Author: Dr T.Selva

By Dr. T. Selva
One of the most frequently asked questions in Hindu homes today is: “There are so many
deities in Hinduism. Which ones should we keep on our home altar?”
Over the years, many families accumulate numerous framed pictures, statues, calendars,
laminated images, prayer cards, and idols received from temples, relatives, and friends.
Eventually, the altar becomes overcrowded, visually confusing and difficult to maintain, both
spiritually and physically.
Some spiritual seekers may then worry that they are doing something wrong by not
worshipping every deity equally.
Hinduism recognises countless forms and manifestations of the Divine. However, Hindu
philosophy teaches that these deities represent different aspects of the one Supreme Cosmic
Energy.
The many divine forms allow devotees to connect with God according to their temperament,
family tradition, spiritual path and personal devotion.
Therefore, a home altar does not need to contain every deity. What matters most is sincerity,
devotion, cleanliness and a genuine spiritual connection.
A home altar should never become a storage space for every religious image accumulated
over the years.
It is the sacred spiritual centre of the home, a place for prayer, meditation, gratitude and inner
peace.
The altar should radiate calmness, order and positive vibrations.
When too many images and statues are crowded together, spiritual focus may become diluted,
and the space may feel cluttered rather than uplifting.
In traditional spiritual practice, simplicity is often preferred over excess.
Which deities should be kept?
No rigid rule governs which deities to place on a home altar.
Traditionally, families select them according to their lineage, kula deivam or family deity,
personal devotion and spiritual guidance.
Some commonly worshipped deities include:
 Lord Ganesha—the remover of obstacles and guardian of new beginnings.
 Lord Shiva—the embodiment of transformation, inner stillness and higher
consciousness.
 Goddess Lakshmi—associated with prosperity, harmony and abundance.
 Goddess Saraswati—representing wisdom, learning and creativity.
For many households, three to five principal deities are spiritually sufficient and easier to
worship and maintain with devotion and discipline.
Although there is no limit to the number of deities. for a home altar, many spiritual teachers
advise moderation.
The important question is not, “How many deities do I have?” Rather, it is, “Can I worship
and maintain them sincerely and respectfully?”

When an altar becomes overcrowded with dusty, damaged, or neglected images, the serenity
and sanctity of the sacred space may be diminished.
A small altar maintained with reverence can be spiritually more meaningful than a large but
cluttered one.
In Vasthu Sastra and traditional temple principles, orderliness, cleanliness and the
harmonious flow of energy are important. The altar should inspire serenity and devotion, not
visual overload.
Today, people sometimes buy deity statues merely as decorative objects or interior
accessories. Never treat sacred images casually.
Once an image or statue has been placed on the altar and regularly worshipped, it acquires
special spiritual significance through prayer and devotion.
Therefore, handle it with care and reverence.
Devotees should observe the following guidelines:
 Avoid keeping broken or badly damaged statues on the altar.
 Torn, faded, or damaged pictures should be respectfully removed.
 Do not stack deity pictures on the floor or leave them neglected in drawers.
 Avoid placing sacred images near shoes, bathrooms or other inappropriate areas.
 Keep the altar clean, orderly and free from unnecessary objects.
How should old or broken sacred images be retired?
This is a sensitive and important issue because many devotees feel guilty or fearful about
removing blessed images.
However, Hindu traditions offer respectful ways to retire damaged or unused devotional
items.
Customs may differ between families, temples and spiritual traditions.
When in doubt, it is advisable to seek guidance from a priest, temple authority or family
elder.
Some temples accept old deity pictures, statues and prayer items for proper ceremonial
handling.
Returning such objects to a temple that provides this service is often the safest and most
respectful option.
Traditionally, biodegradable pictures and unpainted clay idols may be immersed in flowing
water after prayers.
Small, unpainted clay or natural-stone idols may be respectfully buried in clean soil or
beneath a tree after prayers, provided this is permitted and environmentally safe.
Paper images may be respectfully burned in a clean and controlled fire, where local
regulations and family customs allow.
The ashes may then be placed beneath a tree or returned to the earth.
Whatever method is chosen, devotees may first offer a short prayer of gratitude and
respectfully acknowledge that the Divine presence is not confined to the physical object.
What Should Be Avoided?
 Never throw sacred statues or images casually into dirty rubbish bins.
 Avoid selling damaged or broken sacred statues as ordinary objects.

 Do not abandon deity images at temples, roadsides, beneath public trees or on vacant
land.
 Avoid accumulating excessive spiritual items merely out of fear, guilt or superstition.
Spirituality should bring peace, clarity, and inner strength, not anxiety.
Ultimately, Hinduism teaches that the Divine resides not only in temples, statues and sacred
images, but also within the human heart.
The home altar is a sacred reminder of this inner connection.
Whether one worships a single deity or several, what truly matters is purity of intention,
humility, gratitude, and disciplined spiritual practice.
A simple altar filled with sincere devotion is far more meaningful than a crowded altar filled
with neglect.
In the end, the forms may be many, but they all lead the sincere devotee towards the same
Divine source.
Award-winning writer Dr. T. Selva is the author of the bestsellers Vasthu Sastra Guide
and Secrets of Happy Living. To obtain a copy, WhatsApp 019-2728464. He can be
reached at drtselvas@gmail.com. Website: www.vasthuguide.com

A cosmically aligned name is a continuous blessing for your child.
By Dr. T. Selva
In today’s fast-paced world, names are often chosen because they sound fashionable, have
modern appeal, or simply reflect parents’ personal preferences.
This is nothing unusual, but ancient Vedic wisdom views naming a newborn more deeply.
A name is not merely an identity or a matter of style, but something that carries meaning,
vibration, and significance.
For this reason, the naming of a child was traditionally treated as a sacred responsibility, one
that deserved careful thought, prayer and guidance rather than being decided casually.
Our forefathers understood that a name is far more than a convenient social label.
It is a concentrated cosmic sound vibration that echoes through space and time, subtly
shaping an individual’s destiny, character, emotional health, and overall fortune.
Vedic philosophy holds that the universe itself manifested through primordial sound, the
eternal vibration of Aum.
Every word we speak carries energy, and a name, repeated hundreds of thousands of times
over a lifetime, becomes the primary carrier of a person’s energetic footprint.
When we lovingly call a child, every spoken syllable activates a specific frequency within
their aura:
 Cosmic Alignment: If the chosen sound harmonises with the child’s cosmic blueprint
at birth, it acts as a constant, lifelong catalyst for confidence, vitality, clarity, and
prosperity.
 Energy Friction: Conversely, if a name clashes with their inherent planetary
energies, it can create subtle, persistent disharmony, restlessness, and unnecessary
roadblocks in life.
Ultimately, giving a child a cosmically aligned name is like handing them a natural compass
for their life’s journey.
In Vedic astrology, the Moon’s position at the precise moment of birth determines a child’s
birth star, each intrinsically linked to a specific seed sound.
These seed syllables represent the most auspicious frequencies with which to begin a child’s
name:
 A child born under Ashwini Nakshatra (star), for example, flourishes when their name
begins with syllables such as Chu, Che, Cho, or La.
 A child born under the Rohini Nakshatra finds ideal alignment with the syllable
Vi—inspiring names like Vishal or Vidya.
Selecting a name based on these seed sounds ensures that every single time the child’s name
is called, their unique birth vibration is recharged and balanced.
A name does not exist in isolation; it becomes an active part of the household’s daily
energetic ecosystem.
In Vasthu Sastra, sound belongs to the ether element, which governs the subtle flow of energy
within any living space.
When parents, siblings, and relatives call out a cosmically aligned name, they unconsciously
reinforce beneficial vibrations throughout the house.
This collective repetition attracts peace, emotional stability, and overall prosperity into the
living environment.

If a name is chosen without considering these star influences, it can create an unseen
dissonance in the home’s atmosphere, often manifesting over time as unexplainable mood
shifts, emotional friction, or restlessness within the family.
This deep understanding is why traditional households celebrated the sacred naming
ceremony typically performed on the 11th or 12th day after birth.
Guided by astrological calculations, this ritual was treated as a vital spiritual anchor for the
soul.
Beyond the initial seed sound, ancient texts also emphasise the overall structure of the name:
Syllable Balance: The total letter count and soft consonant endings play a vital role in
balancing emotional temperament.
Numerological Harmony: The total numerical value of the name should align with
the child’s ruling planets to avoid internal friction between their name energy and
birth chart.
Choosing a name through Vedic wisdom is not rooted in superstition; it is a refined
acknowledgment that sound is a holy tool.
Just as a fine musical instrument must be precisely tuned to produce a beautiful melody, a
child’s name must be tuned to their cosmic blueprint.
There is nothing wrong with seeking elegance, beauty, or modernity in a name.
However, by blending personal preference with the guidance of astrology and Vasthu Sastra,
parents can give a gift that resonates not only with their hearts, but with the universe itself.
As the ancient sages reminded us: “What is uttered often becomes reality.”
When you call your child by a name aligned with their cosmic destiny, you are continuously
bestowing a divine blessing upon them.
And what greater gift can a parent offer than a name that carries both boundless love and
eternal cosmic harmony?
Award-winning writer Dr. T. Selva is the author of the bestsellers Vasthu Sastra Guide
and Secrets of Happy Living. To get a copy, WhatsApp 019-2728464. He can be reached
at drtselvas@gmail.com. Website: www.vasthuguide.com

When there is no goodbye
By Dr. T. Selva
There are moments in life when grief arrives with death.
There is a body to mourn, prayers to perform, tears to shed and, painful as it may be, a reality
that the heart must eventually learn to accept.
But what happens when there is no body, no final word and no certainty whether the person
you love is dead or alive?
That is the unbearable position in which thousands of families now find themselves following
the catastrophic glacial and mountain collapse and floods along the Nepal-China border on
Aug 26.
As of Sept 11, more than 5,500 people were still reported missing across Nepal and Tibet,
while rescue and recovery operations continued.
Among them are 55 Malaysians who remain unaccounted for in Nepal, with DNA samples
already obtained from their next of kin to assist identification efforts.
Behind each number is a family waiting for the telephone to ring. A mother may still be
staring at her child’s photograph.
A husband may be rereading his wife’s final message. Children may be asking when their
father is coming home.
How does one mourn somebody who is missing?
The answer is that there may be no conventional way.
Psychologists describe this as ambiguous loss, when somebody is physically absent but
remains psychologically and emotionally present.
Unlike death, there is no certainty to allow grief to follow its normal course.
Another question lingers: What if he survived? What if she is injured somewhere? What if
rescuers reach them tomorrow?
The uncertainty can freeze grief. Families can feel unable to mourn, yet unable to continue
living normally.
I am in Vietnam on a spiritual retreat now, and I was connected to the late Vietnamese Zen
master Thich Nhat Hanh’s teaching, which offered a beautiful understanding of separation.
He taught that the people we love do not simply vanish from our existence.
They continue through the lives they have touched, through memories, actions, words and
love.
Although his teachings frequently addressed death, I believe they offer something insightful
for families of the missing.
You do not have to decide today whether your loved one has departed this world.
You can continue loving someone in their absence.
You can speak their name, keep their photograph close, remember their laughter, offer
prayers, and continue searching.
And you can hope.
Research on ambiguous loss suggests that the aim should not necessarily be “closure”,
because sometimes closure is impossible.

Instead, people gradually learn to live meaningfully while carrying unanswered questions.
Malaysia understands this pain only too well.
On March 8, 2014, Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished with 239 people aboard.
More than 12 years later, its wreckage has still not been located.
The Malaysian Government extended its agreement with Ocean Infinity this year to continue
searching until June 30, 2027, another reminder that for the families, the story remains
unfinished.
For them, as for the families now waiting for news from Nepal, the most difficult words may
be: “We do not know.”
So, should relatives continue hoping for a miracle?
Absolutely.
Hope is not wrong.
In fact, this disaster reminds us to be careful not to extinguish hope prematurely. Workers
have been rescued alive many days after the catastrophe.
Two people were pulled alive from a hydropower tunnel nine days after the disaster.
Until there is certainty, missing does not mean dead.
But spirituality also teaches us that hope need not mean refusing every other possibility.
We can hold two prayers in our hearts simultaneously: May my loved one return safely, and,
Whatever has happened, may God give us the strength to face the truth.
This brings us to a particularly sensitive question: Should funeral rites be performed for
someone whose body has not been found?
No single answer fits every family or every faith.
In Hindu tradition, there are provisions in some communities for symbolic funeral rites when
a person is presumed to have died, but the body cannot be recovered.
Indeed, some families in Nepal affected by this disaster have performed symbolic cremations
using effigies in place of the missing body.
But I would hesitate to tell a family to rush into final rites while rescue operations remain
active and the person’s fate remains genuinely unknown.
The final rites are, after all, the final auspicious ceremony.
Customs also differ greatly among Hindu communities, so families facing such circumstances
should seek guidance from spiritual experts and consider information available from
authorities before taking such a big step.
However, nothing prevents us from praying.
A lamp can be lit.
Families can visit temples, churches, mosques, or other sacred spaces, depending on their
faith. And the prayer need not say goodbye.
It can simply say:
Wherever you are, may you be protected. If you are alive, may help reach you. If you have left
this world, may your soul be at peace. And may we be given the strength to accept the truth
when it comes.
Perhaps that is the most appropriate spiritual prayer when no human being can provide an
answer.
Moving forward also does not mean abandoning the missing person.

You are allowed to laugh again. You are allowed to eat, sleep, work, celebrate another child’s
birthday, or enjoy a beautiful sunrise.
Continuing to live is not a betrayal of the missing person.
Hope also does not require putting one’s entire life on hold.
We sometimes misunderstand closure as shutting a door.
But love does not work that way. Even when death is certain, we do not erase people from
our hearts. We learn to carry them differently.
For families of the missing, the door may remain slightly open for years.
Spiritual strength may therefore come not from finding an answer, but from surrendering the
demand that an answer must come today.
Some situations cannot change what has already happened.
But prayer can change the person who has to endure it.
It gives the frightened heart somewhere to place its fear.
It reminds us that beyond rescue teams, satellite images, DNA testing and human limitations
lies a mystery greater than ourselves.
For the families of the thousands still missing in the Himalayas, and particularly the families
of our 55 Malaysians, may hope remain alive for as long as hope is possible.
And when the truth finally comes, whatever that truth may be, may they have the strength to
receive it.
Until then, perhaps we should not pray for closure.
We should pray for clarity, courage and peace.
Award-winning writer Dr. T. Selva is the author of the bestselling books Vasthu Sastra
Guide and Secrets of Happy Living. To obtain a copy, WhatsApp 019-2728464. He can
be reached at drtselvas@gmail.com. Website: www.vasthuguide.com.

By Dr. T. Selva
Before the first wall rises, before concrete is poured and long before a family moves into a
new home, there is an ancient tradition that reminds us of something easily forgotten: the land
comes first.
I was reminded of this principle when I recently witnessed a Bhoomi Puja, or groundbreaking
ceremony, for the construction of a bungalow.
Chief Priest Someshvarn Sivachariar, conducted it before the owners, family, relatives,
friends and builder.
The ceremony was held on an auspicious day and at 4.30 am, in accordance with Hindu
tradition.
This was not merely the symbolic turning of soil associated with a groundbreaking ceremony.
Every prayer, offering and gesture carried meaning.
In Vasthu Sastra, land is not regarded merely as a commodity upon which a building is
constructed. It is honoured as Bhoomi, or Mother Earth, the foundation that supports
everything built upon it.
Before the earth is disturbed by construction, the ground-breaking ceremony is performed to
seek the blessings and, symbolically, the permission of Mother Earth.
To build, we must cut into the soil, remove earth, lay foundations and place an enormous
structure upon the land.
The ceremony acknowledges this intervention and seeks harmony among the land, the
building, and its occupants. The tradition carries a beautiful message: before we take from the
earth, we first bow to it.
A significant part of the ceremony took place in the northeast sector. A hole six feet deep had
been prepared there for the offerings.
In Vasthu Sastra, the northeast is regarded as the most sacred and sensitive sector of a
property.
It is associated with purity, spiritual consciousness, divine grace and positive energies.
This is why Vasthu recommends keeping it open, clean, light and free from unnecessary
heaviness.
Invoking divine blessings from this quadrant symbolises beginning the home from a point of
purity and higher consciousness.
One memorable moment was the ceremonial placement of nine new bricks.
Nine is significant in Hindu philosophy and Vasthu. It is associated with completeness and
the Navagrahas, the nine planetary influences recognised in Vedic tradition.
The concept also resonates with the Vasthu Purusha Mandala, the cosmic man, through which
land and buildings are understood as an organised field of directions, forces and energies.
Once blessed and placed, the nine bricks are no longer viewed merely as construction
materials.
They become part of the spiritual foundation, representing stability, protection, harmony and
an auspicious beginning.

Thousands of bricks may eventually be used to construct the bungalow, but these first nine
are different. They are placed not by workers during ordinary construction, but with prayers,
intention and blessings.
The physical house begins with a spiritual foundation.
Other sacred objects were placed in the opening, including a gold Trisul, nine gemstones,
conch shell, gold pyramids, coins and consecrated items prescribed for the ceremony.
The Trisul, or trident, is associated with divine power and protection. Gemstones have long
been connected in Indian traditions with planetary and cosmic influences.
The conch shell is used to dispel negative energies and invite peace, prosperity, and positive
vibrations into the land and the new home.
Metals, coins and sacred geometric objects similarly symbolise prosperity, stability,
protection and abundance.
After the ceremony, these offerings disappear beneath the earth. The owners may never see
them again, yet that is what makes the act meaningful.
They are not placed there for decoration or display. They become part of the unseen
foundation, reminding us that some of the most important forces supporting a home are
invisible.
Another touching aspect was the participation of everyone present. This was not an event
solely between the priest and owner.
Family members took part, while relatives and close friends offered prayers and good wishes.
The builder also stepped forward and respectfully placed a brick and flowers into the sacred
hole.
His participation was meaningful. A builder normally enters a property carrying drawings,
measurements, machinery and construction materials. On this occasion, however, he
approached the earth with a brick and flowers.
That simple gesture carried a powerful message. The person entrusted with physically
constructing the house was also participating in the spiritual blessing of its beginning.
Priest, owners, builder, family and well-wishers became connected to the first chapter of the
bungalow.
Modern construction naturally focuses on architectural drawings, engineering calculations,
approvals, budgets and completion dates. All are essential.
Bhoomi Puja, however, introduces another dimension: consciousness, humility and gratitude.
It reminds us that a house should not begin only with machinery breaking the ground.
It should begin with prayer, positive intention and respect for the land that will support it.
Not everyone has the opportunity to perform such an elaborate ceremony. However, those
fortunate enough to acquire land and build a home from the ground up should consider
beginning the project with an appropriate groundbreaking observance.

From a Vasthu perspective, this is an important beginning for a new property.
A bungalow may eventually be admired for its magnificent entrance, beautiful rooms, grand
staircase, expensive finishes and landscaping, but its true story begins much earlier.
It begins on an empty piece of earth, surrounded by loved ones, with sacred prayers filling the
air, nine bricks waiting to become part of the foundation and flowers falling gently into the
soil.
Everyone present carries one common hope: may the home that rises from this earth bring
peace, protection, prosperity, health and happiness to all who live within it.
Award-winning writer Dr. T. Selva is the author of the bestsellers Vasthu Sastra Guide
and Secrets of Happy Living. He can be reached at drtselvas@gmail.com. Website:
www.vasthuguide.com

By Dr. T. Selva
For someone who travels as frequently as I do, airports are more than departure and arrival
points. They are gateways to countries, cultures and people.
And whenever I return to Malaysia, I always feel a special feeling when I board a Malaysia
Airlines flight.
The familiar welcome, Selamat Datang, food and warmth of the cabin crew somehow tell me,
even thousands of kilometres away, that I am already on my way home.
That is why my recent journey from Melbourne and Singapore to Kuala Lumpur felt
noticeably different.
It came shortly after the disturbing case involving a Malaysia Airlines pilot who was detained
at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport over an alleged attempt to smuggle a large
quantity of drugs into Indonesia.
The incident attracted international attention, particularly after footage surrounding the arrest
circulated widely online.
The consequences have inevitably travelled far beyond the individual involved.
During my flight home, I spoke with members of the cabin crew. What struck me was not
anger, but a sense of disappointment and uneasiness.
They spoke about how the incident had affected morale and how airline personnel were now
facing greater scrutiny.
Just a week ago, they were often greeted with a salute and allowed to pass through with ease,
reflecting a sense of trust and camaraderie. Now, however, everything has changed: they are
subjected to rigorous screening and intense scrutiny.
Malaysia Aviation Group has since introduced enhanced screening measures, including
mandatory drug testing for pilots.
I fully support stringent measures when safety is involved.
There can be absolutely no compromise when hundreds of lives are entrusted to aviation
professionals.
Pilots and crew members occupy positions of enormous responsibility, and passengers have
every right to expect the highest standards of discipline and integrity.
But there is another side to this episode that deserves reflection.
The wrongdoing of one person can cast a very long shadow.
Thousands of dedicated airline employees who have done nothing wrong can suddenly find
themselves working under an atmosphere of suspicion.
Pilots who have served honourably for decades, cabin crew who proudly represent Malaysia
around the world and ground personnel who work tirelessly behind the scenes can all feel the
repercussions of an individual’s alleged misconduct.
When I arrived in Kuala Lumpur, I sensed something else.
The airport atmosphere appeared different to me. The scrutiny felt greater and the experience
seemed less relaxed than what I had been accustomed to on previous journeys.
The green lane, nothing to declare, was closed, and everyone was forced to screen their bags.

Perhaps heightened vigilance is inevitable following such a serious incident. Customs and
security officers have an important responsibility, and we should respect them for carrying it
out.
However, security and hospitality do not have to be opposing values.
An airport is often the first impression a visitor receives of a country and the last impression
he or she carries away.
Malaysia has spent decades building an international reputation for warmth and hospitality.
We should never allow necessary vigilance to turn every traveller into a suspected offender.
Check us. Screen us. Question us when necessary. Strengthen procedures wherever
weaknesses have been exposed.
But let it be done professionally, respectfully and with dignity.
The same principle should apply to airline employees.
Those responsible for wrongdoing must face the full consequences of their actions, but the
innocent should not be made to feel guilty merely because they wear the same uniform.
For me, Malaysia Airlines remains my first choice whenever possible.
I have travelled extensively on different airlines around the world, but there is something
about Malaysia Airlines that cannot easily be measured by rankings, food, seat dimensions or
entertainment systems.
It is the feeling of being home before reaching home.
It is the familiar Malaysian warmth and smile when you step aboard. It is the affection in the
service, the little conversations with the crew and that distinctive Malaysian hospitality that is
difficult for another airline to reproduce.
That reputation has been built over generations by thousands of people, and it should not be
defined by the alleged actions of one individual.
This episode should instead become an opportunity.
If there were weaknesses in security procedures, strengthen them.
If employee screening needs improvement, improve it. If greater vigilance is necessary,
introduce it.
But after the immediate reaction comes the more difficult task of restoring confidence
without destroying trust.
Travel has already become increasingly stressful. We remove our belts and shoes, empty our
pockets, open our bags, pass through scanners and answer questions.
Most travellers accept these inconveniences because we understand that security is necessary.
What we should try to preserve, however, is the human element.
A smile costs nothing. Courtesy does not weaken security. Respect does not compromise
vigilance.
Malaysia’s airports and Malaysia Airlines are important windows to the world.
Every officer at an immigration counter, every customs officer, every ground employee and
every member of an airline crew contribute to the image visitors carry of our country.
One person’s actions may have caused enormous embarrassment.
But one person’s actions should never be allowed to define an airline, an airport or a nation.
Malaysia Airlines has carried our flag around the world for decades.
Its people have welcomed millions of travellers with a uniquely Malaysian kind-heartedness.

Let us strengthen security. Let us demand accountability. Let us learn from what happened.
But let us also protect something equally precious – MH – the Malaysian Hospitality that
makes people feel welcome rather than watched, and makes Malaysians like me feel that we
have arrived home even before the aircraft touches the ground.
Award-winning writer Dr. T. Selva is the author of the bestsellers Vasthu Sastra Guide
and Secrets of Happy Living. To obtain a copy, WhatsApp 019-2728464. He can be
reached at drtselvas@gmail.com. Website: www.vasthuguide.com

By Dr. T. Selva
I was invited to visit the Rebel Heart: Love Letters and Other Declarations exhibition at the
State Library Victoria in Melbourne last week and I found myself deeply moved.
As someone who has spent decades studying the ancient science of Vasthu Sastra, I expected
to admire a historical collection of handwritten love letters, intimate diaries and rare
manuscripts.
Instead, I left reflecting on something far more reflective: the timeless power of love and the
environment in which it flourishes.
The exhibition beautifully demonstrates that love has never been confined by time, culture or
social expectations.
Across centuries, people have risked rejection, persecution and heartbreak simply to express
what their hearts could no longer keep hidden.
Their words continue to speak to us today with remarkable honesty and tenderness.
One of the first stories that caught my attention was that of the Roman poet Publius Ovidius
Naso, better known simply as Ovid.
Nearly two thousand years ago, his celebrated work The Art of Love offered practical advice
on courtship and romance.
His writings became immensely popular but also deeply controversial, eventually
contributing to his exile from Rome.
His story reminds us that love has often challenged society’s rules, proving that the human
heart cannot easily be controlled.
Equally fascinating was the story of Robert Burton, whose monumental work The Anatomy of
Melancholy explored the emotional complexities of love.
First published in 1621 and expanded over several editions, Burton described love as both an
inspiring force and a source of anguish, obsession and despair.
Reading his observations, I realised that although centuries separate us, the emotional journey
of love has remained remarkably unchanged.
Yet, among all the remarkable exhibits, one simple display touched me the most.
Hanging quietly on the gallery wall was an ordinary pink tote bag carrying an extraordinary
message:
“Have you ever wondered – perhaps I’ve been waiting for you for many years, and maybe
across many lifetimes?”
Those words stopped me in my tracks.
It was remarkable how an everyday shopping bag had been transformed into an insightful
declaration of love.
Without expensive materials or elaborate design, it conveyed hope, longing, patience and
steady faith.
It reminded me that love often reveals itself not through grand gestures but through the
simplest expressions that speak directly to the soul.

Nearby were handwritten letters hidden for years before finally being discovered, revealing
the silent suffering, enduring hope and unwavering devotion of lovers separated by distance,
circumstance and time.
Reading those intimate words, I realised that while technology has transformed how we
communicate, it has not changed what we long for.
Every generation continues to seek acceptance, companionship, understanding and
unconditional love.
As I walked through the exhibition, one thought became increasingly clear.
Love may begin in the heart, but it flourishes—or slowly fades—within the environment that
surrounds it.
This timeless truth has been taught by Vasthu Sastra for thousands of years.
While modern society often views love purely as an emotional or psychological experience,
Vasthu reminds us that our homes continuously influence our thoughts, emotions and
relationships.
Every room, every direction and every flow of energy subtly affect the way family members
communicate, resolve conflicts and express affection.
A couple may genuinely love each other, but if they live in a home filled with energetic
imbalances —such as an afflicted south-west, a disturbed north-east, bedrooms placed in
unsuitable quadrants, or constant clutter and disharmony—the relationship may gradually
become burdened by misunderstandings, emotional distance, and unnecessary tension.
Conversely, a well-balanced home becomes a silent partner in the relationship.
It encourages calm conversations instead of arguments, understanding instead of resentment
and mutual respect instead of conflict.
The home itself quietly supports the love shared by those who live within it.
This does not mean that Vasthu creates love.
Rather, it creates an environment in which love can breathe, mature and endure.
Just as a beautiful flower requires fertile soil, adequate sunlight and sufficient water to
blossom, human relationships also need the right surroundings to reach their fullest potential.
Even the strongest love can struggle when constantly exposed to stress and imbalance, while
ordinary relationships often grow stronger in peaceful and harmonious surroundings.
Leaving the exhibition, which ends in January 2027, I carried with me far more than
admiration for its beautiful collection.
I accepted a renewed appreciation that throughout history, people have always searched for
lasting love.
They have written poems, hidden letters, composed songs and preserved treasured keepsakes
in the hope that love would survive the passage of time.
The ancient masters of Vasthu Sastra understood another equally important truth.
Love deserves not only to be expressed. It deserves to be protected.
Sometimes, the greatest love letter we can offer our spouse, our children and our family is not
written with ink on paper.
It is the thoughtful creation of a harmonious home where love is given every opportunity to
flourish, for this lifetime, and perhaps, as the pink tote bag so beautifully suggested, for many
lifetimes to come.

Award-winning writer Dr. T. Selva is the author of the bestsellers Vasthu Sastra Guide
and Secrets of Happy Living. To obtain a copy, WhatsApp 019-2728464. He can be
reached at drtselvas@gmail.com. Website: www.vasthuguide.com

By Dr. T. Selva
As a parent, few sounds are as piercing and emotionally draining as the persistent,
unexplained cries of a newborn.
You have checked everything: the diaper is dry, the baby has been fed, the room is
comfortable and there is no apparent sign of illness.
Yet the crying continues, sometimes throughout the day and night, leaving the parents
exhausted, anxious and helpless.
When a baby cries persistently, medical advice must always come first.
A pediatrician can assess possible causes such as colic, reflux, trapped wind, feeding
difficulties, infection or other health conditions.
Parents should seek prompt medical attention if the crying is accompanied by fever, breathing
difficulty, repeated vomiting, poor feeding, fewer wet diapers, unusual drowsiness, a weak or
high-pitched cry, or if the baby appears pale, floppy or unresponsive.
Once possible medical causes have been properly investigated, parents may also wish to
consider the traditional perspectives offered by Vedic astrology and Vasthu Sastra.
These ancient Indian sciences view a baby’s cry not merely as a demand but as an important
form of communication.
It can reflect the infant’s physical needs, emotional sensitivity and response to the
surrounding environment.
According to Vedic astrology, every newborn enters the world with a unique birth chart, a
cosmic representation of the planetary positions at the exact time and place of birth.
Within this traditional system, the chart provides insights into the child’s personality,
temperament and emotional constitution.
The Moon is the principal celestial body associated with the mind and emotions.
If the Moon is weak, unfavourably positioned or influenced by challenging planets such as
Saturn, Rahu (dragon head) or Ketu (dragon tail), astrologers believe the child may possess a
highly sensitive, anxious or restless nature.
This sensitivity may be expressed through disturbed sleep, difficulty settling down and
frequent crying.
It does not mean that anything is inherently wrong with the child.
Instead, it suggests that the baby may require a calmer environment, a more consistent routine
and additional emotional reassurance.
Other planetary influences may also be considered.
A strong or afflicted Mars is traditionally associated with heat, impatience and irritability,
while a challenging Saturn influence may contribute to uneasiness or difficulty adjusting to
unfamiliar surroundings.
These planetary conditions should never be interpreted as indications of a “bad” or difficult
baby.
They are simply part of the child’s individual cosmic pattern and may help parents understand
why one baby responds differently from another under similar circumstances.
The astrological connection also extends to the mother.
During the first few months of life, a baby remains deeply attuned to the mother’s physical
and emotional state.
If she is exhausted, anxious or overwhelmed, the baby may sense her tension and respond by
becoming unsettled.
Therefore, the well-being of the mother is equally important.

Adequate rest, practical help from family members and a peaceful home environment can
benefit both mother and child.
One gentle traditional remedy involves sound vibration.
Softly chanting a calming mantra such as “Aum Shanti” or an appropriate mantra dedicated
to the Moon can help create a serene atmosphere.
The baby may not understand the words, but the gentle rhythm of the chanting, combined
with the reassuring presence of a parent, may provide comfort.
Soft devotional music, lullabies or quiet instrumental music may have a similarly soothing
effect.
Having considered the cosmic influences, we should also examine the baby’s immediate
physical environment.
According to Vasthu Sastra, a home is not merely a physical structure.
It is regarded as a living field of subtle energy.
A newborn, whose senses are still developing, may be especially receptive to the atmosphere,
sounds, lighting and energetic flow within the home.
In Vasthu, the location of the baby’s bedroom is important.
The north-west is often recommended for a young child because it is associated with the air
element and movement.
When properly balanced, it is believed to support healthy development and a peaceful mental
state.
A bedroom in the south-east—the fire-element quadrant—may sometimes feel overly active
or stimulating for an infant.
The south-west, although favourable for the head of the household, carries a heavier and
more grounded energy that may not always be suitable for a newborn.
The other locations that are considered acceptable are north, east, north-east and west.
However, each property is different, and the entire floor plan should be assessed before
reaching a conclusion.
The direction of the main entrance, room arrangement, missing corners and surrounding
environment can all influence the overall Vasthu interpretation.
The position of the cradle or crib is equally important.
It may be aligned along the north-south axis, with the baby’s head pointing towards the south
and legs towards the north.
This sleeping orientation is traditionally believed to encourage stability and more restful
sleep.
Regardless of direction, the baby should always be placed on their back on a firm, flat and
safe sleeping surface.
The crib should be kept free of pillows, loose blankets, toys, cot bumpers and other soft
objects that could obstruct the baby’s breathing.
Avoid positioning the crib directly beneath an exposed structural beam, as beams are believed
to create a sense of downward pressure.
It is also preferable not to place the crib directly in line with the bedroom door, where
movement, light and noise may repeatedly disturb the child.
Sharp furniture corners pointing towards the crib, mirrors reflecting the sleeping baby and
excessive clutter around the sleeping area should also be avoided.
Keeping the room clean, orderly and well ventilated encourages a calmer and more
comforting atmosphere.
Colours can also influence the mood of the room.
Instead of harsh, aggressive or excessively bright shades, choose soft pastel tones such as
beige, cream, gentle pink, light blue or pale green.

These colours create a peaceful visual environment and are less likely to overstimulate the
baby.
Avoid black, dark blue, yellow and grey.
Many Vasthu concerns can be addressed without making major structural alterations.
Repositioning the crib, clearing unnecessary clutter, improving ventilation and using a soft,
warm nightlight may make the room feel more settled.
A small bowl of sea salt is also traditionally used to absorb undesirable energy.
If used, it should be placed securely and completely out of the reach of children and pets, and
the salt should be replaced regularly.
Parents should remember that every baby cries. Crying is the newborn’s natural way of
communicating hunger, discomfort, tiredness, loneliness or the need to be held.
There may not always be a single explanation.
Medical care, parental patience, emotional reassurance and a harmonious home environment
should work together.
Astrology and Vasthu can offer additional traditional insights, but they should be approached
with balance, compassion and common sense.
When parents remain calm and create a secure, peaceful atmosphere, the baby is more likely
to feel safe.
Sometimes the most powerful remedy is simply the loving voice, gentle touch and reassuring
presence of a parent.
Award-winning writer Dr. T. Selva is the author of the bestsellers Vasthu Sastra Guide
and Secrets of Happy Living. To obtain a copy, WhatsApp 019-2728464. He can be
reached at drtselvas@gmail.com. Website: www.vasthuguide.com