"If Man is the reflection of Nature, Architecture reflects Man."

In the ancient land of India, the text, Mayamata, written in Sanskrit nearly a thousand years ago, describes a science of architecture that embodies the earth as a place where both mortals and immortals live. It is called vastu shastra.

The word vastu is derived from the word vasu, or the earth, and shastra, is defined as "science or technology". Other translations define vastu to mean "the place where people dwell". The place may be the earth, the land itself, or a structure where people may reside. Together, these words describe a methodology of constructing a building site that brings harmony and well-being to those who would dwell within.

An expert in vastu shastra would not only know architecture, but is expected to be well-versed in astrology and yogashastra. Traditional compass feng shui from China is also an astrological-based system. The horoscope of the individual (usually the patriarch of the house) is used to evaluate the physical dwelling of the site. In both of these sciences, the belief is that man is connected, not only with the Earth, but with the cosmological effects of the Universe.

Hindu mythology explains the history of how things have come to pass.

In the beginning, the first living creature was Brahma. He is the creator of the Universe and the first god in the Hindu triad: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. But, Brahma had a nasty habit of experimenting with some rather impractical creations. Out of the Void, Brahma created a large and monstrous creature that grew so rapidly and large that its shadow fell across the Earth as an eternal eclipse. Then this ever-expanding Monster began to devour everything in its path for nothing could satisfy its insatiable hunger.

Shiva and Vishnu complained bitterly to the elder Brahma. They begged that something be done before all of Creation was destroyed by this Creature.

Brahma listened to these complaints and it made him aware of his sovereignty to the other creations. He then called forth the asthadigapalakas, the devas of the eight cardinal directions. Together they overpowered the Great Monster and in one cosmic tackle, they held it flat against the Earth. The god Brahma jumped in the middle