Importance of directions

Importance of eight directions in Vastu Shastra

According to Vaastu Shastra, the entire universe exists in endless space and has no direction whatsoever. However, on Earth our directions are defined with respect to the Sun. Vastu Shastra identifies eight cardinal directions on which all are activities are based, each of which has a particular significance. India is the only country where the 4 sub-directions also have a special name assigned to them just like the main directions. This emphasises the importance directions played in ancient times.

Orientation is very important in In the technology of Indian architecture. The basic rules of Vastu Shastra are based on the eight directions – Four principle directions:

North (Uttara, ruled by Lord Kuber, God of Wealth)
  South (Dakshina, ruled by Lord Yama, God of Death)
  East (Purva, ruled by Lord Indra, King of Gods, and Lord Aditya/Surya, God of Sun/Energy)
  West (Pashcima, ruled by Lord Varun, God of Rain/Water)

Four secondary directions:

  North-East (Ishanya,ruled by Lord Ishanya, God of All Quarters)
  North-West (Vayavya, ruled by Lord Vayu, God of Winds)
  South-East (Agneya, ruled by Lord Agni, God of Fire)
  South-West (Nairutya, ruled by Pitru or Ancestors)

Center Zone(Brahmasthan):

Brahmasthan is an important and significant part of plot which should be kept vacant and free from any construction. It is the main centre of any plot from where Vastu directions are determined which makes it extremely important point. According to Vastu this area of plot should be fixed for open space with no construction because Brahmasthan is the root of energies that are dispersed to every corner and surrounding of plot. So construction in the centre of plot means blocking the main energy that keeps a living place lively.

According to Vaastu, all the eight directions are governed by different gods who have their own respective influences on human beings as described below.

Direction	Embodiment	Presiding Deity	Element	Ruling Planet	Colors	Trees Plants
North/ Uttara	Prosperity and happiness, wealth and career	Kuber (Lord of Wealth)	Water (jal)	Budha/ Mercury	Light blue, light green, cream, beige, white	Pakad, Neem, Bilva, Shami, Kaith, Tulsi
Northeast/ Ishanya	Knowledge spiritual wealth source of power and health	Ishvara (Lord of All Quarters, the Supreme Lord)	Water (jal)	Guru Jupiter	Bright yellow bright white	Basil, herbs
East/ Purva	Enlightenment, affluence fulfilment, seeing the world	Aditya (god of energy/ Health) and Indra king of gods	Light, power	Ravi/ Sun	Orange, yellow, bright white	Lavender, Rose, Bergamot, Bamboo, Bargad
Southeast/ Agneya	Health, women’s issues, source of heat and food energy generating	Agni(Lord of Fire)	Fire-agni	Shukra/ Venus	Warm colors, sky blue, yellow, silver white	Herbs, mint, basil, rose, annar
South/ Dakshina	Negativity problems suffering, legal affairs and struggle	Yama (Lord of Dharma and Death) prevents the evil eye from taking control of our lives	Earth	Mars	All earthy colors, brown pink, red, blue	Rose, Neem, Udumbura (goolar) Panas
Southwest/ Nairutya/ Pitru	Fame, income, longevity, source of character	Nairuthi (lord of dissolution) ruled by Pittru or ancestors	Earth	Rahu	All earthy colors, purple grey light green blue	Heavy leaf bearing trees like Ashoka
West/ Paschim	Poverty, lack of vitality and creativity	Varuna (god of rain/ Waters)	Air moisture	Shani/ Saturn	Peach, dull white, light green, blue	Bilva, Kair, Neelgiri, Madhuka, Peepal
Northwest/ Vayavya	Communication, social life, source of change,	Vayu (Wind)	Air	Chandra Moon	Light blue, dull white, pista green	Small Plants
Center	Balance, creativity, spiritual growth and desire	Brahma – creator of the universe	Space	Ravi sun	White, bright yellow	Tulsi