Who is VastuPurusha, Really?...

[Guest guest]

Om ParamTatwaya Narayanaya Gurubhyo Namah!

 

Dear Jyotisha,

 

This past weekend, "Vastu And Astorlogy" was the subject taught in

Vineland, NewJersey. Something from that class...

 

If you read about Vastu Purusha, the presiding deity of

Plot/House/Building etc., in Puranas, you may encounter a similar

story along the lines of the following…

 

***Story Begins…

 

Once upon a time, there was this Demon called "Andhakasura", with whom

Lord Shiva was fighting a great battle. It was a tremendous battle and

went into many days; all the gods were waiting for the outcome of the

battle. During that battle, a drop of sweat fell from Lord Shiva onto

the ground.

 

>From that drop of Sweat arose a huge being, and started devouring

everything he set his eyes on. He started destroying everything

around. Gods were, obviously concerned for the welfare of the

universe, and so at once pounced on this great being and held him face

down onto the ground. 45 gods in all. They sat on and/or held

different parts of this being, such that he could not get up.

 

Dejected and unable to overcome the power of these 45 gods, that

being, prayed to Lord Brahma - the Creator. "Oh Lord, You are the one

who created me. Now, look at my fate, I can't even move an inch this

side or that side. O creator of all, I bow to you. Only you can

protect me now".

 

Pleased with his prayers, Brahma said, "You shall be the presiding

deity of Land everywhere. Before constructing any building/house,

people shall pray to you and offer oblations to you".

 

*** Story End.

 

This is how VastuPurusha has become the presiding deity of Land and

Buildings. And all those 45 gods sitting on the VastuPurusha became

presiding deities for the respective limbs of VastuPurusha.

 

Sounds an interesting story, ain't it?.

 

But, is that it? Is it all there is in this story? Gurudev Sanjay ji

says otherwise, please read on…

 

==================

 

Sanjay ji: It makes an interesting story, isn't it? So what does it

mean? What does it really mean?. Let's see the knowledge we can gain

from this simple story….

 

Sanjay ji: Heard of Andhakasura?. What is `Andhaka'?

 

Student: Darkness

 

Student: Blindness

 

Sanjay ji: Right. Yes. `Andhakasura' represents blindness, or

ignorance. Because of which, you cannot see and so, cannot know. And

Lord Shiva, the Giver of light/Knowledge, is fighting a hard battle to

remove that blindness, ignorance, darkness. And the result of that

hard battle is...Sweat. Now, Which planet represents sweat?

 

Stu: Jala Tatwa, Moon?

 

Stu: Saturn?

 

Sanjay ji: Yes. Saturn. Saturn represents Sweat, result of hardwork

and labour. Sweat is an excretion from the body. And as the Sweat

falls on the ground, it becomes the VastuPurusha. So, who is the

VastuPurusha?. Saturn. It is the Saturn that is the VastuPurusha. Who

does the VastuPurusha pray to when he is down and out? Brahma. Who

does Sage Parashara give as the `deity of Saturn'?

 

Stu: Lord Brahma

 

Sanjay ji: Yes. So, you see the connection? Who is VastuPurusha,

really? Saturn. Saturn is the VastuPurusha. And so, Saturn is a very

important planet to be propitiated for properties, buildings etc...

That's why they say, doing `Grahapravesham' on Saturdays is very

auspicious.

 

Sanjay ji: Stories from Puranas, when read, must be looked into for

broader and greater insights rather than just reading it like a

bed-time story. Once you understand the basics, everything falls in

place. Look deeper when you read puranic stories. There is lot of

knowledge in them. Do not look at them as simple stories.

 

=======================

 

Puranic stories, if superficially read, will make great bed-time

stories. But there is greater depth and knowledge in them. Looking at

the above seemingly simple story, even the name of the Asura has a

meaning. Lord "Shiva" fighting with him has a meaning. The reason for

mentioning "Sweat" has an important meaning. The reason that he prays

to `Brahma' has an important connection etc…etc…

 

Hope this provokes us into reading Puranic stories in a different light.

 

 

Best Regards,

-Suresh.