If your answer to the above question is, “Who is Vastu Purush?”, Then welcome to the club of the ‘uninitiated in Vastu’! A home without the presence of Vastu Purush is unfavorable to say the least. But, before looking for the answer why this figure is important to your home, let’s see who the Vastu Purush really is.
The history of this mythological being is mentioned in the Matsaya Purana. The story is something like this:
Once Lord Shiva faced a fierce battle with a rakshasa (demon) named Andhikasur. However, Lord Shiva’s immense powers were matched by the demon and, as the battle raged, Lord Shiva began to perspire profusely. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead and began to fall. From this sweat a demon of such immense proportions was created that his body obstructed the Earth and the sky. Seeing this, the devtas (gods) were alarmed.
They devised a way to dominate this demon. A total of 45 gods seized this creature and sat on its back, pushing it towards Earth. The demon, under its immense weight, crashed face down to the ground with its head to the northeast and its feet to the southwest. The demon prayed to Lord Brahma, like this: “Oh Lord, you have created this cosmos. This body is also yours. Why then are these Gods torturing me for no reason? Tell me what should I do to escape their wrath?” Brahma, appeased by the sincerity of his prayers, said: “From this moment you will be worshiped during every construction work, as you are below the Gods. Those who offer you prayers as Vastu devta will be blessed with happiness and prosperity, but those who do not, you will suffer hardship and premature death. ” From that day on, Vastu Purush was born. The gods, sitting on his back, became the presiding deities in their respective directions.
Vastu Purush is the spirit that inhabits a structure or building. In fact, it provides us with a blueprint for the design of the house, called a Vastu Purush mandala. This mandala is a 64 square energy network on which the Vastu Purush is superimposed. From this are derived the rules of Vastu. The Vastu Purush breathes from the northeast; the reason why it should always be kept open and uncluttered. The southwestern part contains the heavy rear of the Vastu Purush and is considered ideal for locating heavy objects. Positive cosmic energy enters from the northeast and flows to the southwest.
Of the 45 gods seated at the back of the Vastu Purush, there are eight main gods representing the eight directions. They are:
– North: Ruled by Kuber, the Lord of Wealth, and Soma, the Lord of Health, this direction is associated with tranquility, relaxation and sexual relations.
– Northeast: Eesh, the Lord of Energy and Knowledge rules this direction. This direction is associated with self-awareness and knowledge.
– East: this direction is ruled by Indra, the King of the Gods. This direction provides joy, optimism, and encouragement.
– Southeast: Agnidev, the Lord of Fire, rules the southeast. This direction influences health, wealth, and prosperity in all its forms.
– South: the south is ruled by Yama, the Lord of Death. This direction is the most favorable for wealth, success, happiness and peace.
– Southwest: Niriti, the Demon Lord and Goddess of Destruction, rules this direction. The energy of this direction gives tranquility and purity.
– West: West is ruled by Varun, the Lord of Water and Rain, and the defender of Universal Law. The energy of this direction is associated with success, glory, fame, and fortune.
– Northwest: Vaayu, the god of the wind, rules the northwest. This direction confers leadership qualities, promoting responsibility and the ability to plan, organize and lead.
So how can you invite Vastu Purush to reside in your house? The answer is to build and organize the house according to the principles of Vastu. The foundations of these principles are:
– Keep the light northeast; heavy southwest. Underground water tanks are ideally located in the northeast and heavy elevated tanks are in the southwest.
– Keep the northeast open; Southwest closed. Plant tall trees and shrubs in the southwest and short shrubs and flowering plants in the northeast of the garden. Have more windows in the northeast.
– Keep the southwest higher; lower northeast. Make sure the drain flow is southwest to northeast.
– The center of the house is brahmsthal, so nothing should be built in it and there should never be disorder.
– the southwest confers stability; northwest, movement. Make the master bedroom in the southwest; the head of the family will maintain control. Make the guest room in the northwest; guests will be leaving early!