What it does
Places the kitchen where the energy makes the mind of the cook, and so the food, positive.
Where
South-East zone; cook facing East
When
Sun in the South-East from 9 am to 12 noon
Cautions
Explanation and notes
Women who cook here get good thoughts, which pass into the food; balanced blood circulation balances the mind and brings joy, and the food becomes rich in taste, like nectar (amrit). The sun at a 45-degree angle here gives energy that turns raw into ripe, both raw food and unfinished matters, and makes every dish taste wonderful, so food cooked in the agni kon (South-East) is sweet. The detailed list of what can and cannot be built in each zone, and for whom, comes in interior vastu.
The 81 pad grid, used for any house, factory, business or office, has 32 devtas (the 32 digpal) seated around its outer ring in the pishach bhoomi. One round covers 360 degrees, so each outer pad covers 360 divided by 32, that is 11.25 degrees, and half a pad 5.625 degrees.
Directions fall at every 90 degrees, the corner directions (vidisha) at 45 degrees and the zones at every 22.5 degrees, giving 16 zones. Each corner has three parts with different properties, for example Nairitya splits into dakshini nairitya (SSW), nairitya (SW) and paschimi nairitya (WSW).
Find the centre, draw a reference line, set off the measured tilt to get exact North, then mark 22.5-degree zones starting 11.25 degrees on either side of North, using the Geo Vastu chakra or an ordinary protractor.
After zoning, mark the 32 outer padas of 11.25 degrees each: Soma (N5) is centred on exact North, extending 5.625 degrees on each side, and the remaining padas follow every 11.25 degrees.
For an irregular plot, measure the degree of one wall or axis, draw a line through the centre parallel to that wall, set off the measured tilt to get exact North, and then mark the zones as usual.
On large plots such as villas, kothis and farmhouses, the whole plot inside the boundary wall is zoned for the gate and outbuildings, while the house itself is zoned on its constructed area alone.
The outer pishach bhoomi of a plot is always left open on all sides, and on a North-facing plot the building is placed in the South and West part, leaving open space for energy to enter.
About two hours before sunrise the sun sends ultraviolet rays into the North-East, which bring the greatest alertness to the neurons and glial cells of the brain. This pure energy suits the pure soul, so the North-East is the zone of clarity of mind and the place for worship.