Know Your Directions

In Vastu Shastra, eight directions - North, East, West, South, North-East, South-East, South-West and North-West are considered as important. If you are planning to build your house or any other building based on Vastu Shastra, first you should have knowledge of your plot’s direction. Then you should decide in which direction you ought to keep your main gate. You may if necessary, take the help of a compass to know the directions. Always remember that the direction you face while exiting the place is the correct direction of your house or building. 

As the numerals have their apparent influence of human life, similarly influence of the directions is also apparent. Richness or penury of a person can be known from the location of his house. In which direction is his house located? Which direction does the entrance of his house face? How is the interior decoration? These and other related things reveal the economic condition of a person. Similarly, changes that must be made in order to bring prosperity and to prevent imminent danger or crisis can also be known with the help of VASTU SHASTRA. 

As everybody knows, there are four major directions; East, West, North and South. Besides these, four sub-directions are also considered. These are ‘Agneya’ (South-East), ‘Nairitya’ (South-West), ‘Vayavya’ (North-West) and ‘Ishaan’ (North-East). Each of these directions and sub-directions has its own merits and demerits and yields results accordingly. Every direction has a deity or lord that rules it. 

Vedic Vastu Shastra describes the importance of ‘Ashtadhik Balakars’ or Guards of Directions. All these nine Gods are the majority of ‘Devas’ who conquered the ‘Vastu Purusha’ and guarding the peaceful living of human beings. Hindu Vedas are based on these Gods of Nature and quite a lot of scriptures are dedicated to these Gods.   

EAST: 

'Indra' is the ruling deity of the East. He is capable of destroying enemies. He is King of the gods, ruler of the heavens and a great warrior. He is symbol of courage and strength. He can appear in any form as per his wishes. He is also the lord of thunder, rains, and has the wind as his assistant. Increment in wealth, cereals and animal stock can be affected through worshipping Indra. Indra is also the king of the heaven. Elephant ‘Airavat’ is Indra’s vehicle and ‘Vajra’ (Lightning) in his weapon. Indra, ‘Airavat’ the elephant and ‘Samwardhan’ are the watch masters to ensure the existence of ‘Dharma’. The East is also the abode of gods like ‘Aditya ’ (Seeing the world)/ ’Surya’ ( Sun God), Agni, Jayant, Ish, Parjanya, Satya, Bhup and Akash. 

East is also known as a direction of lineage. During the construction of the house, some portion must be left open in the East. It leads to long life for the owner.   

WEST: 

The West is the opposite of the East. No work can progress in the West It is ruled by Lord of Water (Physical)) ‘Varuna’ (Neptune). He is the lord of this direction, which is under the influence of sage Agastya. ‘Varuna’ is the Lord, Anjanam the elephant, Hiraswa Pathan are the guards. Sea is the abode of ‘Varuna’ who is god of the sky, rain , waters and of the celestial ocean. He therefore, has most influence on the water bodies. 

A proper utilization of westerly portion of plot leads to reputation, fame, prosperity and success for the owner. He is concerned with moral and societal affairs. He is god of law and of the underworld. Proper constitution of this direction guarantees the dweller a long and healthy life with all prosperity and continuously enjoys the goodwill of others.   

NORTH:

'Kuber' is the lord of this direction. 'Kuber'is the Lord of Wealth (Finance) and keeper of riches. Sarvabowman, the elephant, Gajamuhan the demon are the guards. Literally, 'Kuber' means the one who controls the imminent events and causes increments. He has inassessible wealth and property. ‘Kuber’ is the king of ‘Yakshas’ and ‘Kinnars’ and is a friend of ‘Rudra’ (Shiva). Kailash is the abode of ‘Kuber’ who has three legs, eight hands and a yellow dot in place of eyes. 

He blesses every individual with good strength, better business sufficient inflow of money, education, industrial growth etc. If this aspect coincides with Vastu ‘lakshana’, the dweller will be pious, blessed by ‘Lakshmi’ (Goddess of Fortune) and he will be respected by others. 

‘Mercury’ is the planet that rules the North. It is more influential in the dark phase of every lunar month. North is a also an abode of the gods like Diti, Aditi, Shail, Naga and Bhallat etc. North is also a place of mother. Leaving some portion open in North leads to prosperity of maternal side as well as provides wealth, comforts, peace etc. for the owner.   

SOUTH:

‘Yama' is the lord of this direction and also known as ‘Yamaraja’, the Lord of Death/ Damage and reports to Lord ‘Shiva’ the Destroyer. South direction weakens human life, hence all the auspicious tasks are prohibited in the South. South is also an abode of the gods like Gandharvas, Mriga, Pusha, Vitath and Kshat. 

In all the South direction yields nothing but mourning, depression and pain. Yama is the Lord, Vamanam, the elephant; Gundothara, the Demon are the guards of this direction. If this direction is properly constituted the dweller, will escape from the envy of others and cast of all evil eyes.   

SOUTH-EAST (‘AGNEYA’):

Direction that lies midway between the East and the South is known as ‘Agneya’ (South-East). ‘Agni’ (Fire, Energy Generating) is the lord of this direction. Pundareegam, the elephant; Unmaththan, the demons are the guards of this direction. He is the preserver and defender of every being. 

Agni also carries the message of people who worship and offer oblations with devotion to God. Worshippers of Agni are economically strong and long living. Agni himself takes care of the people who make offerings into him. Agni also provides them with comfort, peace, prosperity and progeny. An important entity in ‘Ayurveda’, responsible for the sustenance of life. It helps in the various physiological functions of the body. 

While constructing a house, the first pillar must be erected in the South-East direction. Alternatively, kitchen of the house should occupy a place in this direction. This is the foremost and an important rule of Vastu Shastra. 

If this space is well located, ‘Lakshmi’ the Goddess of Fortune favors this house and the women folk who live in are destined to enjoy peaceful and happy life. A warm ‘Agneya’ direction makes a man healthy, whereas a faulty use makes the owner short tempered.   

SOUTH-WEST ('NAIRITYA'):

It lies midway between the South and the West directions. ‘Nairuthi’ or ‘Nairitya’ is the ruling godess of this direction. This is the goddess of death and corruption. ‘Nairuthi’ is the Lord; Kumutham, the elephant and Dheerga Kayan, the Demon are the guards of this space. ‘Pitru’/’Nairutya’, ‘Nairuthi’ is ruled by ancestors (History). 

Literally, ‘Nairitya’ means repeated happening, whether be it the birth of a baby or any other event. It also means that nothing not done at proper time can have a repetition. 

If the house is built in this direction, the home suffers continuous decay. 

South-West portion of the house should never be left open, nor should a pit be dug is this direction. This direction is believed to be an abode of demons and ghosts. To prevent the accumulation of inauspicious and pain causing things, digging of pit in South-West is prohibited. If for some reason, digging is necessary, it should be covered as early as possible or a sapling be planted in its place. The proper placement of this direction assures the dweller to lead to carefree life and provides protection against being robbed.   

NORTH-WEST ('VAYAVYA'):

It lays mid way between the West and the North. ‘Vayu’ (wind) is the lord of this direction. He is the father of ‘Bheema’ and the spiritual father of ‘Lord Hanumana’.Vayu is the Lord, Pushphandham, the elephant; Singamugam, the Demon are the guards. Lord of Winds (Advertisement) is god of the sky, rain, waters and of the celestial ocean besides god of law and of the underworld and concerned with moral and societal affairs. 

Five kinds of ‘Vayu’ i.e. Prana, Upana, Samana, Vyana and Udana are necessary for human life. ‘Hanumana’ and ‘Bheema’ are the representations of ‘Vayu’. It is believed that those who worship ‘Vayu’ in the form of ‘Hanumana’ get their desired results at once. North-West angle is the progenitor of friendship or enmity. Hence, a faulty use of this portion of plot may result in majority of the enemies. 

If you use this angle of your plot wisely and flawlessly, you will have many friends who will undoubtedly benefit you. If this direction is formed as per the rules, the dweller will escape from enmity, chaos and calamity. Peaceful and successful life is generally ensured.  

NORTH-EAST (‘ISHANYA’):

The angle that lies midway between North and the East is known as ‘Ishanya’ (North-East) direction. Lord of all quarters ‘Shiva’ is the lord of this angle, the invisible power that governs the universe. 'Ishanyam' also represents it with Supradeepam, the elephant; Priyamugan the demon as guards. ‘Pashupat’ is the weapon of ‘Shiva’. ‘Nakshatra Ardra’ is the symbol of Lord ‘Shiva’. 

This is the invisible power that governs the universe and represents prosperity and knowledge. It is related with religions, luck and faith. Worshipping of ruling God of this direction yields many virtues in the life of the worshipper. 

Portion of the house in this direction must be kept holy for it yields many kinds of divine powers to the owner. Proper utilization of this portion of house provides wealth, reputation, property and every kind of excellence for the owner and the dweller will not face any hurdle or obstacle and destined to lead a happy life. A faulty utilization of this angle, however, may block successful continuation of progeny.

     

CENTER (‘BRAHMASTHAN’) 

Center is ruled by Lord/Creator of the Universe (Desire) the ‘BRAHMA’. He is the creator. The daily alternation of light and dark is attributed to the activity of Brahma. The four Vedas are said to have sprung from his heads.         

Many structures in nature have a silent core of intelligence, and the activity of the structure is arranged around this core. We see this in the structure of galaxies, solar systems, cells, and atoms. This core is called a ‘Brahmasthan’, or place where wholeness resides. As in the structures of ‘Nature’, there should also be a ‘Brahmasthan’ in a Vastu building. 

‘Brahmasthan’ should never be depressed. Heavy objects, wells, lifts, stairs and restrooms/toilets are totally prohibited in the ‘Brahmasthan’. If it is depressed it may lead to health problems for the house owner and affect the prosperity.