Vaastu Shastra, also spelled as Vastu Shastra (Vaastu- physical environment and Shastra- knowledge. The 't' in both the words is dental) is one of the traditional Hindu canons of town planning and architecture. These canons are codified in texts such as Manasara Silpa Shastra (by Manasara), Mayamatam (by Maya), Viswakarma Vaastushastra (by Viswakarma), Samarangana Sutradara (by Raja Bhoja), Aparajita Priccha (a dialogue betwee Viswakarma and his son Aparajita, written by Bhuvanadevacharya) and Silparatna. Vaastu Shastra deals with various aspects of designing and building living environments that are in harmony with the physical and metaphysical forces/ energies of the cosmos such as the gravitational, electromagnetic and supernatural. Building practices based on limited interpretations of these principles are still sustained in specific areas of India.

Components of Vaastu Shastra

All places of dwelling are termed Vastu however the actual physical manifestation of the dwelling is called Vaastu. There are four categories of Vaastu-

• The earth/ site- Bhoomi, the principal dwelling place on which everything else rests
• The structures on the earth - Prasada
• Furniture- Sayana

As these categories suggest, the principles of Vaastu Shastra extend from the macro level to the micro level- site selection, site planning and orientation, zoning and disposition of rooms, proportional relationships between the various parts of buildings and the character of buildings.

Basics of Vastu: The five elements

Vaastu is the science of direction that combines all the five elements of nature and balances them with the man and the material. Vaastu Shastra is creating a congenial settings or a place to live or work, in most scientific way taking advantages of the benefits bestowed by the five elements called “Paancha Maha Bhootas” of the nature thereby paving the way for enhanced health, wealth, prosperity and happiness in an enlightened environment.

The world comprises of five basic elements, also known as the Paanchbhootas. They are Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Space. Out of the nine planets, our planet has life because of the presence of these five elements.

EARTH (Bhumi):- Earth, the third planet in order from the sun, is a big magnet with North and South poles as centers of attractions. Its magnetic field and gravitational force has telling effects on everything on the Earth, living and non-living.

WATER (Jal) :- This is represented by rain ,river ,sea and is in the form of liquid , solid(ice) and gas (steam , cloud ) . It forms part of every plant and animal. Our blood is nothing but water with haemoglobin and oxygen.

AIR (Vayu):- As a life supporting element, air is very powerful life source. Human physical comfort values are directly and sensitively dependent on correct humidity, air flow, temperature of air, air pressure, air composition and its content.

FIRE (Agni):- It represents light and heat without which the life will extinct. All the days and nights, seasons, energy, enthusiasm, passion, vigour is because of light and heat only.

SPACE (Aakash):- It is the shelter provider to all the above elements.

There is an invisible and constant relation between all the five elements. Thus, the man can improve his conditions by properly designing his buildings by understanding the effectiveness of these five natural forces.

How colors influence Vastu / Vaastu Shastra?

Colors are most powerful in influencing the human mind and body. It is also the least expensive, easiest and quickest to use, to change and to create a decorating scheme. In Vedic periods, all colors were taken out from vegetables and flowers, which were more permanent in shade, soothing to eye and natural tint. During early period Heart, which was the seat of life and the blood was identified with life and consciousness and was colored red. Yellows were possibly the color of fire and white that of the day. Vaastu Shastra provides vital guidelines as to how to decorate our homes etc. in decent manner to derive maximum delight with dignity and décor.

According to some Vaastukars, the color schemes should conform to the raashi (constellation / zodiac sign) of the owner to bring good luck and happiness

Some scholars suggest different color to the direction the building faces. They are really the colors of the planets governing these directions.

Color contrast in value is perhaps the most important factor in a composition or a design. Maximum contrast is obtained by the use of colors of extremely strong chromes. A strong yellow on a black field is an excellent example of maximum visibility. A bright strong yellowish red would be considered as a powerful color. The color of an object depends upon the light it emits or sends back to an eye.

A particular color can activate or can control human glands by different bodily functions. Such as for good appetizer or to give excitement for the low blood pressure patient, a light limited soothing color atmosphere is recommended. Similarly Blue color is to stop overeating habits. For a high blood pressure patient, a light limited soothing color atmosphere is recommended. For quicker healing, green color is used in hospitals. For a good healthy, tasty food, golden yellow or tinted brown color is recommended.

Colors affect our body and mind very much. The purest and most thoughtful minds are those, which love, colors the most. The cool colors are blue sea or mainly blue in cast. The warm colors are red or mainly blue in cast. The warm colors are red and yellow in cast. Red makes you feel gay while man can work best when surrounded by blue, but too strong blue or red cause depression. People often feel cold in blue room and warm in a red room. It is the color that makes them feel that way. Some more are given below:

• Shades and hues of red can be used when a person is suffering from blood ailments, anemia, bodily weakness, colds, circulatory deficiencies, paralysis, baldness etc.
• Orange is said to stimulate the nervous system and increase your appetite. It energizes the digestive system and stimulates desire for food and is good for chronic asthma, phlegmatic fevers, inflammation of kidneys, epilepsy, cholera etc.
• Pink, which can be considered as a hue of red, is an appetite suppressant, relaxes muscles, relieves tension and soothes and calms frayed tempers!
• Shades and hues of blue can be used for throat troubles, laryngitis, goiter, typhoid and other fevers, jaundice, sore throat, small pox and related ailments, hysteria, insomnia or sleeplessness, lowering blood pressure, itches, painful menstruation, underweight problems etc.
• Green is good for alleviating problems related to heart, ulcers, headaches, flu, blood pressure, is soothing, relaxing mentally as well as physically, helps those suffering from depression, anxiety, nervousness etc.
• Yellow light alleviates muscle cramps, gallstones, stomach problems, digestive disorders, constipation, stress and nervous disorders, relieves depression, improves memory, stimulates appetite etc.
• Indigo (dark blue) is recommended for eyetroubles, facial paralysis, lung disorders, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, ear and nose complaints, deafness, infantile convulsions etc.
• Violet and its hues are good for ailments related to mind, diseases of the scalp, rheumatic and similar pains, and kidney and bladder weaknesses, suppresses appetite, provides a peacefulenvironment, good for migraines etc

OUR HOUSE - INTERIOR COLOUR SCHEME
A general idea of appropriate colours has been given here to help enhance the specific room's atmosphere and use.

BEDROOM - Pink is best for the master bedroom. Pink is also an auspicious colour. Light green and light blue are also fine for bedrooms, as they are colour of hope and cultivation.
Plain white sheets or white sheets with flowers or colorful designs are fine. Pink or red sheets and blankets are used by those who want to get married as well as by newlyweds desirous of ensuring marital bliss. Yellow is fine for the elderly. For young children, education is important and therefore, green colour. Black is fine for furniture to encourage deep thoughts.

LIVING ROOM - The living room should be full of May colours, shades, and patterns. As the place to entertain guests, the living room should be full of pleasant visual stimuli to keep the atmosphere and conversations lively and diverse. The best co ours are yellow, beige or tan, or green or blue.

  MEDITATION ROOM - If there is a meditation room, an austere setting is best: solid, calm, subdued colours, with no patterns. Subtle and deep shades of blue, green, yellow, or red will encourage deep concentration and thoughts.

LIBRARY - The best colour, however, depends on the type of books that the residents like to read. If they prefer serious books, brown is an appropriate shade. For less serious readers, pale blue, light green or pink are good.

DINING ROOM - Dining rooms, where the family eats and entertains, should be appetizingly colourful. Pinks, greens, and blues are best. Avoid black or white or a mixture of black and white. These colours are less conducive to enjoying eating.

KITCHEN - In a kitchen, white is the best colour, it show off the colours of food, as if it were a blank canvas upon which the cook creates a meal of red tomatoes, green peppers, yellow squash. Besides it is also the colour of purity and cleanliness.

BATH ROOM - It can be white or a mix of black and white or gray. Pink and other pastel colours are also good.

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