Vastu Science:
Historical Relevance & Contemporary Architecture

By Ar. Mayank Barjatya

It started with me 12 years back in the month of August 1998 after my architecture studies and during my architecture practice; I got a chance to visit Paris. Paris has been in my dream since childhood. 15 days in and around Paris gave me an insight of modern and historical architecture, Dr. Rene of Acmos during his presentation detailed the existence of energies which made me conscious about exploring the relevance of energies in architecture.

The process of research and development of a new subject needs time and patience. The commercial rate race and architectural practice made it difficult for me to stay focused on the research and this still remains incomplete.

8th March 2010, I received an email from a student from CEPT- Ahmedabad Architecture College doing a thesis on Energy and Human Habitat. Her synopsis got me intrigued and co-incidentally she covers the same points which I had started 12 years ago.

She curiously asked me:

What is the relevance of Vastu Shastra and its application in architecture and design today, focusing on the balance of energy in the habitat?

How can we understand what is the effect of energy efficient buildings or vastu buildings?

How can we answer if there is a question on the

authenticity of application of the principles in the shastras to the western world?

Is this way of balancing out energy specific to the Indian context or can be universal?

Combodia's Angkor temple has been always in my top list of fascinations. I would like to give you few details of this monument right at the start of this research.

There are still few technical details hidden on which Angkor has be designed, but we have enough to prove that apart from the material and ornamental features Angkor architects have also utilized something else, which cannot be defined but only can be felt.

In 1976, University of Michigan researchers announced the results of a scientific study which suggested that the architect of ancient Cambodia's Angkor Wat had encoded calendrical, historical and cosmological themes into his architectural plan for the temple. Published in the journal Science, the study also demonstrated how Angkor Wat's architect had established solar alignments between the temple and a nearby mountaintop shrine that took place during the summer solstice.
"Astronomically, it (Angkor Wat) has built-in positions of lunar and solar observation. The sun itself was so important to the builders of the temple that solar movement regulates the position of the bas-reliefs. It is not surprising that Angkor Wat integrates astronomy, the calendar, and religion since the priest-architects who constructed the temple conceived of all three as a unity. To the ancient Khmers, astronomy was known as the sacred science."

Relax

Relaxation takes more than desire; it takes will, knowledge and practice. Here is a list of things you can do to help you unwind and relax:

Breathe Correctly
Most people breathe incorrectly. Breathing is the single most important life sustaining activity we perform, and for the most part, people are completely unaware of how they breathe. Most people breathe from their chest so that when they inhale their chest goes up and when they exhale the chest goes down. This limits the amount of oxygen that can enter your body to the upper part of the lungs. The correct way to breathe is from the diaphragm, the lowest muscle in your lungs. When you breathe from your diaphragm your stomach expands outward when you inhale and it contacts inward when you exhale. At no point is the chest involved in the process. Stress and anxiety automatically tighten up the chest and causes people to breath with their chests.

Focus Your Mind
Sometimes when the world sends us spinning, we want to do nothing more than drop into an easy chair and stare into space. But this approach often gives the brain free reign to continue its obsessive and agitated thinking. Instead, try focusing your mind in a constructive and engaging way. Try counting back from 999 in multiples of 4 while focusing on your breath. If this is too hard, try simply focusing on your breath while slowly counting the exhales. Meditation is essentially about focusing the mind