Vastu
/ˈvʌs.tuː/noun
A Sanskrit term for a dwelling, site, or system of traditional Indian architectural principles, especially Vastu Shastra.
Did you know?Vastu Shastra prescribes directional relationships between spaces and cosmic forces, including traditional associations between the northeast and spiritual activity and the southeast and fire.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wes-
“To dwell, remain, or spend the night”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
vasati
“He or she dwells, lives, or resides”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
vāstu
“A dwelling, habitation, house, or building site”
Medieval Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Vāstuśāstra
“A treatise or body of knowledge concerning dwellings, sites, and architectural arrangement”
Modern English
English
vastu
“Traditional Indian architectural and spatial principles, especially those associated with Vastu Shastra”