How does one live a peaceful, healthy and prosperous life? People want to earn money in a short span of time; they want to remain healthy and problem-free. They keep praying to God to fulfil their desires. But nobody wants to take the effort to do something for themselves. Vaastu Shastra and Feng Shui form one set of methods to live life fully. Vaastu Shastra is the art of ‘bhavan nirman’ or building structures. It is a Vedic way of life.

Brahma Nand Arya, a Vaastu Shastra and Feng Shui expert, says "to live a peaceful life, one must follow the principles of Vaastu Shastra. If we do not follow these principles, the pattern of life gets disturbed." According to him, one must know the directions first to be a Vaastu Shastra follower. He is working hard to prepare a method which is based on both Vaastu Shastra and Feng Shui. Vaastu Shastra and Feng Shui are both similar concepts but the difference is that Vaastu is an Indian concept while Feng Shui is of Chinese origin. They have their own laws and principles. The personal opinion of Brahma Nand Arya is that "Feng Shui is far simpler than Vaastu Shastra."

Generally, people believe that Vaastu Shastra was developed in a very ordinary manner and everyone claims to be an expert in Vaastu Shastra without knowing much, or anything, about the subject. Basically, Vaastu Shastra comes from our Vedas. The principles of Vaastu Shastra were written in our ancient scriptures. Vaastu Shastra is not of today but belongs to the age of the Vedas.

Ashwani Kumar Prithviwasi, Managing Director of Delhi College of Art, does not believe in Vaastu Shastra or even Feng Shui. According to him, a man can achieve success only through his own efforts. One can overcome his problems through his own deeds and by following some principles of Vaastu Shastra and Feng Shui. He even does not believe in God. He says: "One can be a God through the policy of Karma". He says: "If a person is ready to work hard and has the willpower to achieve success, then nobody can stop you from achieving success."

Ravinder Kumar, a small businessman, is an ardent believer of Vaastu Shastra. He says that there was a time when he was searching for peace and happiness. "I was very much disturbed because of my business", he says. Somebody told him to change the setting and décor of his house and office according to Vaastu Shastra. Subsequently, he decorated his house and office on the principles of Vaastu. Now he is a happy and satisfied man and gives full credit to Vaastu Shastra for the change in his fortunes.

Brahma Nand Arya recommends the placing of a wind chime at the front door of one’s house for prosperity. Place a money plant on both sides of the entrance door for good luck. He is against the construction of parallel doors and if such a combination exists, one should place a crystal to diffuse the chi between them. He says if you get a view of the bathroom while entering the home then place an interesting sculpture or painting that draws attention away from the bathroom. Do not put any heavy metal or articles other than bed sheets, pillows etc. beneath your bed or in the bed-box to avoid ill health. He says "Learn your lucky directions and work according to them and good luck will definitely be yours."

Rashmi Chug, a Feng Shui expert and a regular columnist in Hindustan Times, says: "Reconstruction and re-arranging your homes entirely to the principles of Feng Shui and Vaastu Shastra is not a practical reality. Yet you can avoid some pitfalls". She says that in the kitchen, the cooking range should be positioned in such a manner that the cook, who is usually the lady of the house, does not have her back to the door. Also, no beam should hang over the place she stands. The cooking range should not be visible to visitors of the house since this area represents a source of prosperous energy and an exposed location diminishes its power. There are so many more simple points which, if kept in mind, can change your ways of living.

Dr.Amish Vyas, a well-known Vaastu Shastra expert, says: "Planning your kitchen according to the tenets of Vaastu helps in maintaining the good health of the occupants". He says that the inmates of a house will suffer from stomach-related disorders when the kitchen is situated directly in front of the main door. The ideal location for a kitchen is considered to be Southeast—referred to as ‘agni kone’. If it is not so, then there are certain rules to be followed; the sink should face the north; the burner the east and the refrigerator the west. He says that kitchens should not be planned either below a staircase or adjoining a toilet. Brahma Nand Arya has written a number of books on Vaastu Shastra and Feng Shui. He says:

"Nobody can ever challenge me on my writings. Whatever I have written in my books is based on truth and is present in the Vedas. Anybody can gave a new recommendation but not challenge". According to him, Vaastu Shastra and Feng Shui are accepted by all. He says: "If it is given in the ancient scriptures, we have to follow it."