Vaastu Purusha Mandala
The Vaastu Purusha Manadala is one of the basic templates used in planning with Vaastu. It is a meta physical representation of a human on the site of a building.NE (Element) - water
SE (Element) - Fire
SW (Element) - Earth
NW (Element) - Air
Center (Element) - Ether
Vaastu Purusha Mandala
The Vaastu Purusha Mandala is an indispensable part of Vaastu Shastra and constitutes the mathematical and diagrammatic basis for generating design. Purusha refers to energy, power, soul or cosmic man. Mandala is the generic name for any plan/chart, which represents the cosmos metaphysically/ symbolically, a microcosm of the universe.
In Hindu Cosmology the surface of the earth is represented as a square, the most fundamental of all Hindu forms. The earth is represented as four cornered with reference to the horizon's relationship with sunrise and sunset, the North and South direction. It is called Chaturbhuji- four cornered- and represented in the symbolic form of the Prithvi Mandala. The astrological charts or horoscopes(Rasi, Navamsa, etc.,) also represent in a square plan the ecliptic- the positions of the sun, moon, planets and zodiacal constellations with reference to a specific person's place and time of birth.
The Vaastu Purusha Mandala is an indispensable part of Vaastu Shastra and constitutes the mathematical and diagrammatic basis for generating design. Purusha refers to energy, power, soul or cosmic man. Mandala is the generic name for any plan/chart, which represents the cosmos metaphysically/ symbolically, a microcosm of the universe.
In Hindu Cosmology the surface of the earth is represented as a square, the most fundamental of all Hindu forms. The earth is represented as four cornered with reference to the horizon's relationship with sunrise and sunset, the North and South direction. It is called Chaturbhuji- four cornered- and represented in the symbolic form of the Prithvi Mandala. The astrological charts or horoscopes(Rasi, Navamsa, etc.,) also represent in a square plan the ecliptic- the positions of the sun, moon, planets and zodiacal constellations with reference to a specific person's place and time of birth.
Sakala (1 square) corresponds to Eka-pada
Pechaka (4 squares) corresponds to Dwi-pada
Pitha (9 squares) corresponds to Tri-pada
Mahaapitha (16 squares) corresponds to Chatush-pada
Upapitha (25 squares) corresponds to Pancha-pada
Ugrapitha (36 squares) corresponds to Shashtha-pada
Sthandila (49 squares) corresponds to sapta-pada
Manduka/ Chandita (64 square) corresponds to Ashta-pada
Paramasaayika (81 squares) corresponds to Nava-pada
Aasana (100 squares) corresponds to Dasa-pada
Mandala and building
The concept of sakala and nishkala are applied in buildings appropriately. In temples, the concepts of sakala and nishkala are related to the two aspects of the Hindu idea of god/ worship - Sagunopaasana, the supreme as personal God with attributes and Nirgunopaasana, the supreme as absolute spirit unconditioned by attributes. Correspondingly, the Sakala, complete in itself, is used for shrines of gods with form- sakalamoorthy- and to perform yajnas. However the Nishkala is used for installation of idols without form- nishkalamoorthy- and for auspicious, pure performances. The amorphous centre is considered beneficial to the worshippers, being a source of great energy. This could also be used for settlements.
In commercial buildings, only odd number of modules are prescribed as the nishkala or amorphous centre would cause too high a concentration of energy for human occupants. Even here, the Brahmasthana is left unbuilt with rooms organised around.
In accordance with the position occupied by the Gods in the mandala, guidelines are given for zoning of site and distribution of rooms in a building. Some of these are northeast should house the pooja room, east- bathroom, southeast- kitchen, south-bedroom, southwest- armoury, west- dining, northwest- cowshed, north- treasury.
The concept of sakala and nishkala are applied in buildings appropriately. In temples, the concepts of sakala and nishkala are related to the two aspects of the Hindu idea of god/ worship - Sagunopaasana, the supreme as personal God with attributes and Nirgunopaasana, the supreme as absolute spirit unconditioned by attributes. Correspondingly, the Sakala, complete in itself, is used for shrines of gods with form- sakalamoorthy- and to perform yajnas. However the Nishkala is used for installation of idols without form- nishkalamoorthy- and for auspicious, pure performances. The amorphous centre is considered beneficial to the worshippers, being a source of great energy. This could also be used for settlements.
In commercial buildings, only odd number of modules are prescribed as the nishkala or amorphous centre would cause too high a concentration of energy for human occupants. Even here, the Brahmasthana is left unbuilt with rooms organised around.
In accordance with the position occupied by the Gods in the mandala, guidelines are given for zoning of site and distribution of rooms in a building. Some of these are northeast should house the pooja room, east- bathroom, southeast- kitchen, south-bedroom, southwest- armoury, west- dining, northwest- cowshed, north- treasury.
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