The South Wall Padas

Vedic tradition prescribes a specific Vastu Shanti puja at the South entrance during housewarming — appeasing Yama before moving in.

Maharashtrian tradition mandates red/maroon paint for the South door — fire color in fire direction reduces friction with Yama's earth energy.

Tamil tradition uniquely accepts South entrances as the direction of Dharma — discipline and moral order. This contrasts with the purely negative North Indian interpretation.

Telugu tradition differentiates residential (avoid South) from commercial (South acceptable for discipline-based businesses: law firms, police stations, hospitals).

Jain tradition adds that a South entrance should have a Navkar Mantra inscription at the threshold — the ultimate Jain prayer protecting against Yama's death energy.

Kerala uniquely accepts South entrance for storage buildings — Yama prevents decay and preserves goods. Residential buildings must use East or North.

Gujarati tradition avoids South entrances so strongly that merchants will pay higher rent for a North-facing shop rather than accept a South-facing one at lower rent.

Bengali cultural practice: the deceased's body exits through the Dakshin Dwaar. Living occupants entering through the same direction is considered extremely inauspicious — the association is too powerful to overcome purely through pada selection.

Kalinga tradition adds that even Pada 4 on the South wall requires an annual Vastu Shanti puja — the protection must be renewed, not installed once and forgotten.

Sikh tradition takes a less fear-based approach — the Gurdwara's four doors (Char Darvaze) include a South door for universal access. For residential buildings, North or East is preferred but South is not demonized.