Ayadi Shadvarga — Six Auspicious Calculations
The Ayadi Shadvarga is a six-fold mathematical audit of a building's external di
Local term: आयादि षड्वर्ग — छह शुभ गणना (Āyādi Ṣaḍvarga — Chah Śubha Gaṇanā)
Modern Vastu practice recognises Ayadi Shadvarga as a proportional quality system — the six calculations effectively constrain building dimensions to a family of ratios that centuries of empirical practice have validated. Contemporary architects apply the system using metric-to-Hasta conversion tables, and some Vastu software tools automate the calculation.
Source: Contemporary Vastu compilations; Architectural proportion theory; Modern Vastu Ganita guides
Unique: Modern Vastu software tools now automate Ayadi calculation — the architect enters external dimensions in metres and the tool converts to Hasta, computes all six remainders, and flags any inauspicious result. Some firms offer a printed Ayadi Certificate as part of the Vastu compliance package.
The Rule in Modern Vastu
Ideal
Apply the complete six-fold Ayadi calculation to the building's external perimeter using metric-to-Hasta conversion, verifying that Aaya exceeds Vyaya for prosperity-aligned proportions.
Acceptable
Simplified Aaya-Vyaya check using metric dimensions is acceptable as a minimum modern standard when traditional Hasta measurement is impractical.
Prohibited
Ignoring the Ayadi system entirely removes a validated proportional quality check — modern practice considers this negligent when the calculation can be automated at zero cost.
Sub-Rules
- All six Ayadi calculations (Aaya, Vyaya, Yoni, Nakshatra, Vara, Tithi) have been performed and documented▲ Major
- Aaya remainder exceeds Vyaya remainder — the building's proportions favour income over expenditure▲ Major
- Vyaya remainder exceeds Aaya remainder — the building's proportions favour expenditure over income▼ Major
- No Ayadi calculation was performed — numerological status of the building's dimensions is unknown▼ Minor
The Ayadi Shadvarga is a six-fold mathematical audit of a building's external dimensions. By dividing the perimeter by prescribed numbers, the Sthapati determines whether the structure's proportions harmonise with cosmic cycles of income, expenditure, origin, star, day, and lunar phase. A favourable result means the building's very measurements resonate with prosperity.
Common Violations
Vyaya remainder exceeds Aaya remainder — expenditure-dominant proportions
Traditional consequence: The building's proportions create a mathematical dissonance with cosmic wealth cycles — occupants experience persistent expenditure exceeding income. Classical texts compare this to a vessel with a crack at the bottom: however much is poured in, more leaks out.
No Ayadi calculation was performed — numerological status unknown
Traditional consequence: Without the six-fold reckoning, the building's dimensional relationship to cosmic number-forces is left to chance. The structure may be auspicious or inauspicious, but the uncertainty itself is considered a form of negligence by classical authorities.
How Other Traditions Compare
Relative to Modern Vastu
The Varanasi Sthapati guilds maintain handwritten Ganita-padhati (mathematical procedure books) with pre-computed Ayadi remainder tables. The Rajasthani Silawat tradition inscribes the six remainder values on the foundation stone — these inscriptions survive on havelis in Jaisalmer and Jodhpur dating to the 16th century.
Peshwa-era Wadas in Pune show physical evidence of plinth-dimension micro-adjustments — where the outer wall jogs inward by 2-3 cm to correct an unfavourable Vyaya remainder. The Sutradhar guild of Satara maintained Ayadi tables calibrated to the Marathi Hasta standard (slightly longer than the Kashi Hasta).
Tamil Sthapatis of the Vishwakarma community in Kumbakonam maintain palm-leaf Ganita-grantha with Ayadi tables computed to 1/8th Angula precision — the finest resolution in any Indian tradition. The Mayamatam prescribes different divisors for temple (base-12) versus residential (base-8) construction, a distinction preserved only in Tamil practice.
Kakatiya guild record stones at Warangal Thousand-Pillar Temple contain Ayadi remainder tables carved in Telugu numerals — the oldest surviving physical evidence of the calculation system. Telugu Sthapatis use the Kishku-Hasta (forearm measure) as the base unit, which is 24 Angulas versus the North Indian 26-Angula Hasta.
Jain Basadis at Mudabidri contain inscribed Ayadi remainder records in Halegannada numerals — the Sthapati recorded all six values on the pillar base as a permanent mathematical certificate. Hoysala temple plinths show systematic 1-2 Angula offsets from simple geometric shapes, consistent with Ayadi perimeter corrections.
The Perumthachan lineage of Kerala master carpenters maintained handwritten Ganita-grantha (calculation books) passed from father to son, with Ayadi tables calibrated to Kerala's distinctive Kishku-Kol (measuring rod). The Manushyalaya Chandrika prescribes that the Sthapati must announce each of the six remainders aloud at the Bhoomi Puja, and the householder must verbally accept them — a verbal contract between architect and cosmos.
Solanki-era Havelis in Patan contain Ayadi remainder values inscribed in Gujarati numerals on the courtyard foundation — visible proof that the calculation was performed. The Jain Sthapati tradition treats Ayadi compliance as a prerequisite for the Vastupujana ceremony, without which the structure is considered spiritually incomplete.
Bengali Sutradhar guilds of Nabadwip maintained Ganita-paddhati manuscripts with Ayadi tables calibrated to the Bengali Hasta (23 Angulas — shorter than the Kashi standard of 26). The Ganaka announces each remainder during the Bhoomi Puja while the Purohit performs parallel Mantra recitation — a dual mathematical-ritual validation unique to Bengal.
The Jagannath Temple at Puri is traditionally cited as the supreme exemplar of Ayadi-compliant proportions — its external perimeter yields auspicious remainders in all six calculations. Kalinga Sthapatis use the Kishku-Mana (Odia measuring rod) as the base unit, with divisors differing from the Mayamatam standard for the Nakshatra and Tithi calculations.
Punjabi Raj-Mistri guilds maintained Ganit-pothi (calculation ledgers) with Ayadi tables calibrated to the Punjabi Gaz (yard measure). The Sikh building tradition emphasises that precise calculation is itself a form of Seva (service) — the Raj-Mistri serves the householder by ensuring mathematical harmony. Golden Temple renovations historically included Ayadi verification.
Terms in Modern Vastu
Universal:
Remedies & Solutions
Automated Ayadi calculation via Vastu software — modern standard
Modern VastuPrinted Ayadi Certificate as part of Vastu compliance documentation
Modern VastuPerform the Ayadi Shadvarga calculation on the building's external perimeter. If the Aaya/Vyaya ratio is inauspicious, adjust the outer plinth dimension by 1-2 Angulas (2-4 cm) to shift the remainder to a favourable value.
If physical adjustment of dimensions is not feasible, perform Vastu Shanti Homa — a fire ritual specifically prescribed for pacifying numerological inauspiciousness in an existing structure.
Consult a qualified Sthapati (traditional architect) for precise six-remainder analysis and dimension-specific remediation using regional Hasta/Angula standards.
Remedies from other traditions
Foundation stone inscription of six auspicious remainders — North Indian Sthapati tradition
Vedic VastuVastu Shanti Homa if remainders are corrected post-construction
Plinth-dimension micro-adjustment at outer wall — Maharashtrian Sutradhar technique
HemadpanthiTulsi Vrindavan placement at corrected perimeter point
Classical Sources
“Let the wise builder measure the perimeter in Hasta and divide by the prescribed numbers — if the remainder of Aaya exceeds that of Vyaya, the dwelling shall bring fortune; if reversed, the house devours its master's wealth like a fire unfed with ghee.”
“Six sacred remainders shall the Sthapati compute from the outer measure of the griha: that of gain, that of loss, that of origin, the Nakshatra, the Vara, and the Tithi. Only when all six speak favourably may the foundation trench be cut.”
“The perimeter of the dwelling, measured in Kishku-Hasta, is to be divided by twelve for Aaya, by ten for Vyaya, by eight for the birth-star, by seven for the day-lord, and by nine for the lunar digit — each remainder revealing whether the gods favour that dimension.”
“Vishvakarma taught: the six-fold reckoning of a building's measure is the architect's first duty, for a dwelling whose numbers war with the heavens cannot shelter its occupants from misfortune, however fine its timbers or strong its walls.”
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