New age careers are coming up in a big way in today’s world and more and more young aspirants are moving away from the clichéd career paths. With every passing day the world is seeing a sturdy emergence of alternate career opportunities and job hunters are accepting the new avenues with zealous participation.
With ever growing interest of today’s generation towards energies and easternisation, many are seeing it as a lucrative career option. Vaastu Shastra is about defined set of principles to be followed while building a house, so it is closely related to the field of Architecture. In fact, Vaastu Shastra is also known as science of ancient architecture. Today, someone who is planning to buy a site, flat, house, office or restaurant or any other commercial space, primarily looks for a Vaastu expert to approve the layout of the specific site or building and then goes ahead with the formalities of buying it. There is actually a dearth of experienced Vaastu experts and with growing awareness in people about the bliss a Vaastu complaint house offers, time is not far when every single person would look for a good Vaastu expert to help him with the best of the residential or commercial complex. Hence you can imagine the scope of Vaastu Shastra as a career, in near future.
To understand how one can build a career as a Vaastu expert we got in touch with Dr Aarushi Sadhotra, a certified Vaastu consultant.
A post graduate in Management Sadhotra worked for a decade in HR Department of Telecom industry, when she found her calling in – “Vaastu Shastra”. After completing Ph.D. in Vaastu, she pursued few years of extensive research in Vaastu science and practiced under expert’s supervision, and that’s when she founded “Vaastublessings” – a consultancy for people seeking advices on Vaastu for commercial and residential complexes. Vaastublessings provides onsite as well as off- site consultation in India and overseas. Dr Aarushi is an author as well and has been writing articles for various publications.
Here is a selected excerpt of the interview –
Q. What is the right time for a student who wants a career in the field to start learning or building skills?
There is no set timeline for anyone to get into this field. Anyone who has interest in Vaastu can start reading and learning about it. But for formal career in this field one has to be at least a graduate from a recognized university, so as to take up Vaastu courses and start researching on the subject. Post-graduation degree will give an added advantage to the student to continue his research work and apply for Ph.D.
Q. What are the courses/study programs available in India?
There are various courses available in the subject, a student has to start from beginner’s level and consecutively move up the ladder of courses.
- Beginners course – 1-2 months
- Advanced course – 5-6 months
- Professional course –5-6 months
- Remedial course – 5-6 months
Q. What are the institutions that offer such programs in India?
Following are the few good institutes offering various Vaastu courses:
- International Institute of Vaidic Culture -New Delhi
- Shree Maharshi College of Vedic Astrology – Udaipur
- Indian Council of Astrological Sciences – Jaipur
- Indian Institute of Vastu Research -Rajasthan
- Institute of Vaastu & Joyful Living,
- Institute of Vedic Astrology- Indore
- VRC Vastu- New Delhi
- Vastu World- Pune
Q. Students from which educational background are most suited to make a career in the Vaastu?
As long as a student has inclination towards the field of Vaastu, graduation/post-graduation in any field is perfect to pursue career in Vaastu. However students from the field of architecture will have added advantage as they would have deeper understanding of principles of building a structure and will be able to understand Vaastu easily & quickly. Student of architecture might have to spend less time in learning do & don’t of Vaastu. Likewise students in the field of interior designing also have a better edge over other students.
Q. What skills are required to build a successful career in the Vaastu?
- Thorough understanding of the subject
- Good listening skills to understand customers problem
- Communication skills to share advice/suggestions
- Honest and sincere consultation/advice
- Courage to say No and accept the situations where project handling is not possible.
Q. Best places to work as a Vaastu specialist?
There are numerous opportunities for a person who has knowledge and experience of Vaastu Shastra:
- One can go for independent practice or work as an entrepreneur
- Can work with Interior Designers & Architects.
- Can collaborate with builders, town planners and civil engineers
- One may also join various institutes offering Vaastu training, as guide&teacher
Q. What are the things required to start a business/startup for Vaastu specialists?
Someone who has acquired thorough knowledge about Vaastu Shastra from an esteemed college and is confident enough to impart that knowledge to the seeker can venture into practicing Vaastu. Of course one would need a good quality compass to track directions. One can buy few more tools like lecher antenna and EMR machine as the business expands. Other than tools, one would need a small office space for client meetings.
Q. What is the present demand for Vaastu consulting in India?
Vaastu has been in huge demand always, all our ancient temples, forts, and other buildings were built on the basis of Vaastu principles. Due to increased influence of westernization in past few decades, Vaastu lost its sheen but only to come back with an increased luster and charm. Not only nationally but internationally also Vaastu has a increased following due to the benefits it offers. There is an exponential surge in the demand of Vaastu services, after the “success of yoga day”. People have started realizing the importance of Vaastu principles and everyone wants to be on the receiving end. In the past five years, Vaastu consultants have increased many-folds and so have their offices in India and abroad, to cater to the increased demand of Vaastu consultation.(It is difficult to quote exact data because most of the traditional Vaastu consultants operate through the word of mouth, and don’t have their presence online). But there is clear difference in the number of Vaastu consultants now and about 5 years back, Even in India, builders have been constructing flats/apartments as per Vaastu because end customer is looking for Vaastu compliant structures. There is immense scope in this field of career and with ever growing awareness among people; this field is going to be one of the most desirable field to work in.
Q. Anything else you want to share?
Vaastu Shastra specifies a Vedic way of living a happy and blissful life by building a structure wherein all 5 elements of nature are in harmony with each other. Unfortunately with so many invaders coming in, ruling and robbing our country off all the treasures it possessed, be it financial, spiritual or religious. Nevertheless, the foundation of our culture has always been so strong that we know how to bounce back. We just need more and more people to spread awareness about the benefits this age old science offers. After introduction of scientific Vaastu, people have started realizing its importance but there are still some people who have misconceptions related to this subject and more knowledgeable people we have better it is to reach to masses to clarify their doubts and confusions.