Vastu Shastra, the ancient Indian science of architecture and design, extends its principles to every corner of the home, including often-overlooked spaces like the bathroom. According to Vastu, proper toilet placement and orientation can significantly influence the energy flow and harmony within your home. An incorrect toilet placement may influence the flow of negative energy, which can affect the health and well-being of the people living in the house. That’s why it’s important to thoughtfully choose the direction and location of the toilet seat. Doing thousands of case studies have revealed to us one common aspect- incorrectly placed toilets are one of the most notorious for causing major health and financial problems. And the bigger danger is that they are the most ignored.
This comprehensive guide explores the ideal toilet seat direction, room location, and effective remedies for maintaining positive vibrations in residential spaces.
Understanding Toilet Seat Direction
The direction your body faces when sitting on the toilet is a critical aspect of Vastu compliance. While the overall placement of the toilet room is essential, the specific orientation of the commode during use holds distinct significance.
The Ideal Facing Directions
According to Vastu, the toilet seat direction as per Vastu is north or south. This alignment is believed to harmonise with the Earth’s magnetic field, promoting a balanced and peaceful environment. Vastu Shastra recommends that the toilet seat should be placed so that the person faces north or south while sitting. This promotes better alignment with the Earth’s magnetic field and supports a balanced energy flow. The commode should ideally face North or South while in use. This helps maintain a stable and health-friendly energy field.
Directions to Avoid
There is conflicting information regarding specific directions to avoid while using the toilet. * East: Facing east while using the toilet is considered inauspicious in Vastu. It may lead to mental stress or interpersonal issues. East being the direction of the rising sun is best avoided for a toilet seat facing. * West: West-facing toilets are also not recommended. Some sources suggest avoiding the toilet seat facing West with your back towards the East.
Conflicting Guidelines and Context
It is important to note that specific guidelines regarding facing directions appear to vary based on the source and context. * Some pundits say that South is the only recommended toilet seat facing direction and rest should be completely avoided. * Conversely, other sources state that for householders, the toilet seat facing North, South, or even West is equally fine. * It is generally recommended that the WC direction as per Vastu be decided as per convenience and pipeline location. * Regarding scriptural validity, there is no mention of the toilet seat facing direction in any of the Vastu scriptures. * The guidelines for facing a particular direction while passing stool are actually meant for people who are strictly into Hatha yoga and Kundalini sadhna. As per some texts of Hatha Yoga, the yogis who used to practice Kundilini sadhna were recommended to face different directions at different times of the day while defecating. This was based on the dominance of nadi (energy channels in the body) flow. The flow of apana and samana vayu in the body puts pressure on certain chakras and thus the toilet seat direction was decided accordingly.
Ideal Location of the Toilet Room
While the facing direction is debated, the physical location of the toilet within the house structure is a widely agreed-upon Vastu principle.
Auspicious Zones
The most auspicious placement for a toilet is in the northwest or southwest zone of the house. These directions help absorb and neutralise negative energy, allowing positive vibrations to prevail in the rest of the home. * Northwest (Vayavya): This direction is considered ideal for constructing toilets and bathrooms. This placement supports smoother energy and water flow. * Southeast (Agneya): This direction is also acceptable if the Northwest is not available.
Inauspicious Zones
Certain zones are strictly prohibited for toilet construction to prevent disturbances in energy flow. * Northeast (Ishan): Avoid the Northeast corner completely. This zone is considered sacred and meant for pooja rooms or meditation. * Southwest (Nairutya): This zone is also not recommended, as it is the zone of stability and placing a toilet here could disturb family relationships. * Center of the House: Toilets should be avoided in the central part of the home.
Detailed Vastu Checklist for Toilets
To ensure comprehensive compliance, several other factors regarding the toilet's construction and interior arrangement must be considered.
Structural and Interior Elements
- Toilet Door Direction: The toilet door should open in East or North.
- Ventilation/Window: Windows or vents should be placed in the East or North wall to allow positive energy entry.
- Floor Slope: The slope of the toilet floor should be towards the East or North. The toilet floor should be sloping towards the North or East.
- Toilet Seat Height: Vastu emphasises comfort and accessibility when it comes to the height of the toilet seat. The toilet seat height should be slightly raised, not lower than the house floor level. Always place the WC or commode on a slightly higher platform than the rest of the floor level.
Color Psychology
Colors play a vital role in influencing the energy of a space. * Good Colours: Cream, Light Yellow, and Sky Blue are recommended. * Colors to Avoid: Black, Red, and Dark Grey should be avoided as they may induce negative energy.
Separation of Spaces
Vastu strongly recommends separating the toilet and shower areas. This division enhances hygiene and ensures that each space maintains its unique energy balance. Maintaining open space around the toilet area is also advised. An uncluttered layout encourages better airflow, cleanliness, and positive energy circulation.
Proximity Restrictions
- Pooja Room: Never place a toilet next to the pooja room as per Vastu Shastra. Strictly avoid placing a toilet directly above or below the pooja room.
Remedies for Non-Compliant Toilets
In modern apartments, it is often impossible to change the physical location of the toilet due to fixed pipelines. In such cases, remedies can help neutralize negative effects. If your toilet seat is already placed in a direction that’s not Vastu-compliant, simple and effective remedies can help correct or neutralise the negative effects.
While the specific remedies for each direction were not fully detailed in the provided source data, general principles suggest that maintaining cleanliness, using appropriate colors, and ensuring proper ventilation are key corrective measures.
Summary of Recommendations
| Aspect | Vastu Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Toilet seat direction | Face North or South while sitting |
| Toilet room location | Northwest (best), Southeast (acceptable) |
| Avoid the toilet in | Northeast, Southwest, or the centre of the house |
| Toilet door direction | Should open in East or North |
| Ventilation/window | In the East or North wall |
| Floor slope | The slope should be towards the East or North |
| Good colours | Cream, Light Yellow, Sky Blue |
| Avoid colours | Black, Red, Dark Grey |
| Toilet seat height | Slightly raised, not lower than the house floor |
Conclusion
Adhering to Vastu Shastra principles for toilet placement and seat direction is essential for maintaining the balance of positive energy in the home. While the ideal scenario involves placing the toilet in the Northwest or Southeast and facing North or South during use, modern constraints require practical flexibility. The key takeaway is to avoid facing East and to keep the toilet away from the Northeast and Southwest zones. By following these guidelines, homeowners can mitigate potential health and financial issues associated with improper toilet placement.