Vastu, the ancient science of Indian architecture is very relevant to a home and its happiness. This great science relates to the Vedas, the wisdom books of India. Each sector of a quadrangle (Mandala) is identified with the primary elements of Nature. When these identifications are studied carefully, we can apply them to bring in happiness into the family. Disturbances in a family can broadly relate to peace of mind, behaviour, education, routine family conflicts/confrontations, health, profession and finances.

Peace of Mind

Dear parents, will you try to prevent or minimize the problems arising out of the infantile actions or inaction of other members of the family or would you first give yourselves enough strength to face the onslaught from family members ? ! I would prefer you get enough strength first and then think of trying to solve the problems of the family members. The right and legitimate Vastu place for you in the house is the South-west or if that is not available the South of the house. In this area, you need to spend at least eight hours a day.

In ancient times, our kings would sit on the throne that had a certain placement. When they sat there, the assembly, which consisted of ministers and people, would be able to discuss properly matters of importance and the kings were able to award fair judgements. We just need to adapt to this ancient practice in our day to day lives.

In the room selected for parents, the beds need to go the South-west corners of the room without touching either the Western wall or Southern wall. As I have pointed out earlier, you must sleep with your head to the South. South Polarity is induced in your feet as they are in constant touch with the earth. Consequently, North polarity is induced in the head. When the head is placed to the geographical or magnetic South, the blood circulation is stable and hence, will ensure you better health. As a result, it will help you to examine family issues justly. Once you are able to review matters appropriately, you will be able to take the right decisions.

This way, you will be able to understand the grievances of your family members and communication between you and your siblings are likely to improve. When it does, you have peace of mind !

Behaviour

Good behaviour of family members is one important aspect of family happiness. When each member of the family understands his/her responsibility towards the family, happiness stays intact, but when one rebels without worrying about one’s own responsibility, peace in the family begins to drift away. Such rebelling could be in the form of disturbing behaviour. It could be in the form of verbal aggression on other family members for no rhyme or reason, and can sometimes, be even in the form of physical violence.

If you have to choose the North-west and South-east rooms between your daughter and son, I prefer you give the North-west room to your daughter and the South-east room to your son.

Agneya (South-east) is ruled by Agni or fire which relates to assertiveness and aggressive attitude. Venus rules this sector astrologically and relates to contentment, wife (or husband) and fortune. Venus also is the Karaka for marriage. This sector, therefore, relates to peace of mind (or otherwise) of a couple and consequently, to family happiness. Timid children can make use of this room and hope to come out of their fear and get confident. People who are by nature aggressive (and warlike) can avoid a South-east room.

Vayuvya (North-west) is ruled by Vayu or air, which relates to movement or transit. Astrologically, this sector is ruled by the Moon and consequently, relates to the mind. The Moon also is the Karaka for mother. Taking this as the basis of our understanding, we can safely conclude this sector also relates to peace of mind of one’s mother and naturally, to peace of mind of the family. I would, therefore, say that this sector is not suitable to already disturbed minds. If we have to use the North-west rooms invariably, we need to strengthen the interiors so that the disturbance is minimized, if not removed. This sector may not be appropriate for youngsters in their formative years, especially boys. Newly wed couples can use this room.

Education

Education (or lack of it) is another important aspect if life which invariably adds (or lessens) to the happiness in a family. We see children doing extremely well and parents are delighted about it. We also see children not faring well inspite of their own hard study and the constant coaxing of the parents to study. How can we make them study better ?

Students who have difficulty in studies can study in South-east rooms sitting in the North-east corners of the rooms facing East.  Intelligent students can select a North-east room and study facing East sitting in the central East of the room.

Students are advised to sleep with their heads to the East. They can have their beds in the South-west corners of their rooms. Experiments in medical electricity have brought to light that if a current of electricity is passed from one part of the body to another, it subdues all inflammation in that part of the body where it enters. Now, in lying down with the head placed Eastward, the current of thermal electricity which is constantly passing over the surface of the earth from East to West, passes also through the body from the head to the feet and subdues inflammation. Therefore, there is a clear and healthy head, which, in turn, makes the student study and understand his lessons properly. It is precisely for this reason that sage Markandeya said that a man becomes learned by lying down with his head placed Eastward and is troubled with distressing thoughts by lying down with his head placed Westward.

Routine Conflicts

We also find that normal day to day conflicts among the family members also affect peace of mind of the parents and elders of the family. These disturbances can sometimes be traced to the South-west. Check if there is a water source (water sump or well) in the South-west of the house and if so, close it by filling it up with cement or earth. If you find that the South-west of the house is chopped off, this could also be the reason for the hostility among the family members leading to depression in the elders’ rational thinking.

Care should also be taken to see that no door is either on the South or West of the South-west of the building. A door on the South-west of a building (or room) is likely to create family disturbances.

Health

Health is another important aspect of family happiness. General health can be improved by sleeping with the head placed South. Disturbed minds can make use of central East rooms with their beds to the South-west corners of the room and not touching the walls. My remarks earlier on the importance of health can be studied with advantage in this context.

Profession

Contentment and happiness in your profession is another contributory factor to family happiness. Apart from looking into the placements of your room in your office and the arrangement of furniture in that room, it is necessary that you get used to facing East. The East sector ruled by the Sun is synonymous with health — physical and mental. You will be able to think properly and take fair decisions on anything related to your profession.

Finances

Financial stringency is another factor that contributes to family unhappiness. We find people complaining that the inflow of revenue does not match their hard and sincere effort. We can trace improper flow of money to several factors. The ancient works have invariably recommended a North of North-east water source. We find that temples, which are financially prosperous, have their Pushkarnis or water areas in the North of North-east. If you are planning to go for a well, underground water tank, a bore or even a swimming pool you can locate it in the North of North-east of your site.

It is also said that Lord Kubera rules the North. You can place your assets like jewellery, cash, bank cheque books, property papers and other important documents in a central North room of the house with the almirahs kept in the South-west corners of the room and opening towards the North. This way, the revenue of the family can stabilize.

Vastu Sastra is handed over to us to regulate our lives. These suggested Vastu recommendations can help to lessen problems faced in a family and improve things. We, of course, need to understand that we are always working within a framework set by our previous births. Within this, we can try to achieve the best that is due to us. Once we know that we are working within the limits set by the Creator, we will be able to reasonably achieve family happiness by making use of Vastu rules laid down by ancient masters of Sthapatya Veda.