Vastu purusha mandala is the
metaphysical diagrammatic design of cosmos on which
the whole concept of Vastu Shastra is based. It is
believed that Vastu purusha is lied down on the cosmos
which constitutes energies in a way that his head is
resting in North-east direction which represents
balanced thinking; lower body facing South-west which
represents strength and firmness; his navel is in
center of the earth signifying cosmic awareness and
holiness; his hand face North-west and South-east
which signifies energy.
The name “Vastu purush”
is closely connected with the Vastu shastra and every now and then
we use this name in all the shantikarmas (rituals) performed in
Karamkand (prayers). So we should know who this Vastu Purusha is.
There is a mythology concerning
the birth of Vastu Purusha according to which Andhakasura a very
powerful giant (Rakshasa) had terrorized the Devtas. Finally Lord
Shiva fought a battle with Andhakasura and killed him. During this
battle Lord Shiva perspired heavily. Out of the sweat of Lord
Shiva this Vastu Purusha came into form, immediately after his
birth he started devouring anything and everything that came in
his way due to which Devtas were very much afraid and prayed to
Brahma for help. Braham advised Devtas to over power this demon
and press him down (face down) into the earth and hold him there.
Accordingly 45 Devtas hold this vastu purush putting his face down
and lying on earth from North East to South West.
After the above incident
Vastupurush prayed to Braham dev for mercy in return Lord Braham
blessed him and proclaimed that the construction on the earth will
only be successful when the Vastu Purusha will be worshipped and
respected in return the Vastupurush also promised to take care of
the inmates of the house or the occupants of the land.
Vastu Purusha is a man lying
with his back upside and bent and his head pointing North and East
respectively. The direction allotted to the land and their utility
represented by the body parts of the demon. The elbows point
towards North-West and South East direction respectively. His
knees are touching the elbows and are pointing the directions of
the elbows only. His feet and soles are joined and are pointing
jointly towards South-West direction. Naval part of the demon is
imagined to be coinciding with the centre point of the land and is
called Brahma Sthan the most auspicious space.
Vastu purusha is the presiding deity while other
eight directions have their own specific God that governs their
direction. The mandala is basically enclosed area in which Vastu
purusha is lied down signifies his birth from nature. On the basis
of this structure and prescribed directions construction is
recommended and all the physical features are decided in terms of
ventilation, doors, windows, location etc.
The Vastu mandala instructs us to locate
different features into the place of presiding God to get maximum
benefits in terms of good health, wealth, peace, progress and
prosperity. The experts of Vastu frame a module to divide the
areas according to which every placement and direction for
physical feature is ascertained. However the most important place
in Vastu purusha mandala is ‘Brahamasthana’, it is the sacred
place (centre) which is considered appropriate for divinity and
worship.
Vastu purusha mandala is followed by all experts
with due respect and dignity in different design structures
including temple, hospital, house, office, factory etc.
