Compound Wall and Gate

The compound wall should be built before the house is constructed. The compound wall should not be higher than the house, and construction of it should begin on the southwest side. The walls on the north and east sides should be shorter than on the west and south sides. Do not set the gate on the south side. It is best that there are two gates to the compound, so evil things entering one gate will exit from the other.

Obstructions in front of the main gate:
Several types of obstructions before the main gate must be avoided as they give rise to the following problems according to Brahusanhita & Vasturaja Vallabha.

Big Tree - obstruction to the progress of children,
Gutter or Ditch - grief, Open well - mental problem,
Corner of another building - mental unrest,
Water drain - draining of income by unwanted expenses,
Straight street - affecting longivity of inmates,
Dilapitated house or walls - affecting prosperity,
Staircase railings - sadness,
Pillars; Electric and telephone post - affecting females.

These are called Vedha Doshas. But in between the plot and obstacles if there is a public road, these deficiencies are nullified. Similarly, if the distance between the obstacles and the house is two times the height of the house, these deficiencies will have no effect. For example, if the height of the house is 11 feet and if the obstructions are more than 22 feet away, Vedh Dosha does not occur.

Well Water Sump or Pond

It is advised that the first construction project for the new house is to dig the well. If water is used from this well for the construction, it is auspicious for the family who will live in the house.
It is best that the well or water source is on the north or northeast side of the land, or if water comes from the municipality, it should enter from the northeast side. If you draw a line from the southwest corner to the northeast corner, the well should be to the right or left of the line, not on it.











































The well can also be in the north or east sides of the property. The well should not be in the northwest or southeast corners, as this is inauspicious. It is especially inauspicious if the well is dug in the southwest corner. It is also inauspicious to have a well in the middle of a house.


Wells should be round. The radius of well can be taken as the owners head circumference.

Ideally, the well water should be exposed to sunlight for five hours a day. It is not recommended to share wells between two properties.

Septic Tank location is also very important. It is best have in South, West or South west. There should be a enough gap between the well and the septic tank.

The well should be dug after puja (worship) has been performed on the land at an astrologically auspicious time. This will insure that the water will be pure.

Size of the House

Vastu is not only about directions. Vastu is also about dimensions and measurements. When a new site is planned elaborate calculations are done to rectify the plot size to yield harmonious energy, and building dimensions are worked out, size of various rooms, passages, staircase steps, floor heights, size of doors and windows, alter, in short, the size of each component is calculated as per Vastu principles. This elaborate exercise ensures that there is a rhythm in the building design, and an element of concordancial vibration.

WHAT DOES THE VASTU SHASTRA PRINCIPLE, AAYADI MEAN?

Though the science of Vastu follows generic rules for the design of spaces, a specific set of eleven formulae called Aayadi are used to work out the Length, Breadth, perimeter, area and the height of the building. Here, the length and breadth mean the outer measurements of the foundation seen above the ground. The height of the building is considered to be from the bottom of the base to the topmost point of the building. Like the other Vaastu principles, it was necessary that one follows the Aayadi formulae strictly in order to experience positive effects within the building. In fact even today, Aayadi is the only aspect of Vaastu Shastra that is followed in many parts.

Most important, the dimensions have been determined by aligning the home with its following principles of VASTU

1) Aya = Income, is the remainder of Building Area x 8 divided by 12

2) Veya = Expenses, is the remainder of Building Area x 9 divided by 10

3) Yoni = Door Location, is the remainder of Building Area x 3 divided by 8

4) Nakatha = Nakshatra, is the remainder of Building Area x 8 divided by 27

5) Dina, Vara = Day, is the remainder of Building Area x 9 divided by 7

6) Ansaka , is the remainder of Building Area x 4 divided by 9

7) Rasi = Lagna, is the remainder of Building Area x 5 divided by 12

8) Thiti, is the remainder of Building Area x 9 divided by 30

9) Vansha = Caste, is the remainder of Building Area x 3 divided by 4

10) Devatha, is the remainder of Building Area x 5 divided by 3

11) Ayusha = Age, is the remainder of Building Area x 27 divided by 100

These principles of the house creates a vibration, or "frequency," that is conducive for SOULFUL VASTU Living. All above is calculating according to the owners Hand Length and Birth date/ time.

System of Measurement

System of Measurement is base on the owners hand lengths. That is called as hastha parimana. And finally convert to any desired units. The angula nad hasta are the main units of measurement.


The unit of measurement used is generally the Hasta that equals 24 angulas. The hasta conversion is done diversely in different regions. 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.




However the angula is defined as the middle phalanx of the middle finger by Visvakarma and the yava measurement (8 grains placed side by side) works out roughly to 1 inch.

Visvakarma prescribe three different values for one Angula. It gives measurements of an Angula equal to 6 or 7 or 8 Yava. This variation is due to variation of peoples heights in different regions.


Peoples of some country called inch as a "Angala" in their language, still now.

When we using the Aayadi formulae for fixing the dimensions of a building, the risk of creating disproportionate spaces was eliminated. The Nakshathra formula should match with the birth Nakshathra of the owner. If possible it is better to match with all family members who wish to live in the house.

Manasara mentions the following:

1 paramanu = 1 atom
8 paramanu = 1 ratha dhooli (molecule)
8 ratha Dhooli = 1 vaalagna (hair end)
8 valagna = 1 liksha (nit or egg of a louse)
8 liksha = 1 yooka (louse)
8 yooka = 1 yava (seed grain, barley grain)
8 yava = 1 angula = inch

12 angula, inch = 1 vitasti, feet
2 vitasti, feet = 1 hasta = 24 inches
24 angula = 1 hasta
4 hasta = 1 danda = 1 yasti = 1 dunu
8 danda = 1 rajju = 24x4x8 angula or 64 feet

10 hasta = 1 vansha
20 vansha = 1 nivarthana , 30 vansha = 1 nivarthana

2000 danda = 1 krosha
4 krosha = 1 yodun (something like killometer)


Various measuring units used in Vastu designs.

• One school of thought equates a hasta to 30, 31, 32, 33 inch and an angula to around 1-3/8th inch. Here, the hasta is measured from the shoulder to the tip of the middle finger. There is a another alternative method to calculate this. Take following three measurements and accumulate these three.

1. length of the arm from the bottom of the elbow to the tip of the middle finger (approximately 17, 18, 19, 20 inch).
2. Length of between thumb to smalest finger and it is called Viyatha (approximately 7, 8, 9, 10 inch)
3. Four times of the length of the middle finger middle portion (approximately 1 inch)

• Another school of thought 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.

• A third school of thought eq uates a hasta to 24 inches and an angula to 1 inch. Here, the hasta is measured accumulated length of the upper and lower arm borns length.

Further research on the definition or usage of the Hasta measurement is needed to specifically determine whether 18 inches, 24 inch, 31 inch. This scribe generally uses the 24-inch Hasta.

Talamdna is the sculptural measurement. Here the length of the face from the top of the head is the unit. This length can also be taken as the distance between the tip of the middle finger and the top of the thumb of a fully stretched palm.

Method of measuring Hand length and Angula.

angula is defined as the middle phalanx of the middle finger and also defined as the end phalanx of the middle finger (some places). This is very easy to find out. This is around 1 inch (1 Angala). Please refer attached image to get an idea of measuring it by Vernier Caliper. The positioning is incorrect. That should be positioned to green line as indicated.

This angula measurement cannot use for work. You should calculate it by Vitasti measurement. You should take the measurement of ASTI = VITHASTHI (arm of hand). As in attached four figures. This should be 12 time of your Angula. You can back calculate angula by dividing it by 12. Then you can cross check the both.  Then you can get the hand length by multiply this Vithasti by two.

Please remember all this should be done with your right hand.

Normally, Angula measurement seams to be wrong because it is very difficult to identify the correct start and end points of the middle phalanx. There are two lines in the middle of the finger. Correct line is closer side. Please refer the picture above with the vernier caliper. It indicate the incorrect measurement. Really it could be almost 2.5 cm (around 1 inch). But, You cannot touch and find this correctly. This is just a approximation. This could be wrong. So we should not depend on this Angula measurement.



The arm borne length is most probably correct. Because you can touch bone start point and end point correctly. Please refer above last skeleton picture for clear idea of end point. So, you should depend on the Vithasthi Measurement. Anyone can be easily get the correct value of the Vitasthi. Then back calculate the angula by dividing it by 12.

If any one is an average man, you are getting correct hand length of 24 inch. Inch have been design for an average man thousand years earlier in Vedas time.

0 Introduction to Vastu

Vastu Shastra is the science of architecture but also is all about the science of Cosmology, Astronomy, Metaphysics, Geography and Geology. It was found nearly thousand years ago that the results of sunlight and energy and stabilizing all the nature's five elements in such a way to get the maximum advantage out of it.

It evolved around 4,500 years ago and is considered a super science. Vastu Shastra is also an environmental science talking all about the flow of energy in the premises that allows the in and out flow of air and sunlight that’s directly related to health, financial gains, mental peace and joy and happiness in the premise.

The great Brihat Samhita of Varamihira also talks in the text about Vastu Sastra. It says: “I will now explain for the happiness of the astronomers and astrologers the science of architecture that has come down from Brahma through a steady line of intellectuals.”

Home is our abode of love where we expect to enjoy the fruits of our labor. We expect to enjoy our peace & happiness, progress & prosperity, health & wealth and faith & spiritual development from our home. If its surroundings and construction are poor and the atmosphere eerie, we can neither be happy nor healthy.

Hence, to ensure that the house is built properly, in modern times we take the help of the professionals who can build a good house with a solid foundation, strong walls, a proper structural balance with the right weight and pressure distribution, proper plumbing, electricity, air light etc. This branch of modern knowledge is called architecture, or civil engineering.

The ancient knew not only the above, but quite a few other things beyond. Hence their house building principles included: the North-South flow of magnetic forces: the East-West earth motion and Solar energy forces: and with Divine Spiritual Perception, they also knew the various Deities who rule the different sections of the house and based on the Nature of the Deities, what type of room/ function is ideal in that part of the house. This branch of ancient knowledge is called Vastu Sastra, or Vastu Shilpa sastra, or Vastu Nirmana sastra. It was employed to build not just houses but to plan and build entire towns and cities and temples.

The Vastu principles included: on which side(s) of the plot the road(s) should be, the size & shape of the plot, how far minimum away it should be from the public places, what type of plot/house should be there next to the house, the height-length-breath of the boundary & the rooms and their placement/function, the door & window placement etc. It makes the optimized ideal use of the magnetic, solar & spiritual forces and the five basic elements - Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Space.

Vastu Shastra is an ancient building science which lays down simple guidelines for the construction of buildings and for the lifestyle of people.Vaastu aims to realign the house with cosmic principles. Though it is ancient, its guidelines are still applicable today.

WHAT ARE THE ENERGY FIELDS THAT SURROUND US?

Vastu Shastra takes into account the various natural energies which are available free of cost on the Earth and in the atmosphere like:

Solar Energy from Sun.
Lunar Energy from Moon
Earth Energy
Sky Energy
Electric Energy
Magnetic Energy
Thermal Energy
Wind Energy
Light Energy
Cosmic Energy

According to Vastu Shastra, energy lines run like a large grid across the Earth, from North to South and from East to West. The electromagnetic field thus generated, affects the human body at the cellular level and controls the organs of the human body. It is believed that when a structure is placed on Earth, the equilibrium is affected because the physical structure causes a break in the electomagnetic field. Hence this needs to be restored so that the energy flows harmoniously through the building as well as around it. The goal of Vaastu is to restore balance between the building structure and the cosmos because when buildings echo the underlying cosmic principles, they vibrate in harmony with the universe. These vibrations also affect the inamtes of these buildings in a positive way creating pleasure, peace, prosperity and money etc in our life.

The Scientific Explanation:

Every creature on Earth starts its activities at sunrise and goes to sleep after sunset and therefore, the Sun assumes a lot of importance in Vaastu Shastra. The ultra violet rays in the morning Sunlight are extremely useful for the synthesis of Vitamin D in our bodies and as a germicide and the infra red heat rays are essential for the generation and maintenance of the right amount of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide on Earth. So it is useful to be exposed to Sunlight. However direct exposure is harmful but indirect exposure through the day is worthwhile. So according to Vaastu the layout of a house and the corresponding functions of each room have been prescribed according to the position of the Sun from sunrise through the day to sunset.

The period between 3 A.M. and 6 A.M. early in the morning, just before sunrise is called the Brahma Muhurta and the Sun is in the North-East. Hence this is the right location for a Meditation room/Puja room.
From 6 A.M. to 9 A.M. the Sun is in the East. This is the right time for bathing and so the East is logically the best position for the Bathroom.
The period between 9 A.M. and 12 noon, the sun is in the South-East and this is a good time to prepare and eat food. Hence a Kitchen is best located in the South-east.
Between noon and 3 P.M. the Sun is in the South and since this is the right time for resting, it makes sense to have the Bedrooms in the South.
From 3 P.M. to 6 P.M., the Sun is in the South-West and this is the right time for studying and so the South-West is a good position for a Study.
The evening between 6 P.M. to 9 P.M. is a good time for having dinner. The Sun is in the West at this time, though it may not be visible. Hence the West is a good place for a Dining Room.
The period between 9 P.M at night to 3 A.M. in the morning, the Sun is in the North and this is the right time for rest and sleep.

This explains why the ‘prana’ or life-giving energy, is symbolically believed to enter from the North-East, early in the morning and move around to the East, South-East, North-West, West and finally exit through the South-West at night when everyone falls asleep.

Site Selection

The other most commonly asked question is “Can you provide some guidelines to find a suitable site for building my house?

The natural water flow of the land should be to the East, North and/or North-east. The Samarangana Sutradhara clearly tells us that the land slanting towards the direction presided over by Varuna (West), Yama (South), Marut (North-west), Agni (South-east) and that which is depressed in the brahmasthana (middle) is extremely bad and unfit for living. There are certain sufferings identified due to the downslide. The below table demonstrate the same.

Selection of a Site: The Selection of a Site is very important since the Site represents a fixed form, that will radiate positive as well as negative energies depending on its location, orientation, shape, slope and soil quality. Therefore, these are the 5 important aspects to be considered when selecting a Site.

Selecting a suitable Site: Normally an Vastu Architect is not involved at the time of buying a Site. But as an Vastu Architect myself, I suggest that it is better to involve an Architect early on, at the time of selecting a Site, as his inputs could be very valuable in deciding the right Site. Generally, the points an Architect will keep in mind while selecting a site, will by default be in accordance with Vastu Shastra, since Vastu principles are always based on Common Sense and Logic.

Already own a Site: In case you already own a Site, you can still refer to the Vastu Guidelines for Site Selection, to help you evaluate your Site and if necessary, make corrections to make it suitable.

In the Selection of a Site, the following Vastu Guidelines should be looked into, since these guidelines are based on Scientific reasoning and common sense.

Site Location
Site Orientation
Site Shape
Site Soil
Site Slope

Downslide Suffering from
South-east Fear of fire
South Fear from ill-health, insanity and death
South-west Ailments resulting in chronic disorders
West Loss of peace, wealth and prosperity
North-west Foreign residence, family quarrels and ailments.

Other specials

• Poverty and disintegration is generally observed due to depression or hollowness in the middle.


• Health and wealth is attracted with elevation in the middle and declivity towards the east, north and north-east.


• Happiness and contentment comes with depression in the borders of all the four sides.

We have readings saying that the west facing and south facing houses are inauspicious, but its not the truth. The truth is that all the four facing plots are good and it as per the favourable direction for every individual. What we have to take care is that the house is built according to the Vastu Shastra.





The diagram bellow, known as Vastu Mandala, illustrates how the Vastu Purusha was pinned down by Brahma and the 45 Gods - face down, with his head to the North East and feet towards South West. It is divided in to 9x9 = 81 parts. These Gods rule various aspects of life and have certain inherent qualities. Hence while constructing a building, the purpose/ function of a room must be in tune with the nature of the deity placed and ruling that part. This is illustrated in the next picture. Not many houses are likely to have that many rooms. Hence adjustments can be made by combining several areas. One noteworthy point is that in the olden days the central portion ruled by Brahma was kept open.

Doors and Marmastana

Main doors should be located based on this chart. Each direction has good pada and not every pada is giving good results. Even at the west direction has good pada for a door.

It is always good to have East, North, West and South doors are perpendicular to each other as per the compass needle.

For us to understand, it is very simple. We have to take care that the doors of those buildings which has a 15 degrees twist, the gate and main door in East is now shifted to North-East and that is not favourable. Same goes with those building with South gate gets shifted to South-West. In such situation it is advisable to have gates and door in the North-East in East side plots, North-East in North side plots, South-East in South side plots and the North-West in West side plots.


We have readings saying that the west facing and south facing houses are inauspicious, but its not the truth. The truth is that all the four facing plots are good and it as per the favourable direction for every individual. What we have to take care is that the house is built according to the Vastu Shastra.

For any rooms with the entrance from South West, the door should always be placed in the North-East. The reason behind this is, when someone enters, the waves emerging from the doors affect the mind with the magnetic waves always flow around us.

As far as the size and shape of the door is concern, Vastu advises that width of the door should be half of the height of the door, its good for the commercial buildings. The width of the door should be one third of the height of the door, its good for the house. Not only that, the height of the door should be calculated based on the Width of the house and size of the Hastha (Length of the hand) of the owner of the house.

The main entrance door of the house has lots of importance and hence it is always good to have it made from good quality wood. Its width should always be bigger than other doors of the house to distingue it from other doors. It should be decorated with a design and should be painted. It should look grand compared with the other doors. The main door is the index of the quality of the good vibrations of the house.

Wansha lines (diagonal lines)

When we positioning the other internal doors, it is essential to consider the Marmastana points and Wansha lines (diagonal lines). All doors should be keep away from the Wansha lines. If there is a door on the main marmastana that will creates very bad problem for the users. That will reduce the life span of the users.

Positioning with 15 Pada