http://vastushyam.com/index.htmlInsight of the Weekenshyam@vastushyam.comCopyright 2009 N. Shyam Das2009-12-18T16:31:37-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:34:24 -0500shyam@vastushyam.comVastu VedaFeng Shui2009-12-18T16:31:37-05:00http://vastushyam.com/page9/page20/files/93b184a07315c13cb5f0925a97e36acb-6.html#unique-entry-id-6http://vastushyam.com/page9/page20/files/93b184a07315c13cb5f0925a97e36acb-6.html#unique-entry-id-6
The two Asian philosophies of design place great importance on the proper orientation of structures, as they both agree that this is critical in facilitating the proper flow of life energy (prana or chi). The specific directions they recommend, however, are diametrically opposed. One dismisses the south, glorifying the north and east, while the other eulogizes the south, offering only calumny against the northeast.

In Vastu Veda, the “Deva of Death” presides over the south and the “Deva of Pain” rules the southwest (which also corresponds to the feet of the Vastu Purusha.) The ancient sages of India thus frowned on these sectors of the compass. In contrast, the “Deva of Wealth” controls the north, the “Deva of the Rains” watches over the east, and the “Deva of Auspiciousness” guards the northeast (which also corresponds to the head of the Vastu Purusha.) The sages thus treasured these areas of a site, and recommended that they be developed with great care. Feng Shui, however, presents a strikingly different picture. The wise men of ancient China considered south to be the direction of plenty, while many viewed the northeast as the gateway to hell!

If we consider these spatial arts to be mere cultural creations - products of geography and history - then this divergence makes some sense. In China, the southern portions of the country are fertile and bountiful with rice and other valuable crops. The north, on the other hand, is the source of icy winter winds...and Mongol invaders! In India, however, the south is where the hottest climate lies and is the direction of the scorching summer sun, whereas the north emanates cooling breezes and pure waters.

In actuality, though, the flow of life energy does not change just because we move from one side of the Himalayan Mountains to the other. Just as the laws of physics are the same wherever you go in the world, so the laws governing prana or chi also remain the same, regardless of weather, geography or other relative factors. This is one area, then, in which we must conclude that Feng Shui went far astray from the teachings of its parent philosophy, Vastu Veda.

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