VASTHU SHASTRA
Vastu Shastra ( "science of construction", "architecture") is an ancient doctrine which consists of precepts born out of a traditional and archaic view on how the laws of nature affect human dwellingsThe designs are based on directional alignments. It is primarily applied in Hindu architecture, especially for Hindu temples, although it covers other domains, including poetry, dance, sculpture, etc. The foundation of Vastu is traditionally ascribed to the mythical sage
While the fields are related, Shilpa Shastra explicitly deal with sculpture - forms, statues, icons, stone murals etc. The doctrine of Vastu Shastra is concerned primarily with architecture - building houses, forts, temples, apartments and other buildings.
The Sanskrit word vastu means a dwelling or house with a corresponding plot of land.The vrddhi, vāstu takes the meaning of "the site or foundation of a house, site, ground, building or dwelling-place, habitation, homestead, house". The underlying root is vas "to dwell, live, stay, abide". The term shastra may loosely be translated as "science, doctrine, teaching".
Canonical Vastu shastras include
- Manasara Silpa Shastra (by Manasara),
- Mayamatam (by Maya),
- Visvakarma Vastushastra (by Visvakarma),
- Samarangana Sutradara (by Raja Bhoja),
- Aparajita Priccha (a dialogue between Viswakarma and his son Aparajita, written by Bhuvanadevacharya)
- Silparatna
Other treatises such as Agni Purana and works by Kautilya and Sukracharya are not popular even though they preceded the previously mentioned documents. Distinction of style exists due to each document's place of origin. Mayamata and Mansara Silpa Shastra are considered Dravidian because they are from south India whereas Visvakarama Vastu Shastra is considered Indo-Aryan due to its north Indian origin.
