 | Vaastu Shastra: Encyclopedia II - Vaastu Shastra - Mandala in site planning and architecture
Vaastu Shastra - Mandala in site planning and architecture
The mandala being a metaphysical plan is put to use in site planning and architecture through a process called the Pada Vinyasa. Pada Vinyasa is a method whereby any site can be divided into uniform grids/modules or padas. Depending on the position of the Gods occupying the various modules, the zoning of the site and disposition of functions in a building are arrived at.
Mandalas have certain points known as marmas which are vital and vulnerable energy spots on which nothing should be built. They are determined by certain proportional relationships of the squares and the diagonals.
Vaastu Shastra - Mandala and site
A site of any shape can be divided using the Pada Vinyasa. Sites are known by the number of divisions on each side. the types of mandalas with the corresponding names of sites is given below.
- Sakala(1 square)corresponds to Eka-pada (single divided site)
- Pechaka(4 squares) corresponds to Dwi-pada (two divided site)
- Pitha(9 squares) corresponds to Tri-pada (three divided site)
- Mahaapitha(16 squares) corresponds to Chatush-pada (four divided site)
- Upapitha(25 squares) corresponds to Pancha-pada (five divided site)
- Ugrapitha(36 squares) corresponds to Shashtha-pada (six divided site)
- Sthandila(49 squares) corresponds to sapta-pada (seven divided site)
- Manduka/ Chandita(64 square) corresponds to Ashta-pada (eight divided site)
- Paramasaayika(81 squares) corresponds to Nava-pada (nine divided site)
- Aasana(100 squares) corresponds to Dasa-pada (ten divided site)
Vaastu Shastra - Mandala and building
The concept of sakala and nishkala are applied in buildings appropriately.
In temples, the concepts of sakala and nishkala are related to the two aspects of the Hindu idea of god/ worship - Sagunopaasana, the supreme as personal God with attributes and Nirgunopaasana, the supreme as absolute spirit unconditioned by attributes. Correspondingly, the Sakala, complete in itself, is used for shrines of gods with form- sakalamoorthy- and to perform yajnas. However the Nishkala is used for installation of idols without form- nishkalamoorthy- and for auspicious, pure performances. The amorphous centre is considered beneficial to the worshippers, being a source of great energy. This could also be used for settlements.
In commercial buildings, only odd number of modules are prescribed as the nishkala or amorphous centre would cause too high a concentration of energy for human occupants. Even here, the Brahmasthana is left unbuilt with rooms organised around.
In accordance with the position occupied by the Gods in the mandala, guidelines are given for zoning of site and distribution of rooms in a building. Some of these are northeast should house the pooja room, east- bathroom, southeast- kitchen, south- bedroom, southwest- armoury, west- dining, northwest- cowshed, north- treasury.
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 Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Mandala in site planning and architecture", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki |
