Foreword
Vaastu is the science of architecture dating back to the ancient times of Vedas, which was an integral part of Jyotisha. Vaastu is a practical science of optimism, helping all to achieve success in all fields such as education, home and business.
Vaastu principles are more or less common all over India from times immemorial as a cultural entity. "Manasara" is a comprehensive treatise on architecture and iconography. According to Mr.P.K.Acharya, the editor of the work, it is considered to be a "source of all presentations of architecture in Purana and Agama. This work in 8 volumes was first published in August 1933 in English under patronage of the British office. This being monumental can be considered a “work of reference” for purposes of research.
"Mayamata" is another excellent work on housing architecture and iconography. This is important to begin with for purposes of profession. Also it can be useful as a springboard for research on the subject. "Vaastusutra Upanisad" is a unique work on the form of Sacred Art. “Brihat Samhita” an excellent work on Jyotisha contains chapters exclusively dealing with residential and temple architecture.
The word Vaastu is derived from the word vasu (earth), the earth being the principal vaastu, all the buildings situated on the earth are also vaastu. Vaastu gives much importance to Sun's movements in the heavens. According to one sutra, a house constructed with any dosas well result in suffering to the builder and the owner. Test of the soil, shape of the plot and construction methods are all required to be according to Vaastu.
Common wall for two buildings is not permitted under vaastu. Only new wood usage is permitted in construction of a new building. Brihat Samhita recommends water tanks to have their eastern and western sides longer than the southern and northern sides.
Manasara opines that when the merits are more than demerits, there is no defect in it; but if the demerit is more than the merit, it would be all defective. Manasara also enjoins that mere speculations with regard to alterations of a house should not be entertained, for a house when completed and constructed is an organic whole and must not be mutilated on any account.
Finally, Vaastu Shastra is a great science of architecture founded by our sages for a contended society at large. Notably, pyramids, mirrors, yantras are not part of vaastu, however, they may aid in achieving our goal of greater health, wealth and prosperity.
