Essentials of Hinduism
Vastu Sastra
Vastu Sastra guides us regarding several things – how to plan a Town, where to build the Houses inside the Town, how to build each House, where to build a Temple in the Town and so on. Breeze, Sunlight, drinking Water, Sanitation Facilities and so on, alone, are not the considerations for building Houses. These are the Modern World’s considerations for planning a Township. More Important Consideration is, Vastu Sastra determines the best way to get the Spiritual Radiations for the Township and the Houses, the proper conveniences for performing the Nitya Karma Anushtanas. The Village type Houses facilitate the escape of Smokes generated during the performance of Homas, Oupasanas etc. Even it specifies where to place the Idols of God, where to place Heavy Things, which Direction the Front of the House should face, where the Windows should be Located, and so on.
Chapter Re-cap:
1) Vastu Sastra helps determining how to build a Town, House, facilitates the best way to do things relating to the Spiritual Tasks.
2) A Person interested in building and living in a House in accordance with the Sastra requirements should become familiar with the Vastu Sastra.
Artha Sastra
Among Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha – Artha is next after Dharma. Artha will mean the things needed to survive in our everyday life. Our House, Clothes, Food all come under Artha. The Money we spend to buy these things also can be classified as Artha. If we consider our Everyday Life, die someday, after sometime be born again – this Cycle of Births, Deaths and Births again – this Artha becomes Anartha (Meaningless). There is a term for this: Artham Anartham Bhavaya Nithyam.
Acharyall advises us to remind Ourself of this Truth in our Life Over and Over Again. Without having too much Desires, we should pursue Artha. We should start our Life with the Dharma, and in this Maya World, we should not get caught in the Artha-Kama and strive to pursue Moksha. If we have to achieve Moksha, someday we have to overcome this Maya, pursue the path of Jnyana and Vairagya, and do not mix Adharma in the Artha-Kama Actions in order to achieve the end result of Moksha. This relationship should not be pursued on the Sastra Objectionable Days for Women. Even illicit thought about other Women is sin. Earning Wealth by unlawful means is sin. We have to establish a Dharmic-Fence around us to protect Ourselves in our Everyday Artha-Kama Actions.
Chapter Re-cap:
1) Dharma–Artha–Kama–Moksha: should be considered in our Life as a package deal in order to pursue Moksha in our Life.
2) We have to constantly remind ourself of the term Anartha – the cycle of births and rebirths over and over again – and pursue suitable actions to achieve Moksha.
3) We have to establish our “Dharmic-Fence” around us to protect against our Artha-Kama Actions.
This article is a snippet from the Book Essentials of Hinduism, Authored by G.S Nilakantan. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.
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