Vastu Purusha Mandala

The Legend of Vastu Purusha

According to Hindu mythology, Brahma created a large being who grew exponentially, devouring everything in his path. When his shadow fell on the Earth creating a permanent eclipse, the gods Shiva and Vishnu urged Brahma to act. Brahma called the Ashta Dikpalakas — Gods of the eight cardinal directions — and together they overpowered the being and held him flat against the Earth, face down with head toward the North-East and feet toward the South-West.

The being cried: "You created me, why am I being punished?" Brahma felt pity and granted him immortality with the boon that he would be worshipped by any mortal building a structure on Earth. He was named Vastu Purusha. Vastu Shastra gives directive principles for building so that the Vastu Purusha is not disturbed.

The Vastu Purusha Mandala

The Vastu Purusha Mandala is a metaphysical square plan illustrating how the Vastu Purusha was pinned down by the Gods. The diagram is divided into a 9×9 = 81 square grid. The positions of 45 gods (32 in the external enclosures and 13 in the internal part) who hold the Vastu Purusha are shown.

These symbolic Gods rule various aspects of life and have inherent qualities. Different activities were placed in each area of the house according to the nature of the deity ruling that sector, ensuring a perfectly balanced environment for health, wealth, and happiness.

Room Directions Based on the Sun's Position