Lesson 2B, Mayan, The Founder of Vaastu
Mayan,The Vastu vijnani and originator of Vaastu tradition states in his Mayamata that it is space (akasha) itself that is known as linga and which dwells in all things. He holds that the subtle existence or subtle energy which animates the entire range of things is "Vastu" and all those living beings and cosmic substances in which vastu gets itself installed are denoted by the term "Vaastu". According to him, Vaastu Purusha is the personified energy contained in the Vastu; that is, Vaastu Purusha is the energy itself contained in Vastu....Vaastu Purusha is the same energy which exists pervading all objects of the universe in general and pervading and permeating the whole earth in particular. Vastu is the subtle energy and Vaastu is the gross energy. Vastu is the unmanifest energy and Vaastu is the manifest energy. Since there is no diference between a thing in its unmanifest state and the same thing in its manifest state, Mayan declares that ‘Vastureva Vaastu’ -- Vastu itself becomes Vaastu."
"Space itself turns into spacial forms. Like gold turning into gold ornaments. Nothing is or exists apart from or as different from Vaastu. All those objects in which Vastu gets itself established are obviously animated objects, are breathing substances. There is nothing in this universe to be negated as inanimate or inert.
"Instead of saying that Chidambaram temple is a house wtih empty space inside, we ... state that it is a the house replete with light. The empty space of Chidambaram temple indicates that the form worshipped inside the retangular hall is OM-light only. Om-sound is the basis for all the audible words and sound forms. Om-light is the basis for all the material objects seen through the eyes.
"Chidambaram temple has been built not only for the symbolic expression of space concept,... It also exists to demonstrate and maintain the view that all the spiritual benefits such as well being, calmness, bliss, etc., are derived through the waves of light consciousness or of OM-light that emate form this temple...Thereby,this unique temple enables the people to experience these benefits directly.
The building itself, primarily being a material energy(like the body is), is know as Vaastu and the enclosed space, primarily being the subtle energy(consciousness) is know as Vastu. Chidambaram temple is acutally an effulgent house in which light of consciousness is in its repletion.(just as the body houses the light of consciouness) What takes place there is the worship of light; what shines forth there with all visibility is the Dance of Light (Lord Nataraja--the dancing Shiva). The form of Nataraja is not an imagined one and it is the first manifestation of the primal light.
"Chidambaram temple is the primal root of traditional housing architecture. At Chidambaram the house has been built and demonstrated to be a perfect living organism.
"...space is of the nature of undiminishing effulgence and this space is brimming with minute atoms of light. ...Space is luminous-space. The single "Substance", know as Vastu Brahman, which is consciousness itself. getting kindled and excited of its own accord, extends everywhere...and is know as Light-space. The name of the energetic atom is paramanu, according to Vaastu traditon. We cannot see this paramanu but we could feel it...The Vastu Shastra states that the paramanu, which is not ordinarily visable to the physical eyes, is visible to the perfect yogins. Paramanu is an existential substance. Paramanu is Vastu. The literal meaning of the term Vastu is ‘the existing substance" or "etrnal substance’.
For something to exist is must have three dimensions. Sthapati says that space is filled with "space-atoms". These atoms are also three dimensional. The tri-dimensional atom is cubic in form. It’s sides have equal dimensions.
"Within this cubical atom there is a luminous thread, like a filament in a bulb and it is always dancing there...To this light thread...the tradtition of Vastu science has given a significant name - Brahma Sutra! (the thread of light or consciousness) Vastu science has rendered another ...name also to the luminous thread wihich is dancing rhythmically within the cubical atom. The name is ‘Luminous Nataraja’...the dance of Light... This luminous thread is the basic source of cosmic effulgence. The cubical effulgence of the atom is called ‘lumonous atom’...know as ‘microbode’ (cubical cell). It is described as OM-light. The Mundakopanisad provides a wonderful description about this:
‘There the sun does not shine, nor the moon, nor the stars; nor do the flashes of lightning shine there. If so how can this fire shine even? Everything shines forth only after this and because of this; by this light all things shine forth diversely.’
"The ‘OM’ in its aural and luminous streams rises above and above...and turns itself into the universe. These risings, or surges and transformations, we the Vaastu vedins ... call Omkara natana.
"Consciousness turns into light and the conscious luminous atom splits of its own accord, melts like a wax, assumes a form compatible and relevant to its feeling or consciousness, rises above and transforms itself on and on. Whenever we speak impelled by consciousness ... the luminous atom splits itself, melts, takes aform gets integrated again and becomes one, splits again and so on. This process of word and deed - sound and acton - is called the Creation. the minutest subtle atom, paramanu, feels or experiences an urge, splits up and manifests as a continuous form through our mouth or our hands.
"The cubical form is the intrinsic form assumed by paramanu when it is in its own innate state of tranquillity. This state is called ‘sattvika’. Sattvika means state of calmness. To bring a form into existence ...action or effort is essential. Our inner space has to shift itself from the state of calmness to the state of action. In this process of transformation the cubical prism first assumes the octogonal form and finally the spherical form....These two forms that have undergone transformation owing to the changes in quality are called rajasa and tamasa respectively. Tamasic state is the final state or the gross state of energy-space...Tamasic world means gross world, ...full of gross, concrete and perfect forms.
"The beautiful and rhythmic image of Luminous Nataraja , found at Chidambaram temple, is indeed the VASTU which is eternally dancing. The image of Nataraja shines forth as the basic mathematical order for the emergence of all other forms....we realized the God as luminosity and energy, we have discovered the exact form of that luminosity and energy through the science of Vaastu and we are holding it as adorable and experiencable. God is a Conscious Being; we are also conscious beings. If conscious waves of God and men mingle with each other and become one, the resultant effect is the unalloyed and ineffable bliss. This is the experience of Chidambaram.
"The cubical prism is the basic structural design adopted by the ancient Vaastu vedins for the construction of a house. The house built on this design is known as ‘dandaka sala’ ...or single phased house. ...The vital energy of air inside and outside the house is regulated and made to be in free and unobstructed operation by a mathematical calculation. Only this mathematical order has been rendered as the units of measurement in Vaastu technology.... This mathematical order is a systematic calculaton of the manifestation or evolution of space-energy into spatial form. .. This order or numerical measure is the basis of structuring resonance with universal energies...In the heart cave of the body there is inner space and inside the inner-space there is the vibrant thread of consciousness. It is this thread of consciousness that functions as the string of sarira-vina (bodily insturment) (The structure vibrates with cosmic energy and the bodily insturment resonates with this vibration) To create and offer the house of supreme bliss, and to enable us to experience that supreme bliss here in this mundane house itself -- these are the prime motives of the Vaastu science.
Mayan, the energetic Seer and Sage was the creator and the first formulator of this great order. Mayan was not only a seer and sage but also an unrivalled shilpin by birth. As such he was able to raise himself up through intuitions and experiences and to give a naterial or structural form to the space-energy. He made the Invisible as Visable and the uncalculable as calculable. Named after Mayan, this order became popularly known as Mayamata. His work enshrining the essential principles and concepts of Vaastu science also came to be know as Mayamata.
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