Vastu Glossary

Vastu Shastra comes with its own vocabulary — padas, mandalas, the Brahmasthan, the five elements and the directional deities. This glossary explains the key terms in plain language, so you can read any Vastu guide (including your own report) with confidence.

Terms are grouped by theme. Use them alongside our Vastu guides and frequently asked questions.

Core concepts

The foundational ideas that everything else in Vastu is built on.

Vastu Shastra: The traditional Indian science of architecture that aligns a building with the five elements and the eight directions. It provides principles for placing rooms and functions where their energy works best.
Vastu Purusha Mandala: The sacred geometric diagram that maps the cosmic being (Vastu Purusha) onto a square grid of a plot or building. Each cell of the grid is governed by a deity and forms the basis of zone-by-zone analysis.
Vastu Purusha: The cosmic spirit or being that is symbolically present in every plot and building, lying within the mandala. Different parts of his body correspond to different zones, which is why each zone has a distinct character.
Dosha (Vastu Dosh): A Vastu defect — a placement that clashes with the natural element or energy of its zone, such as a toilet in the sacred north-east. Most doshas can be softened with remedies rather than demolition.
Remedy (Upay / Parihar): A corrective measure that balances a Vastu defect. Remedies include colour, lighting, placement changes, metals, water, mirrors and decluttering, and rarely require structural change.

The measurement system

How Vastu divides a home into zones and finer segments for precise analysis.

Pada: A sub-division of a direction. In fine analysis, the boundary of a home is divided into padas, each governed by a deity with a specific quality. The main door's benefit depends on which pada it falls in.
32 Padas: The 32 fine segments around the boundary of a building used to precisely evaluate the position of entrances and openings. This is far more detailed than a simple four-direction approach.
16 Zones: The sixteen directional zones (such as N, NNE, NE, ENE and so on) into which Vastu analysis divides a home. Each zone has a governing element and ideal uses.
Brahmasthan: The exact centre of a home or plot, considered the most energetically sensitive point. It is best kept open, light and free of toilets, staircases and heavy structures.
Marma / Marma Sthan: Sensitive energy points within the mandala, particularly along diagonals and intersections. Vastu advises against piercing these points with heavy pillars, beams or fixtures.

The five elements (Pancha Bhoota)

Vastu holds that everything is composed of five elements, each linked to a direction.

Pancha Bhoota: The five great elements — earth, water, fire, air and space — that Vastu uses to understand and balance a home. Each element is associated with a direction and certain functions.
Prithvi (Earth): The earth element, associated with the south-west, stability, relationships and grounding. Heavy, permanent functions like the master bedroom suit earth zones.
Jal / Apas (Water): The water element, associated with the north-east, wealth, opportunity and clarity. Water sources and the pooja room suit this zone.
Agni (Fire): The fire element, associated with the south-east, energy and cash flow. The kitchen, which represents fire, is ideally placed in the south-east.
Vayu (Air): The air element, associated with the north-west, movement, relationships and social growth. Guest rooms and functions involving change suit air zones.
Akasha (Space): The space or ether element, associated with the centre (Brahmasthan), balance and harmony. It is best kept open and undisturbed.

The eight directions and their deities

Each direction is governed by a deity that shapes its qualities and ideal uses.

Ishanya (North-East): The most sacred zone, governed by Ishwara. Associated with clarity, health, wealth and spirituality. Best kept open and light, ideal for a pooja room and water source.
Agneya (South-East): The fire zone, governed by Agni. Associated with energy and cash flow, and the ideal location for the kitchen.
Nairutya (South-West): The earth zone, governed by ancestral energies (Pitru / Nairuti). Associated with stability and relationships, and the ideal location for the master bedroom.
Vayavya (North-West): The air zone, governed by Vayu. Associated with movement, support and relationships, suiting guest rooms and transitional functions.
Uttara (North) — Kubera: The north, governed by Kubera, the lord of wealth. Associated with financial growth and opportunity; best kept open and used for valuables.
Purva (East) — Indra / Surya: The east, direction of the rising sun, associated with health, vitality and new beginnings. Beneficial for entrances, living areas and morning light.
Dakshina (South) — Yama: The south, governed by Yama. A zone of strength and grounding; not inherently negative, and well suited to heavier functions when balanced correctly.
Paschima (West) — Varuna: The west, governed by Varuna. Associated with gains and stability, suiting dining, children's rooms and, for professionals, a workspace.

Placement and layout terms

Practical terms you will meet when analysing or remedying a home.

Entrance pada: The specific pada in which the main door falls, which determines the entrance's benefit. Auspicious entrance padas include Mukhya (N3), Jayant (E3), Vitatha (S3) and Sugriva (W3), among others.
Facing direction: The direction a home's main entrance faces, measured from inside looking out. It sets the overall character of the home but does not by itself determine good or bad Vastu.
Cut / Extension: An irregularity in a building's shape. A cut (missing) corner, especially in the north-east, is a defect, while a slight extension of the north-east is considered beneficial.
Overhead & underground water: Water storage placement. Underground tanks, sumps and borewells suit the north-east or north, while overhead tanks suit the south-west or west.
Sattvic space: A clean, light, harmonious and positive environment. Much of Vastu practice aims to make a home more sattvic through order, light and balanced placement.

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