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Vastu purusa has a mythological origin!:When Lord Siva killed Andhakasura. after a fierce struggle, the sweat of his brow fell down and from it rose a huge Bhuta as if, filling the three worlds and ready to swallow all beings therein. The Bhuta drank all the blood from the body of Andhaka and yet his hunger was not appeased. He made penance and Lord Siva was pleased with his penance and granted his boon which was that he should have the capacity to swallow all the three worlds. Having got the boon, he fell down on the earth. The Dēvas, Asuras and Human beings who were alarmed caught this opportunity and they joined in pressing him down sitting in various parts of his body. The Bhuta became helpless and admitted defeat but begged for some provision for his suste
nance.
He was then granted Lordship over the site of buildings and the offerings at the end of the daily Vaiswadeva or oblations to all Devatas prescribed as a daily duty for the twice-born in the Dharma Sastra, and the offering at the end of all sacrifices. It was also ordained that he should be propitiated along with the Devatas and Asuras over the body before any construction, and in default of such propitiation he may swallow the fruit of the meritorious deeds of the owner or occupier of the building.
Vastupuja is therefore imperative for the prosperity of the owner and those that live in the place.
The propitiation of deities has been very strictly enjoined both by the Vedas and Agamas, and following them, by all texts on other subjects. The rationale of this provision is a matter for investigation, The Original Cause' of the universe is both the Material and the Agency for the creation of the universe; and the creation consists of the inanimate and the animate. The inanimate has been divided by modern Science into matter and energy and it has been
1. Vide Chap. 226 of Matsya purana.
