The energy grid; Vastu Purusha Mandal

Sun, 03/07/2010
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Vastu Science relates that all planets are suspended or

soaked in the vast luminous space (Akasa), that surrounds the earth and
for that matter every object of the universe and is the source of energy that
sustains all embodied energies including man. The space under reference
is not a space of nothingness but a space filled with energy or spiritual
light. In fact space is mathematically confirmed to have been packed with
countless cubes of energy of Paramanu size.

A network of energy lines covers the globe of the

Earth:an energy grid. (Similar to what we know as the longitude and
latitude lines). The lines are conduits by which the energy concentrated at
the centre of the vital Earth flows out and spreads over the Earth. They are
also lines of absorption of solar, lunar and stellar energies. The Earth
pulsates with life and rays its energy through this grid system.
In Vedic cosmology the surface of the earth is represented as a square, and
is called Chaturbhrsti - four cornered - or chaturbhuja four-sided, and
represented in the symbolic form of the Prithvi Mandala. In vastu, once a
space is enclosed within four walls it is said to take on a life of its own.
This is the Purusha or Being of the built structure, the form takes on a
resonance with the human body. This cube with a square base is
called Vaastu Purusha Mandala where 'mandala' is square and
'purusha' is energy.
'Vaastu purushah chaturasra samsthaha' the all pervasive energy is
couched in a square -Vastu Vidya.
Once it is oriented correctly to the cardinal directions, the being or
purusha is given a cosmic placement between mother Earth, the Sun,
Moon, and Stars. The centre of the structure relating to the human heart
connects us with the heart center of our solar system, galaxy and all the
universe. The elements find their residence in the four corners as the

energy is spun out from the heart centre: Water to the NE, Fire to the SE,
Earth to the SW, and Air to the NW. The character of these five elements
(Ether is the element of the heart center), determines the appropriateness
of the placement of rooms, for example, kitchen in the Fire corner, study
in the Air corner, etc.

The vastu-purusha-mandala represents the

manifest form of the Cosmic Being; upon which the structure is built - a
microcosm of a great macrocosm where everything fits in perfect harmony.
Many Vastu rules are derived from it.
The mandala is an area of space defined by an enclosure. It is the generic
name for any plan / chart, which represents the cosmos metaphysically/
symbolically, a microcosm of the universe. The faith that Earth is a living
organism, throbbing with life and energy; is fundamental to the Vastu
Shastra. That living energy is symbolized as a person; he is the Vastu
Purusha. Purusha refers to energy, power, soul or cosmic man. The site for
the proposed construction is his field; Vastu Purusha Mandala.
In fact the Vastu Purusha Mandala, the site plan, is his body; and it is
treated as such. The Vastu Purusha is said to be the spirit of the site and
is super imposed in the form of a human male into the enclosure to
indicate the birth of a structure from Nature. He is depicted as a man lying
with his head pointing northeast, in a grid of usually 64 squares. (chess
was inspired by this Vastu-Mandala, which symbolizes existence as a field
of action of the divine powers, the game thus representing the combat of
the devas with the asuras, of the gods with the titans/demons)
His height extends from the South West corner (pitrah) to the North East
corner(Agni). The Vastu Purusha is visualized as lying with his face and
stomach touching the ground; to suggest as it were that he is carrying the
weight of the structure. His head is at North East which (balanced
thinking) and his legs are at the South West corner (strength and
stability). In the centre is his navel, (cosmic awareness), and his hand face
north-west and south-east (energy and movement).
The mandala provides a useful design module for locating the various
rooms of a habitation, the measurements (in units of hasta and angula) of
which are based on a set of six formulae normally referred to as the Ayadi
Shadvarga. One typical grid is 9 x 9, but there are many other traditional
grid forms consisting of odd and even numbers. This grid can be made of
squares or rectangles. When the grid plan of the structure is oriented to

the cardinal points of the compass it is said to lie exactly over the earthly
energy grid. Once the designer establishes the grid, he can lay out the
walls and pillars of the building on this pattern.
Every part of the Vaastu Purusha's body is sacred and contains energies
that help us in living a contented and peaceful life. The diagonals running
from the south-west to the north-east and south-east to north-west
through the center of an area, known as Konasutras, are sensitive. The
points that the horizontal and vertical lines of each module of a mandala
intersecting these diagonals are known as Mahamarmas or Marmas and
are also highly sensitive zones, the sensitivity being extreme around the
central module or Nabhi of the enclosure. The placement of walls and
pillars need to be shifted to ensure that the construction is within the
buildable area and does not disturb the marmas or the vital and vulnerable
energy; they are the inlets and outlets. Beams, depressions, water,
columns and pillars are to avoided in these areas.
The Brahmastana (or the central nine modules of 81 module plan) is the
most important and sensitive area of a structure. In a grid of 9 x 9 it is the
center nine units. It is the energy heart of the house. This part of the
house should always be left open and free of obstructing elements (pillars
or walls) and mechanical services. It is best if this portion, at least, is
directly in contact with the Earth. It is traditional, where climate permits,
to leave the Brahmastan open to the sky so that the energetic space
surrounding the Earth is attracted into the house. This provides the
inmates of the house with beneficial spiritual energy. When there is a roof
over the Brahmastan then there should be a natural light source, a skylight
or cupola with windows, at the roof.
The Vastu Purusha is said to be held in place by 45 deities 32 in the
outer enclosure and 13 in the inner enclosures. The different directions
and sectors of the mandala thus assigned to different gods and guardians
have immense significance in deciding the location of the foundation, the
rooms, the walls, beams, pillars and columns. The corners of the outside of
the mandala are said to be negative energy zones with the presiding deities
being Paparakshasi (north-east), Charaki (south-east), Vidari (southwest) and Putana (northwest). It is for this reason that corner doors are
normally not recommended for buildings.
Dividing the sital area into four concentric zones (Brahmastana, Daiva,
Manushya and Paisacha) identifies the buildable area. Construction is
approved in the Daivaand Manushya zones. The Paisacha zone of
a Paramasayika Mandala covering one-ninth of the sital length and
breadth on the outer periphery is generally kept free for movement around
the building.
The general guidelines are, the South West should be heavier and North
East where gods dwell should not be so. The base should be heavy and the
apex be lighter; just as in the case of a hill or a tree. The sensitive organs
like brain, eyes, ears tounge are in the head; and the head should be
lighter and secure. The head of the Vastu Purusha is in the North East and
it should be kept free of pillars. Activities like worship, study are

recommended in and towards east and adjoining directions. North east

and South East.
The Vastu Purusha Mandala can be adapted to the various design needs of
residences, temples, factories, offices, departmental stores, sub-divisions
and other constructions. It symbolically signifies the three aspects of a
structure -para (supreme), sookshma (subtle) and sthoola (gross body).

Vastu Purusha and Chakras

The Vastu Purusha Mandala also

represents the subtle body with the seven psychic centres or chakras. The
South West corner (nairutya) where the Vastu Purusha has his legs
corresponds to the Muladhara chakra and denotes the earth principle.
Just as the legs support the weight of the body, the base (adhistana) for the
muladhara should be stable and strong. Accordingly, the South West
portion of the building is the load bearing area; and should be strong
enough to support heavy weights. Just as the feet are warm, the South
West cell represents warmth and heat; even according to the atmospheric
cycles the South West region receives comparatively more heat.
Svadhistana chakra is in the lower stomach region near the kidneys. It
is related to water principle (apa). On the Vastu Purusha Mandala; it is to
the South and to the West. Therefore the wet areas like bathroom etc are
recommended in the south or in the west portions of the building. It is for
sewerage (utsarjana).
Manipura Chakra is at the navel; and relates to energy or fire or tejas.
While in the womb of the mother, the fetus is fed with the essence of food
and energy through the umbilical chord connected with its navel. The
Vastu Purusha Mandala shows Brahma at the navel of the Vastu Purusha.
Further, the lotus is the base (Adhistana) of Brahma. Thus navel connects

Brahman with Jiva or panda or life. It is left open and unoccupied. The
central portion of the building is to be kept open. It is believed that Vastu
Purusha breaths through this open area.
Anahata chakra is near the heart. It is related to vayu air regulated by
lungs. The lung region of the Vastu Purusha should be airy.
Vishuddaha chakra is near the throat from where the sounds come out
and reverberate in space. This region represents Space (Akasha). The word
OM is uttered through throat. The echo of that sound vibrates in the
hallow of the bone-box of the head and in the space in brain. The head of
Vastu Purusha is in the North East corner (Ishanya).
Ajna chakra is between the eyebrows. This direction is related to open
spaces(akasha). Atmospherically, North East is cooler; and so should be
ones head. The puja room Devagraha is recommended in the North east
portion of the house.
Svadhistana chakra is in the lower stomach region near the kidneys. It
is related to water principle (apa). On the Vastu Purusha Mandala; it is to
the South and to the West .Therefore the wet areas like bathroom etc are
recommended in the south or in the west portions of the building. It is for
sewerage (utsarjana).

The legend of the Vastu Purusha

According to Hindu mythology, in the beginning, Brahma, the creator of
the Universe, experimented with the creation of a new creature. He created
a large cosmic man, who grew rapidly as he began to devour everything in
his path to satisfy his insatiable hunger. When he became so big that his
shadow fell on the Earth creating a permanent eclipse, the gods Shiva and
Vishnu begged Brahma to do something before everything was destroyed
by this Creature.
Brahma realised his mistake and called the Astha Dikapalakas, the
Gods of the eight cardinal directions . Together, they overpowered the
monster and held it flat against the earth. Then Brahma jumped in the
middle and held the monster down. Then the Monster cried You created
me like this. So why am I being punished? Brahma offered him a
compromise and made the Monster immortal with the boon that he would
be worshiped by any mortal that builds a structure on earth. He was
named vastupurusha.
This incident is depicted graphically in the Vaastu Purusha Mandala with
portions allocated hierarchically to each God based on the contributions
and positions in performing this act. Brahma occupied the central portion
- the Brahmasthana- and other Gods were distributed around in a
concentric pattern. There are 45 Gods in all including 32 outer Gods.
These symbolic Gods rule various aspects of life and have certain inherent
qualities.