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 Movable objects (vehicles) - Yaana Furniture- Sayana As these categories suggest, the principles of Vaastu Shastra extend from the macro level to the micro level- site selecti ...

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Vaastu Shastra, Vaastu Shastra - Components of Vaastu Shastra, Vaastu Shastra - Vaastu Purusha Mandala, Vaastu Shastra - Mandalas- types and properties, Vaastu Shastra - Mandala in site planning and architecture, Vaastu Shastra - Mandala and site, Vaastu Shastra - Mandala and building, Vaastu Shastra - Aspects of environment and energy, Vaastu Shastra - Other aspects of buildings, Vaastu Shastra - Conclusion

Read more here: » Vaastu Shastra: Encyclopedia II - Vaastu Shastra - Components of Vaastu Shastra

Vaastu Shastra evolved as a compilation of planning principles for a healthy living based on the knowledge base of the time (similar to Western treatises such as Vitruvius') and was not meant to be absolute. Its current popularity stems from its focus on a wholesome approach to space and form. Vastu was earlier used in the design of Hindu homes, but became less prominent in the industrialization period during and following the colonial British Raj. But it is used extensively in temple design, and so survived in the clans of temple designers ...

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Vaastu Shastra, Vaastu Shastra - Components of Vaastu Shastra, Vaastu Shastra - Vaastu Purusha Mandala, Vaastu Shastra - Mandalas- types and properties, Vaastu Shastra - Mandala in site planning and architecture, Vaastu Shastra - Mandala and site, Vaastu Shastra - Mandala and building, Vaastu Shastra - Aspects of environment and energy, Vaastu Shastra - Other aspects of buildings, Vaastu Shastra - Conclusion

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Shrauta Shastra: (Sanskrit) "Texts on the revelation."

1)    Refers to scriptures or teachings that are in agreement with the Vedas.

2)    A specific group of texts of the Kalpa Vedanga, and part of the essential study for Vedic priests. The Shrauta Shastras offer explanation of the yajna rituals.

See: Vedanga.

(See also: Shrauta Shastra, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Ekasloka Shastra (Sanskrit). A work on the Shastras (Scriptures) by Nagarjuna; a mystic work translated into Chinese.

(See also: Ekasloka Shastra, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Shulba Shastra (Shulba Shastras): (Sanskrit) Practical manuals giving the measurements and procedures for constructing the sites of Vedic yajna rites.

A division of the Kalpa Vedanga (Veda limb on rituals), these sutras employ sophisticated geometry and are India's earliest extant mathematical texts. Shulba means "string or cord," denoting the use of string for measuring.

See: Vedanga.

(See also: Shulba Shastra, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Dharma Shastra: (Sanskrit) "Religious law book."

A term referring to all or any of numerous codes of Hindu civil and social law composed by various authors. The best known and most respected are those by Manu and Yajnavalkya, thought to have been composed as early as 600 bce.

The Dharma Shastras, along with the Artha Shastras, are the codes of Hindu law, parallel to the Muslim Sharia, the Jewish Talmud, each of which provides guidelines for kings, ministers, judicial systems and law enforcement agencies. These spiritualparliamentary codes differ from British and American law, which separate religion from politics. (Contemporary British law is influenced by Anglican Christian thought, just as American democracy was, and is, profoundly affected by the philosophy of its non-Christian, Deistic founders.)

The Dharma Shastras also speak of much more, including creation, initiation, the stages of life, daily rites, duties of husband and wife, caste, Vedic study, penances and transmigration. The Dharma Shastras are part of the Smriti literature, included in the Kalpa Vedanga, and are widely available today in many languages.

See: Deism, Manu Dharma Shastras.

(See also: Dharma Shastra, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Meykandar Shastras: Fourteen Tamil works on Saiva Siddhanta written during the 13th and 14th centuries by seven authors - Meykandar, Arulnandi, Uyyavanda Deva I and II, Umapati, Sivajnana Yogin and Manavasagam Kadandar.

See: Saiva Siddhanta, Sivajnanabodham.

(See also: Meykandar Shastras, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Niti Shastras

a collection of social instructions by Chanakya Pandita.

(See also: Niti Shastras, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Mantra Shastra (Sanskrit). Brahmanical writings on the occult science of incantations.

(See also: Mantra Shastra, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

dharma-shastras

The scriptures, supplementary to the Vedas, that teach the proper behavior for civilized human society. Some dharma-shastras are in the form of concise codes (sutras), and others in the form of common verse. Best known of this second group is the Manu-smriti (Manu-samhita).

(See also: dharma-shastras, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

bhakti-shastras

The scriptures, headed by Srimad-Bhagavatam, that teach one to render pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord.

(See also: bhakti-shastras, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Dharma shastras: Scriptures which set forth the rules for society and individuals, including spiritual observances. Manu Smriti is the most authoritative-and the foundation-of all the dharmashastras of India.

(See also: Dharma shastras, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Vaastu Shastra describes various criteria which determine the choice of a site. The most exalted shape for a site is square, however rectangle is also acceptable. It explains about soil examination or Bhu- Pariksha. One particular test involves the digging of a hole and refilling it again with the dug soil. Based on the volume occupied by this soil in the pit, its characteristics are determined. A gnomon is used in determining the orientation, this practice is called Sanku Sthaapanam. ...

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Vaastu Shastra, Vaastu Shastra - Components of Vaastu Shastra, Vaastu Shastra - Vaastu Purusha Mandala, Vaastu Shastra - Mandalas- types and properties, Vaastu Shastra - Mandala in site planning and architecture, Vaastu Shastra - Mandala and site, Vaastu Shastra - Mandala and building, Vaastu Shastra - Aspects of environment and energy, Vaastu Shastra - Other aspects of buildings, Vaastu Shastra - Conclusion

Read more here: » Vaastu Shastra: Encyclopedia II - Vaastu Shastra - Aspects of environment and energy

Vastu Shastra

Vastu Shastra is an ancient science energy flow throughout the house/office/factory that allows inflow of fresh air and natural light that promotes health, wealth, peace and happiness.

The most ancient science of architecture that goes back to the Vedic ages, it is composed of specific rules and regulations, set down by sages of those times, that an architect / builder / owner was expected to religiously follow to avoid coming under negative or evil influences. Today, it is looked upon as a highly evolved, comprehensive building philosophy in which directions and shapes are the most vital aspects of designing.

Right from the selection of site to correct slope of land down to the shape of the building, this oldest form of architecture covers nearly every aspect of construction. Not only for houses but temples, palaces, forts, offices...just about every possible form of construction. Often providing relief if not cures to physical or emotional problems simply by relocating an entrance, window or room.

Some of the important points made therein are:

• Directional Alignment
• Shape Of The Site
• Slope Of The Land Surface
• Impact of Gates At Various Locations
• Brahmasthan (Central Zone of the Building)
• The Staircase
• Inner Planning of a House
• Inner Planning of an Office
• Internal Planning of any Industrial Building

See also: Vastu Shastra)

(See also: Vastu Shastra) , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Shastra Dictionary

Baudhayana Dharma Shastra: (Sanskrit) A book of laws associated with the Krishna Yajur Veda and governing studentship, marriage, household rituals, civil law, etc. It is followed by brahmins of Southwest India. See: Dharma Shastra, Kalpa Vedanga.

(See also: Baudhayana Dharma Shastra, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

The Natya Shastra was written by the sage Bharata or Bharatamuni who was directly inspired by the god Brahma, according to legend. It is believed to have been written during the period between 200 BCE and 200 CE. Some scholars believe it was written by various authors at different times. The text is written in the Sanskrit language, and consists of 6,000 sutras, or verse stanzas, incorporated in 36 chapters. There are ...

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Natya Shastra, Natya Shastra - Text and title, Natya Shastra - Theory

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Shastra or S’astra (Sanskrit). A treatise or book; any work of divine or accepted authority, including law books. A Shastri means to this day, in India, a man learned in divine and human law.

(See also: Shastra, S’astra, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Chikitsa Vidya Shastra (Sanskrit). A treatise on occult medicine, which contains a number of

" magic " prescriptions. It is one of the Pancha Vidya Shastras or Scriptures.

(See also: Chikitsa Vidya Shastra, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

The mandala being a metaphysical plan is put to use in site planning and architecture through a process called the Pada Vinyasa. Pada Vinyasa is a method whereby any site can be divided into uniform grids/modules or padas. Depending on the position of the Gods occupying the various modules, the zoning of the site and disposition of functions in a building are arrived at. Mandalas have certain points known as marmas which are vital and vulnerable energy spots on which nothing should be built. They are determined by certain proportional relationships of the squares and th ...

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Vaastu Shastra, Vaastu Shastra - Components of Vaastu Shastra, Vaastu Shastra - Vaastu Purusha Mandala, Vaastu Shastra - Mandalas- types and properties, Vaastu Shastra - Mandala in site planning and architecture, Vaastu Shastra - Mandala and site, Vaastu Shastra - Mandala and building, Vaastu Shastra - Aspects of environment and energy, Vaastu Shastra - Other aspects of buildings, Vaastu Shastra - Conclusion

Read more here: » Vaastu Shastra: Encyclopedia II - Vaastu Shastra - Mandala in site planning and architecture

Manu Dharma Shastra: (Sanskrit) "Sage Manu's law book."

An encyclopedic treatise of 2,685 verses on Hindu law assembled as early as 600 bce. Among its major features are the support of varna dharma, ashrama dharma, stri dharma and seeing the Self in all beings. Despite its caste-based restrictions, which determine one's life unrelentlingly from birth to death, it remains the source of much of modern Hindu culture and law.

These "Laws of Manu" are the oldest and considered the most authoritative of the greater body of Dharma Shastras. Even during the time of the British Raj in India, law was largely based on these texts. The text is widely available today in several languages. (Buhler's English translation is over 500 pages.)

See: caste, dharma, Dharma Shastras, Kalpa Vedanga.

(See also: Manu Dharma Shastra, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Manava Dharma Shastra - is the ancient code of law of, or by Manu.

(See also: Manava Dharma Shastra, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

The Vaastu Purusha Mandala is an indispensable part of Vaastu Shastra and constitutes the mathematical and diagrammatic basis for generating design. Purusha refers to energy, power, soul or cosmic man. Mandala is the generic name for any plan/ chart, which represents the cosmos metaphysically/ symbolically, a microcosm of the universe. In Hindu cosmology the surface of the earth is represented as a square, the most fundamental of all Hindu forms. The earth is represented as four cornered with reference to the horizon's relation ...

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Vaastu Shastra, Vaastu Shastra - Components of Vaastu Shastra, Vaastu Shastra - Vaastu Purusha Mandala, Vaastu Shastra - Mandalas- types and properties, Vaastu Shastra - Mandala in site planning and architecture, Vaastu Shastra - Mandala and site, Vaastu Shastra - Mandala and building, Vaastu Shastra - Aspects of environment and energy, Vaastu Shastra - Other aspects of buildings, Vaastu Shastra - Conclusion

Read more here: » Vaastu Shastra: Encyclopedia II - Vaastu Shastra - Vaastu Purusha Mandala