Science of House Building

original: "Manayadi Sastram" - a traditional Hindu architectural treatise similar to Vastu Shastra

Consider the elephant, the chariot, the human, and the horse
If these appear before you, the undertaking will surely succeed.

(Meaning) Seeing a pot of honey, meat, milk, ghee, water, a fine garment, a married woman specifically a 'Sumangali' or auspicious woman, a full water pot, an elephant, a chariot, a king, or a horse approaching you from the front is considered an excellent omen. (4)

Characteristics of High and Low Ground

Let the directions of the Sun and Moon be beautifully low
While the West and South are known to be high; such land is superior.
For a life of daily prosperity without suffering, build your house there;
This is the principle declared by all the learned poets.

(Meaning) The direction of the Sun refers to the East, and the Moon refers to the North. If these two directions are low-lying, while the South and the West are elevated, the land will yield great purity and wealth. (10)

House Orientations for the Four Classes

Another Meter

For the Priests, the Southern direction; for Kings, the West;
For the Merchants, the North is the coming direction;
For the Laborers, the Eastern direction appears;
The center remains the place of Brahma.

(Meaning) If Brahmins the priestly class live facing South, Merchants Vaishyas facing North, and Shudras the laboring class facing East, they will live with the grace of Lakshmi Goddess of Wealth. The center should be kept as the place of the Creator. (11)

Characteristics of the Soil

Another Meter

Sweet-tasting earth is for the great Vedic scholars;
Pungent earth is for the Kings;
Pure sour-tasting earth is for the Merchants;
Bitter earth is for the Laborers.

(Meaning) Sweet soil is suited for the Vedic scholars; pungent spicy or sharp soil is for Kings; sour soil is for Merchants; and bitter soil is for the Laborers. (12)

Characteristics of Residential Houses for the Four Classes

A sturdy South-facing house for the great Vedic scholars;
A West-facing house for the Kings;
A great North-facing house for the Merchants;
An East-facing house for the Laborers.

* Note: "Vasi" should be understood as "Vaishya" the merchant class.