Vastu Shastra, Science of orientation in Indian Architecture from Udemy

Vastu Shastra, Science of orientation and construction in Indian Architecture

Table of Contents

•Introduction

•Vastu Shastra Analysis

•Natural Forces

•The Five Elements of Nature

•The Moon

•The Doctrine of Orientation

•Vaastu Shastra principles of building planning and construction

•Site and Building Plan: Vastu Purusha Mandala

•Analysis of Vastu Shastra, inspired residential floor plans

•The Proportionate Measurements, Mana

•Aesthetics of the building

•Urban Planning, Conceptual Cities

•Sawai Jai Singh’s Observatory, Jantar Mantar

Vastu shastra (Vaastu) Vastu shastra is an ancient Indian science of Vedic origin Vedic Period. The Vedic period or Vedic age (c. 1500 – c. 500 BC), is the period in the history of the northern Indian subcontinent between the end of the urban Indus Valley Civilization and a second urbanization which began in the central Indo-Gangetic Plain c. 600 BC. The Vedic period saw the emergence of a hierarchy of social classes that would remain influential. Vastu defines building of homes or work spaces in synchrony with the natural forces. A Vaastu or Vastu perfect building not only attains complete harmony with natural forces, but also brings in prosperity, good thoughts and sound health to its residents. There are certain basic principles that are considered Vastu-logically correct for the making and designing of a house or other building. Following these principles, while constructing a house or even choosing one would be highly beneficial and advantageous.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Science of orientation and construction in indian architecture
Vastu shastra analysis

The five elements of nature
The doctrine of orientation

Science of orientation and construction in indian architecture
Vastu shastra analysis
The five elements of nature
The doctrine of orientation

Syllabus

Introduction

Vastu 2

Vastu 3

Vastu 4

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the Vastu Purusha Mandala, which is a fundamental concept in traditional Indian architectural planning and design

Examines the doctrine of orientation, which is a unique perspective that may add color to other topics and subjects in architecture

Analyzes Vastu Shastra principles of building planning and construction, which are highly relevant to the field of architecture

Examines conceptual cities and urban planning, which may require learners to conduct outside research to fully understand

Studies Sawai Jai Singh’s Observatory, Jantar Mantar, which may require learners to conduct outside research to fully understand

Reviews summary

Foundational course on vastu shastra

According to learners, this course offers a solid foundation and good introduction to Vastu Shastra, providing valuable historical and cultural context. Many found the course well-structured and appreciated the insights into ancient Indian wisdom. However, some students noted a lack of practical application, finding the content more theoretical and potentially basic for those with prior knowledge. A recurring criticism was the poor production quality, specifically regarding video and audio, which made it difficult to follow at times. Despite the technical issues and desire for more practical depth, the course is seen as a useful starting point for understanding Vastu principles.

Offers valuable cultural and historical insights.

"...covering the historical and cultural context of Vastu Shastra."

"Provides a unique perspective on architecture and planning rooted in ancient Indian wisdom."

"The historical context was fascinating. It sparked my interest..."

"Very valuable for cultural insights."

Provides a good foundation on Vastu basics.

"A very insightful course covering the historical and cultural context of Vastu Shastra. ... It gives a good foundation."

"Gives a solid introduction to Vastu Shastra. The historical context was fascinating."

"I gained a comprehensive understanding of Vastu Shastra principles from this course."

Production quality needs significant improvement.

"...the video quality is poor and sometimes the audio is hard to hear."

"...the production quality of the videos needs significant improvement."

"The low resolution of the videos was distracting."

More theoretical, less practical application.

"Could be more practical examples for modern buildings."

"Was expecting more practical application, felt very theoretical."

"The content was a bit too basic for someone who wanted practical guidance."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Vastu Shastra, Science of orientation in Indian Architecture with these activities:

The Handbook of Vastu

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Gain a foundational understanding of Vastu Shastra principles before starting the course.

View Principles and Applications of Vastu Shastra:... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'The Handbook of Vastu'.
Read the introductory chapters covering the basic principles.
Take notes on key concepts and definitions.

Research the Five Elements in Vastu

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Deepen your understanding of the five elements and their role in Vastu Shastra.

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Research each of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, space) in relation to Vastu.
Write a short summary of each element's significance and how it influences building design.
Include examples of how these elements are incorporated into Vastu-compliant structures.

Vastu: Relevance to Modern Times

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Understand how Vastu Shastra can be applied to modern architectural designs.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Acquire a copy of 'Vastu: Relevance to Modern Times'.
Read chapters related to topics covered in the current week's lectures.
Compare and contrast the book's perspectives with the course material.

Three other activities

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Analyze a Building Using Vastu Principles

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Apply your knowledge of Vastu Shastra to analyze an existing building.

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Choose a building to analyze (e.g., your home, a local building).
Assess the building's orientation, room placement, and use of the five elements.
Prepare a report outlining your findings and recommendations for improvement.

Design a Vastu-Compliant Floor Plan

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Apply Vastu principles to design a floor plan for a residential building.

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Select a hypothetical site for your building.
Create a floor plan incorporating Vastu principles for orientation and placement of rooms.
Write a short explanation of how your design adheres to Vastu guidelines.

Create a Vastu Shastra Blog

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Share your knowledge and insights about Vastu Shastra with a wider audience.

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Set up a blog on a platform like WordPress or Medium.
Create a content calendar with topics related to Vastu Shastra.
Write and publish regular blog posts on various aspects of Vastu.
Promote your blog on social media and other relevant platforms.

Career center

Learners who complete Vastu Shastra, Science of orientation in Indian Architecture will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cultural Heritage Specialist

A cultural heritage specialist works to preserve and promote cultural heritage, ensuring that valuable traditions are not lost. This course, which explores the science of Vastu Shastra, provides a deep understanding of traditional Indian architecture. The course's analysis of Vastu Shastra, its principles of building planning and construction, and its doctrine of orientation are invaluable to a cultural heritage specialist. The study of the historical context of Vastu Shastra, including its Vedic origins, helps the cultural heritage specialist with the history of this architectural style. This course will be particularly useful to someone working to preserve and promote traditional Indian architectural practices.

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Architectural Historian

An architectural historian researches and documents the history of buildings and architectural styles. The study of Vastu Shastra, combined with the historical analysis of its Vedic origins, provides a rich source of information for the architectural historian. The course's exploration of the principles of building planning and construction, as well as its analysis of the Vastu Purusha Mandala and proportionate measurements are helpful to someone studying architectural history. This course may be particularly helpful to an architectural historian researching traditional Indian architectural styles, and their cultural significance.

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Architect

An architect designs buildings and structures, focusing on both aesthetics and functionality. This course, with its emphasis on Vastu Shastra principles of building planning and construction, directly informs an architect's understanding of design from a traditional Indian perspective. The study of the five elements of nature and the doctrine of orientation, as taught in this course, helps an architect create spaces that are in harmony with the environment. Analysis of Vastu Shastra, including inspired residential floor plans and proportionate measurements, provides valuable insight to the architect that can be used when designing buildings. This course may be particularly helpful in crafting buildings that seek to embody certain traditional aesthetics.

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Urban Planner

Urban planners develop plans and programs for land use and community development, often focusing on the efficient use of space and resources. This course, with its exploration of urban planning and conceptual cities, provides an understanding of how tradition can influence the design of urban spaces. The course's principles of orientation and the five elements of nature can inform the design of neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces. The study of Vastu Shastra and its principles of building planning can be helpful for the urban planner when planning spaces that promote harmony and balance within a community. A traditional approach may be valuable when planning spaces that have cultural significance.

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Interior designer

Interior designers enhance the aesthetics and usability of interior spaces. This course, focusing on Vastu Shastra principles in building planning, provides valuable insights to an interior designer in how to arrange spaces harmoniously. Through detailed discussion of the five natural elements, an interior designer can select materials and colors to create a balanced environment. The course's study of proportionate measurements and aesthetics helps an interior designer create spaces that are not only visually appealing but also spiritually aligned. This course will be especially useful for an interior designer who wants to integrate traditional principles into their work.

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Draftsperson

A draftsperson creates technical drawings and plans. This course, which includes analysis of Vastu Shastra residential floor plans, will be helpful for a draftsperson. The course's teachings on proportionate measurements and the Vastu Purusha Mandala informs the draftsperson in designing plans that are aligned to traditional principles. The course can provide a draftsperson with a deeper understanding of the principles underlying Vastu design. For a draftsperson working on Vastu drawings, this course could prove valuable.

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Landscape Architect

Landscape architects plan and design outdoor spaces, focusing on the aesthetics, functionality, and environmental impact of these areas. This course, through the study of the five natural elements and their connection to design, provides a solid foundation for a landscape architect. The course's teachings of Vastu Shastra principles and the doctrine of orientation are particularly useful for the landscape architect. Analysis of Vastu Shastra, combined with course's exploration of site planning, helps a landscape architect create outdoor spaces that are in harmony with their surroundings. The course can inform the design of gardens, parks, and other outdoor environments.

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Researcher

A researcher conducts in-depth studies on a variety of topics. This course on Vastu Shastra provides a researcher with a rich area of study. The course's exploration of the history of Indian architecture, including its practices, can lead to a variety of research projects. The course is useful for a researcher who would like to explore the cultural and historical significance of Vastu Shastra. The course's content around natural forces and the five elements may also be of interest to someone researching traditional architecture approaches to natural elements.

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Construction Manager

Construction managers oversee building projects from start to finish, including planning, budgeting, and resource allocation. This course's exploration of Vastu principles will inform how a construction manager approaches a building project inspired by traditional Indian design. The course's teachings of building planning and construction provides a construction manager with a deep understanding of the importance of orientation and natural elements. Analysis of the Vastu Purusha Mandala and proportionate measurements are useful to the construction manager when overseeing the project's design and implementation. This course provides the construction manager with a traditional perspective that may help when working on projects inspired by Vastu Shastra.

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Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability consultants advise organizations on how to improve their environmental impact and sustainability practices. This course's focus on natural forces and the five elements of nature will benefit a sustainability consultant. The course's teachings on traditional planning and building also provide concepts that may be useful in sustainable design. The course's analysis of Vastu Shastra, including its principles of building planning, helps integrate traditional perspectives into modern sustainability efforts. This course may be beneficial for a sustainability consultant who wants to introduce ecological principles inspired by traditions.

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Real Estate Developer

A real estate developer oversees the planning and construction of new properties for residential and commercial use, which means they must consider many factors regarding site and building plans. This course may be useful for a real estate developer who wants to explore the use of Vastu principles in development. This course focuses on Vastu Shastra principles of building planning and construction, which can help a developer make informed decisions. The course's analysis of Vastu, combined with its focus on natural elements, can be of use when planning for particular markets. This course may be especially useful when developing properties that are designed to appeal to a specific market.

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Project Manager

Project managers oversee specific projects from start to finish, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. This course will be useful for a project manager who is overseeing a building project that is inspired by Vastu Shastra principles. The course's exploration of building planning, and Vastu Shastra's principles of building and construction, are useful when developing a project plan. The course material will help the project manager to better communicate with the team working on a Vastu inspired project. The project manager will be better equipped to work with a team on building plans.

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Civil Engineer

Civil engineers design and oversee construction projects, ensuring they meet safety and structural standards. While this course may not cover the technical aspects of engineering, its exploration of Vastu Shastra principles of building planning and construction is useful to a civil engineer. The teachings on orientation and the five elements of nature are aspects that civil engineers should be aware of as they plan for structures. This course may be particularly helpful when they are working with a team doing Vastu inspired design. The course can broaden the awareness of a civil engineer working with traditional design principles.

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Building Inspector

Building inspectors examine buildings to ensure they meet safety and code requirements though they do not design them. This course may be helpful for a building inspector who wants to become more aware of Vastu principles. The course's teachings on Vastu principles of building planning and construction provides a building inspector with a different perspective on building design. The course's teachings on the doctrine of orientation and the five natural elements are useful for a building inspector who has to review Vastu-inspired designs. The course may be useful in a particular niche where the inspector will be called to review traditionally designed buildings.

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Construction Estimator

A construction estimator calculates the costs of materials and labor for construction projects. This course, while not directly related to cost estimation, provides a background in Vastu Shastra principles of building planning and construction. A construction estimator working with a Vastu inspired project can use this course to better understand the designs they are estimating. The course gives context about the principles that inform the design, such as the doctrine of orientation and the five elements of nature. This course may be useful if involved in projects based on traditional Indian architecture.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Vastu Shastra, Science of orientation in Indian Architecture.

Principles and Applications of Vastu Shastra

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Serves as a comprehensive guide to Vastu Shastra principles. It provides detailed explanations of the core concepts, including the five elements, orientation, and the Vastu Purusha Mandala. Reading this book before the course will provide a solid foundation for understanding the more complex topics covered later. It is commonly used as a reference by both students and practitioners.

Principles and Applications of Vastu Shastra: The...

Paperback

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Explores the application of Vastu Shastra in contemporary architectural design. It bridges the gap between traditional principles and modern building practices. Reading this book during the course will help you understand how to adapt Vastu principles to real-world scenarios. It is valuable as additional reading to expand on the course material.

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Putting Knowledge to Work

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Vastu Shastra, Science of orientation in Indian Architecture

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Foundational course on vastu shastra

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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