The ancient Indian text Mayamata, written thousands of years ago, describes Vastu Sastra – the science of ancient Indian architecture. Hindu mythology explains the history of how it all started.
In the beginning, Brahma, the creator of the Universe, experimented with the creation of a new creature. He created a large and monstrous creature that grew so rapidly that its shadow fell on the earth as a permanent eclipse. After that this ever growing monster began to devour everything in its path as nothing could satisfy its insatiable hunger.
Shiva and Vishnu begged Brahma to do something before everything was destroyed by this Creature. Brahma realised his mistake and called the astha dikapalakas, the Gods of the eight cardinal directions. Together they overpowered the Great Monster and held it flat against the earth. Then Brahma jumped in the middle and held the monster down. He then asked another forty four Gods to join him and help pin it down. Their 45 positions can be seen on the classic mandala of the Vastu Grid.
Then the Monster cried “You created me like this. So why am I being punished for what you made me?” Brahma offered him a compromise and made the Monster immortal with the boon that he would be worshipped by any mortal that builds a structure on earth. He was named Vastu Purusha.
