We talk about Vastu-compliant homes. Experts tell us Vastu depicts the advantages and disadvantages involved in construction of structures, and the way you build/arrange your home could determine whether you would be happy in life. A water body in the North-east direction is believed to be auspicious. The main entrance to the house should be east facing, the master bedroom should be in the South-west side of flat. But with cities packed with flats, and flats almost bursting with people, how many of the Vastu recommendations can one follow in a 500 sq feet or even a smaller home is a question.

Renuka Kajale speaks to Satish Sharma, a traditional practitioner of Vedic Sciences, who also founded International Vastu Academy, Jaipur, to find out how relevant Vastu is... given compact, even cramped spaces, of cities.

Balancing nature with man and material

Vastu is the science of directions that combines all the five elements of nature and balances them with the man and the material. Sharma advises that an ideal house should ensure that lunar energy, solar energy and geo thermal (down the earth) energy enter the house. Vastu primarily accentuates the five basic elements of nature: 1. Earth - prithvi; 2. Water - jal 3. Fire - agni; 4. Air - vaayu; and 5. Space - aakash. Placement and direction of a house or articles can help control the flow of energy from the five elements. Hence, Vastu...

Vastu in interior design

Considering the demand for Vastu-compliant homes, interior designers often follow basic Vastu recommendations. Often builders and architects also adhere to fundamental Vastu rules, primarily to add value to a property. Sharma notes that "colours of a wall, the placement of furniture, paintings and artifacts, as per Vastu, can enhance the value of the design of the house."

Bringing harmony

Most people believe they would have to reconstruct and renovate, break a wall here, put up a window there to eventually get a Vastu-compliant home. Sharma, however, clarifies that you do not necessarily have to make any drastic change to your house to ensure that it adheres to Vastu rules. "One can attain harmony in one's surrounding even with minimum or no structural rectification. In an urban setting, going for a complete Vastu-compliant house, may not be feasible. However, some Vastu rules can be followed even in contemporary settings". Sharma recommends the following:

• Alterations in the interiors to achieve a Vastu-positive environment.
• Re-arranging the furniture, and other goods to reduce Vastu Dosha by almost 50 per cent.
• Changing in posture, the way/direction in which sit, face, stand, sleep, cook and eat. This is believed to cut down Vastu Dosha by another 30 per cent.
• Performing certain Vastu rituals as per the Vastu Chakra.

Some Vastu exercises

Sharma also recommends watching the rising sun after taking bath. "When you enter your house, right opposite to the door, place a beautiful picture or painting of flower, smiling children, nature, which inspires a cheerful feeling in you. Similarly in a bedroom, sleep in way where your head lies in the south and legs in the north direction," Sharma adds.

Sharma also says that the kitchen should be made in such a way that the person faces the East while cooking. "Watch out for leaking taps in kitchens or bathrooms. They can lead to quarrel in house," Sharma says.

"Following basic Vastu guidelines can help achieve Vastu Shanti, which is essentially the correct balancing of the five elements of nature," he notes.

Colours

"Colours of the house can influence the mood of the inhabitants. In Vastu Shastra, red and blue are considered to be the colour of Mars and Saturn, respectively. Ideally, your living room should have shades of light blue, pale yellow, sky blue. These colours are soothing and add grace and create positive vibes. Since these shades are derived form red & violet colours of the spectrum, they are believed to motivate and accelerate work, Sharma says.

He recommends aqua marine green, sky blue and light yellow for bedrooms since they are believed to bring harmony to relationships. "Also ensure that bedrooms get adequate natural light", he notes.

Vastu rules indicate that the prayer room should ideally be set against a white/off-white setting. White is believed to bring peace and enhances concentration.

Colours for the kitchen are yellow, white, or shades of orange as these shades encourage optimism. Sharma advises that black granite or black marble for the kitchen platform is not a good idea. It tends to spread negative vibes and may encourage pessimistic tendencies, and even lead to digestive problems.

For more Vastu tips, sms VASTU to 54567.