What is Vastu Purusha Mandala ?
- In order to understand Vaastu Shastra, it is necessary to understand the Vaastu Purusha Mandala, which is energy grid of square. The Vaastu Purusha Mandala is the basic form in architecture and all other figures are derived from this elementary design. We can understand vaastupurush better with the image given in any VASTU texts:
- It provides the method that determines the requirements of architecture in relation to its directions. Each direction is allotted a particular role by the Vaastu Ratnakara. Every part of the Vaastu Purusha’s body is sacred and contains energies that help us in living a contented and peaceful life.
- Each work has its nature and features. Aforesaid knowledge gives us the appropriate direction for a desired work such as where and how to construct a room, outer structure and interior arrangement of rooms according to the nature of work so that we do our work without any problem and handedness.
- This knowledge tells us about the nature and work of directions and what kind of work is to be done in which direction. Vaastu knowledge advices what kind of work is best in which directions at where it is medium, normal or average and which direction is prohibited for concerned work.
- Vaastu Purusha is present in each and every plot whether it is big or small. It has a fixed and peculiar body. Its head remains hanging down and its body is spread all over the length and breadth of the ground. There is an interesting story in the MATSYA PURANA in which the birth of the Vaastu Purusha is narrated. By reading that story, one knows why the worship of the Vaastu Purusha is necessary before beginning the construction of any house.
- While fighting with the demon, Shiva was very much tired and began to sweat profusely. A man was born from the drops of the sweat of Shiva. He looked very cruel. He was very hungry. So he began to make penance to appease Lord Shiva and get a boon from Him.
- Shiva was pleased with his penance and appeared before him. The devotee prayed to Shiva, “Oh Lord! Please permit me to eat away all the three worlds.” Shiva said, “Let it be so.” The joy of that devotee knew no bounds. He got possession on all the three worlds and first he was ready to eat the terrestrial world. Then the celestial beings, Brahma, Shiva and the demons (Rakshasas) also were terrified and caught hold of the devotee encircling him.
Forty-five celestial beings, out of whom 32 from without and 13 from within caught hold of the devotee.
These celestial Beings laid force on the different limbs of the devotee and sat on them as shown below:
ISH (AGNI) – head; APA – face; PRITHWI DHARA & ARYAM – Chest; AVANTSA – heart; DITI & INDRA – Shoulders; SURYA & SOMA – Hands; RUDRA & RAJAYAKSHMA – left arm; SAVITRA & SAVITA – right arm; VIVASWAN & MITRA – Stomach; PUSHA & ARYAMA – Wrist; ASUR & SESHA – left side; VITATHA & GRAHAKSHAT – right side; YAMA & VARUNA – Thighs; GANDHARVA & PURAMADAN – on the knees; SUGRIV & BHRISH – shanks; DWARIKA & MRIGA – ankles; JAYA & SHAKRA – on the hairs grown on the feet; BRAHMA – on the heart.
Being bound like that, the devotee laid down there only. Since then, he has been lying there surrounded by the celestial Beings and thus he is known as “the God of Vaastu or VAASTU PURUSHA”.
“You will be known as `VASTUPURUSHA’. You will tease the people who construct buildings and temples, dig wells and tanks on the side towards which you see and in the direction towards which you hold your feet, to your heart’s content. You may trouble and even devour those people who construct the aforesaid buildings and temples etc. in the direction where you lay your head and back and those who lay foundation stone without worshipping you or without satisfying you with `Homa’ and the like. Then the Vaastu Purusha was quite satisfied. Since then the worship of Vaastu-Purusha has been in vogue and it has become compulsory for those who want to construct any kind of building. ”
Vaastu Purusha, being arrested like this, said to the Gods, “Oh Celestial Beings! You have all caught hold of me and tied me on all the sides. How long shall I be like this, in this position hanging my head down like a prisoner? What shall I eat?” Listening to these words, the celestial Beings said, “Today is Bhadrapada Shukla Triteeya Saturday and `Visakha Star’; So, you lie down here on the ground changing your position once in three months, i.e. from `Bhadrapada’ to `Kartik’ you lie down putting your head in the Eastern direction and your feet towards the West. During the months of `Margashira’, `Pushyam’ and `Magha’, you lie down towards the South looking towards the West and put your feet towards the North. During the months of `Phalgun’, `Chaitra’ and `Vaisakh’, put your head towards the West and feet towards the East looking towards the North. In the months of `Jyeshtha’, `Ashadha’ and `Sravana’, put your head towards the North and the feet towards the South and look towards the East. Whatever side you may turn, you will have to lie down on the left side only.
The ancient Indian text Mayamatam on Vastu Sastra, written thousands of years ago, explains the legend of the Vastu Purusha. According to Hindu mythology, in the beginning Brahma the creator of the Universe, experimented with a new creature. He created a large cosmic man, who grew rapidly as he began to devour everything in his path to satisfy his insatiable hunger. When he became unmanageably big so that his shadow fell on the Earth like a permanent eclipse, the gods Shiva and Vishnu begged Brahma to do something before everything was destroyed by this Creature.
Brahma realised his mistake and called the Astha Dikapalakas – the Gods of the eight
cardinal directions. Together, they overpowered the monster and held it flat against the
Earth while Brahma jumped on it’s middle. Then the Monster cried out to Brahma, “You
created me like this. So why am I being punished?” Brahma offered him a compromise and
made the Monster immortal with the boon that he would be worshiped by any mortal that
builds a structure on earth. He was named Vastu Purusha.
The diagram above, known as Vastu Mandala, illustrates how the Vastu Purusha was pinned down by Brahma and the 44 Gods – face down, with his head to the North East and feet towards South West. It is divided in to 9×9 = 81 parts. These Gods rule various aspects of life and have certain inherent qualities. Hence while constructing a building, the purpose/function of a room must be in tune with the nature of the deity placed and ruling that part. This is illustrated in the next picture. Not many houses are likely to have that many rooms.
Hence adjustments can be made by combining several areas. One noteworthy point is that in the olden days the central portion ruled by Brahma was kept open.
This picture is the adjustment example for a still smaller place using a 3×3 = 9 combinations.
Picture showing the vastu mandala utilisation for a smaller plot
The house or the place where we live can influence our life’s happiness, wealth, health, and prosperity. This truth told by ancient sages ages ago is known as Vastu Shastra.The Vastu Shastra is the Vedic science of building or architecture. Vastu shastra helps us to create buildings that favorably influence our lives and brings us happiness.
Vastu Shastra considers the astrological location of the Sun, Earth, and other planets during the construction of any building, be it residential or commercial. It guides us as to where the building site should be located, the shape of the site, the proposed shape of the building to be constructed, the direction the building will face, the location of gates, doors, windows, and the building’s general design as a whole.
to be contd