An office should be in tune with elements of ether, air, fire, water and earth to achieve success, says Praveen Singh Chauhan

At times you may have visited an office which feels serene, while at times an office space gives negative vibration. There are businesses which grow in a very short time while others fail despite years of hard work. One of the prime determinants for the same is the Vastu of the workplace.

Vastu Shastra has been an ancient science followed by people since time immemorial to improve their overall wellbeing, particularly for professional success. This is an ancient Indian planning principle usually used in architecture and interior design.

According to experts, applying the principles of Vastu Shastra — which is based on Vedic truths — can improve job prospects and usher in financial prosperity. The concept of the Vastu Purusha Mandala, the sacred body of the cosmic being that determines all human activities, is applicable as much at home as it is at the workplace where it can clear impediments in the career path of an individual.

Vastu Shastra doesn’t just apply to a home. Your office and the place where you work assume significance too. Getting the Vastu right for your office is important for your overall success. A place where you conduct your business should also be in tune with the five elements of ether, air, fire, water and earth, so that both the management and employees can work in harmony to achieve success.

Sometimes we see a new entrepreneur making huge investment in office becoming hugely successful in very less time. One of the major roles played in the success is the application of right Vastu principles in the office.

A Vastu-compliant office increases positivity and helps keep the flow of wealth steady. We often see people venturing into business without consulting regarding plot and direction in which they will be conducting business. Vastu consultants recommend that the principles of Vastu be followed from the construction stage itself.

Vastu of office requires proper analysis and orientation of business house; here are some tips for a Vastu-compliant office:

• Office is a place where you spend most of the time. Proper arrangement of the office desk and office seating results in balanced progress. Office is made in order to get success and good profit; office Vastu renders helps in creating positive vibrancy and atmosphere at work place. Office Vastu includes several points such as right office setup, slope, direction of various departments, location of the reception, position of office desk etc.
• Always avoid irregular shape of the plot for office. Rectangle or square is best suited shape for office structure. A wrong location can result in staff feeling fatigued, stifled in the exchange of ideas and restless.
• The entrance should be tastefully decorated and must have a soothing fragrance. The effect can be heightened if there is soothing music playing in the background. 
• The main door that looks mature and respectable indicates stability and promises better business. An old and shabby door which does not open freely is not good for business.
• Reception should be in the north-east. The reception area is important as it provides the customer with the first impression of the business. It should be the lowest and it would be encouraging if a customer has to take three steps to the business or display area.
• The owner or managing director of the organisation should occupy the largest room in the south-west, and should be away from the main entrance of office. Owner of the business organisation should always face north while dealing with clients.
• The finance manager of the organisation should sit facing north or east as this will yield enhanced financial results. This promotes maximum amount of cooperation and also makes sure that people cooperate with each other in the office.
• For a successful job or business, people in decision-making positions should never sit directly under a beam as they may find it difficult to make the right decisions. Such beams can be concealed by false ceilings.
• The accounts department should be placed in the north as it is the direction of Kuber, the God of wealth.
• The sales staff should sit in the northwestern portion where harmony can be promoted easily.
• The technical staff should be placed in the south-east.
• The administration and human resources departments should be placed in the east.
• The staff manning the counter should face the entry. Other favourable locations are east and north. This will improve the energy levels in the working environment.
• The conference room should be located in east or west, while the waiting areas for customers should be in the north-west. The centre of the office should be kept empty.
• Staff should work facing the north or east direction. Avoid sitting under a beam. If the work desk needs to be shifted, do so. This also applies to computers and other office equipment. All side tables and telephones should be placed in the southwest corner.
• Placing images of Gods and deities towards the right side of mirrors is considered auspicious.
• Water purifiers can be placed in north-east direction. The pantry should  be located on the north western or the north-eastern part of the office. This helps unity of the staff, for it provides them with one single facility that one cannot ignore.
• Stairs should be in clock-wise direction. The staircase construction should be towards to south of the building. This is the best and most important place to make complete use of Vastu Shastra in the office.
• Vastu Shastra would recommend that you use colours like white, grey and blue. Colours in the office should be pleasing and bright.

The writer is a Delhi-based astropalmist and can be reached at astropraveen7@gmail.com