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Home > Temples of Kerala > Vaasthu Mandala and Vaasthu Purusha Vaasthu Mandala and Vaasthu PurushaThe square plot which has been demarcated, as explained earlier is known as vasthu and it reflects the miniature of the earth and comprises the orients and all directions. The square symbol of Ecliptic represents the different cycles and the enclosures in space that are separately traversed by the celestial bodies and also the number of units of time taken by the bodies in traversing such as enclosure* Needless to mention, the Puranas explain three motions of the sun, the first being daily motion from east to west; second, the annual motion in the course of the year through the cycle of nakshathras proceeding from west to east; and third, the motion in declension in which the Sun ascends towards north during first half of the year and descends during the second half . This theory is based on the concept that the earth is stationary, and applicable to the square. For the proper appreciation of the importance of these terms it is essential to known the concept of Vaasthu-mandala. It is divided onto a number of compartments of squares or padas viz astha-vargga (64 padas), nav-vargga are the two important types adopted for temple architecture. Diagrams 2,3 & 4 give dasa-vargga and astha-vargga respectively. Position of Vaasthu-Purusha shown in the Vaasthu-Purusha-Mandala comprising of 64 and 81 padas (squares) are different. In the site of 64squares the head of the Vaasthu-Purusha lies in the east conforming with the symbolism of Agni**. But in respect of 81 squares the head of Vaasthu-Purusha is placed on the north-east. The Vaasthu-Purusha mandala of 81 squares is most commonly used. The position of Vaasthu-Purusha changes every three months. His paada will be at the south-west in the Malayalam month of Kanni, north-west in the month Dhanu, north-east in the month of Meenam and south-east in the month of Mithunam. However while conducting Vaasthu-bali the position of Vaasthu-Purusha for
Vaishnavites and Saivites are east and north-east respectively. It is interesting to known the story of Vaasthu-Purusha which is given in Agni-Puraana. It say that once there was a demon who with his might established his supremacy and angered the Devas. As a result of his conflict with them he was severely wounded and fell on the earth. Even there he continued to show his wrath and tortured the people who lived with agony and fear. One day when he was lying down with his head at Isaana (north-east) and his feet at nirthi(south-west) with folded hands and legs, Devas abruptly jumped and sat on him. The important divinities who sat on his body at that position and as described in Manushyaalaya Chandrika are Siva on the head, Parjanyan and Dithi on eyes, Aapan on the face, Aapavalsan on the neck, Jayanthan on the left ear, Adithi on the right ear, Indran onj the left shoulder, Argalan on the right upper arm, Rudra and Rudrajith on right fore arm, Aaryakan and Mahidharan(Bhubrath) on his breasts, Brahma, part of Vivaswan and Mithran on the stomach, Indira on penis, and Indrajith on testicles and other Devathas on his legs. The belief is that if these Devathas are appeased they would bless, otherwise evil would result. His position as depicted in Manushyalaya Chandrika is given as Diagram 5. Vaasthu-Purusha thus faces upwards with folded hands in the form of worship of the God, the supreme, and forty five Devathas, i.e Brahma and 44 Devas occupy his body. The rituals of Vaasthu-Purusha change at every three and quarter naazhikas ( one nazhika equals 24 minutes ), as his position changes. Contrary to the above description of demon it is believed that Vaasthu-Purusha is nine other than Viraata-Purusha in thaamasa –bhaava. In conducting Vaasthu-bali this concept overrides the concept of demon. The square, comprising of 81 compartments symbolizes the ecliptic, the great circle on the apartment sphere of the sky, where the Sun and Moon traverse. This square is divided into three sections. The central part covering 9 compartments is termed brahma-veedhi. It is surrounded by 12 rectangles representing the raasichakra of Indian astronomy ie the 12 signs of the Zodiac which are the 12 manifestations of the Sun God in the 12 stages *** of His Journey. At the outer of raasichakra there are 32 squares all representing nakshathras IV (asterisks) which are the constellations of lunar mansion. Each square is presided by divinity designated as pada-devatha. At the outer side of the squares and at the positions of Dik-paalas there are 8 Devathas. Thus the number of Devathas in total is 53. The position of all them are noted in Diagram 2. The rite associated with Viraata-Purusha and conducted after bhoo-parigraha is the Vaasthu-bali or Vaasthu-yaaga. Vaasthu-bali has to be done at night in sukla-paksha of uttharayana(between mid January and mid July. The extra muhoortham (auspicious time) for the rite also has to be determined in consultation with an astrologer. A pit is then dug at this place till water or rock is seen. The sand is then removed and refilled up to three- fourth of the pit with fresh separated soil and rubbles. In raised platform at the north-east corner of the site, a pooja is conducted for Vigneshwara by the Aacharaya who is seated at its south-west. Then a square padma is made on the ground (having a side 1.5 koles) divided in to 81 sub-squares or padas (Diagrem 3)and pooja conducted for each of the 53 Devathas and also for the eight Devathas in the eight directions, followed by bali (V). * The Hindu Temple, Stella Kramrisch, Vol. I.p.30. ** Ibid. p. 79 *** 50. The direction of square raasi-chakra as followed in Kerala are as follows: East:Aris and Taurus; South-East Gemini; South: Cancer and Leo; South-West: Virgo; West: Libra and Scorpio; North-West: Sagittarius; North: Capricornus and Aquarius and North- East: Pisces IV. There are 27 nakshathras. As there are 32 positions, four nakshathras are repeated viz Aswathi, Bharani and Revathi appearing twice and Visaakha appearing thrice. V. For details of Vaasthu bali, refer Thanthra Darppana, Mangalappilli Sankaran Namboothirippad, published by Thanthra Vidya Peetha, Tirunavaaya, (1972), pp. 138-144.
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