Ancient vs Modern Vastu: Key Differences in Home Design

Vastu shastra is really connected to nature. It is all about living in a healthy and energetic way. There is a difference, between the old ways of doing Vastu and how people design their homes now. Our ancestors used Vastu principles because they really worked for them not just because it was something to try. They followed Vastu shastra as a way of life based on what they saw and experienced and what they learned from nature and science. Vastu shastra was a part of their lives and they used it to make their homes and surroundings better.

We are looking at how traditional Vastu’s different from the way we build things today and what we might be missing out on because of it. Traditional Vastu has its ways of doing things. Modern construction is very different, from Vastu. When we build things using construction methods we may be losing some of the good things that traditional Vastu has to offer.

 

Toilets: Outside Then, Inside Now

In the past people did not have toilets inside their houses. They would go to the fields or outside to do their business. As time went on toilets were built away from the house usually at the corner of the yard. Then toilets were moved a little closer to the house. Eventually they were even built near the bedroom, which is where the toilet is in many houses today near the bedroom or even inside the bedroom in some cases but still the toilet is a part of the house, like the bedroom.

Today we commonly see:

  • Attached toilets with bedrooms
  • Minimal or no partition between bedroom and toilet
  • Multiple toilets inside one home

The problem we have is air and air that does not move. Bedrooms are the places where we spend a lot of time around 8 to 10 hours breathing deeply while we are sleeping. If the air is not moving in and out of the room properly the bad smells from the toilets can be very bad for our health. Our grandparents and great grandparents knew a lot, about keeping themselves clean and healthy. They understood how important it is to have good air and energy in our homes.

 

The Courtyard Concept: Lost Open Space

Traditional homes had an open space in the middle, which was called the central open courtyard or the Brahmasthan. This central open courtyard was an important part of traditional homes the Brahmasthan. The central open courtyard or Brahmasthan was a place where people could gather and spend time together in homes.

No roof in the middle

The house has rooms that are built around it the rooms are made to fit around it and it is the thing that the rooms are built around these rooms are built around it.

Maximum sunlight and natural airflow

This is allowed

  • Excellent cross ventilation
  • Sunlight reaching every area of home
  • Better immunity and fewer diseases

 

Today courtyards are replaced by:

  • Staircase
  • Lift
  • Bedroom
  • Concrete slab

A lot of homes these days do not get any direct morning sunlight. Morning sunlight is really important for our health and our mental health. The morning sunlight that we get is very good, for us. It helps us to feel better. Many modern homes just do not receive this morning sunlight.

 

Rising Health Issues & Closed Living

Earlier people did not get sick with lifestyle diseases often. Today:

Most of my money goes into paying for bills and hospital expenses. A big part of the income that I get every month is spent on expenses. This is a deal, for me because medical expenses are very high and they take up a lot of my income. I have to spend a lot of money on expenses.

When one family member is sick it can affect the family. The entire household has to deal with it. One sick family member can really change things for the family. It is not the sick family member who has to cope with the illness the entire household does.

Closed layouts are really bad for us. They do not let air move around. We do not get enough sunlight. This is a problem. A time ago people figured out that leaving space open in the middle of a room is a good idea. It is an idea but it makes a big difference. Closed layouts, ventilation and lack of sunlight are major contributors, to this problem. The idea of leaving space in the center is something that scientists thought was a good thing to do.

 

Water Sources: Wells vs Underground Tanks

Earlier:

People used wells a lot in the past. Wells were a common thing to have. They were used by people for getting water. The use of wells was very common.

The water levels used to be fine, on their own. Stayed that way. Water levels were okay because they were balanced naturally. This balance of the water levels was normal.

Today:

Underground water tanks are common

People do not use wells like they used to. Borewells have replaced wells. Now we see borewells. Borewells have become a sight. They have actually replaced wells in many places.

People think that underground tanks are okay in Vastu.. A long time ago the open well system was actually better, for keeping the groundwater in balance. The well system really helped with the groundwater balance back then.

 

Ceiling Height: Then vs Now

Ancient homes had ceiling heights of:

  • They were really low in some places.
  • Ancient homes typically had ceiling heights that were not very high.
  • I mean ancient homes had ceiling heights that were usually around 6 to 8 feet or so.
  • Some ancient homes had ceiling heights that were even lower, than that.
  • Ancient homes had ceiling heights that made you feel like you had to duck down.
  • 10 to 16 feet

 

The company gives you some benefits when you work for them. These benefits included:

  • Natural cooling
  • Better airflow
  • Brighter interior

 

Homes that are modern the ones in big cities, like metro cities usually have:

  • Clear height of only 9-9.5 feet
  • Congested air
  • Reduced sunlight

This can cause people a lot of discomfort. It is really stressful. The stress and discomfort can also lead to health issues. Health issues, from discomfort and stress are a problem. Discomfort and stress can make people feel really bad. This can affect their health.

 

Construction Materials: Durability Over Display

People used to live in homes that were very different from the ones we have today. Earlier homes were not, like the houses we see now. The people who built homes did a great job. Earlier homes are still interesting to look at.

  • Neem wood and other durable timber
  • Lime (chuna) instead of cement
  • Thick walls (1.5-2 feet wide)

A lot of homes that are 300 to 500 years old are still standing strong today. These old homes are really something because they have been around for long. They are still, in good shape. Many 300 to 500 year old homes are still strong. That is amazing.

Modern construction focuses on:

  • The use of modern construction materials
  • construction is really all about modern construction and it includes things like

Cement-heavy structures

Cement is really strong. When you make the walls thinner it can be a problem for insulation, stability and energy balance. The wall thickness is important for cement because it helps with all these things. Cement walls that are too thin do not do a job, with insulation, stability and energy balance. This is why cement wall thickness is something to think about.

 

Tulsi Plant: Central Energy Source

Traditionally:

I have a Tulsi plant that was planted in the courtyard, which is also known as the Brahmasthan. The Tulsi plant is really special, to me because it was planted in the Brahmasthan, which’s the courtyard of my home.

The thing that is really great, about this product is that it purified an area of 200 to 250 square yards in a completely natural way. This natural purification of 200 to 250 yards is really something to think about.

The home is filled with energy. It is a nice feeling when you have positive energy all around the home. Positive energy makes the home feel happy and warm. The positive energy spread throughout the home makes it a great place to be.

 

Today:

People usually put Tulsi on their balconies or terraces. This is a thing to do with Tulsi. You can often see Tulsi on balconies or terraces.

The full energetic and medicinal impact of the medicine is not as strong as it should be. The medicine does not have the energetic and medicinal impact that it is supposed to have. This is because the energetic and medicinal impact of the medicine is reduced.

The central placement was really good because it helped the benefits of the placement get to every single part of the house. This way the central placement made sure that every room, in the house got to experience the benefits of the placement.

 

Eating Habits: Floor Dining vs Modern Lifestyle

Earlier families:

  • Sat together
  • Ate meals on the floor

This posture:

  • Improves digestion
  • Reduces lifestyle diseases

Today:

I feel like meals are really rushed. We do not get to enjoy our food. Meals are. That is not good, for us. Sometimes I wish we could just slow down and have a meal without feeling like we have to hurry. Meals are. It is something that I think about a lot.

People like to eat on their beds or sofas. Sometimes they even eat on the couch. Eating on the bed or sofa is something that people do every day. People eat food on their beds or sofas because it is comfortable. The bed or sofa is where people like to eat their food.

Family bonding during meals is rare

Eating on the bed is especially harmful and was traditionally associated only with illness.

Today temples and Gurudwaras have people sitting on the floor. This is not a ritual it is a scientific practice. Temples and Gurudwaras do this for a reason. Sitting on the floor in temples. Gurudwaras is really good, for people. Temples and Gurudwaras make people sit on the floor because it is a practice that helps people.

 

Floor Designs & Mental Well-being

Earlier homes had these things:

  • Artistic floor designs (lotus, rangoli patterns)
  • Colors are really great at uplifting our mood.
  • The colors that do this are very nice to look at.
  • Colors like these make us feel happy and calm.

Some of these colors include

  • Blue
  • Yellow
  • Green

These colors are the colors that uplifted mood and they are very good for us.

We should use colors, like these colors to make ourselves feel better.

The colors that uplifted mood are really beautiful and fun to look at.

People usually put designs in the middle of rooms. This is something that you can see in a lot of houses. Designs are often the thing that you notice when you walk into a room and that is why people like to put them at the center of rooms. The designs make the rooms look nice.

Today:

Simple, quick flooring

Minimal emotional connection with living spaces

A nice place to live makes people feel happy and calm. It helps families get along and be patient with each other. A pleasant environment is really important for families to live in harmony. Families who live in an environment are usually very happy and they do not fight with each other. A pleasant environment is good, for the emotions of family members. It helps them to be patient and live in peace.

 

Wall Thickness & Structural Strength

Old homes had:

  • Thick walls (up to 2 feet)
  • Minimal beam-column dependency

Historical buildings are really amazing. They can stand strong for a long time. That is why historical buildings still stand strong after centuries. Historical buildings are a part of our past and that is why people work hard to keep them safe.

Modern construction:

  • Thinner walls
  • Faster methods
  • Reduced longevity

This is a change in the way people think about building things. It is a shift in construction philosophy. People are going to build things in a way now. This change, in construction philosophy is really important.

 

Conclusion

Our ancestors were smart people. They knew a lot about science. They were very practical and wise. A lot of the problems we have today are because we do not live in a way like our ancestors did. We have moved away, from the living principles that our ancestors followed.

Even if we cannot follow everything today using a few Vastu ideas can really make a big difference, to our lives like making our homes and offices better places to be and that is what the ancient Vastu concepts can do the Vastu concepts can make our lives better.

  • Health
  • Peace
  • Family harmony

If you have questions related to Vastu Shastra or want guidance for your home, feel free to reach out.

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