Vastu Purusha is the god for
construction of structures and buildings. Once upon a time, an
unknown person came into existence and he obstructed the earth and
the sky with his huge body. The Devtas suddenly caught the person
and threw him below with his face down, and whichever part of the
body of the person was held by different Devtas, the Devtas became
presiding deities of that part of the body. The creator, Brahma,
had made the person as god of the house ' Vastu Purusha.'
There is another interesting
story of Vastu Purusha in Matsya Purana. It narrates the birth of
Vastu Purusha. In an encounter with a Rakshasa called Andhikasur,
Lord Shiva became tired and exhausted, and he began to sweat
profusely.
A man was born out of the drops of Lord Shiva’s
sweat. He looked very cruel. He was very hungry and began to make
penance to appease Lord Shiva and to get a boon from him. Lord
Shiva was pleased with his penance and appeared before him. The
devotee prayed to Lord Shiva, Oh Lord! Please permit me to eat
away all the three worlds. Lord Shiva granted his prayer. He got
possession of all the three worlds and was about to eat the
terrestrial world. The celestial beings, Brahma, Shiva, and the
demons were terrified and they caught hold of the devotee and
encircled him. Forty-five deities caught hold of the devotee and
pressed him down. This Devotee has been in that position ever
since that time. Lord Brahma blessed him and said that he would be
the deity of all the plots and constructions, and offerings would
be made to him. In return Vastu Purusha is said to be taking care
of the inmates of the building.
