VAASTU Shastra believes in the existence of VAASTU Purush who is the main deity of a building. In this regard Rigved says:

"TAVA TVAM VAASTUNYU IMASI GA MADHYE
YATR GAVAU BHURI SHRINGA AVASAH ||"

that is VAASTU has a relation with Griha devata (deity of the home)

According to Shatpath Brahmin (an ancient scripture), VAASTU is the ruling deity of animal stock and the people living in a home.

Concept of VAASTU Purush in VAASTU Shastra is an ancient one. As per the scriptures, once a fierce battle took place in ancient times between a demon Andhakasur and Lord Shiv. During the battle, a few drops of Lord Shankar's sweat fell on the ground and gave birth to a formidable monster. The monster at once began to kill the gods. Acting unitedly then, all the gods captured the monster and burried him with his face facing down. The gods also granted a boon to pacify him: "You shall be worshipped in all auspicious tasks."

Since the gods made an abode on the monster, he came to be known as VAASTU Purush. And since all the gods have an abode on him, he is worshipped by prudent people.

Vishwakarma is regarded as the father of VAASTU Shastra. In his treatise Vishwakarma Prakash, he writes about the origin of VAASTU Purush:

TAMEV VAASTU PURUSHAM BRAHMA SAMA SRIJATPRABHUH |
KRISHNPAKSHE TRITIYATA MASI BHADRPADE TATHA ||

In Tretayug on the third day of the dark phase of the lunar month Bhadrpad, Brahma created a formidable man. Even the gods were frightened by his appearance. Then by Brahma's consent, all the gods pushed him down, with his face downward and themselves sat on him.

The formidable man then appealed to Brahma: "O Lord, you have created this cosmos. This body is also yours. Why then these gods are torturing me without reason? Tell me how should I behave with the gods."

Pleased Brahma said: "Since this moment your worship shall be indispensable in every auspicious construction work because of your presence beneath the gods. Those who won't worship you for any reason shall have to suffer penury and untimely death. They shall have to face your wrath and hence obstacles in everything they do."

ATRIYAM MRITYUMAPNOTIVIGHN VAKTASAYAPADE-PADE |
VAASTU PUJAM AVARNAH TAVAHARU BHAVISHYATI ||

Therefore in the beginning of a building's construction, installation of doors and on the occasion of making first entry into newly built home, worship of VAASTU is more than must. Apart from these occasions, on every auspicious task offerings ought to be made into fire according to one's strength.

ORIENTATION OF VAASTU PURUSH IN A PLOT OF LAND

VAASTU Purush is lain with his face downward. His head points to north-east, while feet point together to south-west. His right hand and the joint of right leg point toward south-east, while left hand and joint of left leg point to north west.

KNOWLEDGE OF DIRECTION

In VAASTU Shastra, eight directions - North, East, West, South, North-east, South-east, South-west and North-west are considered as important. If you are planning to build your bungalow or any other building on the basis of VAASTU Shastra, first of all you should have knowledge of your plot's direction. Then you should decide in which direction you ought to keep your main gate. You may if necessary, take the help of a compass to know the directions.

As the numerals have their apparent influence of human life, similarly influence of the directions is also apparent. Richness or penury of a person can be known from the location of his house. In which direction is his house located? Which direction does the entrance of his house face? How is the interior decoration? These and other related things reveal the economic condition of a person. Similarly changes that must be made in order to bring prosperity and to prevent imminent danger or crisis can also be known with the help of VAASTU Shastra.

As everybody knows there are four major directions - east, west, north and south. Besides these, four sub-directions are also considered. These are Agney (South-east), Nairitya (South-west), Vayavya (North-west) and Ishaan (north-east). Each of these directions and sub-directions has its own merits and demerits and yields results accordingly. Every direction has a deity or lord that rules it.

EAST: Indra is the ruling deity of the east. He was born out of Brahma's mouth and is capable of destroying enemies. He can appear in any form as per his wishes. He is also the lord of rains and has the wind as his assistant. Increment in wealth, cereals and animal stock can be effected through worshipping Indra. Indra is also the king of the heaven. Elephant Airavat is Indra's vehicle and Vajra (lightning) in his weapon.

The east is also the abode of gods like Surya, Agni, Indra, Jayant, Ish, Parjanya, Satya, Bhup and Akash.

The east is also known as a direction of lineage. During the construction of the house, some portion must be left open in the east. It leads to long life for the owner.

WEST: The west is the opposite of the east. No work can progress in the west. Varun (Neptune) is the lord of this direction, which is under the influence of sage Agastya. Sea is the abode of Varun (Neptune). He therefore, has most influence on the water bodies. A proper utilization of westerly portion of plot leads to reputation, fame, prosperity and success for the owner.

NORTH: Kuber is the lord of this direction. Literally, Kuber means the one who controls the imminent events and causes increments. He has inassessible wealth and property. Kuber is the king of Yakshas and Kinnars and is a friend of Rudra (Shiv). Kailash is the abode of Kuber who has three legs, eight hands and a yellow dot in place of eyes.

Mercury is the planet that rules the north. It is more influencial in the dark phase of every lunar month. North is a also an abode of the gods like Kuber, Diti, Aditi, Shail, Naga and Bhallat etc.

North is also a place of mother. Leaving some portion open in north leads to prosperity of maternal side as well as provides wealth, comforts, peace etc. for the owner.

SOUTH: Yama is the lord of this direction. He is the son of Surya and is hostile towards Vishnu. Nakshatra Bharani is the most important for him. During the last eight days of the lunar months of Ashwin and Kartika this nakshatra is more influencial. South direction weakens human life, hence all the auspicious tasks are forbidden in the south. South is also an abode of the gods like Yama, Gandharvas, Mriga, Pusha, Vitath and Kshat. In all the south direction yields nothing but mourning, depression and pain.

AGNEYA (SOUTH-EAST): Direction that lies midway between the east and the south is known as Agneya (south-east). Agni (fire) is the lord of this direction. He is the preserver and defender of every being. Agni also carries the message of people who worship and offer oblations with devotion to God.

Worshippers of Agni are economically strong and long living. Agni himself takes care of the people who make offerings into him. Agni also provides them with comfort, peace, prosperity and progeny.

While constructing a house, the first pillar must be erected in the south-east direction. Alternatively, kitchen of the house should occupy a place in this direction. This is the foremost and an important rule of VAASTU Shastra. First day of every month also represents the element fire.

A warm Agneya direction makes a man healthy, whereas a faulty use makes the owner short tempered.

NAIRITYA (SOUTH-WEST): It lies midway between the south and the west directions. Nairitya is the ruling lady of this direction. Literally, Nairitya means repeated happening - whether be it the birth of a baby or any other event. It also means that anything not done at proper time can't have a repetition. If the house is built in this direction, the home suffers continuous decay.

South-west portion of the house should never be left open, nor should a pit be dug is this direction. This direction is an abode of demons and ghosts. To prevent the accumulation of inauspicious and pain causing things, digging of pit in south-west is prohibited. If for some reason, digging is necessary it should be covered as early as possible or a sapling be planted in its place.

VAYAVYA (NORTH-WEST): It lies mid way between the west and the north. Vayu (wind) is the lord of this direction. Five kinds of Vayu - Prana, Upana, Samana, Vyana and Udana are necessary for human life. Hanumana and Bheema are the representations of Vayu. Those who worship Vayu in the form of Hanumana, get their desired results at once.

North-west angle is the progenitor of friendship or enemity. Hence, a faulty use of this portion of plot may result in majority of the enemies. If you use this angle of your plot wisely and flawlessly, you will have many friends who will undoubtedly benefit you.

ISHANYA (NORTH-EAST): The angle that lies midway between north and the east is known as Ishanya (north-east) direction. Shiv is the lord of this angle. Pashupat is the weapon of Shiv. Nakshatra Ardra is the symbol of Lord Shiv. Semul (silk-cotton) tree is considered auspicious in this direction.

Worshipping of ruling God of this direction yields many virtues in the life of the worshipper. Portion of the house in this direction must be kept holy for it yields many kinds of divine powers to the owner. Proper utilization of this portion of house provides wealth, reputation, property and every kind of excellence for the owner. A faulty utilization of this angle, however, may block successful continuation of progeny.