Vastu Shastra VS Feng Shui

Vastu Shastra VS Feng Shui

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Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui - what is the difference? 

This is a question many readers have asked since this column started.

Both sciences, to a great extent, share similarities and are based on centuries of observations of nature and the surroundings and how they affect people and other living and even non-living things. Both aim at contributing harmony, prosperity, health and happiness although there may be a few differences and contradictions in the way both are observed or practised.

Vastu is based on the energy flow among the nine planets and Feng Shui sees the planetary forces as the determining factors in the distribution of energy. The five basic elements in Feng Shui are described as metal, wood, water, fire and earth while Vastu considers wood and metal as part of earth and includes the additional elements of ether and air.

Both view the elements not as physical things but symbolising the cosmic energy. The yin (darkness) and yang (brightness) are considered as the two kinds of energy in Feng Shui which tells about alignment with the earth's geomagnetism. North, in Vastu is indicated by a magnetic compass and before the compass was invented, North was determined using methods based on the position of the sun. Some of the salient similarities of Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui are in the table.

Among the differences between Vastu and Feng Shui are: Vastu does not recommend the rearing of fish (in an aquarium) while Feng Shui allows it. In Vastu, it is sinful and inauspicious to have animals like cats, birds and hamsters caged in a house. Vastu defects cannot be corrected simply by placing a mirror, plants, hanging a picture and other tools but recommends the moving things within the property to the correct direction and location. I have received several emails from readers who stay in rented properties and are unable to observe Vastu Shastra because it would involve renovation.

Vastu can be followed even without demolishing or renovating your walls. For example, if your master bedroom is located in the north-east and your study room or children's or maid's bedroom is in the south-west, all you need to do is to move to the smaller room in the south-west and you should experience immediate effects. This is because the south-west quadrant is meant for the breadwinner or master of the house and this must not be compromised.

If this is not corrected, you will find the person sleeping in the south-west location controlling the house. (In the case, your maid or children, and they will not listen to you.) You can also arrange things in every room of your house according to Vastu recommendations to harness the best results. According to Vastu, if the horoscope of an occupant of a house is favourable, the Vastu defects will not be felt immediately but when the good times fade away, the effects would hurt the financial position, health and happiness of the breadwinner in particular. As to which one of the sciences to follow, my advice is to try both and find out which one works for you better or observe Vasthu and Feng Shui by incorporating both practices.