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Vastu means the art and science of living-place i.e, the site for building and also the house. Vastupuja means the worship of the site chosen for building a temple or a house. It is treated as a must for the safe and sound construction and for subsequent peaceful

113 and happy living.. The Vastupuja destroys obstacles in the building of houses. The Vastu-purusa is the presiding deity of the site. In Vedic literature we come across Vastospati, the protector of houses. The vastospati is worshipped in order to bless man and beast, to remove diseases, to make cattle and horses prosper, to afford 32 protection and to grant a favorable entry to the house. In vayu purana, for construction of building visvakarma the architect of the gods is to be worshipped. He is the presiding deity of architecture (silpi-Prajapati) and is also mentioned as Tvastr. He is the founder of the science of architecture of the gods.* 33 For selection of the house site, Brihat-vamhita of Varahamihira says that any spot where the ground is smooth and without holes, where the earth is sweet, fragrant of bright appearance and where there grow superior crops, trees and creepers is calculated to afford comfort to the weary traveler, and if a house is built, the dweller will feel happy (Brihat-vamhita , ch.53, v. 88). 34 In Agnipurana it is mentioned that the characteristics of a building site for the Brahmins and others are white, red, yellow and black 32. Berriedalekeith Arthur, The religion and philosophy of the veda and Upanisad, page 188. (part-2) 33. Rajarampatil Devendrakumar, Cultural History from Vayu Purana, Ch. VI. 84. 16-20, page 83. 34. Iyer. N.C., Tr., The Brhat Samhita, P.250.

114 (soil) in order for the four castes. A building site should have the smell of ghee, blood, cooked rice and wine in order for the four 35 castes. The ground should be cleared of kusa, reeds, kasa and durva and after having worshipped the Brahmins. The vastu sastra forbids building on the side of the Brahma temple, in front of the Siva, Visnu and sun temple, back side of the Jain temple and all the sides of Devi temple, as it is evil for the house owner. The shastra lays down guidelines on all aspects of house designed, including the planting auspicious trees and plants around the house. These trees and plants are useful and beneficial to the health of the inmates and hence vastu sastra highly recommended their planting if there is space. Plantation of Trees according to vastu: The Veda, Purana's, Vrikshayurveda texts deal with the plantation of trees near the houses and palaces. The Garuda-purana says, if asvattha, plaksa, nyagrodha and udumbara are planted in the east and salmali (Silk Cotton tree) in the north east and they are worshipped, it shall be beneficent to the house and palace.³ 36 35. Gangadharan. N. (Tr), Agni Purana, part-II, Ch-247, verse 1-3, page-642. 36. Garuda purana, Part-I, Ch-46, Vv. 38, page-150)

115 The Agnipurana says, a plaksa should be planted the north, vata on the east, udumbara on the south and asvattha on the west of the house are auspicious and excellent. A garden should be laid on the left side of the house. Dwelling in such a house is good. 37 Milky trees, red colour flower trees, thorny plants, trees gives sap are in auspicious near the house, but if planted these trees in Agni Kona (South-east) causes death of the house owner. Milky trees causes' loss of wealth, thorny plants leads to fear from enemy and fruit bearing trees causes loss of children if planted near the house. But, Brihat-vamhita says if punnage, neem, dadima, asoka, nagkesara, candana, aparajita, mahua, bilva, mango, coconut are auspicious for all directions of the house. The Brihat-vamhita prescribes dadima for south east (Agneya Kona), imali for south west (Nairuta), amala for north east (Isan Kona), bilva for North West (Bayabya Kona). It also says about the subhalagna for planting trees. The auspicious time is Monday mula naksatra, dhanulagna for planting all trees. For planting big trees Thursday Rebati naksatra brhaspatilagna is auspicious. 38 One must avoid peppal tree near the house. It is not suitable near a house. It has a very long life and can survive for centuries. It 37. Gangadharan. N.( Tr.), Agni Purana, Part-II, Ch-247, verses- 24, 25, 26, page-643. 38. Brhat Samhita, ch.44

116 is prohibited from being cut. It has far spreading roots which can affect the foundation of the building. Location of Trees: In terms of Vastu Smaller shrubs may be planted on the east and north side. But no big tree should be planted in the north-east corner, as they block the morning sun rays. Tall trees like coconut can be planted in the south-west, but should not be too close to the building as they block the sunlight completely. Its shadow should not fall on the house at least between 9AM to 3PM. large trees like peepal and Banyan should not be planted near the house as the roots of the trees can damage the foundation, as they can absorb most of the sunlight. Among the vastu plants for house garden tulasi (basil), known as holy basil, is the property of the house. It should be located on the north, north-east or east side of the house, in front of the house or inside the open space of the house. It is a holy plant, medicinal plant, purifies the air, blood, and improves the digestive system. Sweet smelling flowers like jasmine, red lotus, blue lotus etc. are good in the house compound as they give out pleasant

117 perfume, and are used in daily worship and decoration of woman's hair. Thorny plants cactus should not be planted. They have a negative energy. Thorny plants except rose should be pulled up and destroyed. They can hurt you when you rush away by their side. Creepers like money plant can be grown within the house, but should not be grown outside using a tree for support. Creepers should have their independent support. Decorative flower pots should be placed in the garden in north, east or north-east direction, they should not grow taller than three feet. If you are fortunate to have a big kitchen window, place a medicinal plant in front of it. Indoor plants should be cared well. Remove the pale dead leaves regularly. A plant lacking good health should be avoided for indoors. Cultivate fresh plants in the kitchen garden. Coriander, mint, basil, curry leaf and many other herbs can be grown very effectively in the indoors. Lawn should be in the east or the north. A small water fall three to four feet or a water body can be constructed on the east or north leaving the north-east corner. If there is a swimming pool in

118 the garden it should be in north or north-east direction. So that the people using the pool, would get benefit from the sunrays and the water will get purified by the ultra violet rays of the sun lights. Resting benches are useful in big gardens. These can be placed in the open space in the east and the north direction, so that people may get benefit from the useful sunrays. Care and Protection: After plantation of trees and plants according to the directions of the vastu sastra, care should be taken to grow them up properly. According to Agnipurana planting of trees is not a very difficult task. But, after plantation their proper care should be taken and made them allow growing properly by protecting them from the heat of the sun, from animals, natural calamities as well as from the insects. Besides, plenty of water and required quantity of fertilizers should be supplied at due times. Therefore, the people should be alert to learn from the 'Puranas' about different aspects of the plantation and their protection and should let them grow properly by which lives may be made wholesome and comfortable on this earth, not only for the human beings but also for all the living entities.

119 "Nature teaches more than she preaches." The regretful factor is that modern people are not conscious regarding the value of plants and plantation like the ancient people. Though the population and their needs are rising tremendously, still people for satisfying their self benefit are cutting down the trees carelessly and destroying the forests with their full effort, only to maintain their luxurious lives. Now-a-days considering the importance of trees the authorities lunch plans for a forestation i.e. plantation on road sides, celebration of "Vanamahotsava" etc., but lack of proper care those plants became failure.