Chapter 132 - Creation of Vāstupada

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The sages said:

1-3 O Sūtaja, you mentioned the Tīrtha of Yājñavalkya as situated there. The Tīrtha of Vararuci known as Vaināyakya is also there.

O highly intelligent one, no Tīrtha of Kātyāyana has been mentioned. Is it because no such Tīrtha was made by him or has it escaped your memory?

Now tell us quickly if any Tīrtha bestowing all the Siddhis was created in the holy spot here by the noble-souled one.

Sūta said:

4. A Tīrtha named Vāstupada was made by that Brāhmaṇa Kātyāyana. It gives all desired things unto men.

5. At that place forty-eight deities are worshipped. On being worshipped, they bestow Siddhi instantly.

The sages said:

6. Why are those deities stationed there worshipped, O Sūta? Describe them by names separately.

Sūta said:

7-8. Formerly, a great Bhūta (Spirit) came out of the surface of the earth. It was unprecedented, highly frightening and formidable and had black teeth. It was spike-eared, leanfaced and had upraised hairs. It came out terrifyingly for destroying Devas and human beings in particular.

9. It was attracted and activated by the leading Dānava by means of Mantras indicated by Śukra. It could not be killed by any weapon or even missiles.

10. On seeing such a highly terrifying spirit, the Devas provoked by great anger struck it with sharp weapons of various kinds.

11. In spite of their effort, they were unable to strike its limbs. Hundreds and thousands were simply gobbled up by it.

12. With great effort then all the Devas including Vāsava, kept Brahmā at their head and rushed against that Bhūta.

13. Thereafter, they caught hold of it with great effort. They bound all his limbs five times with a rope (of five strands?) and felled it on the ground.

14. Then all of them sat around it and began to strike it but no blow had any effect on it.

15. Then a Bhūta originating from the Ātharvaṇa Sūkta named Amṛtabindu was hurled by the Daityas near it along with a shaven head (Muṇḍa Sūkta?)

16. Thus for a thousand years it remained there in that condition. They could not leave it due to fear nor could they strike it.

17. Brahmā stood on its belly and the furious Immortals beginning with Śakra stood in the four directions with great effort. Thereupon all the Dānavas began to have consultations together.

18. The destruction of the Devas was suggested as the sole aim of this formidable Bhūta created by Sukra instantly.

19. Then those mighty Dānavas discharged sharp weapons and shouted loudly. Thus they came there in thousands.

20. In the meantime, Viṣṇu came there at the same instant. Then Viṣṇu spoke to the Bhūta delighting it as it were by means of his words:

21-22. “Each of the Devas will propitiate you after getting the adoration in the respective limb pertaining to you wherein he is present. The type of worship mentioned by me in your case has never been adopted in the case of a Deva in the whole world.”

23-24. Thereupon, the Bhūta promised with an unhesitating mind: “I shall carry out your words thus. But listen to my words: If any human being at any time does not adore me in any manner, he shall be my prey.”

Sūta said:

25. The Discus-bearing Lord said, “Of course.” Then the Bhūta became motionless with great delight.

26. Then the weapon-wielding Devas left it and got up. With their sharp arrows they struck down (the Dānavas) who were eager to flee and shameless. With the disappearance of their ire they began to utter piteous words:

27. With the Daityas struck down, Hari felt relieved. He spoke to the Lotus-born One: “Oh, give a name to this Bhūta.”

Brahmā said:

28. In reply to your statement the words uttered by this (Bhūta), O Hari, were “vā astu etad” (“Or this may be so”). Hence, its name shall be “Vāstu.”^[1]

29. On being told thus, Hṛṣīkeśa summoned Viśvakarman and told him the detailed procedure of the adoration.

30-32. In the mean time, the intelligent son of Yājñvalkya summoned Viśvakarman, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, and said: “First make my hermitage at the holy spot of Hāṭakeśvara, O highly intelligent one, in accordance with this procedure now explained. Thereafter, I shall understand everything and make it flourish on the earth so that children (ignorant persons) may learn and understand the same. Hence come quickly.”

33. Then Brahmā, inclined to abide by what was beneficial to his son (Yājñavalkya being Brahmā’s own incarnation) summoned Viśvakarman and sent him to him (son of Kātyāyanī).

34. Viśvakarman came there and fully performed the Vāstu adoration in the manner explained by Brahmā.

35. Kātyāyana observed everything and rendered it a thousand-fold for the benefit of the universe including Śālākarman etc. (method of building the hall).

36. It was thus, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, that the site of abode (Vāstupada) came to be in that holy spot. A man overwhelmed by sins will become released therefrom by means of holy rites performed in this holy spot.

37. He will not incur any sin due to any house, architecture, bad site or irregular activity of the site (rite).

38. It was on the third lunar day in the bright half of Vaiśākha, coinciding with Rohiṇī star, that the Vāstupada was placed there by that noble-souled one.

39. A man who performs its adoration on that day in accordance with the injunction shall attain the status of king.

40. A house may be defective or it may have structural slips but due to this association (with the Vāstu-adoration) it flourishes day by day.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

A popular etymology of Vāstu.