Vastu Purusha

The name “Vastu Purusha” 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 purush 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 Bramha for help. Bramhs advised Devtas to overpower 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 Vastu Purush prayed to Bramha Dev for mercy in return Lord Bramha 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 Vastu Purusha 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.