Vaasthu - shasthra another pseudo-science

Happened to read this article in ‘The Hindu’ about the importance of Vasthu concept (see the article - Studying Brick and Mortar Energies) . There is an electrical engineer turned Vasthu and fengu shui (Chinese counter part of Vasthu) expert explaining how and why the modern buildings should be Vasthu complaint. To effectively clear the mind of any doubting Thomases and skeptical idiots he abundantly uses scientific terms like flow of energy, earth-magnetic field and its flow etc. If science is present why should one be in doubt?

According to him in fengu shui, warding off negative energy is the key. It could be achieved by properly positioning the fish tank or placing a laughing Buddha (One need not to be as enlightened as Buddha to laugh at this.). So much for science.

I had a chance to work closely with some vasthu experts in Kerala while working in the traditional architectural division of a well know construction firm, several years ago. The company I worked for used to build structures which demand traditional style architecture, like temples, temple related structures etc. For temples, it is all fine to follow old and traditional building methods as everything is associated with faith and a belief system. But when it comes to houses and ordinary dwelling places it could become a menacing issue. Because most of these guys are there just to make money, they know fear is the best tool for that and go to any extend in scaring people to death in the name of this pseudo science, like death plinth line measurement, wrong darshan, etc. They make you believe if the measurement is slightly off from the allowed one death will result. So when it comes to build a house have to choose between death and a vaasthu consultant (Can you imagine a better business model than this to make money?).

What is Vasthu?

In my view, from what I tried to understand, vaasthu, to an extend, is an ancient form of science. There are measurements and mathematical charts in it to help make durable structures with the construction materials available hundred ( or even thousands) of years ago, namely earth, stone and wood. Estimation of strength and durability of materials are done by common sense and experience. It always tries to make structures in a symmetrical fashion for convenience and stability. It mostly allowed only a few sets of measurements ( may be an attempt to keep things in standard size; length of plinth line is used as a key measurement and all other measurements can be derived from this one using standard factors), and if you deviate from that, you may not be able to use the readymade mathematical tables and end up in wasting materials and probably in failure as well. I believe that is the reason, in olden days, they discouraged people from using unusual measurements and they did it with suppositious believes not by explaining their inability to use those. There is also an underlying urge to live in harmony with nature, as nature is the god which can be merciless on times, you better be on its good side.

The concept of Vaasthu purushan and the projected relation of this techniques with five fundamental elements ( earth, air, fire, water and sky) are just to form a mythical and spiritual connection which might be a prerequisite for any sort of knowledge in Vedic period. And it must be for the effective marketing and to defeat the competitors there are so much superstitions attached to each and every aspect of this old methods.

There is a complete absence of the concept of structural design. In modern construction we use high strength materials like steel, concrete, fiber other synthetic materials. And design allows you to have optimal use of these materials depending on the use and the expected load on the structure.

There is a clear ignorance on the effective utilization of the space as most structures are of the same mold ( like nalu kettu, ettu kettu etc in kerala architecture) Modern architecture revolves around the basic notion that ‘Form follow function’ and that way utilization of the space become at most important. Structural strength of materials and the design, construction capabilities available today help us to mold the structure to from any shape we want.

I know it is meaningless to argue that we have a better science today than that of a hundreds of years ago. But my point here is we don’t have to use those old methods for any clear advantage in our present conditions, except may be for the aesthetic external appearance. But now it is being forced on gullible people, because of the superstitions it carries in abundance not because of any other advantages.