Lecture by Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati

Principles of Housing and Temple Architecture
Relevant For All Times To Come

Fergusson, Architect of Calcutta University defined Architecture as matrix or blue print of civilization which means womb of civilization. This is English version, but indigenous version is something different and unique.

Mayan is supreme architect of India. He defines architecture as supreme achievement of mathematics.

Architecture of Indian origin is based on the science of vibration and resonance. It is derived from the pulsation of universal Space. This is associated with cosmic principle and dynamics. Therefore, Indian architecture is unique and enigmatic science. Today it is made easier in the presence of the elite audience of America.

In this case what are the Spaces? What do they mean? They are energetic spaces.

There are four such spaces:

• Celestial Space - Akasa
• Terrestrial Space - Earthly Space

• Inner Space is Atman. Therefore, this space is Jeevatman which keeps us alive.
• Built Space is important for architects to understand and apply in their architectural profession. This is what human beings expect from architects. In this context, the Space means all pervasive substance (energy and matter). When the outer Space is encapsulated or enclosed, then this built space becomes a living organism.

Beyond all these four spaces there is zero space called Sunyambaram or Space of Nothingness but it is a space of Everything. Space is not a place, but energy.

Energy is strength. This energy is spread all over our body and allover the building. Life is God. Uyer it is a Tmil word for life. Uyer is longing for the experience of the emotion. In abstract form a living being is product of Om Light and Om Sound (matter and sound are energies). This combination is phenomenal which cannot be ignored, which cannot be questioned, which should be realized by all temple goers.

In other words, Vaastu Shastra deals with Om Light and OM Sound. No where in modern science we have the two OMs recognized. This combined element gives an exalted status in Vastu and Vaastu Shastra (Vastu = energy and Vaastu = matter). Vaastu is the extended form of Vastu. We say this Energy (Vastu) is primal creative source. This is Moolam in Tamil. This is said to be Brahmam in Sanskrit. When you say Brahmam it is inactive and still. When you say Brahman it is active (respectively potential and kinetic).

Sanskrit and Tamil are neither indigenous nor foreign but Universal. It is derived from upper space, but language is mind created. For example, Sanskrit Om is monosyllabic term which implies Om Light also. Similarly Tamil is the mixer of Om Sound and Om Light, so says Brahmarishi Mayan.

Maayan science of Mexoco is concerned with "movement" and "measure." Movement is a force or velocity of Time. Measure stands for the vibration of Light and Sound unified. These vibrations are quantifiable. This is indeed quantum physics of remote origin.

Architectural forms are forms of manifested consciousness. Stillness creates many things. When you are still you contain quintessence of potentiality. When you are active you manifest the potential substance which is Vastu. The manifested forms are Vaastus. Being is Vastu and Becoming is Vaastu.

This principle is applied in building architecture and temple architecture for the indwellers to be blissful and peaceful in life.

Consciousness is aroused and a manifested force activated by its own effort. This primal substance is called Kaalam (Time). Absolute Time creates Life. Upanishad says that this is Kaala Brahman. Kaalam manifests itself in multimillion forms.

VASTU REVA VAASTU, MEANING ENERGY METAMORPHOSES INTO MATTER.

All the above is illustrated in this Sri Siva Vishnu Temple. Hindu Temples are sacred geometrical forms. Hence architecture is zenithal achievement of mathematics.