Vaastu Purush

Vaastu Purusha - Its Significance 

Vastu Purusha is the god for construction of structures and buildings. Once upon a time, an unknown person came into existence and he obstructed the earth and the sky with his huge body. The creator, Brahma, had made the person as “God of the House” - ‘Vastu Purusha.’ 

As per believe, Vastu Purusha is present in each and every plot whether it is big or small. He has a fixed and peculiar body. His head remains hanging down and his body is spread all over the length and breadth of the ground. 

The birth of the Vastu Purusha is narrated in MATSYA PURANA. It also tells us why the worship of the Vastu Purusha is necessary before constructing any house. 

It is said that while fighting with the demon, Shiva was very much tired and began to sweat profusely. A man was born of the drops of Shiva’s sweat. He looked very cruel. He was very hungry. So he began to make penance to appease Lord Shiva and get a boon from Him. Shiva was pleased with his penance and appeared before him. The devotee prayed to Shiva, “Oh Lord! Please permit me to eat away all the three worlds.” Shiva said, “Let it be so". 

The devotee’s joy knew no bounds. He got possession on all the three worlds and first he was ready to eat the terrestrial world. Then the celestial beings, terrified went to Lard Brahma for help. Lord Brahma advised that they should arrest this huge sprit and throw him onto earth. On the advise, the Devtas suddenly caught the person and threw him below with his face down. 

Being bound like that this the “Man” started crying and asked God Brahma, “Why are you doing this to me?”,“You have created me and now why this treatment is done to me?” “What’s my fault?” 

Hearing his question God Brahma thought for a moment and answered “I know its not your fault, but you have become a threat to everyone. I don’t want to destroy what I have created and hence you have to remain like this forever.” “But what’s my benefit in all this?” the man asked. Brahma said “I will make you immortal and all mortal people who build any sort of structure on earth will worship you". 

"You will be known as ‘VASTUPURUSHA’. You will tease the people, to your heart’s content, who construct buildings and temples, dig wells and tanks on the side towards which you see and in the direction towards which you hold your feet. You may trouble and even devour those people who construct the aforesaid buildings and temples etc. In the direction where you lay your head and back and those who lay foundation stone without worshiping you or without satisfying you with ‘Homa’ and the like". 

Then the Vastu Purusha was quite satisfied. Since then the worship of Vastu-Purusha has been in vogue and it has become compulsory for those who want to construct any kind of building. Being bound like that, the devotee lay down there only. Since then, he has been lying there surrounded by the celestial Beings and thus he was called “the God of Vastu or VASTU PURUSHA”.