The human body is composed of the five elements: earth, fire, water, space, and air. It requires both internal and external energies to function optimally. Internal energies come in the form of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, while external energies include heat, light, sound, wind, and space. These external energies are also part of the five elements.

If any of these energies become imbalanced, it can lead to negative effects such as stress, illness, and mental disturbances. To address these issues, it's important to restore balance and redirect the energies appropriately.

Vastu Shastra is based onbalancing of these elements. Seven planets are divided in five elements.

Akash (Space)

• Definition: Akash, or space, is the formless, luminous consciousness from which the world has emerged. It has no limits or boundaries.

• Color: Light blue or white.

• Shape: Round.

• Main Quality: Openness. When balanced, this element fosters qualities such as generosity and a sense of world welfare.

• Imbalance: An imbalanced Akash element can lead to traits like selfishness and narrowness. For example, if the height of a house is not appropriate, it can create a sense of narrowness, miserliness, and suppression of desires among its inhabitants. Problems with the Brahmasthan (central zone) can result in issues such as thyroid disorders, throat problems, speech disorders, and epilepsy among the family members.

It relates with one sense- Sound. In House it is located in center place (Brahmsthan).

Air (Vayu)

• Definition: Air is a fundamental element crucial for survival. It is a mixture of various gases and does not have a specific color or shape. Sometimes, it may be represented by green color and a rectangular shape.

• Main Quality: Speed, fickleness, and imagination. Air is associated with change and fluidity.

• Zodiac Signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.

• Balanced Air Element: When balanced, the Air element fosters creativity, new ideas, and effective planning. It supports imagination and adaptability.

• Imbalanced Air Element: Imbalance can lead to issues such as: o Inability to complete tasks or create unrealistic ideas (air castles). o Lack of patience and restlessness. o Health problems like skin dryness, blood pressure issues, lung disorders, dry cough, bloating, constipation, lethargy, insomnia, muscular spasms, and depression.

• Associated Senses: Sound and touch.

It is located in the west direction and North-West corner (Vayavya)

Water (Jala)

• Shape and Color: Water does not have a fixed shape; it conforms to the shape of its container. Its color is blue.

• Main Quality: Sensitivity, emotional depth, and imagination.

• Balanced Water Element: When balanced, Water provides calmness, emotional stability, intuition, and a nurturing nature.

• Imbalanced Water Element: Imbalance can lead to: o Instability, selfishness, and rudeness. o Health issues such as excess mucus, colds, sinusitis, gland swelling, tissue edema, and problems with blood consistency (either thinning or clotting)

• This element is relate with four senses.Taste, Touch, Sight and Sound.

• It is located in the North and North East corner (Ishaan)

Fire (Agni)

• Color and Shape: Fire is represented by the color orange or golden yellow and has a triangular shape.

• Main Quality: Light, anger, speed, aggression, fierceness, adventure, determination, and daring.

• Zodiac Signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.

• Connected Senses: Sound, touch, and sight.

• Balanced Fire Element: When in balance, Fire provides understanding and modesty.

• Imbalanced Fire Element: Imbalance can lead to: o Indecisiveness, rebelliousness, and frequent arguments driven by anger. o Health issues related to the digestive system, such as fever, skin diseases (inflammation), digestive disorders (hyper-acidity), excessive sweating, and issues with nutrient absorption and toxin buildup in the body.

• It is located in the East and South East Corner (Agni)

• This element relates to sound.

Earth (Prithvi)

• Color and Shape: Earth is represented by the color brown and has a square shape.

• Main Quality: Materialistic, balanced, stable, patient, realistic, logical, and single-minded. It is connected with all five senses.

• Zodiac Signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.

• Balanced Earth Element: When in balance, Earth provides stability and the ability to endure tough times.

• Imbalanced Earth Element: Imbalance can lead to: o Instability and weakness. o Health issues such as calcium loss from bones, obesity, high cholesterol, weight fluctuations (gain or loss), and muscular diseases.

• It is located in the South and South west corner (Nairutya)

• This element is connected with all five senses: Sight, Sound, Taste, Smell, Touch.

The human body is a composition of the five elements in varying proportions:

Water (72%): This element forms the majority of the body and is essential for hydration, maintaining bodily functions, and supporting cellular processes. It is associated with bodily fluids and tissues.

Earth (12%): Represents the solid structures in the body, such as bones, teeth, and muscles. It provides stability and strength.

Air (6%): Contributes to the respiratory system and is crucial for breathing, circulation, and the transportation of gases throughout the body.

Fire (4%): Associated with metabolic processes and digestion. It is responsible for transforming food into energy and regulating body temperature.

Space (6%): Essential for the spatial arrangement of organs and cells, facilitating movement and the flow of energies within the body. Each element plays a distinct role in the physical and functional aspects of the human body, and maintaining their balance is key to overall health and well-being.

The five elements play crucial roles in the human body:

• Earth: Forms solid structures like teeth, nails, bones, muscles, skin, tissues, and hair. These elements provide the body with structure, strength, and support.

• Water: Constitutes bodily fluids such as saliva, urine, semen, blood, and sweat. It is essential for hydration, nutrient transport, and waste removal.

• Fire: Influences physiological processes such as hunger, thirst, sleep, vision, and skin complexion. It governs metabolism and energy transformation.

• Air: Responsible for all types of movement within the body, including expansion, contraction, vibration, and suppression. It is crucial for respiration and circulation.

• Space: The most subtle of the elements, it exists in the body’s hollow cavities and manifests as radio frequencies, light radiation, and cosmic rays. Space facilitates the flow of energies and allows for bodily functions and processes.

An imbalance in the five elements—Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space—can lead to various chronic diseases. These imbalances arise from impurities or disruptions in the harmony between these elements within the body.

Maintaining balance among these elements is essential for overall health and well-being.

Practical Application in Vastu Shastra

Vastu Shastra advises designing spaces to balance these five elements, which is believed to create a positive impact on the inhabitants' physical, emotional, and spiritual health:

Northeast (Water): Often designated for water sources like wells, fountains, or bathrooms.

Southeast (Fire): Ideal for kitchens or areas related to cooking and heating.

Southwest (Earth): Best for master bedrooms or heavy storage areas to provide stability.

Northwest (Air): Suitable for guest rooms or living rooms to encourage social interaction and movement.

Center (Space): Open or less cluttered, often considered the core energy zone, enhancing the flow of positive energy throughout.

By understanding and applying the principles of these five elements in living spaces, Vastu Shastra aims to create environments that support health, happiness, and prosperity.