What we eat and where we eat are all essential parts of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of life and longevity, which is inter-related to Vasthu Sastra. Ayurveda focuses on harmonizing your body while Vasthu Sastra stresses on harmonizing your property.
The written records of this holistic system of healing are primarily in the scriptures dating back 6,000 years. It is a natural approach to creating perfect self, natural beauty and long life. There is a saying that the best way to win the love of a man is through his stomach. For this to happen, the kitchen must be in the right place, that is, the south-west quadrant of the house.
Following Vasthu Sastra principles to ensure a person's health, wealth, prosperity, peace, wisdom, good children, safe residence, godliness and the ability to live in harmony with nature. The most important aspect of them all is health if only when we have good health can we truly enjoy all the other benefits. If health is lost, all is lost.
The kitchen is where the health and nourishment of the family starts, followed by the dining area. The correct placement and arrangement of the kitchen and dining area are significant aspects of Vasthu Sastra principles. Fire represents the vital spark of life within humankind, a fragment of the sun, giving us precious life. Fire is also connected with the sight and digestive system of the body.
In Vasthu Sastra, the south-east quadrant of a house is designated as the fire corner and is the best location for the kitchen. It should also be built in such a way that the kitchen is away from the front door of the house, preventing the contamination of energies entering from the outside.
Food cooked in the south-east quadrant will be tasty and will keep all the residents healthy and free from diseases. The other choice for the location of the kitchen is north-west.
Ample ventilation must be provided in the kitchen to prevent cooking smells from permeating the whole house. If the house has more than one storey, the kitchen must always be located on the ground floor.
The decisions you make about your kitchen depend upon your current and future needs, your lifestyle, your interest, budget and the structural limitations of the house.
A well-designed kitchen should be functional and aesthetically pleasing, and harmonies with other areas of the house for a consistent appearance.
Bear in mind that the kitchen design can have a major impact on the energy system of the whole house.
- Sri Eswaran
