot in between two bigger plots, makes the inhabitant lead a suffocating life just as calf gets trampled between two fighting life just as a calf gets trampled between two fighting bulls.

Never select a site which protrudes towards northwest, southwest or southeast. If the vacant portion in a site is more towards south or west than towards north or east, it is advisable to separate the excess portion by means of a small wall or fence and construct a shed or the same may be disposed off.

If the road leading from your plot takes you towards east, north or northeast it is said to be a very auspicious one. If that road leads you towards southeast or southwest it brings misfortunes to the inhabitant.

Never think of procuring a site which slopes towards southwest. Ensure that the rain water or sewage water of neighboring plots does not flow into your site from eastern or northeastern direction. People living in such houses cannot have normal peaceful lives.

It is a well - known fact that even a single step taken in haste by the pawn will end the pay with helpless Shah and utter flap. In the same way a small error crept in the many troubles in future. So also the contraction or projection of directions, if not considered first, will end in chaos.

In chess the looser will be a single person. But in Vastu, a game of directions, if the error is not checked and rectified in the beginning itself; it will bounce troubles on the whole household. Hence one should be cautious enough in selecting the site as per Vastu to avoid future misfortune, lest he will become "Burnt Child".

CHANGE IN NATURE ACCORDING TO DIRECTIONS

Nature of the house owner changes as per the orientation of it's entrance. It is because of the influence of the planet that rules that direction in which the entrance faces.

If the entrance of a house faces east, its ruling planet the Sun makes the owner of the house abiding to the truth, ambitious and courageous. He would have particular liking for acrid vegetables like bitter gourd, fenugreek etc.

If the entrance is in the south-east direction, it is ruled by Shukra (Venus). Hence, the owner would have a variety of tastes and special liking for luxuries.

If the entrance faces south, it is ruled by Mangal (Mars). Accordingly, the owner would be courageous, haughty, outrageous and stubborn. He will specially relish spicy, delicious foods.

If the entrance faces south-west, it is ruled by Rahu. Nature of the owner will be according to it. He will be licentious, engaged in illegal activities, savant of cryptic scriptures and talismans etc. He will specially relish stale food.

If the entrance faces west, it is ruled by Shani (Saturn). Accordingly the owner will be serious, prudent, tolerant and responsible. He relishes food items cooked in oil and bitter and cold foods.

If the entrance faces north-west, it is ruled by Chandra (Moon). According to it, the owner is of instable mind, sentimental, fond of travelling and soft-spoken. He is also fond of eating vegetables cooked with excess of salt.

If the entrance faces north-east it is ruled by Brihaspati (Jupiter). Accordingly, the owner will be religiously inclined, altruistic, talkative and scholar of some particular subject and driven by whimsical fantasies. He is fond of sweet items as well.

If the entrance faces north, it is ruled by Buddh (Mercury). Accordingly, the owner will be intelligent, humorous, litterateur and active. He relishes everything but in moderation.