Gṛha Melāpaka and Astrological Considerations in House Construction
In the traditional science of house construction, astrology and Vāstuśāstra are deeply intertwined. Every aspect of a dwelling—its length, breadth, area, and nakṣatra alignment—was believed to influence the destiny of its inhabitants.
Among these, the calculations of Āya (gain) and Vyaya (expenditure), the analysis of Indrādi-aṁśa (divine portions), and the compatibility between the house and its owner formed the backbone of decisions taken before laying the foundation stone.
Indrādi Portions in House Calculation
One of the subtle yet profound calculations involves identifying whether the house area falls under Indra, Yama, or Rāja aṁśa. To determine this, the dhruva name, its letter count, and the house’s calculated expenditure are added together and divided by three.
The remainder reveals the ruling portion: if the remainder is one, the house belongs to Indra’s portion, promising promotion, prosperity, and elevation in life. A remainder of two assigns the house to Yama’s portion, which is feared to bring death or extreme suffering. If the remainder is three or zero, the house is said to fall under Rāja’s portion, granting happiness, wealth, and royal comforts.
These portions are not taken lightly. The Indra aṁśa is highly auspicious, encouraging growth and social upliftment. Rāja aṁśa fills life with material prosperity and joy. Yama aṁśa, however, is dreaded, as it portends calamities that may be fatal or worse than death itself.
Traditional texts caution against choosing a plot or designing a house under Yama’s influence. It is also noteworthy that such calculations—Āya-Vyaya, Indrādi-aṁśa, Dhruvādī names, Dhana-Ṛṇa, and longevity of the house—are meaningful only when the length of the house is less than thirty-two hastas. Larger houses are considered exempt from these astrological checks.
Matching the House with the Owner
Just as a marriage requires the matching of horoscopes, the relationship between the house and its owner must also be harmonious. The rāśi of the house should be matched with the rāśi derived from the owner’s name.
This melāpaka is studied through methods such as rāśi-kuṭa and nakṣatra-kuṭa. If the relation between the two rāśis is dvirdaśa (twelfth from each other), it is said to cause poverty. If they are in trikoṇa (trine), it leads to childlessness or harm to progeny. A ṣaḍaṣṭaka (sixth–eighth relation) is considered fatal, leading to suffering or even death. Other relations are generally seen as favorable and bring wealth and stability.
Influence of the Moon
The Moon’s position during house construction is another deciding factor. When it is in the seventh bhāva, the house brings the gain of wife and sons. In the third bhāva, it indicates prosperity in wealth and grain. When placed in the tenth or eleventh bhāva, it contributes to growth in wealth, age, and progeny.
However, if the Moon is in the fourth, eighth, or twelfth bhāva, the results are fearful, including threats of death and loss of sons. Some authorities, though, consider the Moon in the fourth bhāva as auspicious, softening the traditional warnings.
राशिकूट-चक्र
| गृहस्वामी की नामराशि | १ मेष | २ वृष | ३ मिथुन | ४ कर्क | ५ सिंह | ६ कन्या | ७ तुला | ८ वृश्चिक | ९ धनु | १० मकर | ११ कुम्भ | १२ मीन |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| द्विर्द्वादश राशि | २-१२ | ३-१ | ४-२ | ५-३ | ६-५ | ७-५ | ८-६ | ९-७ | १०-८ | ११-९ | १२-१० | १-११ |
| नवपञ्चम राशि | १-५ | १०-६ | ११-७ | १२-८ | १-९ | २-१० | ३-११ | ४-१२ | ५-१ | ६-२ | ७-३ | ८-४ |
| षडष्टक | ६-८ | ७-९ | ८-१० | ९-११ | १०-१२ | ११-१ | १२-२ | १-३ | २-४ | ३-५ | ४-६ | ५-७ |
| समसप्तक | ७ | ८ | ९ | १० | ११ | १२ | १ | २ | ३ | ४ | ५ | ६ |
| चतुर्थ-दशम | ४-१० | ५-११ | ६-१२ | ७-१ | ८-२ | ९-३ | १०-४ | ११-५ | १२-६ | १-७ | २-८ | ३-९ |
| त्रिरेकादश | ३-११ | ४-१२ | ५-१ | ६-२ | ७-३ | ८-४ | ९-५ | १०-६ | ११-७ | १२-८ | १-९ | २-१० |
The Vāstu Rāśi Chakra
For house melāpaka, a special division known as the Vāstu Rāśi Chakra or Avakahāḍā Cakra is used. This differs from the commonly known zodiac system. Instead of fractional nakṣatra counts, full nakṣatras are aligned with the rāśis.
For example, Mesha (Aries) holds Aśvinī, Bharaṇī, and Kṛttikā; Siṁha (Leo) carries Maghā, Pūrvaphālgunī, and Uttaraphālgunī; while Dhanuṣ (Sagittarius) contains Mūla, Pūrvāṣāḍhā, and Uttarāṣāḍhā. The remaining nine rāśis have two nakṣatras each. This division is crucial for properly matching the house’s rāśi with the owner’s name-rāśi.
Difference from the Conventional Zodiac
In common astrology, the zodiac division begins from the Ashvini nakṣatra. Each zodiac sign is calculated in the proportion of two and a quarter (2.25) nakṣatras.
However, in Vāstuśāstra the system is different. The Avakahada Chakra aligns the twelve zodiac signs directly with complete nakṣatras (not fractional).
This means that while astrology uses fractional divisions, Vāstuśāstra uses full nakṣatras in relation to the signs.
Therefore, while performing house compatibility (gṛha–melāpaka) or related calculations, the sign of the house owner must be determined according to this Avakahada Chakra and not according to the zodiac given in the pañcāṅga (almanac).
Important Notes
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In this system, Short and long vowels are treated the same.
- Example: The names Anantaram and Ādeś Kumar both correspond to the Kṛttikā nakṣatra and therefore belong to the Mesha (Aries) rashi.
-
Similarly, there is no distinction in short or long syllables.
- Example: The names Chunnilal and Chūḍāmaṇi both fall under the Ashvini nakṣatra and thus under Mesha (Aries).
-
The name Rishikumar will correspond to the Vṛṣabha (Taurus) rashi.
-
Letters like va–ba, vi–bi, bu–bu are considered the same. No separate distinction is made.
-
Even between letters **‘sha’ and ‘sa’**There is no difference for sign determination.
- Example: The names Shalini and Sārika will both correspond to the Shatabhishā nakṣatra and hence the Kumbha (Aquarius) rashi.
Special Rules (Examples of Letter–Nakṣatra Mapping)
- Letters “gha, ghā, ghi, ghī, ghu, ghū, ghe, ghai” → Ārdrā nakṣatra, Mithuna (Gemini) rashi.
- Letters “cha, chhā, chi, chī, chu, chū …” also follow this pattern.
- Letters “ṭha, thā, thi, thī, thu, thū, the, tho” and clusters like “ṅya, ñā, ñi, ñī, ñu …” → Uttarabhādrapadā nakṣatra, Mīna (Pisces) rashi.
- Letters “ṭha, ṭhā, ṭhi, ṭhī, ḍu, ḍū, ṭhe, ṭhai, ṭho, ṭhau” → Hasta nakṣatra, Kanyā (Virgo) rashi.
- Letters “pha, phā, phi, phī, phu, phū, phe, phai, pho, phau” and clusters like “ḍha, ḍhā, ḍhi, ḍhī, ḍu, ḍū …” → Pūrvāṣāḍhā nakṣatra, Dhanu (Sagittarius) rashi.
वास्तुशास्त्रीय अवकहडा-चक्र
| १. मेष | १. अश्विनी | चू - चे - चो - ला |
| २. भरणी | ली - लू - ले - लो | |
| ३. कृत्तिका | अ - ई - उ - ए | |
| २ वृषभ | ४. रोहिणी | ओ - वा - वि - वू (औ - बा - बी - बू) |
| ५. मृगशिरा | वे - वो - क - की (बे - बो - का - कि) | |
| ३ मिथुन | ६. आर्द्रा | कु-घ-ड-छ |
| ७. पुनर्वसु | के-को ह-ही | |
| ४ कर्क | ८. पुष्य | हु-हे-हो-डा |
| ९. आश्लेषा | डि-डू-डे-डो | |
| ५ सिंह | १०. मघा | मा-मी-मू-मे (म-मि-मु-मै) |
| ११. पूर्वाफाल्गुनी | मो-ट-टि-टु | |
| १२. उत्तराफाल्गुनी | टे-टो-प-पी | |
| ६ कन्या | १३. हस्त | पू-ष-ण-ठ |
| १४. चित्रा | पे-पो-रा-रि | |
| ७ तुला | १५ स्वाति | रू-रे-रो-ता |
| १६ विशाखा | ती-तू-ते तो | |
| ८ वृश्चिक | १७ अनुराधा | ना-नी-नु-ने |
| १८ ज्येष्ठा | वो-या-यि-यु | |
| ९ धनु | १९ मूल | ये-यो-भ-भी |
| २० पूर्वाषाढ़ा | भु-ध-फ-ढ | |
| २१ उत्तराषाढ़ा | भे-भो-जा-जि | |
| १० मकर | २२ श्रवण | ख-खी-खु-खे-खो |
| २३ धनिष्ठा | ग-गी-गु-गे | |
| ११ कुम्भ | २४ शतभिषा | गो सा-सि-सु (शा-शि-शु) |
| २५ पूर्वाभाद्रपद | से-सो द-दीं | |
| १२ मीन | २६ उत्तराभाद्रपद | दू-थ-झ-ञ |
| २७ रेवती | दे-दो-च-ची |
Auspicious and Inauspicious Influences
The day of construction, its planetary ruler, and the navāṁśa occupied by the house are also decisive factors. Building on a Sunday or Tuesday, or in their corresponding rāśi divisions, is considered dangerous, often resulting in fire hazards. Other days and their planetary influences are usually beneficial, fulfilling the desires of the owner.
The nine elements of calculation also reveal planetary rulerships through the Vimśottarī daśā system. According to this, the planets influence the house in the following order: Sun, Moon, Mars, Rāhu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Ketu, and Venus.
Wealth and Prosperity of the House
The fourth element, known as Dravya, refers to the type of wealth or possessions linked to the house. This may manifest as clothes, family prosperity, weapons, books, gold, grain, land, knowledge, cattle, water sources, storage vessels, or ornaments. The number derived from calculations specifies which form of wealth predominates in the house, giving a clear picture of the material support it offers.
Compatibility Through Tārā Melāpaka
Another layer of analysis lies in tārā melāpaka, the compatibility between the nakṣatra of the house and that of the owner. If the house’s nakṣatra falls in the third position from the owner’s nakṣatra, it forms Vipat-tārā, which brings misfortune.
If it falls in the twenty-third, it becomes Pratyari-tārā, leading to opposition and suffering. If the seventh, nineteenth, or twenty-fifth position is involved, Nidhan-tārā arises, which is the most dangerous, bringing death or extreme loss. A house aligned with any of these three is considered unfit for residence.
तारा प्रदर्शक चक्र ( कर्त्ता के नाम नक्षत्र से गिनें )
| १ जन्मतारा | २ सम्पत्तितारा | ३ विपत्तितारा | ४ क्षेमतारा | ५ प्रत्यरितारा | ६ साधकतारा | ७ वधतारा (निधन) | ८ मित्रतारा | ९ अतिमित्रतारा |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| पहला | दूसरा | तीसरा | चौथा | पाँचवाँ | छठवाँ | सातवाँ | आठवाँ | नौवाँ नक्षत्र |
| दसवाँ | ग्यारहवाँ | बारहवाँ | तेरहवाँ | चौदहवाँ | पन्द्रहवाँ | सोलहवाँ | सत्रहवाँ | अठारहवाँ नक्षत्र |
| उन्नीसवाँ | बीसवाँ | इक्कीसवाँ | बाइसवाँ | तेईसवाँ | चौबीसवाँ | पच्चीसवाँ | छब्बीसवाँ | सत्ताइसवाँ नक्षत्र |
Timings, Tithis, and Yogas
The timing of construction is equally sensitive. Riktā tithis—the fourth, ninth, and fourteenth days of the lunar fortnight—bring poverty. Amāvasyā, or the new moon day, causes miscarriages or loss in the family. Building under Vyatipāta Yoga is believed to lead to death, while Vaidhṛti Yoga brings destruction. If the nakṣatra of the house coincides with that of the owner, the result is ruinous, often causing total loss.
Longevity of the House
The lifespan of a house is also measured in years, depending on calculations from its piṇḍa and elements. A house that is short-lived, lasting less than forty years, is considered dangerous to the wellbeing of the residents.
Such a house must be abandoned after its allotted years have passed. A house with longevity up to eighty years is of medium value, while one that extends to one hundred and twenty years is considered complete and most desirable, ensuring prosperity and stability for generations.
Other Compatibility Factors
Several additional checks refine the decision. If the house and the owner fall under the same nāḍi, disease is likely. A hostile relation in gana indicates loss of progeny and wealth, while a clash in yoni brings quarrels and sorrow. If the house falls under Yama aṁśa, the results are fatal, while having the same nakṣatra as the owner leads to utter destruction. Even the varṇa relation must be observed, as hostility here results in family ruin.
The weekday of construction, when ruled by malefic planets, often signals destruction. Some texts, however, make exceptions, noting that Saturn’s influence may only bring the fear of theft rather than complete ruin. Ultimately, the most auspicious house is one where the nakṣatra and rāśi of the house blend harmoniously with that of the owner, free from hostile relations and inauspicious timings.