Changes

Unfortunately, in the present context, this traditional knowledge system concerning town planning and architecture, has become a double-meaning word. For example, one of the popular but morphed interpretations of the word ''‘''Vastu''’'', which is used by many to monetize the commoners’ ignorance about the subject, can mean something mystical or superstitious or ritualistic that can make or break the life of the client. However, the other simple yet scientific meaning can imply ''‘''Vastu’ as the Sanskrit equivalent of architecture or the Indian system of architecture. In fact, etymologically the word ''‘''Vastu’ is derived from वस्तु (matter/earth); and Vastu hence can be considered as the simple act of modifying this Vastu (matter) into usable forms (which can be house, temple, towns, villages, sculptures or iconographies).

Unfortunately, in the present context, this traditional knowledge system concerning town planning and architecture, has become a double-meaning word. For example, one of the popular but morphed interpretations of the word ''‘''Vastu''’'', which is used by many to monetize the commoners’ ignorance about the subject, can mean something mystical or superstitious or ritualistic that can make or break the life of the client. However, the other simple yet scientific meaning can imply ''‘''Vastu’ as the Sanskrit equivalent of architecture or the Indian system of architecture. In fact, etymologically the word ''‘''Vastu’ is derived from वस्तु (matter/earth); and Vastu hence can be considered as the simple act of modifying this Vastu (matter) into usable forms (which can be house, temple, towns, villages, sculptures or iconographies).

According to Shabdakalpadruma, the word Vastu (वास्तुः) is described as,<blockquote>वसन्ति प्राणिनो यत्र । vasanti prāṇino yatra ।<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83 Shabdakalpadruma.]</ref></blockquote>Meaning: Where living things reside.

According to Shabdakalpadruma, the word Vastu (वास्तुः) is described as,<blockquote>वसन्ति प्राणिनो यत्र । vasanti prāṇino yatra ।<ref name=":0">[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83 Shabdakalpadruma.]</ref></blockquote>Meaning: Where living things reside.

It is derived from the root 'vas' (वस्) which means 'to live'. (वस् निवासे । vas nivāse).

It is derived from the root 'vas' (वस्) which means 'to live'. (वस् निवासे । vas nivāse).<ref name=":0" />

Hence its always advisable that whenever one uses words like ''‘''Vastu''’'', the first step should be to find out what that person really means or implies by the word or the context in which it is being used: it could either mean what all has been mentioned here previously or perhaps even more. Even in several different contexts, it could either happen that a person might use it to mean it reverentially (like the name of a deity), sarcastically (like the honesty of lawyers), fashionably (Vastu? The new ‘feng-shui’?); or perhaps academically (like a branch of knowledge) or scholarly, like what is intended here in this article.

Hence its always advisable that whenever one uses words like ''‘''Vastu''’'', the first step should be to find out what that person really means or implies by the word or the context in which it is being used: it could either mean what all has been mentioned here previously or perhaps even more. Even in several different contexts, it could either happen that a person might use it to mean it reverentially (like the name of a deity), sarcastically (like the honesty of lawyers), fashionably (Vastu? The new ‘feng-shui’?); or perhaps academically (like a branch of knowledge) or scholarly, like what is intended here in this article.