Sankhya Darshan
According to the Hindu Model of Universe, the Universe
consists of two eternal realities; Purusha (soul) and Prakriti (nature). While
Purusha is unchangeable (amongst its many other properties), the Prakriti is
dynamic and variable (amongst its many other properties).
Any creation or transformation happens with the amalgamation
or merger of Purush and Prakriti. This process of unification of two entities
is aided by three of the Prakriti’s components; tamas (ignorance, darkness),
rajas (action, expansiveness) and sattva (result, benefit, goodness)
When Purusha and Prakriti unite one of the four occur;
creation, invention, innovation or evolution.
The Modern Concept of Innovation
If we consider a subject to be having a universe of its own
(which we call domain in modern lingo), it should have two components Purush
(the fixed part) and Prakriti (the variable part). The fixed part is what
cannot be changed. This is like axioms, principles and theories of a subject.
This fixed part defines a subject. If you remove them the subject loses its
identity. In mathematics, 2+2=4 is an axiom and can never be changed. Similarly
rules for addition, multiplication, division, etc. constitute the fixed part.
The variable part of the subject allows new innovations. For
example, in mathematics, the decimal system is the variable part and we all
know what resulted when decimal system was replaced by Boolean or binary
system. All the fruits of computerization have become a reality today because
of this variability.
A subject, a religion, a concept or system which is 100%
inflexible and does not allow any flexibility does not evolve and over a period
of time becomes obsolete and irrelevant while one which allows 100% flexibility
loses its identity over time.
For innovations to happen the trick is to identify what is
constant and fixed and what is variable and dynamic in a domain. The three
components of Prakriti namely tamas, rajas and sattva help in finding the same.
Tamas is the realization of ignorance and need for change, rajas with its
passion and activity (hypothesis, ideation, implementation, experimentation and
measurement) helps in creating a new state which is beneficial and for the
good.
Let us take the example of Vastu to understand this further.
The Vishwakarma Prakash defines the tenets of Vastu.
Vishwakarma Prakash dictates 16 directions to be utilized for different
activities.
The need was to apply the concepts in modern context when the
architecture has changed from the ancient times. When the Vastu Experts of
modern times realized that today’s houses are neither built on square plots nor
have sixteen rooms, so they changed the 16 zones (defined in ancient texts) to
8 zones (3x3 grid with 8 directions) to create what we call traditional vastu
method. It is a beautiful example of not being able to identify the fixed and
variable parts correctly. What resulted is a method which at-best gives the
client a “good-to-have” feeling - A feeling that their house is vastu
compliant, even if its benefits are not properly realized.
The evolution of MahaVastu happened in a completely different
manner. Dr. Khushdeep Bansal realized that the 16 zones form part of the fixed
part and created this concept of angular division which is different than the
square and grid method (variable part). This accurate identification of the two
parts created a system which is scientific and yields results for the clients.
I know of few Vastu experts who completely discarded the
ancient texts and concept of 16 zones by declaring it to be irrelevant. In the
context of this article they have completely removed the fixed part and created
a new system out of absolute variability. They call themselves as vastu
consultants but in fact they are no more than a geopaths
Vastu Acharya Maanoj can be contacted at mshrivastava2005@gmail.com for advice