MAHARISHI AYURVEDA
HEALTH CENTRE BAD EMS
SINCE 1992
VEDIC ARCHITECTURE
Maharishi Sthāpatya Veda – living in harmony
Although the ancient knowledge of Vedic architec-
ture is closely related to that of Ayurveda, it is still
relatively unknown in the West. The ancient tradi-
tions of the Veda are divided into 40 areas of life,
and one of these includes architecture and urban
planning.
The Sanskrit word ‘Sthāpan’ means to create or es-
tablish. The word ‘Veda’ means knowledge in the
sense of knowledge of natural law. Thus, ‘Sthāpatya
Veda’ is the knowledge necessary to create anything
in harmony with the cosmic order. When applied
to architecture, it is often called ‘Vastu Vidya’ (the © Maharishi Vedic University [Link]/portfolio/
science of building) or ‘Vastu architecture’.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, known as the founder of Building fortune-creating houses
Transcendental Meditation, has revived the ancient
Vedic traditions and made them available to mod- A building constructed according to the principles
ern man. In this context, also the forgotten knowl- of Sthāpatya Veda should bring spiritual and mate-
edge of Vedic Architecture was rediscovered and rial well-being to its occupants by generating only
reinterpreted. life-supporting influences. This is because Vastu ar-
chitecture allows us to incorporate in a building the
By now, it is recognized worldwide and is gaining same cosmic laws that keep the universe perfectly
popularity. For example, an international consultan- organized.
cy service for Vedic Architecture has been estab-
lished at Maharishi University in the Netherlands As human beings, we are constantly receiving in-
and provides advice worldwide on building projects fluences and energies from everywhere, including
according to Vedic principles. Architects who have from the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth itself. We live
received thorough additional training in Maharishi in electric, magnetic, and thermal fields, which are
Sthāpatya Veda can be referred from there. modified by the construction of houses.
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MAHARISHI AYURVEDA
PR IVAT K LI N I K BA D E M S
SEIT 1992
Maharishi Sthāpatya Veda – living in harmony
Thus, every room resonates with these energies in The Power of the East
its own way and in turn affects our physiology. If the
frequencies are balanced, we feel comfortable and Why does Vedic architecture consider it so import-
energetic there. If, on the other hand, there are dis- ant to orient the house towards the east?
harmonious influences, our well-being is hampered, The cardinal direction east plays a central role in
which can result in irritation, sleep disturbances and many cultures, because it’s in the east that the Sun
restlessness, to name just a few examples. rises, the provider of the rhythm and energy for our
lives.
By taking into account the laws of nature and the
principles of Vastu architecture, we can enhance For example, in most churches, the altars and choirs
the right qualities in the right place, such as better are aligned so that visitors face east during the ser-
concentration in the office, healthy sleep in the bed- vice.
room, and relaxation in the living room. And in Western as well as Vedic astrology, horo-
To maximize the quality of life in a Vastu home, the scopes are calculated based on which planets and
following points should be considered during con- constellations were rising in the east at the time of
struction: birth.
• Selection of an ideal plot of land
• Orientation and entrance of the building More recently, research has discovered that our
towards the east brain works differently when we look to the east.
• Establishing a Brahmasthan, a resting point, in a Certain neurons in the hypothalamus react to our
central place of the house spatial orientation and are particularly strongly stim-
• Proper location and proportions of the rooms ulated when we look toward the east, which is also
• Selection of suitable building materials. the direction of rotation of our Earth. Therefore,
Sthāpatya Veda recommends orienting the head
end of the bed as well as the writing desk to the
east. If a house is newly built, it is also very benefi-
cial to put the entrance in the east.
© 1998 MFI, Maharishi Foundation International, the Netherlands.
® Transcendental Meditation and Maharishi Sthapatya Veda
are registered or common law trademarks of Maharishi Foundation International
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MAHARISHI AYURVEDA
PR IVAT K LI N I K BA D E M S
SEIT 1992
Maharishi Sthāpatya Veda – living in harmony
Influence of the cardinal directions This is the ideal arrangement, which takes into ac-
on health and vitality count the different energy qualities of the Sun over
the course of the day and supports our biorhythm.
In Vastu architecture, the positioning of the rooms Preliminary studies have confirmed the influence of
and the building as a whole plays an immensely a building’s orientation on health and well-being.
important role. The aim is to harmonize the house
or apartment with the surrounding nature and to
establish a favorable connection to the energies of
the Earth and the Sun, thus not only increasing our
well-being and productivity, but also optimally sup-
porting us in our material and spiritual development.
The recommendations are based on the Earth’s mag-
netic field and the light conditions during the day,
which have been shown to permanently influence
our well-being. When we live in accord with the
course of the sun, we feel most comfortable. That
is why it is recommended to sleep with the head
towards the east and – ideally – to be awakened by
the rising sun. Having the entrance to the house or
apartment in the east not only supports the early
© 1998 MFI, Maharishi Foundation International, the Netherlands.
morning creative energy on the way to work, but ® Transcendental Meditation and Maharishi Sthapatya Veda
also has a harmonizing influence on those who live are registered or common law trademarks of Maharishi Foundation International
there, every time they enter or leave the house.
Sleep better with Sthāpatya Veda
Arrangement of the rooms Rearranging or even renovating one’s house or
apartment to bring it in line with the above-men-
The kitchen is best placed in the southeast, which tioned principles may be a difficult task. However,
corresponds to the position of the sun during the late what is relatively easy to do and can already sig-
morning. The dining room is located in the south, nificantly improve your quality of life is setting up a
the cardinal direction where the sun is highest. suitable sleeping place.
Ayurveda knows that this strong influx of light opti-
mally activates our digestive power. This is also the Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of sleep as a
reason why the main meal should be taken around time of regeneration and detoxification, and we can
noon: at that time, our inner fire, called Agni, is at decisively influence it by adjusting our daily routine
its strongest, so even a larger meal can be digested and our bedroom. During an Ayurvedic consul-
well. tation, it is not uncommon for the Vaidya to ask,
which direction your bed is facing.
In the afternoon and evening, family life becomes
more prominent and life takes place in the living Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of sleep as a
room. In the Vedic building diagram, this is located time of regeneration and detoxification, and in ad-
in the west, where the sun sets and provides a more dition to having a suitable daily routine, we can also
calming light. decisively influence it by adjusting our bedroom.
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MAHARISHI AYURVEDA
PR IVAT K LI N I K BA D E M S
SEIT 1992
Maharishi Sthāpatya Veda – living in harmony
During an Ayurvedic consultation, it is not uncom- The bed should be made of solid wood. We par-
mon for the Vaidya to ask in which direction your ticularly advise against water beds, which lead to
bed is facing. electromagnetic pollution and restless sleep due to
the heating of the water. Pillows, comforters and
So what influence do the different cardinal direc- bed linen should all be made of natural materials,
tions have on our sleep? as these do not pick up electrostatic charge, unlike
The most favorable orientation is having the head synthetic fibers. In terms of color, it’s clear that hues
of the bed in the east, because then we are aligned and tones in a bedroom should have a soothing and
with the earth’s rotation and our body’s own mag- balancing effect.
netic field is charged. This also makes best use of On the whole, the bedroom should be orderly and
the qualities of the rising sun. uncluttered, without too many things in it, because
a deep, restful sleep requires that Vata and Pitta
Doshas are balanced and that a gentle Kapha can
unfold.
Vata is generally stimulated – or overstimulated – by
everything that is agitated, i.e. also by restless pat-
terns, as well as by dark shades such as black, dark
blue, and brown. Pitta, on the other hand, is activat-
ed by reds and bright colors, as well as by intense,
invigorating patterns.
A balanced, gentle Kapha can be established by
pastel tones and whites, and by large areas of one
color, creating a feeling of stillness – somewhat like
© Maharishi Vedic University [Link]/portfolio/ the calming effect of gazing at a lake.
The second-best option is to sleep with the head
towards the south, because in this position the body
is in alignment with the Earth’s magnetic field lines.
It can be very unfavorable to sleep with the head to-
wards the north or west: in this position, sleep tends
to be light and restless, or disturbed by nightmares.
As a result, you may feel a lack of energy and more
fatigue during the day.
The sleeping area should be kept free of electronics
such as tv or smartphone. The ideal place for the
bed is in the southwest of the room, with the head © Maharishi Vedic University [Link]/portfolio/
facing east. It is recommended not to have the bed
right in the middle of the room, nor should it be To best cater for all three Doshas, preference should
placed completely against a wall. The guidelines say be given to light, delicate colors with little or no
it should be 10–20 cm away from the wall and – this patterning in the choice of wall colors and bedding
is something everyone does automatically – parallel – remember the quiet whites of the traditional bed-
to the walls. ding used by our grandparents in the past? It may
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MAHARISHI AYURVEDA
HEALTH CENTRE BAD EMS
S INCE 1 9 9 2
Maharishi Sthāpatya Veda – living in harmony
have been a bit monotonous (literally!), but from an You can find more information about Vedic Build-
Ayurvedic point of view it was perfect for promoting ing and Living here:
sound sleep.
Maharishi Vastu Architecture
We invite you to have a look at your bedrooms’ set- [Link]/
up through the eyes of Vastu architecture and see
which adjustments, small or big, you could make Research on Maharishi Vastu Architecture
to enhance the restorative and balancing effect of [Link]/pmc/articles/PMC9087237/
your sleep.
© Maharishi Ayurveda Health Centre Bad Ems
Maharishi Ayurveda Health and Seminar Centre Bad Ems GmbH · State-recognised private clinic (§ 30 GewO)
P.O. Box 13 30 · Am Robert Kampe Sprudel · 56120 Bad Ems · Germany · Phone +49 2603 9407-0 · Fax +49 2603 3122
info@[Link] · [Link]
CEO: Lothar Pirc · HRB Koblenz 4569 · VAT [Link]. DE149321178 · Medical Director: Dr. phil. Karin Pirc
