Truth about Vaastu Shastra

While making or buying a new house in India , the very first thing peoples  enquire about is whether house is built according to Vaastu (Meaning dwelling) or not. What is Vastu Shastra and does it affect human life is subject matter of this blog.

Until last week, I knew nothing about Vastu except its name. Therefore, I decided to learn about it, as I was interested in buying new home. Initially I though, Vastu deals with orientation of house to get maximum air and sunlight naturally. Like, west facing house with glass windows will get more heat compared to east facing. As I learn more and more I find out that it is not about ventilation or lighting but it is just a superstition combined with some ancient wisdom and calling it science is insult of science.

As an example, below is excerpt from a site promoting Vastu shastra (link-1- mentioned in the end) for bedroom orientation:

Vaastu Guidelines for Bedroom

Let us also explore the basic Vastu guidelines that have to be followed, in case of the bedroom:-

1. Vaastu Shastra does not recommend a bedroom in the South East under any circumstances. It is best to shift from this room to any other room in the South West, South, West or North West. In case there is no choice, keep the bed away from the southeast corner or you will be sleeping on too much fire. Sleep in this room with your head towards the South and feet towards the North to ward off the ill-effects.
2. According to Vaastu Shastra, mirrors should not be located inside the bedroom as this leads to frequent misunderstandings and quarrels between couples. However, if essential, place them preferably along the North East wall.

In point no.1 it says that if bed-room is in south east, you will be sleeping in too much fire! Really?

Second point is clearly a superstition.

Same site gives below definition for Vastu:

What is Vastu ?

Vaastu is the science of directions that combines all the five elements of nature and balance them with the man and the material. Vaastu Shastra creates a congenial settings or a place to live or work, in most scientific way taking advantages of the benefits bestowed by the five elements called “Paanchbhootas” of the nature thereby paving the way for enhanced health, wealth, prosperity and happiness in an enlightened environment.

(To read more click the Link-2 in the end of blog)

Very poetic definition, making vaastu-shastra very scientific looking. However it is all fake.

Entire ancient mythologies in different part of the world were based on concept of five elements. In ancient world, peoples believed that everything including human body is made-up of five elements. Namely: earth, water, fire, air and sky (Some call it Ether or space too). Sadly, this is a vague idea, which has no truth in it.

Presently, with advancement of Science we come to know that Earth, water and air are not elements. Elements are pure chemical substance consisting of one type of atom. Earth and air are mixture whereas water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen elements, and there is nothing like sky in real. It is just an illusion created by scattering of light when it enters into earth atmosphere. Only three things exist in cosmos- matter, energy and space-time. Peoples used to think that Space is filled with Ether, but now we know that Space is empty. Fire is not matter or element either. The light and the heat produced by the flame is energy. Today, we know that some elements are common in earth and air, but all elements are not present in air and water. Most of the elements are found in earth alone in compound form.

For correct theory, we need correct concept, if concepts are not correct we can never create correct theory. Hypothesis of   five elements universe is wrong so is the theory based on it like Vastu-shastra and Astrology.

Everyone is free to believe anything in his or her mind. However, when they start associating it with Science without any proof, evidence or peer reviewed information, I find it unethical. Do not sell your superstition in the name of Science. This is not correct practice, as science does not support any superstitions. Vastu-shastra and Astrology are myth and has nothing to do with Science. Believe in them at your own risk.

 

• http://www.myvaastu.in/Vastu-for-Bedroom.html
• http://www.myvaastu.in/Introduction-of-Vastu.html

Advertisement