Introduction and Etymology

Vastu in a laymen term means, ‘a spiritual science which deals with the structure of lands, buildings, rooms etc and to improve the conditions of them through the help of Vastu Purusha.’ The word Vastu (वास्तु) is the outcome of word वस्तु which means matter. Matter is something that occupies space and has a mass. It is purely physical science to improve the conditions and combinations of matter to achieve required result.

But as per Siddha Dharma, Vastu is not just a physical science. It is a metaphysical science that deals with physical materials to maximize the level of consciousness and also improve the physical condition. The vital essence that the market Vastu misses is the metaphysical aspect of the physical world.

The ‘Siddha Dharma’ gives much importance to the atmosphere of any matter. Any matter in this universe has the power to influence other matters and its surroundings. Just like the earth has atmosphere so does the matter. The matter has its own atmosphere and to pacify the ill effects of the atmosphere of any matter and to transform it into convenience is the core of ‘Siddha Vastu’.

For instance, building a house is a simple physical act to maximize the experience of comfort and convenience but in the case of Lord Shiva, he resides in Mount Kailasha which is not favorable for human existence nor it is comfortable and it is also not favorable for existence but Mt. Kailash is a point in this earth or in this universe which can transform any शव (corpse) to शिव (Shiva) because the Vastu of Mt. Kailasha is very different than that of other mountain and hills. Similar is the Himalaya, no person would ever want to live there but it is the dwelling place of Siddhas. The Vastu of Himalaya is for sure different than that of a plain land of Delhi. The ‘Siddha Dharma’ believes that Himalaya is the best place in this world because of its Vastu and its power of resonating with Siddhas.

Origin of Vastu Sastra

As per ‘Siddha Dharma’, the Vastu Sastra has its origin in Mt. Kailasha. It was the place where it was first revealed to Ma Parvati by Lord Shiva while he was trying to explain her importance of land and the importance of five basic elements i.e Prithvi (earth), Vayu (air), Jal (water), Tej (heat/fire) and Aakasha (space). In the process of explanation, he revealed to her the ‘Siddha Vastu Sastra’ and that ‘Siddha Vastu Sastra’ was taken forward by Siddhas into their own guru/disciple lineage which is completely different from that of the modern day Vastu prevalent in the market.

The ‘Siddha Vastu Sastra’ as per ‘Siddha Dharma’ starts with the conversation of a Danava with a Yaksha about Vastu. ‘Maharishi Jagatkaru’ is there listening to the conversation. The conversation includes Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati, Agama-Nigama and other various aspects related to Vastu. It was how the ‘Siddha Vastu Sastra’ was revealed to the world and later the Siddhas and the Rishi/Muni infused it to their respective tradition and that is how the authentic tradition of ‘Siddha Vastru Sastra’ is preserved till today’s day and age.

Distinction between Normal Vastu and Siddha Vastu

As per ‘Siddha Dharma’ there is one fundamental difference between normal Vastu or the Vastu that is prevalent in the modern era society. It is exclusively based on the principle of Vastu Purusha. The ‘Siddha Vastu’ while at the other hand is based upon the principle of Panchatatwa i.e the five basic elements and with Kala and directions.

Principle of Vastu Purusha

The Vastu Purush is a formless deity that presides in the whole universe. The whole Brahmanda or the universe itself is a form of matter or the collection of matters enclosed within a finite or an infinite space. Therefore, the whole universe is one big Vastu. The whole universe is operated within the framework of Vastu Purusha. He is pictured as a man in the pose of a turtle facing downwards.

He is like a yantra in himself which incorporates many deities inside the yantra and the yantra is considered to be the perfect blueprint for any matter. All the modern day Vastu practice is to confirm the atmosphere of any matter to the atmosphere of the Vastu Purusha.

There is a special axiom in oriental wisdom which says ‘यत पिण्डे तत् ब्रम्हाण्डे’ (yata pinde tata brahmande) which interprets as the pinda or matter is similar to the universe. Any pinda or matter in this universe, be it human body, a plot of land, a house is as similar to that of the universe. For instance, the ‘Siddha Dharma’ exclusively believes that just like there is a Himalaya with thousand peaks in this universe, similarly there is an inner Himalaya with thousand peaks inside human body called Sahasrar Chakra. Just like the Himalaya is the spiritual centre of the universe, similar is the sahasrar chakra. It is the centre for all spiritual activities.

The universe which predates human existence is constantly evolving from time immemorial to today’s day and age. The principle of Vastu Purusha that is active in the creation aspect is also equally applicable to a matter or pinda. Therefore, the modern day Vastu tries to utilize the principle of Vastu Purusha to make pinda similar to that of Brahmanda. For instance, the head of Vastu Purusha is at the north east direction which is also known as Ishanya kona. Since, the head of the Vastu Purusha lies at the north east corner of the universe so the temples or gods are always established at the north eastern corner of any plot. Toilets and lavatory are strictly prohibited at the north east corner.

Principle of Panchatatwa of Siddha Vastu

As per ‘Siddha Dharma’, ‘Siddha Vastu’ is based on the principle of Panchatatwa (पंच तत्व) i.e the five basic elements of the whole universe. They are fire, water, earth, space and air. As the ‘Siddha Dharma’ tradition along with Kaulantak Peeth tradition being a tantric guru/disciple lineage system therefore, the ‘Siddha Vastu’ is incomplete without the touch of Tantra. The ‘Siddha Dharma’ uses tantra in Vastu to achieve desired results.

According to Panchanguli tantra, the goddess Panchanguli is the goddess who created the whole universe with her five fingers. The five fingers of Panchanguli devi are the five basic elements i.e earth, water, air, fire and ether. So as per both ‘Siddha Dharma’ and ‘Panchanguli tantra’ the whole universe is made up off the five basic elements. Even the human body is made off those five basic elements. So, a perfect combination and harmony of all these five elements in any atmosphere will be considered the perfect Vastu.

So, as per ‘Siddha Dharma’ a human body is also a Vastu in itself because our body is also made up of those five basic elements and as per Ayurveda, when there is imbalance of these five basic elements then the body suffers from ailments. So, taking medicine is nothing but to balance the five basic elements of human body to form a perfect Vastu.

Rationale and Applicability of ‘Siddha Vastu’

As already mentioned above, the whole universe was created by Panchanguli Devi with her five fingers i.e five basic elements. So, there is no area in this universe that is beyond these five elements. The Milky Way galaxy, constellations, planets, blackhole, stars, heaven, earth etc are all made from those Panchatatwa so ‘Siddha Vastu’ is universal in its nature. Even lok lokantar might be in different dimension but they are also made off these five basic elements.

The ‘Siddha Dharma’ also believes that the Vastu is equally applicable in everything. For instance, if you create a flag then there is a Vastu for creating the flag and then establishing it somewhere also needs Vastus guidance. The ‘Siddha Vastu’ is also equally applicable to technological devices like mobile phones, laptop etc. People have misconception that Vastu is not applicable in technological devices but the very industrial design of any device, its core working mechanism falls under Vastu. Vastu as per ‘Siddha Dharma’ is just not limited to plots, gardens, houses but everything.

The modern day people who believe in evidences and empirical knowledge have a misconception that Vastu is a superstition. They further also believe that Vastu is outdated and is replaceable by technology but as per ‘Siddha Dharma’, if the universe from time memorial to today’s day and age have not become outdated, nor has the human body then the ‘Siddha Vastu’ being outdated and obsolete is beyond any logics. Technology can improve your experiences but cannot change the very base of all that experiences. Technology gives pleasure to the mind but cannot create the mind nor can it replace the human mind.

Divisions of Vastu Shastra

As per ‘Siddha Dharma’ there are three divisions of Vastu. They are:

1. Nitya Vastu
2. Anitya Vastu
3. Saundarya Vastu

 Nitya Vastu

As per ‘Siddha Dharma’, those Vastu are Nitya Vastus which are always fixed and is not changed regularly. For instance, the doors and windows fall under Nitya Vastu as they are not changed regularly and they are fixed at a point for a longer period. As per ‘Siddha Dharma’ all immovable properties falls under the division of Nitya Vastu.

Anitya Vastu

As per ‘Siddha Dharma’, those Vastu are Anitya Vastus which is easily movable and is easily replaceable. When any material’s purpose has been met and is finished, its utility no longer needed then those types of materials are governed by the Anitya Vastu. For instance, the kitchen utensils, placing a cooper pot in the doorway, arranging something in a peculiar order etc.

Saundarya Vastu

As per ‘Siddha Dharma’, those Vastus which are peculiarly used for aesthetic purpose or for beautifying any plot, scenarios, material etc fall under the division of Saundarya Vastu. Beauty is not permanent as when people get used to beauty they lose their spark against it. So, beautifying things is an art in itself and those arts is governed by Saundarya Vastu. For instance, when a person fills a vase with fresh flowers, the beauty of the flower gives bliss to the person for few days and then its charm is lost so a new flower is replaced. The art of changing the flowers at the right time is governed by Saundarya Vastu.

Main forms of Vastu

As per ‘Siddha Dharma’, Vastu can be perceived through two ways. The natural Vastu and the other is artificial Vastu or created/developed Vastu.

Natural Vastu

The ‘Natural Vastu’ is the atmosphere created by the nature. It has its own modus operandi and the only way to perfect any Natural Vastu is to resonate it with it by not going against the Natural Vastu. It is more like accepting the Vastu as it is and adopting oneself to the prowess of nature.

Artificial Vastu

The ‘Artificial Vastu’ as per ‘Siddha Dharma’ is that Vastu which is arbitrarily created by a practicioner of Vastu so as to change the atmosphere of any particular Vastu to suit the need and demand of the practicioner. The ‘Siddha Vastu’ is more inclined to ‘Artificial Vastu’ because to transform a negative environment to a positive environment to suit the need and demand of the Siddha, tantra has to be used. Only tantra i.e techniques can transform it and Siddhas are masters of tantra. Therefore, ‘Siddha Vastu’ is a tantra that one can deploy for the betterment of one’s one life and surroundings.

For instance, when a Siddha enters into a new cave, the Siddhas purifies the cave and performs some rituals so as to repulse all negative forces and fill the cave with positive energies. He/she also invokes some spiritual deity for their help in protection. All these falls in ‘Artificial Vastus’

Literature

As per the ‘Siddha Dharma’, the ‘Siddha Vastu’ is codified into a text known as ‘Siddha kalpa vastu shastra’. The ‘Siddha kalpa vastu shastra’ text has four volumes and it deals with all the topics presented above.

Deity of Vastu

The common market Vastu practicioner worships Kurma as the deity of Vastu but as per ‘Siddha Dharma’, the primary deity of Vastu is ‘Yogmaya’ herself. She created the whole universe therefore she  has the better knowledge of every inch of her creation.

Vastu is also linked with Kurma or turtle. In fact in Yoga marga, any ‘Vastu dosha’ is repealed by performing the ‘kurmasana’ in the middle of one’s property. It is also believed that the whole universe is supported on the back of a turtle known as Kurma which is also the second avatara of Lord Vishnu. Furthermore, it was lord Vishnu who incarnated as a turtle so that Mt. Mandara could be supported on its back and churning of ocean was made possible.

Links

www.kaulantakpeeth.com