What it does
Prevents wasted effort on orientation when the land itself is weak, obstructed or cursed.
Cautions
Explanation and notes
Energetic land explains the common objection that some homes prosper with a toilet or kitchen in the Ishaan (North-East), or with South-facing shops: when land energy is high, even an opposite orientation does little harm. Classical texts such as Mayamatam and Manasara open with chapters on bhoomi (land) energy, and land energy can be called the soul of Vastu; land without energy is dead. A place that fills a visitor with joy and another that makes him want to leave differ in the energy deposited in their land. In the story of Shravan Kumar, his mind turned against carrying his parents only on a stretch of river bank that had become obstructed and cursed by a killing done there, and returned to normal once he crossed the river.
Vastu is defined in complementary ways: the land of residence, the architectural art of coordinating nature and human, orientation according to the sun, the free movement of air, a structure that controls the mind, the management of universal energy and the balance of the five elements.
Energy rising from the land (geopathic) meets energy from the planets and stars (cosmic) and forms a third energy that can turn intense or toxic when mixed with household activity, so it must be able to leave the house. Every room therefore needs ventilation.
Early morning sun brings positive ultraviolet rays rich in vitamins and metals, while after about 2 pm the rays turn infrared. Openings and wall thickness are planned accordingly so the building admits good energy and blocks harmful energy.
Sun rays are described as miracle rays that carry silver, gold, iron, mercury, lead and other minerals as well as vitamin D and vitamin B12, each at a particular time around sunrise. No electric light can supply these.
Griha arambh (start of construction), griha pravesh, factory opening and other auspicious (mangalik) events are held in daytime, because work begun with the sun's energy goes well. After sunset creation is considered asleep.
The sun's movement from East to West creates a magnetic effect with North and South poles. A plot, building, room or hall whose North-South axis is longer (chandra-bhedi) holds the strongest magnetic field, giving attraction and concentration; one whose East-West axis is longer is called surya-bhedi.
When a plot's North-South axis is short, the magnetic field is increased by planning every room long in the North-South direction or, failing that, by placing heavy magnets and hematite mineral on the North-South axis.
Facing North uses the earth's magnetic field for attraction and focus: in business the owner faces North to draw customers, cash drawers and the tijori face North, and tratak or hypnotism is practised facing North.