Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v1.c55.5

v1.c55.5

The planning of the house and building is one of the finest traits of human civilisation. We know the story of a house—from its origin, the tree-branch structures to the fullest of development, the ostentatious mansions—the palaces of kings and temples of Gods together with the intermediary phases of evolutions, the manifold structures along with their component parts and mouldings, decoration and joinery, masonry and material in their successive stages. What light does it throw on the broad outlook of culture and the humanity at large? The human civilisation, though it has reached its zenith, has not yet attained its crowning glory—the glory of self-realization. It is still far far from its destination. The direction of the journey too, has changed. The struggle, therefore, is keener. Where are we going? Should we lose our soul altogether in our material pursuits. The spirit of man needs to be rediscoverd. “Mortal in the company or the Immortal” is a very old story! How to regain that company? The answer is not far to seek. We have to get rid of the unnaturalness about us. We have to change our direction from the unnatural parapherenalia of life establishment to the simple environments of Nature. For this, let the beginning be made in our living conditions. We should now choose the natural surroundings for our habitation—employ the natural materials in our houses, lead a life of simplicity and austerity. This is only possible when a new orientation is made in our house-planning. Śālā-models as prescribed by the texts like the S. S. can very well serve this end.