What it does
Lets the building itself admit positive energy and keep out negative energy, steadying the mood and health of the occupants.
Where
Morning-sun side open and light; the side struck by the sun after about 2 pm heavy and closed
Cautions
Explanation and notes
One definition of Vastu is a structure in which the building controls the mind and emotions: walls facing incoming negative energy are made massive and walls facing positive energy are made thin. Taking in the rising sun's energy causes biochemical changes in the body; these change the breath, the breath changes the mind, and the mind shapes actions, success, failure and health. A morning walk lets the positive rays enter the body. The angle at which the sun strikes a house in summer, the rainy season and winter is studied so the maximum benefit can be taken without demolition.
The word Vastu comes from the Sanskrit vas, the land of residence, so the condition of the land is judged before any direction. Land energy decides about 70 percent of the result.
Vastu is defined in complementary ways: the land of residence, the architectural art of coordinating nature and human, orientation according to the sun, the free movement of air, a structure that controls the mind, the management of universal energy and the balance of the five elements.
Energy rising from the land (geopathic) meets energy from the planets and stars (cosmic) and forms a third energy that can turn intense or toxic when mixed with household activity, so it must be able to leave the house. Every room therefore needs ventilation.
Sun rays are described as miracle rays that carry silver, gold, iron, mercury, lead and other minerals as well as vitamin D and vitamin B12, each at a particular time around sunrise. No electric light can supply these.
Griha arambh (start of construction), griha pravesh, factory opening and other auspicious (mangalik) events are held in daytime, because work begun with the sun's energy goes well. After sunset creation is considered asleep.
The sun's movement from East to West creates a magnetic effect with North and South poles. A plot, building, room or hall whose North-South axis is longer (chandra-bhedi) holds the strongest magnetic field, giving attraction and concentration; one whose East-West axis is longer is called surya-bhedi.
When a plot's North-South axis is short, the magnetic field is increased by planning every room long in the North-South direction or, failing that, by placing heavy magnets and hematite mineral on the North-South axis.
Facing North uses the earth's magnetic field for attraction and focus: in business the owner faces North to draw customers, cash drawers and the tijori face North, and tratak or hypnotism is practised facing North.