The science of aligning buildings + interiors + plots with cosmic energy-flows, the 8 directions, the 5 mahabhutas, and the Vastu Purusha Mandala. Foundational texts: Mayamata + Manasara + Samarangana-Sutradhara.
By Sevasannidhi LLP·Updated 22 May 2026
Personal Vastu: Want direction recommendations based on YOUR lagna + dasha? Try the Vastu Analyser →
Vastu Purusha Mandala
What — The Vastu Purusha = the cosmic-being lying face-down on the plot. His head points northeast. His legs point southwest. His body is divided into 64 or 81 squares — each square ruled by a specific deva (Brahma at the centre, 45 devatas around).
Why — Building IS construction on the body of Vastu Purusha. Every brick + nail must respect his anatomy. A misaligned plot or door = pressing on a sensitive part of his body = the inhabitants suffer accordingly.
Ritual — Bhumi-pujan (earth-worship) before construction is the formal apology + permission asked from Vastu Purusha + the 45 devatas. Performed by a Vastu-shastra-knowing pandit. The 4 corners of the plot, the centre + the prakaras of the foundation are all consecrated.
✓ Best for — Master bedroom (the BEST placement). Heavy items. Steel cupboards + lockers. Stable wealth-storage.
✗ Avoid — Entrance. Kitchen. Light items. Open space (the SW corner needs WEIGHT for stability).
Room-by-room placement
Room
Best
Avoid
Main entrance
East / North / Northeast / Northwest
Southeast / Southwest / Direct South
Puja-griha (prayer-room)
Northeast — ALWAYS
Any other direction
Kitchen
Southeast (best) or Northwest (acceptable)
Northeast (disaster) or center
Master bedroom
Southwest — head of bed south or east
Northeast (sleep-disturbance), bed facing north (kshatriya prohibition)
Children's bedroom
West / Northwest
Southwest (heavy energy for growing children)
Guest bedroom
Northwest (mobility-energy)
Southwest (will make them stay too long!)
Toilet / bathroom
Northwest or West
NEVER northeast (disaster). NEVER center. NEVER south of puja-room.
Cash-box / treasury
North (Kubera) — facing east when opening
South / Southwest (drains wealth)
8 common Vastu doshas + remedies
Vastu-purusha-mukha (Toilet in northeast)
Effect: Health issues, family-discord, children's studies suffer
Remedy: Move toilet OR install copper-pyramid + place a Sri-yantra in the NE corner. Last resort: not at all easy to fix without renovation.
Kitchen in northeast
Effect: Accidents, fires, financial drain
Remedy: Move kitchen. If impossible, paint walls cool-blue + place a water-feature.
Master bedroom in northeast
Effect: Sleep disturbance, marital problems
Remedy: Move bedroom. Or sleep with head NEVER toward north.
Bed facing south (head toward north)
Effect: Insomnia, blood-pressure issues
Remedy: Re-orient bed so head is toward south or east.
Cut-corner (missing northeast)
Effect: Major dharmic + spiritual stagnation
Remedy: Extend the building OR place a permanent water-feature at the cut.
Center occupied by heavy structure (pillar, staircase, deep storage)
Vastu colors — what to paint in each direction
Color is one of the easiest Vastu remedies. Each direction has an ideal color palette aligned with its ruling planet and element.
North-East (Ishanya)
✓ White · Cream · Pale yellow · Light blue✗ Red · Dark brown · Grey · Black
NE is the highest-energy spiritual corner. Light, pure colors keep Devi's energy flowing. Dark colors dampen the divine clarity.
East (Purva)
✓ Light green · Yellow-green · Saffron · White✗ Blue · Black · Dark grey
East = sunrise = growth. Green and saffron mirror the morning sun and growth energy.
South-East (Agneya)
✓ Orange · Coral · Pink · Red-orange✗ Blue · Black · Green
Agni (fire) corner. Warm colors amplify fire energy — perfect for kitchen/electrical zones.
South (Dakshina)
✓ Red · Pink · Yellow · Coral✗ Blue · Black · Pure white
Yama's direction. Earthy warm colors here create stability. Blue/black drain vitality from the South.
South-West (Nairutya)
✓ Earthy brown · Terracotta · Ochre · Beige
Plot shapes — what to buy, what to avoid
Square (Chaturasra)
Excellent
Balanced energy on all sides. Equal Vastu Purusha energy. Best for family stability and prosperity.
Rectangle — longer East-West (Ayata)
Excellent
Good for business, education, and intellectual pursuits. Slightly more active energy.
Remedy: Ensure NE corner is not cut. Plant trees in SW.
Rectangle — longer North-South (Shashtika)
Good
Wealth and prosperity. Good for commerce. Elongated North = Kubera benefit.
Remedy: Strengthen SW with heavy construction. Keep NE open.
L-shaped (missing corner)
Average
Which corner is missing determines the effect. Missing NE = spiritual stagnation. Missing SW = instability.
Remedy: Mirror or copper pyramid to "fill" missing corner. Plant trees at missing corner.
T-shaped (Vithishula)
Disclaimer — Vastu is a science of energetic alignment, not a substitute for engineering / structural / safety considerations. Always consult licensed architects + structural engineers for actual construction. Vastu remedies are most effective when applied during initial design — retrofitting an existing structure is more difficult. See also Sacred Sciences, Temple architecture (Vastu in temple-design), 8 dikpalakas (cosmic direction-rulers).