Harmonising high-rise homes
VASTHU SASTRA BY T.SELVA
It’s impossible to change certain aspects of an apartment – placement of the
entrance, for instance – but there are ways to ameliorate the situation.
OVER 90% of the 4.4 million people in Singapore live in high-rise dwellings, which
makes it difficult to follow Vasthu Sastra principles.
This was the common lament among several apartment residents who attended my recent
Vasthu talk in the republic. They wanted to know how the ancient knowledge could be
incorporated in flats, apartments and condominiums where structural adjustments are
impossible.
Although it can be challenging to follow Vasthu 100% in such structures, there is still
hope for those who want to live according to Vasthu principles. Vasthu is all about
rearranging things in a house and it can be done without tearing down walls and
renovations.
This week’s column focuses on high-rise dwelling, which has also become a popular
option in Malaysia because of the scarcity of land in prime locations.
Those planning to buy a high-rise unit should look at the location, layout and
surroundings.
The first rule will be to ensure the main entrance to the apartment is not in the south-west,
which is inauspicious.
Next, ensure that the units are rectangular or square and there are no cuts or void areas,
particularly in the south-west (prosperity quadrant) and north-east (the spiritual
quadrant). Such defects in these areas will affect the wealth and growth of the occupants.
Also check if there is more open space in the north-east of the development and the
apartments are built along the southern and western areas of the land as both are
favourable indications of balanced development with the cosmic forces.
For those who have already purchased such units or are staying in an apartment, don’t
worry about the surrounding because there is nothing much you can do at this stage if
there are some afflictions.
But you can at least salvage the space you have purchased by correcting it.
You should be concerned only about the unit that you occupy because you own the unit
and not the entire block.
For landed houses, I normally insist that the dwellers go only for the first choice in the
placements of things as per Vasthu in their house because they can make easy
adjustments but, for apartment dwellers, I will offer second and third choices.
The main door to the unit can be in all the compass directions – north, south, east, west,
north-east, north-west and south-east – but not south-west.
Following this, see if there is a room in the south-west and it should be occupied by the
couple or the breadwinner of the house.
The second choice would be the room in the south or west. Avoid north-east and southeast bedroom totally as they are air and fire corners.
In the case of the kitchen, the stove should be located in the south-east or north-west. If
this is not possible (because of built-in gas pipes, for example), buy a portable stove and
place it on any of the two locations and start cooking.
This will resolve the issue of cooking in the wrong location because food prepared and
consumed in an inauspicious location can give rise to health problems.
If you want to have an altar, place it in the north-east but if this is not possible, it can be
located in the central portion of the apartment, facing east.
In case of a balcony located in the south-west, which in unfavourable, place flowerpots in
the balcony area and keep the sliding door closed at all times.
Also check and ensure that the toilets and bathrooms are located in locations other than
south-west and north-east.
This are some of the vital aspects of Vasthu that high-rise dwellers should follow strictly
so that their units are over 50% Vasthu compliant and they can be assured of enjoying
health, wealth, happiness and peace of mind.
Vasthu talks
The columnist will present a talk on Vasthu Sastra at 3pm, May 13, at Art of Living
Centre, 269 (second floor) Jalan Kulim, Bukit Metajam, Penang. Admission is by
contribution of RM10 to the YRJS Handicapped Children’s Home in Bukit Tengah,
Bukit Mertajam. To register, call Teoh at 019-480 3050. A similar talk will be held at
2.30pm on June 10 at the YMCA Hall in Ipoh. Admission is by contribution of RM10 to
the Bank Indian Employees Society of Ipoh’s welfare activities. To register, call Ganesh
at 012-593 9065.
n T. Selva, The Star’s Sunday Metro Editor, has spent years researching and writing
about the ancient Indian science of construction, better known as ‘Indian feng shui’. He
is the first disciple of 7th generation Vasthu Sastra Master Yuvaraj Sowma from Chennai,
India.