What’s this Vastu di?

In a recent talk show telecast by a popular Tamil Channel, the topic for discussion was Vastu.

Though the dictionary meaning of the Sanskrit word Vastu means a house, it is synonymously used with Vastu Sastra or the science of architecture and is generally associated with wellbeing and prosperity.

The anchor of the said show started the programme by saying that though Vastu is an ancient science or art form, its revival is recent.  May be that is true to the non-Telugus.  In all Telugu homes including the Telugu Diaspora, it is one of the most favourite topics of discussion after films, pickles and politics of Andhra.  Telugus in general know the basic principles of Vastu Sastra like the back of their hands.  The first question a Telugu speaking person asks when he/she is visiting a friend or a relative’s house is “Toorpu etu? (Meaning - which is east?) And from there, starts the process of checking Vastu compliance. 

Though we Indians have accepted science and technology with an open mind, simultaneously we take pride in clinging on to certain primitive traditions and associate superstitious beliefs to them.

I have neither read any books nor had discussion with any scholars on this subject, so my perception is completely based on hearsay.  I feel that in ancient times when people depended more on nature for light, air and water, certain pattern was followed for optimum utilization of natural elements like the main door of the house to face east to get adequate sunlight and a door always to face another door or window to facilitate cross ventilation and to avoid friction, uniformity or discipline was advocated.  For example all wells were always sunk in the north-eastern corners to avoid water turning brackish and kitchens set up in the south-eastern corners to reduce concentration of heat and smoke.  I don’t think it is anything beyond this, though over a period of time, Vastu got associated with religious and superstitious beliefs and now evolved into an industry and whenever a person faces a financial or health related problem, he/she is advised to check Vastu compliance of the residence.  Those who start believing in Vastu, make structural changes to their houses very often.  If they cannot afford it, they would swap the rooms; for example cook in the living room or sleep in the kitchen.  Childless couples are always advised to shift their beds to another room or the positioning of the bed to be blessed with children.  Visiting fertility clinics is also secondary.

One area of controversy is the bathroom.  No two Vastu experts’ opinion on this area would be the same.  The reason could be because the concept of bathroom and toilet is very new to Indian homes.  Till a century ago, every source of water (well, spring, stream, lake, river, falls, canal and sea) was a bathing site and any open field was a toilet.  The scene is still the same in rural India.  When a family faces a crisis, the bathroom is the first to be blamed. 

My father, who grew up in A.P. built our house adhering mostly to the Vastu rules.  He is a little superstitious about this and gets upset if we don’t allow him to do things his way.  My mother, who is otherwise a rationalist, has never objected to his obsession with Vastu.  The result, every room appears more like a verandah with several doors and windows leaving very little room for walls and storage.  Though lack of privacy is a great disadvantage, because of cross-ventilation, there is ample natural light and circulation of air.  I am so much used to the brightness and fresh air, anywhere else, I feel claustrophobic.   

When we built an overhead tank for water storage on the south-west corner (as per the Vastu) far away from the well,  some of our neighbours who already had their water tanks, either rebuilt them or built an extra water tank in the south-west corner, as they felt that my father would not do anything without a purpose.  There are still houses with two water tanks in our colony.  A neighbour, who was also a film producer, modified his house before every film’s release, as he believed that there was a correlation between the structure and success. 

Once I visited a friend in their newly built home and soon after I settled in the sofa, her mother asked me if the Vastu of their house was okay.  I was still in college and I don’t know why she felt I had knowledge of Vastu.  (I agree, my appearance was/is very deceptive and confusing) Not willing to expose my lack of knowledge or belief in the system, I spontaneously asked her “Toorpu etu?” (Which is east?)  After she replied, I scanned the whole house (just the way, most of the visitors to our house did) and requested her to take me to their kitchen.  She led me there and after looking at the stove and idols placed in opposite corners of their kitchen, I said “perfect.  I think Uncle has consulted an expert before going ahead”.  She was very pleased and convinced that the Vastu of their house and her judgment about me were right.

While the old school of Vastu speaks only of design, the scope is now widened to colours, plants, furniture and fixtures. I don’t know why the mention of Chinese Vastu, which is now the rage, reminds me of “vegetarian omelet”!