Harmony, Vāstu Architecture and Contemporary Living

This study explores the knowledge and application of Vāstu, the traditional Indian science of architecture, which provides a holistic approach to design, construction, and the training of architects. Vāstu principles and guidelines are rooted in Vedic knowledge and fundamental environmental criteria, allowing for the design of congenial settings of living and working for enhanced harmony, stability and defence, for well-being, and, when implemented in a corporate context, for increased creativity and workforce development. This ancient system of architecture and city planning has influenced architecture and city planning globally. In Vāstu, the built structure is a symbol of the physical body and a microcosm of universal energy, defining a correlation between the individual and the cosmic while emphasising coherence with environmental criteria. At the gross level, Vāstu deals with climate, comfort, and sustainability, and at the most subtle level deals with harmony and prosperity. Continuously practiced over the centuries in India by Sthāpatis or master architects, in the last three decades there has been a holistic revival of Vāstu, notably under the guidance of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and leading Sthāpatis, progressing the practice in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. This paper discusses the main principles of Vāstu, presents examples of it through multiple case studies, and references preliminary research results; it aims to increase awareness of this universally applicable system to validate its relevance for a broader global audience.