Magical Grid System in Ancient Indian Architecture

Magical Grid System in ancient Indian architecture

( Vaastu Purush Mandal )

VAASTU-PURUSHA : MYTHOLOGICAL ORIGIN

There is a very interesting myth associated with the origin of VAASTU-Purusha, from which we can understand as to why we should build a house according to guidelines of VAASTU SCIENCE and then perform the appropriate rituals for the VAASTU-Purusha. The VAASTU-Purusha is said to be residing in all the buildings – small or large. He has a peculiar physique and indications. He occupies the entire constructed area in a posture of head drooping forward. The story of the origin of theVAASTU-Purusha is narrated in the Matsya-Purana.

Once upon a time Lord Shiva fought a battle against the monster named Andhak and killed him. Since the battle was long drawn,Lord Shiva got very tired. He was sweating profusely. A drop of sweat fell on the ground and a humanoid figure was born out of that. He had a huge and a terrible body. He was also very hungry and started to drink the blood of the slain monster Andhak. Even after drinking the blood, his hunger was not satiated and he could not tolerate it. Hence he prayed to Lord Shiva to allow him to eat all the three worlds.  Lord Shiva was pleased with his penance and granted him his wish. 

As soon as Lord Shiva granted him his wish, the demon captured all the three worlds and started to eat the earthlings. This caused panic amongst the gods and goddesses, humans and demons. They approached Lord Brahma for help. He told them to knock the demon down in prone position. Accordingly the 45 major and minor gods felled him down. The 32 gods from outside and 13 gods from inside held him down. The names of 32 gods who held him from outside are as follows – 1) Eesh [Shikhi] 2) Parjanya 3) Jayant 4) Indra 5) Surya 6) Satya 7) Bhrush 8) Aakash 9) Waayu 10) Poosha 11) Vitatha 12) Bruhatkshat 13) Yama 14) Gandharva 15) Bhrungaraj 16) Mruga 17) Pitru  18) Douwarik 19) Sugreeva 20) Pushpadant 21) Varun 22) Asur 23) Shoka 24) Papyakshma 25) Roga 26) Ahi 27) Mukhya 28) Bhallat 29) Soma 30) Sarpa 31) Aditi 32) Diti .

The above mentioned 32 gods are outside the limits of the VAASTU (the building ), whereas the below mentioned 13 gods are within the limits of the VAASTU – 1) Aap 2) Savita 3) Indra(with Jayant)  4) Shesha 5) Marichi  6) Savitri 7) Vivaswan 8) Vishnu 9) Mitra 10) Rudra 11) Pruthvidhar 12) Aapvatsa 13) Brahma.                                                             

All these gods attacked that demon and held him down by sitting on various parts of his body. Eesh (Agni – Fire) on thehead, Aap on the face, Pruthvidhar and Aryama (Marichi) on the chest, Aapvatsa  on the chest,  Diti and Indra on the  upperarms, Som and Surya on the right hand, Rudra and Rajyakshama(Papyakshma ) on the left hand, Savitri and Savita on the right arm, Vivaswan and Mitra on the stomach, Poosha and Aryama (Marichi) on the wrist, Asur and Shesha on the left flank, Vitatha and Bruhatkshat on the rightflank, Yama and Varuna on the thigh, Gandharva and Pushpadant on the knees, Sugreeva and Mruga on the lowerlegs, Douwarik and Mruga  on the feet, Jay and Satya on the hair on legs, and Brahma on the heart.

Explication of VASTU PURUSH MANDALA

Technicalities of a square Mandala

Although Vastu may have varied shapes to suit specific design situations, the square is the most preferred shape of the Mandala in Vastusastra. Mythologically, square is the shape of Vajra, the weapon given to Indra by Viswakarma. Earth is described as four-cornered (caturbhrsti). The square fire-altar (vedi) is another sanctified form of this shape. The square may be microscopic in size as in the case of minute ornamental patterns or microscopic in magnitude as in city layouts. The detailed analysis of the square vastumandala thus forms the basis of all design processes.

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