This is a fundamental principle of Vastu compliancy -- that buildings be aligned with the Earth's magnetic grid, and thereby be aligned with the cardinal points of the compass on the North-South axis and East-West axis.

This ancient law of sacred architecture is practically etched in stone, as reflected in the orientation of the great ancient temples such as Shri Rangam in South India and the Angkor Wat in Kampuchea.

It is the first principle of Vastu design -- that a building be set on a grid which is aligned with the natural grid formed by the Earth's magnetic North-South poles and the cardinal points of the compass.

The Vastu grid is known as the Mandala. Vastu Mandalas can range from a simple 3x3 grid (9 cells) to a full-blown 32x32 grid (1024 cells). A particular Mandala is chosen for its suitability for the scale and scope of the building project.

The most common Mandala utilised for most building projects is the 9x9 grid (81 cells) called Paramasayika Mandala.

Another common Mandala is the 8x8 grid (64 cells) called Manduka Mandala which is utilised in temple building projects generally.

A building is considered to be aligned if its orientation is within 11 degrees of any of the four cardinal points of the compass, that is North (0), East (90), South (180), West (270).

The worst case of being out of alignment is 45-degree deviation from the cardinal directions, that is, if the building's orientation is NorthWest or NorthEast or SouthEast or SouthWest.

The difference is illustrated when we apply the simple 3x3 grid called the Pitha Mandala on two contrasting examples of square buildings of similar size: one well-aligned with the cardinal directions, and the other, totally out of alignment. The well-aligned building will have the four cardinal directions -- North, East, South, West -- running through the middle of its four sides whereas the unaligned building will have the cardinal directions in the four corners (as shown in the diagrams).

Notice that the personality of Vastu, called the Vastupurusha, is residing within every building space, lying down in the NorthEast-SouthWest axis with his head in the NorthEast. Be careful what you put on his head (I will elaborate in a later article)! Suffice to say now, that if the Vastupurusha is comfortably situated, the residents and owners of the building are likely to be similarly situated. Likewise, if he is unhappily situated -- so be forewarned.

Regarding the alignment test of Vastu compliancy, most modern-day commercial and residential buildings in Malaysia would fail this simple test because, unlike the ancient architects, modern architects generally do not design according to a grid that is aligned to the cardinal directions. They simply design the building to align with the access road to optimise space without realising that the building will be out of harmony with the natural forces, including the Earth's magnetic field.

According to the sthapatis (traditional architects/sculptors/builders) of South India, there is no question of constructing a building out of alignment with the cardinal directions.

I once asked a well-known sthapati in Tamil Nadu what to do about existing buildings that are already out of alignment. He retorted: "Tear them down and re-build!". Short of doing that, physical rectification is practically impossible for such buildings (of course, there are spiritual solutions, and we'll discuss them in a subsequent article). That's why it is so important to get the Vastu plan right before construction.

If you are planning to put up your own building, get the Vastu plan done first. All other drawings, including the architect's, should be based on the Vastu plan. This is to ensure that you finally get a Vastu-compliant building.

Coming back to the first principle of alignment, there are still a few architects here who have designed well-aligned buildings. In the course of our Vastu consultations, we have noticed that a few areas in the Klang Valley seem to have been developed on a grid that is aligned with the cardinal directions.

One example is the Bangsar Park - Bukit Bandaraya area. Also large parts of Subang Jaya. The newer section of Taman Desa Danau off Old Klang Road. Also, Kota Kemuning area. In Klang, large parts of Bukit Tinggi and Taman Botanic areas. There would certainly be more such areas, I'm just listing a few areas that I happened to have noticed.

The striking thing to note is that all the areas mentioned above that were laid according to a well-aligned grid seemed to have prospered better than their neighbouring areas that are not aligned to the cardinal directions. This indicates that the Vastu principles, if successfully applied, DO produce positive results.

Vastu strives for balance and proportion in the shape and dimensions of a building or plot of land. The width, the length, the height, practically all the dimensions of a building/space, are not arbitrarily decided, but are determined by exact mathematical calculation of proportion and are thus all inter-related.

Basic ratios of dimensions that you can beneficially utilise are 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2. For example, if the width is x, then the length may be 2x. Or the height may be 1.5x. There are more intricate rules, including astrological calculation of compatibility of the dimensions with the owner/s birth horoscope, that are beyond the scope of this primer on basic Vastu principles.

The basic principles include regularity of shape. Square is perfect. A rectangle is also good provided that the dimensions are within 2:1 proportion. That is, the ratio of the longer side to the shorter side should not exceed 2:1.

When the building/space stretches beyond this ratio, its Vastu strength correspondingly weakens.

Irregularity in shape or disproportionate dimension may be rectified by subdivision or partitioning, where possible. For example, a room of dimensions 40' x 10' (weak rectangle of 4:1 ratio) may be rectified by partitioning it to make two or more separate spaces (each of good ratio).

(insert diagram 1) (caption 1:) A disproportionate rectangle strengthened by partitioning it to make three separate spaces, all square/s and regular rectangle/s. Buildings and spaces that are irregularly shaped, with cutouts/truncations, are not conducive. But many architects, unaware of the Vastu principles, deliberately introduce cutouts and irregularities in their design just to look different. This only adds to the construction cost but reduces functionality and space utilisation.

Not surprisingly, in the course of our Vastu consultations, we often encounter that the first thing that the buyers of such houses want to do is to straighten out the cutouts and kinks by extending the walls where possible to recover useable space. This kind of renovation, needlessly forced by the architect's design, incurs extra expenses for the buyers. If only architects would take the trouble to acquaint themselves with the basic principles of Vastu design.

Extensions can be favourable or unfavourable depending on location. Generally, extensions towards the North-NorthEast-East are regarded as favourable while extensions towards the South-SouthWest-West are regarded as unfavourable.

For example, if an otherwise rectangular plot of land extends towards the NorthEast, it is regarded to be fortunate.

(insert diagram 2) (caption 2:) Above plot of land, though not exactly a regular rectangle, extends towards the auspicious NorthEast and is therefore regarded as favourable. Of other common shapes, apart from square and rectangle, some are considered inauspicious while some are auspicious. For example, triangular plots or buildings are inauspicious. While the regular octagon (eight-sided figure with all sides of equal length) is considered to be very auspicious.

We are involved with one such very auspicious building currently taking shape in the north of the country -- the Sri-Sri Radha Krishna Temple of Devotion and Understanding in the government-designated multi-religious enclave of Seberang Jaya in mainland Penang. The most prominent structure in this multi-religious enclave is this octagonal temple complex of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Malaysia.

Why octagonal? There are several good reasons which led to this unique shape.being chosen during the design stage of the project.

Firstly, the perfect octagon, as mentioned earlier, is very auspicious and is recommended by the Vastu sastras (scriptural texts on Vedic architecture).

Secondly, it enables the designers to meet several important Vastu requirements. A major Vastu rule for any temple project is that the main Deities should face the East (rising Sun) or the North. Remember also the first Vastu principle (that we discussed last month) that demands that a building be aligned with the cardinal directions.

Well, the plot of land allocated for this project wasn't exactly aligned with the cardinal directions. It's orientation is actually to the NorthEast. So putting a reqular rectangular building in line with the plot's orientation would mean that the building would be totally unaligned and would pose consequent difficulties in arranging the main entrance and the Deities to face the East direction.

So the octagon is a brilliant idea that solves all these problems. One of its sides will appear to be in line with the plot's orientation while another four sides will be exactly aligned with the four cardinal directions, including the East. It is on this Eastern side that the main entrance to the temple itself will be positioned. And the main Deities will be exactly facing this direction too as required by the Vastu sastras.

Thirdly, it is functionally appropriate as this three-storey temple will also feature the Dasavataras ( ten prominent Incarnations) and other incarnations and expansions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krishna. The eight sides and eight corners of the octagonal design will provide functional space for highlighting 16 major expansions of the Supreme Lord.

Apart from the main Deities of Sri-Sri Radha Krishna, the temple complex will also house the murtis of Sri-Sri Jagannatha Baladeva Subhadra, Sri-Sri Nitai Gauranga Rai, Sri Balaji, Sri Ranganatha, Sri Damodara, Sri-Sri Sita Rama Lakshmana Hanuman, Sri Parashurama, Sri Narashimha, Sri Varaha, Sri Kurma, Sri Balarama, Sri Buddha, Sri Vamana, Sri Matsya, Sri Kalki.

A team of Vastu silpis (traditional sculptors) from South India have been working on the sculptures and other intricate ornamental work involved in the project for many years.

(insert pictures slide2.jpg, slide4.jpg, slide5.jpg here) (caption:) The pictures show the artists' drawings and the work in progress on the project, from the initial foundation work of the octagonal structure to the currently almost-completed physical structure.

The temple is nearing completion now. It is expected to be open to the public within a year. For more info on this project, visit www. iskcon.com.my

Tbis is another Vastu principle that is practically set in stone. Most of the ancient temples of India (and many of the modern ones too) are constructed in such a way that the main Deities will face the East. And if that's not possible, the North.

Naturally, the main entrances of these great buildings, some still standing after thousands of years, are also located in the East, or the North.

So you cannot go wrong by implementing (if possible) the same wisdom of the ancients on your property. The main entrance is best in the East. This auspiciously invites the glorious and beneficial rays of the rising Sun to flow in through the front door of your premises. If it is not possible to have the main entrance in the East, then utilise the North.

The other cardinal directions may be utilised if more entrances are required, or if it is not possible to have an entrance in the East or North.

While the East and North are regarded as suitable for everybody generally, and thereby are the default choice for a family or community dwelling, certain directions may also be suitable for certain persons based on their personal astrological sign/s.

The classical text Kalaprakasika mentions house orientations for individuals based on personal birth Lagna or the Ascendant sign of the sidereal zodiac of Vedic Astrology.

Here are the recommendations for persons born under the respective Ascendants.
Mesha (Aries) or Simha (Leo) or Dhanus (Sagittarius): North-facing house.
Vrishabha (Taurus) or Kanya (Virgo) or Makara (Capricorn): South-facing house.
Mithuna (Gemini) or Thula (Libra) or Kumbha (Aquarius): West-facing house.
Kataka (Cancer) or Vrischika (Scorpio) or Mina (Pisces): East-facing house.

So first preference should be given to the East and North orientations since they are suitable for all. If that is not possible, then one may choose by personal Lagna.

Regardless of which direction you choose, the entrance position has to be further fine-tuned by locating it within certain auspicious sector/s of that direction.

Figure 3 highlights all the auspicious sectors in the four cardinal directions. They are mostly in the East and North. In the South and West, you have limited options, and if you need to have entrances/exits there, then locate them as precisely as marked in Figure 3.

There is a rule of thumb to ascertain the auspicious sector in a particular direction (assuming that you are standing inside the middle of your premises and facing that particular direction). That is, divide the length of that side into nine equal parts and select the fourth part from your left.

This same rule can be beneficially applied to position the gate on your perimeter fencing as well as the front door on your building proper. To position the gate, the grid will be applied on the plot size and its sides subdivided by nine. To position the door, the grid will be applied on the building size and its sides subdivided by nine. In either case, just ensure that the centreline of the gate or door falls within an auspicious sector as marked in Figure 3.

The Brahmasthana (Seat of Brahma) is the sacred centre of your space. Keep it free of clutter, load or stress. That means no load-bearing columns, walls, staircase, or heavy furniture here.

The size of the Brahmasthana is dependent on the Vastu Mandala grid pattern utilised to demarcate your space. Common grid patterns are the Manduka 8x8 grid, the Paramasayika 9x9 grid and the Pitha 3x3 grid (a simplication of the Paramasayika 9x9 grid).

The Brahmasthana of the Manduka grid is the central four (2x2) squares. In the Paramasayika grid, the Brahmasthana is the central nine (3x3) squares. In the Pitha grid, the Brahmasthana is simply the central square.

Figure 4a illustrates the Manduka 8x8 grid pattern that is generally utilised in temple design; Figure 4b the Paramasayika 9x9 grid pattern that is commonly utilised for residential buildings; and Figure 4c the Pitha 3x3 grid that is used in general directional planning and design.

In traditional temple design, the Brahmasthana is reserved for the seat of the presiding Deities, the inner sanctum sanctorum over which the outer dome of the temple is constructed.

In traditional Vedic home design, especially for mansions and palatial homes, the Brahmasthana is the courtyard garden that is open to the sky and the elements. Tulasi, the sacred Basil plant, is cultivated here. This is the serene inner space where the extended families who lived together in large inter-connected residential buildings could socialise in protected surrounding.

In modern commercial complexes, the same principle of keeping the centre open is commonly seen in the open courtyards of large shopping malls and public buildings and they certainly help to facilitate the gathering and movement of crowds of people.

In modern home design, a mini courtyard can be incorporated with a central sky window to let in air and light to improve ventilation and enhance the Vastu compliancy of the house. This would call for sacrificing some space in the centre.

Unfortunately, due to the constraints of the link houses and apartments that many people live in today's congested cities, a mini-courtyard is out of the question for most urban homes. Under such circumstances, the only thing they can do is at least keep the centre of their home light and free of load and weight.

The same principle works on a micro level too. For example, if you keep the central space of your room or cubicle free and vacant, you will find that the entire room becomes more spacious and breathes better. On the other hand, if you plonk down your desk or bed right in the middle of the room, you will choke the entire space. Experiment, and experience the difference. Better to move the heavy furniture closer towards the South or SouthWest or West, and leave the centre free.

The exception to this principle of keeping the centre vacant is if the centre itself is reserved for object/s of divinity and worship. This is the best utilisation of the sacred centre -- for the sacred and the worshippable basically.

The NorthEast is your spiritual retreat -- your place of prayer, meditation, contemplation or study. Accordingly it is to be kept clean, open, airy, bright and light.

The NorthEast is where the Vastu Purusha, the personality of the building space, rests his head. Therefore contamination or heavy load in this sector will cause mental stress for the owner/tenant.

Toilets are expressly forbidden in the NorthEast. If you already have a toilet sited here, seriously consider relocating it out of this sector or convert it to some other usage.

Kitchens are also disastrous in this sector ruled by the Water element because it triggers a clash of the Fire and Water elements (as will be elaborated in Principle #10 later).

Placement of a fountain or water function here will enhance this space. Bear in mind though that the NorthEast is meant to be light, so while a pool of water is good, a big rock garden may not be so appropriate here.

The NorthEast is conducive for activities governed by the mode of goodness, like prayer, contemplation and study. But not for activities governed by the modes of passion and ignorance, like sexual activity and sleep. Therefore the bedroom is misplaced here, especially for conjugal couples.

Unfortunately, developers and architects have a penchant for putting the upstairs master bedroom in the NorthEast if the (unaligned) house is oriented to that direction. When we encounter such cases, we usually advise the master of the house and his wife to swap their master bedroom for a smaller room in the back (SouthWest) for the sake of their health and well-being. After the swap, the children will be the ones happily utilising the master bedroom. We must have made many a child happy this way (while improving the health of their parents).

The ideal usage of this NorthEast space is for worship or study. In fact the NorthEast is the recommended place for the prayer room or altar in the house. Of course, if you consider your home to be a temple and prefer to put the altar in the sacred centre itself -- the Brahmasthana (see Vastu principle #4) -- you are welcome to do so.

If you have your prayer room in the NorthEast sector of your building, position the altar in such a way that the Deities face the East (first choice) or the North (second choice). This usually means resting the back of the altar on the west wall or the south wall within the prayer room. We are often asked this question: how best to position the altar in the prayer room. We then explain that the guiding principle is that we should offer the best to the Lord. Since the East and the North are the best directions to face, the altar should be arranged in such a way that the Deities are facing the East or the North.

Some may contend that if the altar faces the East or the North, then wouldn't they have to face the West or the South, the less auspicious directions, when praying? Again, our answer is that when you are facing the Lord, that direction automatically becomes most auspicious for you. No question about it!

The SouthWest is the anchor and base of your space. Height, weight and closed space in the SouthWest increases its strength and stability. So use these factors to good effect to keep your SouthWest safe and secure.

For example, the SouthWest attracts negative influences (even intruders) for reasons explained below, so keep this area well reinforced with high walls and minimal openings. Weight adds stability here, so this location is well utilised for storage purposes.

The SouthWest is the location from which the master of the domain can exert strong influence and control. So this is a good place to site the boss's room.

The SouthWest is the direction ruled by the feared malefic planet Rahu. In the Sanskrit texts of Vedic Astrology, Rahu is described as the Serpent (Dragon) Head and is regarded as aprakashaka graha, meaning shadowy or unseen planet but with grabbing power (gravitational pull).

Due to Rahu's influence, a building oriented to face the SouthWest or with its main entrance in the SouthWest, generally draws more negative influences. The owners and tenants of such buildings generally face more hardships and difficulties. Main entrances and doors in the SouthWest tend to attract the wrong kind of visitors (due to Rahu's influence), including thieves and burglars.

In short, this is the worst direction to orient a building or position the main entrance. We have witnessed it many times, that buildings oriented to the SouthWest or having main entrance in this direction are generally "problemmatic". At the same time, we have also witnessed that it is never easy for those already occupying such buildings to move out (even after being suitably enlightened). Rahu's pull (or grabbing power) is indeed powerful and it takes great effort and willpower to break out of his lockhold.

The SouthWest is very conducive for rest and sleep, so bedrooms are well placed here. Especially the master bedroom, since this location is also the bastion of control and influence and is well-suited for the master and mistress of the house.

The bed should be placed near the South or West walls in such a way that that the headrest is towards the East or South directions. In Vastu, the human body is also considered to be magnetically charged as the Earth's poles, with the head as the North pole. Therefore, your head should not point towards the North while sleeping because of the natural magnetic repelling force (like poles repel), and you are not likely to have good rest.

While openings are not recommended in the SouthWest, if you cannot avoid putting some door/s or window/s here, then ensure that there are bigger or more openings in the positive directions of the North/NorthEast/East for counter-balance.

Of course, if you have bedroom/s in the SouthWest, you cannot avoid having window/s there. In that case, let the blinds preferably be of dark hue and keep them open only as long as necessary for sunlighting/airing/ventilation daily.

Balconies in the SouthWest will only attract more negative influences. It is more pronounced in the case of apartments where the balcony generally represents a bigger opening than the front door.

If you have landed property with perimeter walling or fencing around it, the height and weight in the SouthWest should be no less than any other direction. Remember to keep your SouthWest safe and secure by closing it as far as possible.

In line with the Vastu principle of maximising the positive influences and minimising the negative influences, the North/NorthEast/East (positive directions) should have bigger openings than the South/SouthWest/West (negative directions). These openings can be entrances, exits, doors, windows etc, anything that lets in light and air, and of course, positive energies!

For the same reason, the South/SouthWest/West sectors should have minimum of such openings.

If the North, NorthEast and East directions are all completely blocked, then it is very inauspicious and is bound to affect the well-being of the owners/tenants of the premises. If it's physically not possible to make any opening in these positive directions (the North is the Direction of Wealth), then consider subtle rectification tools like the Shri Yantra or Shri Chakra (check this link).

Arrange your home or office space in such a way that free space is mainly allocated to the positive directions of North, NorthEast and East (apart from the centre). This will enhance the overall ambience of your abode or workplace.

Like most Vastu principles, this too can be applied on both macro and micro levels. For example, if you are designing your house from scratch, site the build-up towards the South/SouthWest/West part of your plot, leaving the free space in the North/NorthEast/East for the lawns, gardens etc.

Likewise, if you are re-arranging a room inside a house, move the heavy and bulky stuff like cabinet, bed etc to the South/SouthWest/West part (where bulk and weight are assets and will enhance stability) of the room and make the North/NorthEast/East part more light and spacious for the most auspicious results. You can actually feel the difference in the room after you have made the changes.

If your ground is sloping or of varying height, then the North, NorthEast and East sectors should be lower than (if not level with) the South, SouthWest and West. This invites the benefic influences from the positive directions to flow in and obstructs the influences from the negative directions. The reverse situation brings on reverses for the owners/tenants.

Height (and weight too!) is an asset in the South, SouthWest and West and enhances the Vastu strength of the building. For that reason, if you are building on sloping ground, orientate your build-up in such a way that the rise is at the back in the South/SouthWest/West (if it's a hill, better still!) and the fall is in the front in the North/NorthEast/East. This invites all the positive influences to flow into your premises while retarding the negative.

The same principle can be utilised if you're building a perimeter wall around your property. The highest point should be tapered towards the SouthWest and the lowest point tapered towards the NorthEast for the best results.

According to Vedic science, the five primary elements (Pancha Maha Bhutas), or basic building blocks of the material universe, are Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether.

One or more of these five elements predominate each direction, as shown in Figure 10a. In arranging your living/working space and assigning functional areas/rooms in the various directions, take care that you do not accidentally trigger a major clash of the elements.

For example, positioning the kitchen or heating equipment in the North or NorthEast, where the Water element predominates, triggers a clash between the Fire and Water elements and the fallout will affect the well-being of the property's owner/s and tenant/s. For the same reason, swimming pools, fountains etc should not be located in the South or SouthEast where the Fire element predominates.

Conversely, the kitchen is ideally located in the SouthEast, where the fire demigod Agni rules. Likewise, fountains and pools of (clean) water in the North or NorthEast are well located in that place and will enhance the ambience of your property.

Another point to consider is that mutually compatible elements may co-exist. For example, the Air element predominates the NorthWest and it is mutually compatible with Fire (and also with Water). So if it is not possible to locate the kitchen in the SouthEast or South, then the NorthWest can be a secondary location for it.

Likewise the swimming pool may be placed in the NorthWest which facilitates movement and activity (attributes of the Air element), if it is not possible to locate it in the sectors where the Water element predominates (North, NorthEast, West).

The above examples are given just to illustrate the basic guiding principle to avert any clash of the elements. Using this principle, you may arrange the various functional areas/rooms of your home or workplace to be compatibile with the elements predominating the various directions. To help you along, Figure 10b lists some items that may be suitably positioned in the various directions.

With that, we conclude this series on the "Ten Principles of Vastu Compliancy". This final principle on averting any major clash of the elements, as well as all the other principles of Vastu compliancy explained here earlier, may require further explanation. If you have any questions, please write in and we may respond to them.