Orientation ensures spatial harmony of building with the earth and is an important aspect of building design.

In Indian Vastushastra, the orientation of towns and cities are of paramount importance and so is the orientation of residential, educational, religious and commercial spaces.

This suggests the act of positioning of a building with respect to the cardinal directions namely North, South, East and West. This impression is arrived at with respect to Sun’s position to the Earth’s movement. (Fig. 1)

On March 21st, the Sun is directly opposite and closer to the Earth’s surface and the flow of energy and its energy field will be the maximum. Not only that, the day and night are of equal lengths.

As per Vedic science, from that day, the Sun moves upward and thereafter downward at fixed time intervals. The upward Northward movement is called “Uttarayana” and that of the downward – Southward movement is called “Dakshinayana”. According to Vastu texts, this shows the two latitudinal extremities of the Sun’s movement.

The uppermost point is called “Summer Solstice” or “Kataka Rekha” which is on June 21st and the lowermost point is called the “Winter Solstice” or “Makara Rekha” which is reached on December 21st.The time taken by the Sun to cross the equatorial line called “Bhumadhya Rekha” is termed as “Equinox”. This line of demarcation separates the sphere into upper and lower hemisphere and is significant and most important to Vastu science. (Fig. 1)

It is pertinent to note that the Sun touches the equatorial line again on September 23rd during the course of its downward movement. The time taken is 6 months from March 21st to September 23rd and this is the period of Summer.

Vastu science calls horizontal line or “Bhumadhya Rekha” that runs east-west of the Earth in technical parlance as “Suddha Prache” or “True East”. The perpendicular lines to the True East-west are “True-North and “True-South” respectively.

These are commonly known as Cardinal Directions in Vastu parlance. (Fig. 2)

Let us now delve upon the “Brahma Sutra” and “Soma Sutra” lines.

The “Brahma Sutra” lines meaning “thread of energy” or “thread of light” are straight lines that are formed due to the meeting of “Prache Sutra” – line emanating from the centre of the earth and passing through the equator meaning the east line and “Pradechi Sutra”- meaning the west line.

The perpendicular line which is drawn from the centre is called “Soma Sutra”.(Fig. 2)

As a thumb rule of Vastu shastra, every building must conform to the “Brahma sutra” and “Soma sutra” line when placed on the earth. This means its alignment with respect to the Earth’s orientation towards the sun. This brings harmony between the built space and the environment. This spatial harmony is significant to the inhabitants of the Vastu. This results in a serenity thereby promoting physical and spiritual growth and overall well-being.

It is of paramount importance that every Vastu space is in harmony with earth. The 9X9 Paramsayika Grid when oriented to the cardinal directions establishes harmony with the earthly grid. Any deviation means that the space is in disharmony with the earth’s grid.

Just like “Suddha Prache” there is another east called “Esa Prache”. This is a line deflected towards the North-East point. The Shastras attribute certain benefits to these two east lines called Suddha Prache (Fig. 3) and Esa Prache. (Fig. 4)

Houses should not be aligned to diagonal directions such as North-east, South-east, North-west and South-west respectively. They are known to bring harmful negative effects on the inhabitants. It has been known that these diagonal lines are more important than the cardinal lines, and the disruption of which would cause a detrimental effect on the human energy system.

If the house is not properly oriented, then the quantum of energy required for peaceful, happy and healthy life in a built environment will be either partial or lost in totality and its outcome would be physical and mental issues.

Vidisha Vastu is the term that is assigned to the above in Vastu shastra and we have a proven remedy for the same called “Vidisha Vastu Corrector Set”.

We have understood that there are two east lines called “Suddha Prache” or “True-East” and “Esa Prache” or tilted east.

The deflection from the true East-West line towards North-East in terms of “angula” measure is one. A building to be in line with Esa Prache is drawn parallel or aligned parallel to the Esa Prache line (Please refer to the image).

According to the “Manasara” there is a fine point with respect to the Esa Prache and the Suddha Prache or True-East.

“Mukti kaamasya karne suddha pracheem prayojayet”

A building that is accurately oriented parallel to Suddha Prache is ideal for people aspiring liberation of Moksha. This True-East is especially recommended for hermits, speculative and creative people whose ultimate goal is liberation from earthly bonds or dedication and concentration towards a particular subject over and above the level of a common man in society.

“Ishaanya pracheem sarvasya bhoga kaamasya sammata”

Esa Prache is specifically used for those who desire material prosperity and earthly pleasures! (Fig. 4)

“Agneya prachikam vastu tasmat sarvam vivarjayet”

There is another very important rule such that buildings should not face the East-West line called “Agneya Prache” which is turned towards the South-east point as it invites negative harmful effects on human life. (Fig. 5)

Manasara stipulates that if these rules are followed then the house holder would naturally enjoy all the comforts, good health and prosperity and live in harmony with his built environment.