Vastu
Vastu and Building Formulae
by Niranjan Babu Bangalore

There has been extensive boom in the construction of housing, industrial, commercial buildings in big cities . Because of the complexity in the architecture and construction methods, there has been lot of confusion about the proper application of Vastu Shastra based building formulae. Appropriate application of various Vastu based formulae is possible when one clearly understands the concepts and significations embedded in the Vastu based formulae.

I have indicated in my earlier articles and in books the importance of the building formulae referred to as Ayadi Shadvarga by the ancient masters of wisdom.

Ayadi is a group of six formulae Aya, Vyaya, Yoni, Rksha, Vara and Tithi that are used to determine the dimensional conformance of a building. The six formulae are divided in to three sets and each set consists of two formulae. A specific set of formulae is used to work out the length, breadth and height of the building or the structure. The length and breadth are the outer measurements of the foundation (bhumilamba) or its base (adhistana). The height of the building is considered to be from the bottom of the foundation or the bottom of the base to the topmost point of the building. The remainder obtained by using these formulae determines the gain or loss accruing, the constellation compatibility and the lunar and solar days that conduce to one’s well being.

Vastu Shastra clearly emphasizes the importance of orienting the constructions to the cardinal directional. Therefore, the orientation of the building to be one of the four cardinal directions (north, east, south or west). As far as possible, buildings facing angular directions are to be avoided. But in rare situations, if the site is oriented in the angular directions, the orientation (or Yoni) formulae can be worked out in such a way so that the remainder is 1. The ancient masters were aware of the power of monsoon winds and other energies (physical and metaphysical). These energies were also considered in the orientation and construction of the buildings.

The unit of measurement used is generally the Kisku Hasta that equals 24 angulas. The hasta conversion is done diversely in different regions. One school of thought equates a hasta to two feet and nine inches and an angula to 1 3/8th inch. Another school of thought equates a hasta to 72 cm (28.3 inches) and an angula to 3 cm (1.2 inches). Here, the hasta is measured from the shoulder to the tip of the middle finger.

A third school of thought, which this writer follows, equates a hasta to 18 inches (and an angula to 0.75 inches) Here, hasta is the length of the arm from the bottom of the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. The Ayadi Shadvarga is calculating by taking any of the standardized hasta measurements or using the actual hasta length of either the master, his/her spouse, eldest son or the architect (or contractor) designing the house.

Further research on the definition or usage of the Hasta measurement is needed to specifically determine whether 18 inches, 2.75 feet, 72 cm or the actual arm length from the elbow (or the shoulder) to the tip of the middle finger is appropriate. This scribe generally uses the 18-inch Hasta, based on measuring the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger.

Manasara recommends working out nine different lengths and breadths and five heights for a building. The Yoni formula defining the breadth measurement very clearly reinforces the importance of proper orientation. Most religious buildings, palaces, cities, villages and roads of ancient India and many other parts of the world faced the cardinal directions. In fact, the Giza and Great pyramids of Egypt are oriented to the north.

The table below summarizes the six formulae.

Table 1

Vastu regulates the primary elements in an enclosure with reference to its length, breadth and height. By having the dimensions worked out using the Ayadi formulae, the residents can, to a certain extent, experience material and spiritual awareness. Living in such spaces can contribute harmony with the gross (sthoola) and subtle (sookshma) energies leading to both physical and metaphysical well being of the individual(s).

Aya, also known as aadhayam, means income and Vyaya means loss or expenditure. When these formulae are applied Aya should be greater than Vyaya (Ayam Adhikyam, Vyayam Hinam) in order that the dimensions worked out positively energizes the structure or building.

The Yoni and Rksha (Nakshatra) formulae are applied for finding the breadth of the building. The Yoni formula should be worked out to always get an odd remainder.

The1, 3, 5 and 7 remainders are referred to as Dhwaja, Simha, Vrshabha and Gaja indicating the directions East, South, West and North, respectively. Generally orientation to any direction can have the Dhwaja Yoni worked out.
The Yoni can be calculated, for sites not oriented to the cardinal directions, based on the following table.

Table 2

The Rksha (or Nakshatra) formula should be worked out such that the remainder indicates a constellation that is compatible to the master’s (or spouse’s) constellation.

The height of the building can be fixed based on the Vara and Tithi formulae. After calculating the negative or paisacha zones of the site, the proposed length of the available space is converted into hasta and then the formulae applied. An example, utilizing the various formulae, is given below:

Consider a site measuring 45 feet by 63 feet. We first find the paisacha or non-habitable area by dividing each side into nine parts. On the 63 feet side, the paisacha works out to 7 feet each on either side giving us 49 feet of Vastu approved land for construction. On the other side of 45 feet, the non-habitable area works out to 5 feet on either side and we have 35 feet of Vastu compatible land for construction.

The Ayadi table given in the end of the article is worked out equating a hasta to 1.5 feet or 18”. The formulae can be applied to both rooms (inner) and buildings (outer).

Let us now look at the Aya and Rksha (E and F) columns to arrive at the proper length. Aya for 49 feet works out to 9 and Rksha works out to 18 (Jyeshta). If we need a smaller measurement we can accordingly trace a dimension that gives higher figure of Aya and a compatible figure of Rksha.

Divide the 27 constellations into three sets of nine each and count the nakshatra obtained from your nakshatra. The count as per following table indicates the compatibility or otherwise.
  

Table 3

Let us now arrive at the proper breadth dimension by referring to columns G and H. Locate the nearest measurement to 35 and check on its compatible Vyaya and Yoni. The table indicates dimensions 32.5 and 32.25 showing the Yoni as 1 and Vyaya as 5 & 4 respectively.

On similar lines the height of the building can also be identified from the table. Where normal foundation is used, the height from its base can be considered and for pillar foundation, the height from the bottom of its base over which the building is constructed can be considered. The height is with reference to the highest point of the building be it the overhead tank or the skylight of the building. The columns to be referred to are I and J.

The dimensions of length, breadth and height can be worked out for residential and business buildings, layouts, religious buildings, swimming pools and underground and overhead water tanks too.

It would be indeed be a contribution to the people if city developers and builders allot sites to the public with the dimensions worked out on at least three formulae, viz., Aya, Vyaya and Yoni.