Your Home = Your Temple (Introduction to the Vastu Shastra)

Budhanilkantha Temple (Sleeping Vishnu) - Nepal

Namaste, Hari Om,

What is a temple? Like many religions there is a place of worship, whether its at home or at a central point in the community, it is deemed a holy place.

For many people going to a place of worship or somewhere peaceful like a garden or waterfall, helps to ease our mind and bring good energy. This energy helps us understand the world better as our mind thinks at a different rate, there is no pollution or distractions at these peaceful places.

If we spend more time at home than at a place of worship or a peaceful place, shouldn't our home be like a temple? The answer is yes it should be, our home represents our mind, its an outer expression of our thinking and well being. If your home is painted with red walls and no pictures some can see you as a monotone person with no expression - this could very well be true.

Your home should be your temple, every wall should make you feel at ease, every room should make you feel  happy. Gods name should be remembered at all times, this is why we decorate our houses with Gods pictures. A wise man once told me, ''People hang pictures of their family members up, today I like my cousin, sister etc.. then tomorrow we get into a fight, i take the picture down. The next day I like that person etc.. The  relationship is ever changing a people constantly change, where as God does not". Reminding our selves of the guiding force will help our mind in case of tensions and bring good energy to us.

A home should be welcoming, one that is filled with the intangible welcome scents, sight, sounds and taste will bring a calm state of mind to those who dwell there. There is no limitation that energy found at a temple can not live in your home, with the proper practice and maintenance, your home can equal your Temple.

Dont hide your love for God to a small place, let it shine through out the home. Just as you try to keep your body pure, so should your temple, avoid meat, alcohol, and harmful smoking etc..  Do not argue or say vulgar words, always be pleasant. Why keep such things in your home and have an altar? We must rid our life of duality (having bad and good things) - stick to the good things only.

Lastly, following a Vastu guide will also help:

"Vastu is an inherent energy concept of science. We cannot see energy with our naked eyes but we can realize and see its application in different forms and fashions. Universe is one of the beautiful creations of nature and everything stands alive only in the limelight of truth. Just like every subject of human aspect is governed with rules, regulations & acts, similarly the nature has also got certain key factor principles for smooth governing of its residents, in which "Vastu stands for nature law" and ignorance of law is not an excuse anywhere. Here are some of the basic rules that everyone should follow" - Source (http://www.vaastu-shastra.com/vastu-tips.html) 

The position of certain objects in your house can channel energy in a special way - Having the right position and direction can create great energy.

Jai Jai Shri Devi Maa
- SimpleHinduBhai


Read more below - http://www.stephen-knapp.com/vastu_shastra.htm

Tips From Vastu

1. The main entrance should be in the East or North but it should not be in front of the compound wall.
2. The wall of the house in the North-Eastern side should have minimum height.
3. If the wall of the house in the East is tall, it stalls the entry of prosperity, the Goddess Laxmi, into the house. Therefore, it should be small in height.
4. The southern side of the house should be as tall and heavy as possible.
   In any room of the house the beam or column should not cross in the center.
5. Terrace or balcony in the house should be either in the East or the North.
6. A well, pole or a temple should not be there in front of the main entrance of the house.
7. The slope of the house should be towards East, North or North-East.
   Similarly, the slope of the plinth also should be towards East, North or North-East.
8. The height of the plinth should be maximum in the direction of South-West.
9. The main entrance of the house should not be in front of that of the opposite house.
10. The house should be equipped with the protective wall.
11. The upper storeys of the house should be constructed on the Southern or Western part.
12. The cupboard in the wall should be the Southern or Western part direction of the house.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Why Follow Vastu?
    God is present in the direction of North-East, it is believed. That is why our ancestors always insisted on having a body of water in this direction to ensure prosperity. Now see the geographical location of a small nation like Japan one of the largest bodies of water in the form of the Pacific Ocean which explains the reason of its growing prosperity.
    Take the example of Mumbai city. On its South-East side where Agni is located, is the atomic power plant and in the direction of North-East is the body of water, which is why when it is compared to other ports, Mumbai port is more prosperous.
    The city of London is famous and rich because it is situated on more or less the ideal principles of Vastu Shastra.
    It is found that at the root of the progress and prosperity of the cities like New York, London, Mumbai, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc. are always the benedictory principles of Vastu Shastra. It is also found that as one progresses towards the North-East in the United States of America the land becomes richer and richer.
    Study the location and construction of the famous temple of Tirupati from the angle of Vastu Shastra. Its legendary prosperity is thanks mainly to the exemplary implementation of the principles of Vastu Shastra. The main temple is situated on the South-West side of the temple precinct. On its North-East direction is a lake and pond. The dining hall of the temple is on South-East side while the North-West and North side of the temple is allocated to the godown (storage place) for grains and items require in the kitchen. The entire temple precinct is of square shape as a result of which its axis and that of the Earth are perpendicular to each other. The main temple is occupying only the one fourth area of the total precinct and on its Eastern and Northern side is an  open area. Thus the Tirupati temple of Lord Balaji is an ideal place according to the norms of Vastu Shastra which is why it is the most prosperous temple on earth.