Vastu Shastra Redefined : Part-4

... Continue from Part -3

Paramasayika Mandala

The Paramasayika Mandala is a nava-pada (nine divisions) structure. Parama means excessively/excellently/all encompassing. Sayika means being in regular order. Paramasayika indicates being in all encompassing order.

This Mandala is characterized by four energy loops (orbits) around a center. Sayika also at times is used to indicate ‘five’. Along with the Center and 4 paths, there are 5 parts to the ParamasAyika structure. Hence ParamaSAyika could also mean the excellent ‘five’ or the orderly 5.

The best example of Paramasayika Mandala is our Milky way galaxy. As the temples where the Gods reside are based on Mandala that depicts the Universe (Manduka Mandala), our houses and habitats are to be built on the Mandala that depicts our Milky Way Galaxy (Paramasayika Mandala).

It could be divided into nine divisions vertically and nine divisions horizontally, with dividing lines encapsulating the energy loops on right, left, top and bottom, forming forty-nine parts.
Structure of Paramasayika Mandala





At the center of our Galaxy is a ‘Black-hole’ depicted as the eye of the spiral above. Arms of fire spiral out from the centre. It is in these arms, several stars, constellations are present including our own solar system and planet earth.In the above figure of our Mily-way galaxy, the arms are spirals. In case of spirals defining a loop or orbit is different from usual orbits. Each spiral arm starting at the center could be counted as an orbit, when it spirals around in near full orbit. Any spur arms that are stranded are not counted as an orbit, though they are given their appropriate place in the veethis.

Examples of Paramasayika Mandala

Milky-way Galaxy is the best example of this mandala. The following is a mapping of our Milky way Galaxy to Paramasayika Mandala.





The above is an overlapping of paramasayika mandala with the structure of milky-way galaxy. As could be seen our solar system is located in the ‘Manushya Veethi’ in the Orion Cygnus Spur arm of the galaxy.

There are four major Spiral arms of our galaxy that start at the center. They are

1. 3KPC /Perseus arm depicted in Red color 
2. Norma arm depicted in Green color 
3. Crux-Scutum arm depicted in Cyan color 
4. Carina-Saggitarius arm depicted in bluish-green color 

There is one well known local arm
   5.Orion Cygnus arm in which our solar system is located (called the Local arm).

Of these the first four arms (Perseus, Norma, Crux-Scutum, Saggitarius) are full spirals making one near-full round around the Galactic Center thereby occupying 8 rows (4 on the top and 4 on the bottom). Orion Cygnus is a floating arm and just occupies only one column.

Therefore the 9 rows and 9 columns of Paramasaayika Vastu Purusha Mandala depicts the structure of Milky way galaxy appropriately.

Paramasayika Mandala – Our traditional House

Traditional Indian houses were built exactly on the Paramasayika Mandala. Examples are the Chettinad houses, most ancient village houses and mansions, palaces that exist still today.

The open courtyard becomes the MOST important part of an Indian house according to Paramasayika Mandala, as the open courtyard symbolizes the black-hole at the center of Milky-way galaxy.

There are several designs based on Paramasayika Mandala for houses like the Nalu Kattu houses, Chettinad houses, several ancient houses etc..

In general any of these houses have an open courtyard at the middle to symbolize the blackhole of our galaxy, which is considered to be a source of extreme energy.

Rooms around the open-space form the Brahma Veethi, which has high energy. Halls, large rooms, living rooms where people spent most of their time and where poojas could be done were built in this place.

Next is the Deva veethi, where dining rooms, bed rooms of newly married/elder sons were built, as Deva veethi is all about creation of matter and energy.

Next is Manushya veethi where storage rooms, granaries, treasure chests, Kitchen, bedrooms of other/elderly people etc existed, as Manushya veethi is all about biological life and evolution.

Next is the paisacha veethi which was either a garden filled with trees and/or ‘thinnais’ of high raised platforms adjacent to the street.

In case of ‘Kattu’ houses, the number of ‘Kattus’ depended on the wealth of individual. But the same veethis were distributed to several kattus, with eath kattu having a full-fledged court-yard or a smaller sized one.

The key advantage of the Paramasayika Mandala is not that it is in sync with Milky-Way Galaxy, but it traps cool-air and heat inside it depending on the climate. In winter times, it traps a warmer climate inside and in summer times, it traps cool air inside. It is the most energy efficient structure of the mandalas. It has a natural rain harvesting structure that lets water to be saved.

The difference between the Paramasayika and Manduka mandala is the structure of the Central orbit. In Manduka mandala is it symbolizes the ‘Dyu-Loka’ the ‘Garba-griha’ and hence closed with a ‘Gopuram’ on top. In Paramasayika it symbolizes the ‘Brahma” of our Galaxy, Black-hole and is left as an open courtyard.

Asana Mandala

The Asana Mandala is a dasa-pada (ten divisions) structure. Asana originally meant sitting and sitting postures. There are five basic sitting postures Sukhasana, Padamasana, Vajrasana, Siddhasana and Svastikasana.

In all these sitting postures, if we keenly observe, five loops are formed in the body. Bent Hands that touch the thigs (2), Bent legs (2) and a loop formed between the legs/toes/feet and the Genital region (mooladhara) are the five loops formed. In other words, the basic asanas (sitting postures) are about making five loops in the body.

Since this mandala is about making five loops, it is called ‘Asana Mandala’.

It could be divided into ten divisions vertically and four divisions horizontally, with dividing lines encapsulating the energy loops on right, left, top and bottom, forming one-hundred parts.
Structure of Asana Mandala



Examples of Asana Mandala

Vastu Sastras say a Well has to be built based on Asana Mandala. This means that a Well should be dug large enough to have five springs in it, so that it is near-perennial.

Lord Shiva is a Hindu God seated in Asana Mandala. In fact Shiva is the only God to be depicted in Asana posture. Shiva Lingams are installed in Asana Mandala in 5 loops/orbits. Generally a sthaniya mandala is designed (11*11, 5 loops/orbits around a center) in which the central 9 Padas, the Shiva Lingam is consecrated thus converting it to a Asana Mandala (10*10 or 5 loops/orbits)

Shiva is said to be constituted of five parts SadyojAta, Vamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha and Esana. Shiva is associated with five-syllables Na ma Zi Va Ya. Hence, no wonder Shiva is associated with 5 loops/orbits Asana Mandala and Asana posture.

Sthaniya Mandala

This mandala is formed from 5 loops/orbits around a center. Sthaniya generally refers to a town or large village. Hence this mandala is used to plan a town or village. There are several planetary/blackhole systems that satisfy this 5 loops/orbits around a center.

DeSya Mandala

This mandala is formed of 6 loops/orbits. DeSya refers to an origin of country or state or a bigger region. Hence this mandala is used to plan a country. There are several steallar systems that satisfy this 6 loops/orbits.

Ubhaya-chandita Mandala

This mandala is formed of 6 loops/orbits around a center. Ubhaya chandita means ‘On both sides of Chandita”. Compared to the Manduka Mandala (Chandita Mandala) which has four loops/orbits, this mandala has 6 loops/orbits around a center. It is called Ubhaya-chandita as this mandala is about one more loop/orbit around both sides (inside and outside) of chandita Mandala.

Bhadra Mandala

This mandala is formed of 7 loops/orbits. Bhadra is an attendant of Siva. Bhadra Mandala means mandala of attendants.

It is formed of Asana Mandala (five loops/orbits) surrounded by Mahapita mandala (two loops/orbits) on four sides, thus making the seven loops/orbits. Bhadra Lingas are installed in Bhadra Mandala manner.

First Linga is installed in the Center (inside the 1st orbit) of Sthaniya Mandala of 5 orbits. With the Linga occupying the first orbit and the centre completely, the mandala becomes Asana Mandala, with Linga in first orbit. Around this 2 orbits of MahaPita Mandala is drawn and on four sides the Main linga, four lingas are installed. Thus the seven orbit structure is formed that is called the Bhadra mandala.






Bhadra indicates the stars in constellation of Pegasus. Pegasus constellation is actually a combination of andromeda galaxy and pegasus galaxy. The stars in Pegasus constellation being part of physically different galaxies and surrounded by different stars look like the ‘attendant’ mandala or Bhadra Mandala.

Maha-Asana Mandala

This mandala is formed of 7 loops/orbits around a center. Maha Asana means a Great Asana or Great Seating posture or Great Seat in the Great Yajnas.

While the Asana Mandala is for Shiva the MahAsana mandala is for Sakthi. It is mentioned in the Lalita Sahasra Nama, which occurs in the Brahmanda Purana as a discussion between Sage Agastya and Lord Hayagreeva, where Hayagreeva says Devi resides on the Maha-Asana of MahaYantra.






If we carefully analyse, the SriYantra it is made of 7 loops/orbits around a Central Dot (Bindu). The seven loops/orbits are Sarva Aasa Paripuraka, a sixteen-petal lotus , Sarva Sankshobahana, an eight-petal lotus , Sarva Saubhagyadayaka, composed of fourteen small triangles, Sarva Arthasadhaka, composed of ten small triangles, Sarva Rakshakara, composed of ten small triangles, Sarva Rogahara, composed of eight small triangles , Sarva Siddhi prada, composed of 1 small triangle and Sarva Anandamaya, composed of a point or bindu. I have not counted the Square here, as it is not really part of the Mandala and symbolizes the doors of temple in which the Yantra is installed and Devi resides.

Padma-Garbha Mandala
This mandala is formed 8 loops/orbits. Padma is used in general to indicate a blossomed (open) state as well as the Lotus flower. It is used to indicate the most respected, most honorable. Padma Garbha means most respected, most honorable Uterus.

Lord Vishnu is depicted as having come out of the Most respected Uterus (Sree Garbha Parameswara, Padma Garbha sarira brthu). He is described as one who came from the Yoni of ‘Atma’ on his own and who appeared with splendour when he was born from the Most respected Garbha and he makes up everything in Universe. He is said to be growing from this Padma Garbha (Most honorable Uterus) and makes up the core of everything in this Universe. I had interpreted Vishnu as the ‘String’ that makes up everything in this universe in my blogs on Rudram.





Hence this mandala symbolizes the Mandala of Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is depicted as growing out of Lotus flower for this reason.

Also Lord Vishnu in the form of Narayana is associated with Ashtakshara mantra, the eight letter mantra. And this mandala has eight orbits in it, each orbit signifying a letter of mantra.

Tri-yuta Mandala

This mandala is formed of 8 loops/orbits around a center. Tri-yuta means three that are united. If Asana Mandala is for Shiva, Maha-Asana mandala is for Shakti and Padma-Garbha mandala is for Vishnu, then Tri-Yuta is for these three United.

As the name signifies the 8 loops around a center has the Asana Mandala (5 loops), Maha-Asana mandala (7 loops around a center) and Padma-Garbha Mandala (8 loops). Hence this mandala is called Tri-Yuta (United three) mandala.

KarnAshtaka Mandala

This mandala is formed of 9 loops/orbits . Karna Ashtaka means eight orbits with an ear. The ear lobe forms the 9th loop/orbit, while Ashtaka indicates the eight orbits.

Ganita Mandala

This mandala is formed of 9 loops/orbits around a center. Ganita means mathematics of numbers. Like the numbers that range from 1 to 9 around a zero, Ganita mandala has 9 loops/orbits around a center.

Surya-visAlaka Mandala

This mandala is formed of 10 loops/orbits. Surya viSalaka means the sun’s wide orbits (our own sun is called surya) or sun’s wide reach. As the sun’s wide reach is formed of 10 loops/orbits, this mandala has 10 loops/orbits. And Indeed our solar system has 10 main loops/orbits around it, though if we count the dwarf orbits it would be numerous.

Note that this mandala is not talking about the Sun at the center and only orbits of Sun.




Susamhita Mandala

This mandala is formed of 10 loops/orbits around a central object. Susamhita means that are well united. The Sun and the 10 loops/orbits around the Sun that are well United forms the Susamhita Mandala.

SupratikAnta Mandala

This mandala is formed of 11 loops/orbits. Supratikanta means “One that is attractive in form or shape”. The eleven loops of the Mandala resemble the eleven Rudras. Rudras are the eleven forces that manifest themselves in various ways in this Universe and I had mapped them to eleven dimensional space in my blogs on Rudra.

The most attractive of all forms and shapes is the formless, shapeless space with its eleven dimensions.

For eg., a nine-storey building structure is built on supratikanta mandala, amongst many other ways possible (Saura, Raurava, Chandita, Bhushana, Vivrita, Visva-Kanta).

VisAlaka Mandala

This mandala is formed of 11 loops/orbits around a central object. VisAlaka Mandala means ‘wide reaching place’. Visalaka could indicate the whole Universe as the force of Rudra emanating from a point in the Universe and migrating south, reaches the whole of Universe.

Visalaka also could indicate a Planetary system in which Yakshas live according to Mahabharatha.

Vipra-garbha Mandala

This mandala is formed of 12 loops/orbits. Vipra means who is awakened, learned, spirited from inside. Vipra Garbha means the source/uterus from which this awakening, arousal is happening. This is the mandala from which the awakening happens.
ViveSa Mandala

This mandala is formed of 12 loops/orbits around a center. ViveSa means capable of discrimination.

Vipulya-bhoga Mandala

This mandala is formed of 13 loops/orbits. Vipulya means the property of being large, abundant, long etc. Bhoga means enjoyment. Hence this mandala is about large enjoyment or activity that consumes resources. This mandala signifies the transformation of matter into newer elements/life-forms due to high consumption, as it is the first sub-division in the Manushya Loka.

Vipra-Kunta Mandala

This mandala is formed of 13 loops/orbits around a center. Vipra-kunta means the mandala of the awakened state. This is the mandala in which the awakening has happened in large numbers (lot of newer life forms/matter) is also the first sub-division in Manushya Loka.

VisalAksha Mandala

This mandala is formed of 14 loops/orbits. Visalaksha means wide-eyed. This is the mandala in which a large eye is formed. This is the second sub-division in Manushya Loka. This in my view symbolizes the awakening of consciousness (opening of eyes) in life-forms.

Vipra-bhakti Mandala

This mandala is formed of 14 loops/orbits around a center. Vipra-bhakti is the bonding to the awakened. This is also the second sub-division in Manushya Loka. This in my view symbolizes the bonding of awakened and

VisveSvara Mandala

This mandala is formed of 15 loops/orbits. Visveswara indicates the forces of rudra present all over the universe along with its impact on various constituents of Universe. While Supratikanta is only about space, Visveswara mandala is about space, matter and time. This is the third sub-division in Manushya Loka.

Isvara-kAnta Mandala

This mandala is formed of 15 loops/orbits around a center. This is also the third sub-division in Manushya Loka.

ChanrakAnta Mandala

This mandala is formed of 16 loops/orbits (16 petaled water lily). This is also the fourth division in Manushya Loka.

Vastu Shastra Redefined : Part-3

... continued from Part-2

Ugra Pita Mandala

The UgraPita Mandala is a shashta-pada (six divisions) structure. Ugra Pita means the fierceful/ferocious pedestal. Mandala is characterized by three energy loops orbiting around each other.

Interestingly science says that very often binary stars are formed actually due to triple-star systems, where the third star may be at a distance away from the binary stars. In such systems there is a high possibility of mass transfer from the older star to younger star (among the binaries) and accretion of mass in the younger star at main-sequence stage from the older star at the sub-giant stage. In another words, the younger star ‘eats up’ the older one by mass transfer.

No wonder Vastu sastra calls such Mandalas as ‘Ferocious’ Mandalas. (Ugra-PiTHa).

It could be divided into six divisions vertically and four divisions horizontally, with dividing lines encapsulating the energy loops on right, left, top and bottom, forming thirty-six parts.
Structure of UgraPiTha Mandala







Examples

1. Algol triple star system 
2. Some of the Yajna pedestals could be of this mandala
   

Sthandila Mandala

The Sthandila is a sapta-pada (seven divisions) structure. Sthandila means an open ground. It also means a place where we can rest or sleep. This Mandala is characterized by three energy loops (orbits) around a central energy.

Sthandila Mandala is used for planning villages on an open ground. It is also used as a layout for resting the idols that have their eyes-opened, but not properly installed as in a temple, by sthapathis.

It could be divided into seven divisions vertically and four divisions horizontally, with dividing lines encapsulating the energy loops on right, left, top and bottom, forming forty-nine parts.

Sthandila Mandala is a ‘near-complete’ Mandala in one way and hence used in human habitats. The three orbits around the center characterize ‘Deva Veethi’, ‘Manushya Veeti’ and ‘Paisasa Veethi’.
Structure of Sthandila Mandala




Examples

1. Several multi-planetary systems exist in Universe with 3 planets around a star 
2. Courts built around garba-griha or throne of a palace could be in Sthandila Mandala, with three loops/rings/orbits around. 
3. Villages, in particular Hamlets are planned in Sthandila Mandala. The fields are in the Center and three major Settlements/Paths (Veethis) are planned around the fields. 

Manduka Mandala

The Manduka Mandala is a ashta-pada (eight divisions) structure. Manduka means and indicates the structure of Universe. Any four loop/orbital structure is called Manduka.

This Mandala is characterized by four loops/orbits. Manduka, the structure of Universe is mapped to a frog, third part of elephant's hind-leg etc.

Manduka Mandala is the first ‘complete’ mandala in a sense, as described in the section on ‘Veethis’. This Mandala with four orbits is called Manduka Mandala, as it represents AUM and the Universe.

Manduka Upanishad, which describes the AUM says AUM is the structure of Unvierse and it is composed of four parts. The four parts are Atman, Prajna, Taijasa and Vaisvanara. I had mapped these four parts to Primordial Matter, Dark-Matter, Energy and Matter respectively.

Since this mandala has four orbits akin to the four parts of Universe as described in Manduka Upanishad, this mandala is called Manduka mandala.

Manduka Mandala could be divided into four divisions vertically and four divisions horizontally, with dividing lines encapsulating the energy loops on right, left, top and bottom, forming sixty-four parts.Manduka Mandala is also called ‘Chandita’ mandala, which means mandala that is grateful/thankful etc.
Structure of Manduka Mandala




Examples of Manduka Mandala

Temples are built modeled on Universe and hence the Manduka Mandala.

The epi-center of a temple is not the idol/vigraha in the temple, but the Garba-griha or Sanctum sanctorum of the Primary deity of that temple. The Garba-griha represents the Brahma veethi.

It is called Garba-griha, as it is representing the divine energy, which is from where the entire Universe is said to have evolved.

The primary deity in the Brahma veethi/ Garba-griha is always a representation of one of the divine forces of the Dyu-Loka (Amba(Energy/matter), Rudra (force/space), Vishnu(particle/string)), though the diety itself could be having a terrestrial name. Purusha, which I interpret as dark matter that evolved along with Amba is not worshipped in that form, but in the form of Shiva which is the force of Purusha/dark-matter on Amba(Energy).

In other words the divine energy of Dyu-Loka is supposed to be in the Garba-griha and not in the idols of the Garba-griha. Idols represent the energy only as long as they are in the Garba-griha and not when they are outside.

Around this Brahma veethi (first orbit), a Primary Gopuram is built signifying the Dyu-Loka. This is the garba-griha of a temple. Around this garba-griha is the second orbit in which the Deva god forms are installed. The Deva god-forms are either the consort-gods or derivative-gods that represent various divine natural forces. Around these is the third orbit in which the ‘Manushya’ forms exists. The manushya god-forms are those of saints, rishis, planetary forces etc. Around these the patala god-forms exists.The patala god-forms are those of ancestors and spirits.








...Continue in next Part -4

Vastu Shastra Redefined : Part-2

...continued from Part-1

The concept of Padas and Orbits

In these series of blogs, I would be describing the various mandalas primarily from a cosmological view-point. Hence I would use the terminology of orbits primarily and not the ‘padas/divisions’ as done in traditional definitions.

The concept of mandalas is primarily used in site plans for courts, temples, multi-storeyed buildings, wells, granaire etc. Since each Mandala is bigger than the previous mandala in size and complexity and the mandalas are primarily used as plans for bigger and bigger layouts, the pada/divisions usage is able to give a ratio of proportions to the layout.

For eg., in the jAti type of courts (a type of Court specified in Manasara), where the edifice is to be in a sakala Mandala, in a five-courts structure, the first court is of pItha Mandala (9 divisions), second court is of Sthandila Mandala (49 divisions), third court is of Ubhaya Chandita Mandala (169 divisions), fourth court is of Susamhita mandala (441 divisions), fifth court is of Isvarakanta mandala (961 divisions). Thus one is able to make sense of the proportions of various courts.

The same can be seen in terms of orbit structures as defined here. The piTha mandala is of 1 orbit around a central object, Sthandila Mandala is of 3 orbits around a central object, Ubhaya-Chandita is of 6 orbits around a central object, Susamhita is of 10 objects around a central object, Isvara-Kantha is of 15 orbits around a central object.

Note that the orbits increase in terms of Triangular Numbers, when we plot it in the orbital way, which explains why these Mandalas are chosen for the jAti type of courts. The formula for this is (n(n+1)) / 2.

Similarly in the Chhanda type of courts, where the edifice is in Pazaka mandala, which starts from MahapiTha mandala as the first court, the orbits go increasing by ((n(n+1))/2) + 1.

Hence while Padas/divisions help the architects to plan, the concept of orbits could help the researcher to understand why these mandalas and proportions are prescribed in the first place.

The Division of Mandalas

Though there are 32 mandalas, I see there are four broad categories. Sakala Mandala to Paramasayika, Asana to Tri-Yuta, KarnAshtaka to Vivesa and Vipulya-Bhoga to ChandraKanta.

Division of Universe :Manduka

The Sakala Mandala to Paramasayika depict the entire Universe by dividing the entire Universe into four broad loops/orbits.

Sakala Mandala depicts the energy object at the center. It actually thus depicts the core Atman, from whom the entire Universe is said to be originated from (according to Aitareya Upanishad). Atman is supposed to be present in every thing deep inside, as everything has evolved from it including the space, force-fields, matter, energy.

Pazaka Mandala depicts a single loop/orbit. Pitha Mandala depicts a single loop/orbit encapsulating an energy object. These Mandala structures depict the Brahma-Veethi of the Universe that encapsulates the Dyauh-Loka

MahaPita Mandala depicts two loops/orbits. Upapita depicts two loops/orbits encapsulating an energy object. These Mandala structures depict the Deva veethi of the Universe that encapsulate the Deva-Loka.

Ugrapita depicts three loops/orbits. Sthandila depicts three loops/orbits encapsulating an energy object. These Mandala structures depict the Manushya Veethi of the Universe that encapsulates the Bhoo-Loka.

Manduka/Chandita depicts four loops/orbits. Paramasayika depicts four loops/orbits encapsulating an energy object. These Mandala structures depict the Paisacha Veethi of the Universe that encapsulates the Patala-Loka.

Thus these mandala structures divide the Universe into four overall divisions.

Division of Dyauh-Loka : Padma Garbha

The mandalas Asana to Tri-Yuta divide the Dyauh-Loka (inside Brahma Veethi) into further four divisions.

Asana Mandala (which means Sitting Asana posture of Shiva who is the force of Purusha on Amb a) has five loops/orbits. Sthaniya mandala that has five loops/orbits encapsulating an energy object along with Asana mandala is the first sub-division of Dyauh-Loka.

DeSya Mandala that has six loops/orbits and Ubhaya-chandita Mandala (which means loops/orbits on both sides of chandita) that has six loops/orbits encapsulating an energy object form the second sub-division of dyauh-loka.

Bhadra Mandala (that means attendant mandalas) that has seven loops/orbits and MahAsana mandala (the seat of Amba as symbolized in Sri Yantra) that has seven loops/orbits encapsulating an energy object form the third sub-division of dyauh-loka.

Padma-Garbha Mandala (that means the most honorable uterus from which Maha-vishnu comes) that has eight loops/orbits and Tri-Yuta Mandala (which means united three, a combination of Shiva, Amba and Vishnu) that has eight loops/orbits encapsulating an energy object form the fourth sub-division of dyau-loka.

PadmaGarbha Mandala symbolizes the Uterus in the sense that dyau-Loka is the uterus from which Universe evolved. Hence it is called the Padma-Garba.

Division of Deva Loka (Immortal world) : Vipra-Garba

KarnAshtaka Mandala (that means eight loops with an ear lobe) that has nine loops/orbits and Ganita mandala that has nine loops/orbits encapsulating an energy object form the first sub-division of Deva-Loka.

Surya-visAlaka Mandala (that means wide-reach of sun) that has ten loops/orbits and Susamhita Mandala (means well united with chief) that has ten loops/orbits encapsulating an energy object form the second sub-division of Deva-Loka.

SupratikAnta Mandala (that means most attractive form/shape) that has eleven loops/orbits and VisAlaka mandala that has eleven loops/orbits encapsulating an energy object form the third sub-division of Deva-Loka.

Vipra-garbha Mandala (means source/uterus of the awakened/wise) that has twelve loops/orbits and ViveSa mandala that has twelve loops/orbits encapsulating an energy object form the fourth sub-division of Deva-Loka.

Vipra-garbha Mandala symbolize the Uterus of the awakened in the sense that particles and forces emanated from this Loka. Hence it is called Vipra-Garba.

Division of Manushya Loka (Mortal world): ChandraKanta

Vipulya-bhoga Mandala (means large/abundant consumption of resources) that has thirteen loops/orbits and Vipra-Kunta Mandala (which means abundantly awakened) form the first sub-division of Manushya Loka.

VisalAksha Mandala (means large eye) that has fourteen loops/orbits and Vipra-bhakti Mandala (which means devotion of the awakened) that has fourteen loops/orbits around an energy object form the second sub-division of Manushya Loka.

VisveSvara Mandala (means universally spread force/space along with matter) has fifteen loops/orbits and Isvara-kAnta Mandala (which means attractive Isvara) that has fifteen loops/orbits around an energy object form the third sub-division of Manushya Loka.

ChanrakAnta Mandala (means the night blossoming lily) that has sixteen loops/orbits forms the fourth sub-division of Manushya Loka. It symbolizes the awakening of life in the darkness of knowledge.

Chandrakanta mandala symbolizes the attraction/awakening of life in darkness of knowledge. Hence it is called ChandraKanta.

Roughly from scientific view also, if we start from Earth/Solar system/Galaxy and go towards origins of Universe, we will see the Manushya Loka region (where awakened particles of matter and life exists, in terms of stars, galaxies etc), Deva Veethi (where pure particles are seen) and Dyauh-Loka (beyond our vision, probably a primordial matter condensate exists).
Here a look into every Mandala in some more detail.

Sakala Mandala

The Sakala Mandala is an Eka Pada (single division) structure. Sakala means everything, possessing all the parts. Any structure that possesses all the parts now or eventually is an example of Sakala mandala.

Any finite undivided space or energy within a set of boundaries is an example of Sakala Mandala, as it possesses all the parts in that undivided space. An undivided space with energy elements in it is a sakala mandala.

According to Aitareya Upanishad, Atman is from where everything evolved, starting with Amba and Purusha. Atman is located at the core of the Universe. Hence every manifestation in this Universe including space is supposed to have Atman in it. Sakala Mandala is the representation of Atman.
Structure of Sakala Mandala


Examples

1. A Black-hole that sucks matter from all around. 
2. An otherwise empty room in which sacrifices are performed, an empty room where SrAddham is done. 
3. An empty room where seats are placed for people to sit 
4. A dining room (in which food is distributed and eaten) 

PAzaka Mandala (Pezaka Mandala)

The PAzaka mandala is a Dwi-pada (Two division) structure. PAzaka is the noose that is hands of Siva, Yama and other Gods. Actually pAzaka means the closed loop or ring that has the power or energy.

PAzaka thus represents a spiral or circular or elliptical loop/arm of a cosmological structure that has energy.

While energy is contained inside the borders in Sakala Mandala, the border loop contains the energy in pAzaka mandala. pAzaka represents a design pattern of one ring/loop structure that has power/energy.

It could be divided into two divisions vertically and horizontally, with dividing lines running through the centre of the loop/ring. Hence it could be represented into four parts.
Structure of pAzaka Mandala




Examples

1. Two bodies of similar mass orbiting around a common centre of mass, or barycenter. 
2. A Public Bath place in which bath-rooms are built in the loop around a central place. 
3. A public worship place in which worship is carried out by many people in the loop around a place say temple. 
4. PiTHa Mandala

The Pitha Mandala is a tri-pada (Three division) structure. PiTha means a pedestal or container which has energy located in the center as well as in the borders/loop around it.

It could be divided into three divisions vertically and three divisions horizontally, with dividing lines encapsulating the central energy source and the energy loops on the right, left, top and bottom, forming nine parts.
Structure of piTha Mandala


Examples 

1. Earth with its Satellite moon is an apt example of Pita Mandala. 
2. Cygnus X-1 star system in which a compact object said to be orbiting a black-hole 
3. Two bodies with a major difference in mass orbiting around a common barycenter (similar to the Earth-Moon system) 
4. The pedestal of an idol (vigraha) with its parivars around is also an example of piTha mandala. (Navagraha idols) 

MahaPita Mandala

The MahaPita Mandala is a Chatur-pada (four divisions) structure. Maha Pita means Big Pedestal or Big basket. This Mandala is characterized by two energy loops.

This structure contains more energy than Pita Mandala, as there are two orbits involved compared to a Pita Mandala, which has one orbit and an object at the centre.

It could be divided into four divisions vertically and four divisions horizontally, with dividing lines encapsulating the energy loops on right, left, top and bottom, forming sixteen parts.
Structure of MahaPita Mandala




The concentricity shown in the above structure is only for easy explanation. The two energy loops may not be concentric and may be overlapping to each other. The chatur-pada division (four way division) still holds good.




As shown in the above figure, even when the energy loops are overlapping, they can be still divided into four divisions based on the principle of isolating each loop in one division.
Examples

1. Cosmological structures like bi-stars which move around each other is an example of this Mandala. Epsilon Aurigae (eclipsing binary) and Sirius like two star systems which orbit around each other. 
2. Two bodies with a difference in mass orbiting around a common barycenter, like the Charon-Pluto system 

UpaPiTha Mandala

The UpaPita Mandala (also referred to as Upa-pithika mandala) is a pancha-pada (five divisions) structure. Upa Pitaka means additional to Pita. This Mandala is characterized by two energy loops with a central space having energy.

Since it has one more loop compared to Pita Mandala and belongs to the same design pattern as that of Pita Mandala, it is called Upa Pita mandala.

It could be divided into five divisions vertically and four divisions horizontally, with dividing lines encapsulating the energy loops on right, left, top and bottom, forming twenty-five parts.
Structure of UpaPitha Mandala


The concentricity shown in the above structure is only for easy explanation. The two energy loops may not be concentric and may be overlapping to each other, but around a central energy object. The pancha-pada division (five way divsion) still holds good, as shown in the figure below.



Examples

1. Two star systems that orbit around a black-hole, for example 
2. Two moons around a Planet. For eg., Mars and its moons (Phobos and Deimos) as shown in figure above. 

... continue in next Part-3

Vastu Shastra Redefined : Part-1

Brihat Samhita, Mayamata, Manasara et al talk about a concept of Mandalas in Vastu Sastra. If I state here that P.K.Acharya’s pioneering work on Manasara was the major driving force for protecting this arm of sthapathya Veda, it is not an exaggeration.

That was a great work that has returned us the knowledge of our heritage. This blog will describe the analysis of Vastu sastra with an analysis on the concept of Mandalas, as defined in Manasara, as compiled by P.K.Acharya.

aim of this blog is to state the design pattern of the mandala structures, map it with cosmic structures, understand the gods and their meanings, map the energy flow depicted in cosmic structures to human built structures, understand the proportions and thumb-rules given in sastras and make it more usable and understandable to us.

In short it is about un-covering the 'real' scientific aspects of Vastu Sastras.

 The Hoax of Vastu Purusha Mandala

Vastu sastra as we see in the commercial form today seems to have picked up somewhere in the sixties/eighties based on the work of western scholars like Stella Kamrish on this subject, who coined terms like ‘Vastu Purusha Mandala’.

The term ‘Vastu Purusha Mandala’ does not exist in Brihat Samhita, Manasara, Mayamata or Viswakarma sutras.

There are several mandalas described in Vastu sastras. These mandalas are cosmological structures (stellar systems and objects) available in Universe. Vastu sastras define these mandalas in a ‘Graph’ and prescribe human-built structures to follow the same patterns as available in the Universe.

Some mandalas have been prescribed as structures for specific purposes that humans can use. What we see today as being 'sold' as 'Vastu Purusha Mandala' is actually Paramasayika Mandala. But it does not mean that Vastu Purusha resides only in this structure. The term Vastu Purusha itself needs to be questioned or understood in a different way rather than a simple 'God' or 'Demon', as this simplifications leads to all other errors.

Vastu sastras do not start or end with Mandalas. The most important aspect of Vastu sastras for our house is that they try to define a direction of energy flow for human-built structures based on the energy flow in cosmological structure. How to use it would be in some other blog.

 Mandalas

A Mandala is used to indicate something with a finite set of limits/boundaries. The word mandala itself is derived from the root manda, which means essence, to which the suffix -la, meaning container, has been added. Thus, one obvious connotation of mandala is that it is a container of essence.

Hence a mandala can be in Matter(distribution of matter in space) or Time (distribution of time in space) dimensions. In any dimension, within a finite set that represent the ‘essence’ of something is called Mandala.

The Mandalas described in Manasara are in spatial dimensions that talk about how matter can be distributed in a given space.

Manasara talks about 32 different types of structures (mandalas) by which matter can be distributed in space. These Mandalas, in my view, are synchronous with 32 different cosmological structures. In other words, since there are 32 different cosmological structures, 32 human-built structures are defined.

The 32 types of Mandalas are:

1. Sakala Mandala 
2. Pechaka Mandala 
3. Pita Mandala 
4. MahaPita Mandala 
5. UpaPita Mandala 
6. UgraPita Mandala 
7. Sthandila Mandala 
8. Manduka/Chandita Mandala 
9. Paramasayika Mandala 
10. Asana Mandala 
11. Sthaniya Mandala 
12. DeSya Mandala 
13. Ubhaya-chandita Mandala 
14. Bhadra Mandala 
15. MahAsana Mandala 
16. Padma-Garbha Mandala 
17. Tri-yuta Mandala 
18. KarnAshtaka Mandala 
19. Ganita Mandala 
20. Surya-visAlaka Mandala 
21. Susamhita Mandala 
22. SupratikAnta Mandala 
23. VisAlaka Mandala 
24. Vipra-garbha Mandala 
25. ViveSa Mandala 
26. Vipulya-bhoga Mandala 
27. Vipra-Kunta Mandala 
28. VisalAksha Mandala 
29. Vipra-bhakti Mandala 
30. VisveSvara Mandala 
31. Isvara-kAnta Mandala 
32. ChanrakAnta Mandala 

Manasara not only defines these 32 types of structures, but also says which structure is suited for what purpose.

Design Pattern in Vastu Mandalas

There are two basic design patterns in the Mandalas defined in Manasara.

1. Pattern with a central object surrounded by loops/rings/orbits (having matter/energy). Cosmologically, these correspond to stellar systems in which there is extreme mass difference, due to which stellar objects of lower mass orbit around the object of the very large mass, though the very large mass object itself is also orbiting in a smaller orbit. (Like Earth-Moon systems)
2. Pattern of several loops/rings/orbits (having matter/energy) that are concentric or overlapping each other. (Eg: Multi-star systems). Cosmologically, these correspond to stellar systems in which the mass difference is not extreme and hence stellar objects move around in multiple orbits around each other or around a common ‘barycenter’. 

In stellar systems, since a central object could itself be in a loop/orbit, it is difficult to distinguish between an object and a loop. The rule I see being followed is, if the object is at the center and indivisible meaningfully (a planet, a blackhole) it is a NOT a loop/orbit. 

For eg. Earth and Moon are in piTa mandala based on this.

These two patterns are ‘graphically’ (as in a Graph) depicted in terms of ‘Pada’s of varying numbers from 1 to 32. For example structures of Pada 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25,27,29,31 (odd number padas) are of design pattern with a central hole/space/energy surrounded by loops that contain energy. Similarly structures of Pada 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,26,28,30,32 are of design pattern of several loops of energy without any central hole/space/energy.

Pada, here simply refers to a ‘division’. In modern terms, it could be seen as a method of ‘graphically’ plotting a structure. In fact the various mandalas are nothing but graphically depicting human-built structures and cosmological structures.

The basic principle of vertical ‘division’ or graphing here is each energy loop is in only one division (one Pada) and each central object is is only one division (pada). Similarly the basic principle of horizontal ‘division’ or graphing here is each energy loop is in only one division (pada) and each central object is in only one division (pada).

For example, a structure with 3 ‘Padas’ is a structure (as shown in the figures above) which can be divided vertically into 3 divisions and horizontally into 3 divisions. This means we get a structure that is divided into 9 parts in total.

The dividing lines are run vertically encapsulating each energy loop and the object at the centre(if present). Similarly the dividing lines are run horizontally encapsulating each energy loop and the object at the centre (if present). The ‘centre object’ here may not be the real ‘central object’. It is an object that is indivisibly encapsulated or ‘boxed’ on both horizontal and vertical sides and could be located anywhere. These ‘central’ objects when drawn in a graph are encapsulated and not divided, if they are not divisible meaningfully (does not evolve further, for eg planets, blackholes). The central object, if it is divisible meaningfully (evolves further as in a star) is divided from the center in a graph, as it is always considered to be a in a loop or orbit.

Actually these ‘parts’ that are formed by the intersection of horizontal and vertical lines are not equal squares. In fact the measurements talked about clearly indicate that they are not equal squares.
The Concept of Veethis

Each loop/ring/orbit around the center is characterized as a ‘Veethi’ or ‘Path’ by Vastu sastras. The center could be an object or could be the ‘barycenter’ of the objects in orbit. ‘Barycenter’ is an imaginary center of the mass of objects orbiting around themselves.

In the Mandalas, a set of four veethis called ‘Brahma Veethi’, ‘Deva Veethi’, ‘Manushya Veethi’ and ‘Paisaca veethi’ are defined. The Brahma Veeth is around the core of the mandala, Deva Veethi is away from that, Manushya veethi is further away from that and paisacha veethi is at the edges.








The veethis are also a pattern that replicates across Universe, in every galaxy, stars and planets.

Veethis of Universe

When it comes to our Universe, according to Aitareya Upanishad, the core Brahma veethi is around the highest of energies (dyau-loka where Atma resides and from which Amba and Purusha were taken out), Deva veethi is around the paths where energy becomes particle/matter and forces manifest (deva-loka where rudras, adityas and vasus form, which I have interpreted as forces, chemical elements and biological factors in my previous blogs. This is an immortal world compared to the mortal forms of matter and life), Manushya veethi is where mortal life sustains (matter in terms elements, compounds, biological forms, Naras, Gandharvas, Yakshas etc live) and Paisaca veethi is where hidden life forms alone (paisacas which I map to bacteria, virus and other hidden primitive life forms currently) exists.

Veethis of our Galaxy

The same pattern exists in a galaxy for example, milky-way galaxy, which I map it to Paramasayika Mandala in subsequent sections.

When it comes to our Galaxy, the word ‘Devas’ morphs to indicate higher intelligent life-forms on the basis that they are divine. Paisacas morphs to indicate primitive life-forms.

I have mapped the structure of Paramasayika mandala to structure of Milky-way Galaxy in this series of blogs. The Brahma Veethi refers to paths around the central object (in this case black-hole of our galaxy) and has high energy. The Deva Veethi refers to the paths further away and may consist of first-evolved planets and life systems. The Manushya Veethi refers to paths in which we live (the orion-cygnus arm of galaxy) and paisacha veethi refers to planets/life-systems in arms of our galaxy situated further away.

A clear-cut possibility is that Aryama, Paisacha and Gandharva mentioned in this mandala could be planets/extra-terrestrial systems in the galaxy, though I should admit this is not the core of this article and this extrapolation could be true or false. More on the mapping of structure of Paramasayika Mandala to structure of Milky-way in my next blog.
Veethis of our Solar System

When it comes to our Solar System, around our sun we have a Brahma Veethi which probably encapsulates Mercuy, Deva Veethi which encapsulates Venus and Manushya Veethi which encapsulates Earth and Paisaca veethi which encapsulates Mars. Again
Veethis of our Planet Earth

When it comes to our planet earth, the Brahma Veethi is around the core of our Earth (with high energy). The Deva veethi is around the mantle of Earth, which is rocky. The Manushya Veethi is around the crust, where life forms evolve. The Paisacha veethi is around the atmosphere, in which hidden life-forms of bacteria/virus propagate.


Similarly on the Earth;s crust, any man-made structure that is made, of a temple or palace or village or town or even our house has the same pattern.

..... continued in Part -2