HINDU RITUALS AND ROUTINES - Part 74

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HINDU RITUALS AND ROUTINES - WHY DO WE FOLLOW THOSE? Vastu Shastra Vastu Shastra is the Indian science of space and architecture and how we may create spaces and environment that supports physical & spiritual health and prosperity.

Vastu Shastra is the art and science of designing houses, offices, temples etc that swirl with good energy. Indian Maharajas and Moghul Emperors used Vastu Shastra when they built their symmetrical palaces, artificial lakes, and geometric courtyards that thirstily absorbed positive energy.

Hindus believe that gods live in each of the quarters of the house, and govern the rooms, possessions, and activities in these locations. Vasthu is an inherent energy concept of science. We cannot see energy with our naked eyes but we can realize and see its application in different forms and fashions. Vastu Shastra uses the forces of natural energies and aims to restore the balance between the home (the microcosm) and the cosmos (the macrocosm).

Vastu Shastra is not only a science, but is a bridge between man and nature, thus teaching us the Art of Living. Just like every subject of human aspect is governed with rules, regulations and acts, similarly the nature has also got certain key factor principles for smooth governing of its residents, in which Vastu Shastra stands for the law of natural energies.

Vastu, which literally means to live, works on the premise that the earth is a living organism, out of which other living organisms emerge. This life energy is known as Vaastu Purusha. The Vastu Shastra works for a bounded premise i..e., a house, building, industrial area or shop. The main aim is to form a balance between the outside atmosphere and the atmosphere within the premise. Vastu Shastra makes use of five elements - prithvi (earth), agni (fire), tej (light), vayu (wind) and akash (ether), the earth's magnetic fields i.e. the north and the south pole and the sun's rays. The Origin of Vastu The origin of vaastushastra may have taken place well over thousands of years ago. The learned men of those days may not have lived in houses themselves but they most definitely dedicated their lives to the development of the science "vaastushastra" or "vaastu", as it is popularly known today. The principles of the science laid down during those days were based purely on the effect of sunrays during different times of the day. The observations and corrections made were noted and concluded only after in-depth screening of the situation. Vastu is a part of Vedas, which are believed to be four to five thousand years old. Through penance and meditation yogis of that period acquired answers believed to have come from the cosmic mind itself to their questions. Hence Vedas are heeded with divine knowledge. The art of Vastu originates in the Stapatya Veda, a part of the Atharva Veda.

It used to be a purely technical subject and it was only confined to architects (Sthapatis) and handed over to their heirs. The principles of construction, architecture, sculpture etc., as enunciated in the epics and treatise on temple architecture, have been incorporated in the science of vastu. Its description is there in epics like Mataysya Purana, Skanda Purana, Agni Purana, Garuda Purana, and Vishnu Purana.

In the Mahabharata it is said a number of houses were built for the kings who were invited to the city Indraprastha for the Rajasuya Yagna of King Yuddhistira. Sage Vyasa says that these houses were as high as the peaks of Kailasa mountains, perhaps meaning that they stood tall and majestic. The houses were free from obstructions, had compounds with high walls and their doors were of uniform height and inlaid with numerous metal ornaments. It is said that the site plan of Ayodhya, the city of Lord Rama was similar to the plan found in the great architectural text Manasara. References are also to be found in Buddhist literature, of buildings constructed on the basis of Vastu. They contain references to individual buildings. Lord Buddha is said to

have delivered discourses on architecture and even told his disciples that supervising the construction of a building was one of the duties of the order. Mention is made of monasteries (Viharas) or temples, buildings which are partly residential and partly religious (Ardhayogas), residential storeyed buildings (Prasadas), multi-storeyed buildings (harmyas) and Guhas or residential buildings for middle class people. The Vastu, with word meaning 'dwelling', is believed to be the residing places of god and man. According to its modern meaning it covers all buildings irrespective of their use like residences, industries, business establishments, lodges, hotels etc. It is based on the five basic and essential elements, such as Vayu (air), Agni (fire), Jal (water), Bhumi (earth) and Aakasha (space), which are known as Panchabhutas. Everything on earth is built from these elements. Sthapatyaveda: Sthapatyaveda is the knowledge of sthapatya, the function of the silpins. It is also called silpasastra (the building science). In common parlance, sthapatyaveda is the science of construction. It is also called Vastuvidya, the knowledge of vastu.

Vaastu Purusha

VASTU Shastra believes in the existence of VASTU Purush who is the main deity of a building. In this regard Rig Veda says: "TAVA TVAM VAASTUNYU IMASI GA MADHYEYATR GAVAU BHURI SHRINGA AVASAH ||" That is VASTU has a relation with Griha devata (deity of the home)

Vaastu Purusha is present in each and every plot whether it is big or small. It has a fixed and peculiar body. Its head remains hanging down and its body is spread all over the length and breadth of the ground. There is an interesting story in the MATSYA PURANA in which the birth of the Vaastu Purusha is narrated. By reading that story, one knows why the worship of the Vaastu Purusha is necessary before beginning the construction of any house. While fighting with the demon, Shiva was very much tired and began to sweat profusely. A man was born from the drops of the sweat of Shiva. 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 joy of that devotee 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, Brahma, Shiva and the demons (Rakshasas) also were terrified and caught hold of the devotee encircling him. Forty-five celestial beings, out of whom 32 from without and 13 from within caught hold of the devotee. The Thirty-two celestial beings are- (1) ISH (2) PAROJAYA (3) JAYANT (4) INDRA (5) SURYA (6) SADYA (7) BARISHAM (8) AKASH (9) AGNI (10) PUSHNA (11) VITATHA (12) YAMA (13) KRITANTA (14) GANDHARVA (15) BRINGAVAJA (16) MRIGA (17) PITARA (18) DAREPALE (19) SUGRIVA (20) PUSHPADANTA (21) VARUNA (22) DAITYA (23) SESHA (24) YAKSHMA (25) ROGA (26) NAGA (27) MUKHYA (28) BHALLATA (29) SOMA (30) SARPA (31) ADITI and DITI. All these 32 celestial beings are out of the limits of the devotee whereas the following 13 Beings are within his limits:- (1) BRAHMA (2) RUDRA (3) INDRAJAYA (4) APAVATSA (5) MARICHI (6) SAVITRI (7) VIVASWAN (8) VISHNU (9) MITRA (10) SAVITA (11) PRITHVIDHARA (12) RUDRA and (13) APA.

These celestial Beings laid force on the different limbs of the devotee and sat on them as shown below: ISH (AGNI) - head; APA - face; PRITHWI DHARA & ARYAM - Chest; AVANTSA - heart; DITI & INDRA - Shoulders; SURYA & SOMA - Hands; RUDRA & RAJAYAKSHMA - left arm; SAVITRA & SAVITA - right arm; VIVASWAN & MITRA - Stomach; PUSHA & ARYAMA - Wrist; ASUR & SESHA - left side; VITATHA & GRAHAKSHAT - right side; YAMA & VARUNA - Thighs; GANDHARVA & PURAMADAN - on the knees; SUGRIV & BHRISH - shanks; DWARIKA & MRIGA - ankles; JAYA & SHAKRA - on the hairs grown on the feet; BRAHMA - on the heart. Being bound like that, the devotee laid down there only. Since then, he has been lying there surrounded by the celestial Beings and thus he is known as "the God of Vaastu or VAASTU PURUSHA". "You will be known as `VASTUPURUSHA'. You will tease the people 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, to your heart's content. 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 worshipping you or without satisfying you with `Homa' and the like. Then the Vaastu Purusha was quite satisfied. Since then the worship of Vaastu-Purusha has been in vogue and it has become compulsory for those who want to construct any kind of building. " Vaastu Purusha, being arrested like this, said to the Gods, "Oh Celestial Beings! You have all caught hold of me and tied me on all the sides. How long shall I be like this, in this position hanging my head down like a prisoner? What shall I eat?" Listening to these words, the celestial Beings said, "Today is Bhadrapada Shukla Triteeya Saturday and `Visakha Star'; So, you lie down here on the ground changing your position once in three months, i.e. from `Bhadrapada' to `Kartik' you lie down putting your head in the Eastern direction and your feet towards the West. During the months of `Margashira', `Pushyam' and `Magha', you lie down towards the South looking towards the West and put your feet towards the North. During the months of `Phalgun',

`Chaitra' and `Vaisakh', put your head towards the West and feet towards the East looking towards the North. In the months of `Jyeshtha', `Ashadha' and `Sravana', put your head towards the North and the feet towards the South and look towards the East. Whatever side you may turn, you will have to lie down on the left side only. How Vastu Shastra works Vaastu works on three principles of design that cover the entire premise. The first one is Bhogadyam, which says that the designed premise must be useful and lend itself to easy application. The second is Sukha Darsham, in which the designed premise must be aesthetically pleasing. The proportions of the spaces and the material used, in the interiors and exteriors of the building - ornamentation, colour, sizes of the windows, doors and the rooms and the rhythms of projection and depressions - should be beautiful. The third principle is Ramya, where the designed premise should evoke a feeling of well being in the user.

Also, Vastu Shastra is a complicated form of science put together by seventeen sages. There are certain rules that should be followed while building a house or a building. For instance, the building's underground water tank or well should be situated in the northeast direction. But, if the building has an overhead tank then it should be placed in the southwest direction. Also, more space should be left to the north and the east of the building compound and less on the south and the west. Open space should be kept around the building and if the plot has a road on the east-north directions, it is better for the inhabitants. Some short principles of Vastu Shastra Indra, the god of gods, is positioned to the East. The East is where it all begins in Vastu Shastra. When people build their homes, the main door or the entrance is always facing the East. The eastern direction is the harbinger of good luck, which comes into the house through the door.

Kubera, the god of wealth, resides in the north. In this location some symbolic valuables should be placed to attract wealth.

The Northeast is the position for Dharma, the god of righteousness. In Vastu Shastra, this is the place for worship, meditation and introspection.

Agni, the god of fire, lives in the southeast corner. This should be the place of the kitchen.

Yama, the god of death, resides in the South. He prevents the evil eye from taking control of our lives. In India , people put a ghoulish pumpkin mask, similar to Halloween masks, in Yama's position to ward off the evil eye.

Niruthi, who prevents homes from being robbed, dwells in the southwest corner. This is a safe place for valuables.

Varuna, the god of water, lies to the West, where the bathroom should be.

Vayu, the god of wind and air, is situated in the northwest corner. Vayu promotes serenity, peace and calm. A good place for the bedroom. Fundamentals Of Vastu According to vaastu sastra, the world comprises five basic elements known as the pancha maha bhoota. Out of the nine planets, ours has life because of the presence and balance of these five elements. The five elements are as follows. EARTH (Bhumi) - Earth, the third planet in order from the sun, is a big magnet with North and South poles as centers of attractions. Its magnetic field and gravitational force has considerable effects on everything on the Earth, living and non-living. WATER (Jala) - This is represented by rain, river, sea and is in the form of liquid, solid (ice) and gas (steam, cloud). It forms part of every plant and animal. Our blood is nothing but water with haemoglobin and oxygen. AIR (Vayu) - As a life supporting element, air is a very powerful life source. Human physical comfort values are directly and sensitively dependent on correct humidity, air flow, temperature of air, air pressure, air composition and its content. FIRE (Agni) - Represents light and heat which account for day, night, the seasons, energy, enthusiasm, passion and vigour. SPACE (Akasha) - The akasha provides shelter to all the above elements. It is also considered the primary conductor of all energy sources within the universal context - physical energies such as sound and light, social energies such as psychological and emotional, and cognitive energies such as intellect and intuition. There is an invisible and constant relation between all the five elements. Thus, the man can improve his conditions by properly designing his buildings by understanding the effectiveness of these five natural forces. Vaastu sastra combines all the five elements of nature and balances them with the man and the material. It takes advantage of the benefits bestowed by the five elements of nature to create a congenial living and working environment thereby facilitating spiritual well-being and paving the way for enhanced health, wealth, prosperity and happiness. Rituals/Poojas to be performed The Vaastu Shastras are full of ritualistic data that pertain to the relationship of a person to the earth (bhoomi) or with the energies (vaastu devata) or to the trees (vana mahotsavam, vana muhurtam).

To understand the right time to plant, to sow, to build, to reap, and to expand businesses are all part of the Vaastu Shastras. Many important functions such as the following: Vaastu Muhurtam, Bhoomi Puja, Garbhanyasa, Kumbhabhishekam, Grihapravesam have been pointed out below: Vaastu Muhurtam. After referring to the Panchangam or Indian calendar, the right time is chosen to inaugurate the site and to propitiate the energies. The time chosen is when the Vaastu Purusha is awake and therefore capable of participating in the ceremony in a powerful manner. As already stated, the Vaastu Purusha is awake during eight months of the year and asleep in the other four. (Eight months of wakefulness-Mesha, Vrishabha, Kataka, Simha, Tula , Vrichika, Makara, Kumbha. Four months of Sleep-Dhanur, Mina, Mithuna, Kanya.)

Bhoomi Puja. Usually this puja is carried out at the same time as vaastu muhurtam. A small 64-part diagram denoting the manduka padam and the Vaastu Purusha within it is marked in the NE part of the property using different seeds and colouring substance. To each of the devas of this mandala, the chants and the offerings mentioned earlier are made. It is also common to make a test pit in the NE in which the first bricks or stones are placed during the bhoomi puja. An effigy of the Vaastu Purusha is made in straw and burnt. This is to ward off evil spirits. It is recommended that this ritual be carried out in the morning.

Garbhanyasa. This is a ritual carried out to bring alive the building and its spaces. It is recommended that this ritual to be carried out in the evening or night after the building has been completed and it is ready for occupation.

For the ritual a specific location is picked and a small cavity is dug out into which a box made of copper or silver is placed. It may have nine or twenty-five compartments, which is a mandala form known as peetha padam (nine). Upapeetha padam (twenty-five). In the compartment facing east, offerings to Surya and Indra are made in silver and gold, in the south to Yama and Simha in iron and gold, in the west to Varuna in silver, in the north to Soma in silver, and similarly to all the other directions. Nine grains, nine gems, minerals and herbs are placed in the box. The bottom of the cavity or pit should have earth from different places. First placed. This is then covered with a wooden lid and placed in the cavity. The cavity is filled up amidst chanting and prayer.

This box or casket is held to be the source of life and movement. By placing it with its offerings to the energies, the building comes alive. Garbha means the womb, hence this is the womb or life-defining ritual. The ritual may be carried out in the centre or brahmasthana, or in the north, west, east, south, on one side of the central axis (to the right facing from the outside).

Kumbhabhishekam. This ritual is usually carried out for temples. After the temple structure has been completed, and the image of the Divine One placed in the garbhagriha or sanctum, the kalasam or bronze urn is placed on the top of the outer structure. With hold water that has been purified through puja, the kalasam is finally cleansed. It is this final ritual which marks the completion of a temple and with which it promises that the temple is now ready for the dialogue between the community and the gods.

Griha Pravesh (i.e. first entry into the newly built house) is also as important aspect of Vaastu-Shastra and it has to be dealt with here in this book. After the house is complete in all respects, living in that house is started at some auspicious moment determined on astrological considerations. The first entry in the house at the auspicious moment is called Graha Pravesh ceremony. Three types of Graha Pravesh have been mentioned in the scriptures – (1) Apoorva - First entry to live in house newly constructed on a newly selected land is called Apoorva (new) Graha Pravesh. (2) Sapoorva - Entry into an already existing house to live in it after traveling abroad or migration elsewhere, is called Sapoorva griha pravesh. (3) Dwandwah - Entry into a house to live in it after reconstruction/renovation of the house damaged by fire, flood waters, electricity, wind etc. is termed as Dwandwah (or old) Griha Pravesh.

Scriptures have described the procedures of Griha Pravesh at auspicious time (muhurat) and purity (defectless) of Panchang. For Apoorva Graha Pravesh perfect auspicious time should be adhered to and fro Griha Pravesh in a reconstructed house or after migration the purity of Panchang should be given consideration. If the doors of a house are not fitted with shutters, or the roof is not covered, or the God, Vaastu have not been worshipped and offered sacrifices, and if the priests etc. have not been offered feast, first entry into such house (Griha Pravesh) should not be accomplished till the above things are completed, otherwise living in that house will be full of troubles and miseries. Therefore living in a house should be started only after offering sacrifices and worshipping Vaastu as per procedure given in scriptures. Entry into a house built of grass and leaves etc. may be performed on any auspicious day. In houses built with bricks, stone, mud, cement etc. the first entry is auspicious when the sun is Uttarayan. As far as possible Griha Pravesh should be accomplished in the day only, it will be auspicious. Normally, it can be done at any auspicious moment in the day or night. Guru (Jupiter) or Shukra (Venus) being set (invisible) i.e. Tara does not matter in case of Griha Pravesh in a old renovated house. For the ceremony of giving food to a child for the first time (Anna Prashan), wearing new clothes, daily travels, first entry into an old renovated house and entry of a bride in the house, invisibility (setting) of Jupiter (Guru) and Venus (Shukra) i.e. Tara should not be considered, only the purity and auspiciousness of the Panchang should be considered in such cases. dil se,

Bharath.Krishna

Doha, Qatar

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