Vastushastra is a Sanskrit word (the most ancient and original language of the Hindus). Vastu means dwelling and Shastra mean treatise or book. Hence Vastushastra mean a book on dwelling. Do's and don'ts, of Vastushastra are explained logically and in a scientific way in the ancient literature. So we can also call it a science of dwelling.

There are references to science of Vastushastra in various ancient books like the Ramayana, the Mahabharta and Budhist literature-Chullavagga etc. other ancient books like the Puranas and many other ancient books (like the Mayamata, Maansar, and the Brihat Samhita) have discussed the subject in detail.
The word Vastu has been derived from vastoshpati used in Rig Veda and is meant to provide protection, happiness and prosperity in this life as well as after death.

 Vastu Shastra is a part of Sthapatya Veda which is a branch of Atharva Veda. The word "Vastu" means the site of a house or building and "Shastra" means the rule or the command. So Vastu Shastra means rules or commands about a house or building.
The Rishis of yore after direct observation of the nature and proper research , came out with certain principles to make temples, houses, residential buildings, shops for the welfare of human being .These most invaluable conclusions are based upon the balance of five elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space) in the environment and keeping the harmony between Man and nature intact. This is known fact to all that India remained the richest and the most advanced country in the world, till the invaders came and started looting its wealth and destroying its rich heritage of Vedic knowledge and culture. Most of the construction work was done on the principles of Vastu Shastra.

Foreign invasion and corruption of cultures left little room for the growth and practice of all Vedic Sciences including Vastu Shastra, Ayurveda and Jyotish. This is the most painful part of our history. During the Buddhist period , the Buddhist monks carried the tradition of Vastu Shastra to China, where it was very brilliantly developed as Fengshui with almost same principles but local interpretations  and has now become very popular all over the world.

Vastu Shastra is thus the science of Vedic Architecture. The principles of constructing houses, marketing complexes, educational institutions etc have come from the experience and findings of sages, which they have also revealed or written in some of old classics such as; Brihat Samhita, Maya Matam, Vastu Ratnakara, Matsya Purana, Skanda Purana, Agni Purana, Vayu Purana, Garuda Purana, Narada Purana,Vishnu Purana, Vastu Raj Vallabha, Shilpa Ratna, Shilpa Prakasha etc.

In South India classical work of two sages ; Vishwa Karma and Maya by the name Vishwa Karma Shilpa and Manasar is more popular, while in North India Vishwa Karma Prakash and Samarangan Sutradhar, compiled and authored by King Bhoj is more referred to.