There is a very interesting myth associated with the origin of VAASTU-Purusha, from which we can understand as to why we should build a house according to guidelines of VAASTU SCIENCE and then perform the appropriate rituals for the VAASTU-Purusha. The VAASTU-Purusha is said to be residing in all the buildings – small or large. He has a peculiar physique and indications. He occupies the entire constructed area in a posture of head drooping forward. The story of the origin of the VAASTU-Purusha is narrated in the Matsya-Purana.
Once upon a time Lord Shiva fought a battle against the monster named Andhak and killed him. Since the battle was long drawn, Lord Shiva got very tired. He was sweating profusely. A drop of sweat fell on the ground and a humanoid figure was born out of that. He had a huge and a terrible body. He was also very hungry and started to drink the blood of the slain monster Andhak. Even after drinking the blood, his hunger was not satiated and he could not tolerate it. Hence he prayed to Lord Shiva to allow him to eat all the three worlds. Lord Shiva was pleased with his penance and granted him his wish.
As soon as Lord Shiva granted him his wish, the demon captured all the three worlds and started to eat the earthlings. This caused panic amongst the gods and goddesses, humans and demons. They approached Lord Brahma for help. He told them to knock the demon down in prone position. Accordingly the 45 major and minor gods felled him down. The 32 gods from outside and 13 gods from inside held him down. The names of 32 gods who held him from outside are as follows – 1) Eesh [Shikhi] 2) Parjanya 3) Jayant 4) Indra 5) Surya 6) Satya 7) Bhrush 8) Aakash 9) Waayu 10) Poosha 11) Vitatha 12) Bruhatkshat 13) Yama 14) Gandharva 15) Bhrungaraj 16) Mruga 17) Pitru 18) Douwarik 19) Sugreeva 20) Pushpadant 21) Varun 22) Asur 23) Shoka 24) Papyakshma 25) Roga 26) Ahi 27) Mukhya 28) Bhallat 29) Soma 30) Sarpa 31) Aditi 32) Diti .
The above mentioned 32 gods are outside the limits of the VAASTU (the building ), whereas the below mentioned 13 gods are within the limits of the VAASTU – 1) Aap 2) Savita 3) Indra(with Jayant) 4) Shesha 5) Marichi 6) Savitri 7) Vivaswan 8) Vishnu 9) Mitra 10) Rudra 11) Pruthvidhar 12) Aapvatsa 13) Brahma.
All these gods attacked that demon and held him down by sitting on various parts of his body. Eesh (Agni – Fire) on the head, Aap on the face, Pruthvidhar and Aryama (Marichi) on the chest, Aapvatsa on the chest, Diti and Indra on the upper arms, Som and Surya on the right hand, Rudra and Rajyakshama(Papyakshma ) on the left hand, Savitri and Savita on the right arm, Vivaswan and Mitra on the stomach, Poosha and Aryama (Marichi) on the wrist, Asur and Shesha on the left flank, Vitatha and Bruhatkshat on the right flank, Yama and Varuna on the thigh, Gandharva and Pushpadant on the knees, Sugreeva and Mruga on the lower legs, Douwarik and Mruga on the feet, Jay and Satya on the hair on legs, and Brahma on the heart.
The captured demon remained in the prone position. He said to the gods that, since they have captured and tied him down, would they tell him as to how long will he remain confined like this? And what shall he eat? On hearing this the gods said, “Today is the third day after ‘no moon’ in the month of Bhadrapada and the constellation is Vishakha. Hence you should lie down like this and change your direction once in three months.”
You will stay in this position pointing your head towards East and feet towards West, in the months of Bhadrapad, Ashwin, and Kartik; in the months of Margashirsh, Poush and Magh pointing head towards South and feet towards North while looking towards West. In the months of Jeshtha, Ashadh and Shrawan stay lying down keeping your head towards North and feet towards South while looking towards East. While rotating in any of these directions you will lie down on your left flank. You will be known as VAASTU-Purusha. Those who create wells, drinking water wells, tanks, or construct temples, houses not favorable to you, or effect the foundation-stone-laying or start living in the houses (Gruha pravesh) without performing the appropriate rituals and offering prayers and the offerings to you, you may punish them as you desire. The VAASTU-Purusha asked again as to what should he do to satisfy his hunger? Then the gods told him to devour the person who does not create a construction favorable to him.
As soon as Lord Shiva granted him his wish, the demon captured all the three worlds and started to eat the earthlings. This caused panic amongst the gods and goddesses, humans and demons. They approached Lord Brahma for help. He told them to knock the demon down in prone position. Accordingly the 45 major and minor gods felled him down. The 32 gods from outside and 13 gods from inside held him down. The names of 32 gods who held him from outside are as follows – 1) Eesh [Shikhi] 2) Parjanya 3) Jayant 4) Indra 5) Surya 6) Satya 7) Bhrush 8) Aakash 9) Waayu 10) Poosha 11) Vitatha 12) Bruhatkshat 13) Yama 14) Gandharva 15) Bhrungaraj 16) Mruga 17) Pitru 18) Douwarik 19) Sugreeva 20) Pushpadant 21) Varun 22) Asur 23) Shoka 24) Papyakshma 25) Roga 26) Ahi 27) Mukhya 28) Bhallat 29) Soma 30) Sarpa 31) Aditi 32) Diti .
The above mentioned 32 gods are outside the limits of the VAASTU (the building ), whereas the below mentioned 13 gods are within the limits of the VAASTU – 1) Aap 2) Savita 3) Indra(with Jayant) 4) Shesha 5) Marichi 6) Savitri 7) Vivaswan 8) Vishnu 9) Mitra 10) Rudra 11) Pruthvidhar 12) Aapvatsa 13) Brahma.
All these gods attacked that demon and held him down by sitting on various parts of his body. Eesh (Agni – Fire) on the head, Aap on the face, Pruthvidhar and Aryama (Marichi) on the chest, Aapvatsa on the chest, Diti and Indra on the upper arms, Som and Surya on the right hand, Rudra and Rajyakshama(Papyakshma ) on the left hand, Savitri and Savita on the right arm, Vivaswan and Mitra on the stomach, Poosha and Aryama (Marichi) on the wrist, Asur and Shesha on the left flank, Vitatha and Bruhatkshat on the right flank, Yama and Varuna on the thigh, Gandharva and Pushpadant on the knees, Sugreeva and Mruga on the lower legs, Douwarik and Mruga on the feet, Jay and Satya on the hair on legs, and Brahma on the heart.
The captured demon remained in the prone position. He said to the gods that, since they have captured and tied him down, would they tell him as to how long will he remain confined like this? And what shall he eat? On hearing this the gods said, “Today is the third day after ‘no moon’ in the month of Bhadrapada and the constellation is Vishakha. Hence you should lie down like this and change your direction once in three months.”
You will stay in this position pointing your head towards East and feet towards West, in the months of Bhadrapad, Ashwin, and Kartik; in the months of Margashirsh, Poush and Magh pointing head towards South and feet towards North while looking towards West. In the months of Jeshtha, Ashadh and Shrawan stay lying down keeping your head towards North and feet towards South while looking towards East. While rotating in any of these directions you will lie down on your left flank. You will be known as VAASTU-Purusha. Those who create wells, drinking water wells, tanks, or construct temples, houses not favorable to you, or effect the foundation-stone-laying or start living in the houses (Gruha pravesh) without performing the appropriate rituals and offering prayers and the offerings to you, you may punish them as you desire. The VAASTU-Purusha asked again as to what should he do to satisfy his hunger? Then the gods told him to devour the person who does not create a construction favorable to him.