Why buy vastu-worry?

Rangaraj Kumaramangalam had apparently just done vastu shanti before his tragic death. And how many people scrimp and save to buy a co-op ...

Rangaraj Kumaramangalam had apparently just done vastu shanti before his tragic death. And how many people scrimp and save to buy a co-op society flat/plot, but feel devastated by a `bad vastu’ allotment? Do let’s remember that those clever, purposeful men who made the rules back then were immensely practical people, whose biggest buzz was survival! In fact, Vastu shastra means the science of living.

Vastu shastra goes back to Vedic times, when that civilisation was pushing out across the subcontinent. To help them get their new settlements right, a few very sincere and intelligent priests were handpicked to learn Vastu shastra — an elite corps of architect-engineers who were also presumed to have a hotline to heaven through the good vibrations of mantras. They were not supposed to sell their knowledge. Instead, it was a terrific honour to be a vastu shastri, because it meant they had both the brains and the character to serve the community.

Over time, the fundamental sense of vastu got obscured by notions of good and bad luck. But these devices were employed to frighten the public into following beneficial `rules’ at a time when only priests, kings (and courtesans!) had the right to be educated. If the shastris who invented vastu came by on a time-trip now, they’d be terribly upset at how we, an educated generation, haven’t understood them. And I’m sure they’d have modified the rules to suit our busy, crowded times, because their idea was to create an environment that enabled healthy, happy lives.

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Their vastu fundas are based on the pancha bhuta, the five elements of Fire, Water, Space, Earth and Air. Vastu deals with their proper balance in the location and construction of a building. The north-east is allotted to water, south-east for fire, south-west for living quarters (earth) and north-west for storage of valuables/guest room/godown (air). Ever wondered why? Having the well in the north-east ensured that the morning sun kept the water from getting stagnant. The kitchen fire was placed near the water, for speedy supply/dousing. The corner furthest from the entrance and right next to the kitchen area was living quarters. And diagonally furthest from the fire but in a short, direct line from the door was the godown/guest room. The central space was kept clear, for air, light, outdoor sleep and gatherings — plus clear access to the door in an emergency.

Or take `sher-mukha’ plots, said to "swallow fortune". In traditional terms they meant less living space at the back (and so, more family fights). Or, "It’s good luck for the men in the family, to have a vepa (neem) tree outside the compound wall." Now, who hung about there except the menfolk, and got to breathe the vepa’s medicinal air?

Look, I’m not debunking vastu. It Ã²f40Ã³is based on life-enhancing principles. But, in our vastu-imperfect world, do let’s demystify and update it. Let’s not be greedy for maximum built-up area. Let’s ensure air, light and greenery in our living spaces. Build corrective skylights and windows. Paint walls in cheerful shades. Avoid ugly pictures or poky plants. Cook one dish less, but be affectionate and interested in each other: as the Bible says, "Better a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith" (15:17). As for the south being "Yama’s direction", I ask you, which are the `smart’ areas in Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai? So, why should we be spooked?

The biggest lifestyle lesson from Indian tradition is minimalism. Less clutter, more empty space to move and breathe in, no more collectibles than can be dusted daily. The oldies had a point when they declared that cleanliness was next to godliness. But they often forgot to smile in the stern doing of duty. If we can manage both, those ancestral topknots (antennae to heaven?) would assuredly quiver with satisfaction!