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Introduction
It is said that an exemplary placement of the mandir is the key to welcoming happiness into your life. Incorrect location of the mandir can invite evil omens. This is why extensive studying is done in Vaastu-shastra for the setting of mandirs in house. Most vastu experts emphasize the mandir to be in north-east direction. But in reality, there is a more efficacious direction and the subject of this blog is to provide the potent setting!
For centuries, India has been a potential superpower. India is a very prosperous and resourceful nation worldwide. India is blessed with a favourable climate and periodicity of rains all over. Due to rains, agriculture of a variety of crops on different landforms is practiced. Abundant minerals, sunlight, water, and wealth attracted a lot of foreigners. Hence several foreigners invaded India. By the time India gained Independence, the entire world had absorbed the knowledge of Yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, Astrology, and Vaastu-shastra.
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Places of Worship in the West
Foreigners assimilated India’s profound wealth of knowledge, mainly the studies in Vaastu-shastra. They built their religious places of worship based on Veds and Vaastu-shastra. If you observe, the temples in India like the famous Tirupati Balaji Temple, the richest Padmanabha Temple, the Golden Temple, or the Jain Sthanaka are all built in the westward direction. Notice that the churches and other prayer buildings of western countries, for example, the St. Petersburg Basilica in Vatican City are also created westwards only wherein Jesus faces east. Similarly, to reach Mecca Madina in Kaaba, one has to go through the ‘Al-Salam’ entrance on the East to the prayer hall on the West. The Sikhs in Amritsar and their sacred scripture Guru Granth Saheb are established in the Western direction. The shrine of Sindhi priest Jhulelal is also found in the Western direction. We can deduce from these observations that the places of worship have been established in Westward direction and this certainly could not be a mere coincidence. There is definitely a scientific assertion behind this which has been proven ages ago as to why the temples must face east and the worshippers to the west. Therefore, it is necessary to study what is the peculiarity of the western direction, which makes that place of prayer more sacred and powerful.
Significance of Lord Varuna
In the ancient Vedic religion, Varundev is believed to be the God of Gods. He is the eleventh son of Rishi Kashyap and Aditi. His carrier is a crocodile. Varundev has too many epithets. He has been considered a Siddha Purusha. He is also regarded as the sovereign who created Universe. Varuna up to a point, is the nearest equivalent to the Supreme; as Varundev is projected as the creator and sustainer of all existence; the lord of space; the maker of Heaven and Earth. He has to share his authority with another god who is younger and more energetic-Mitra. The Varuna story covers a very large canvas- in content, space, and time. The story of his pre-eminence has its roots in the pre-Vedic era; it flourishes in early Rigveda inspiring awe and reverence; and as it flows into other Vedas, Brahmanas and Upanishads, Varuna’s associations with the sky, the water and the order in the universe as also in the ethical conduct of men, all these acquire new dimensions with the mystical connotations. Varun dev is the highest lord in the Vedic pantheon, the most virtuous and the most powerful all-prevailing god. Although he is at the topmost in the hierarchy, his virtues cannot be described in words. God Varuna’s form in Veds is abstract. However, in the post-Vedic period, Varundev’s deity was referred to as complementary and adjunct to all the idols. If we look at the degree of Varundev’s deity geographically, he has its seat in the westward direction. Hence the shrine in the West has gained such a special significance. It is said that Varundev blesses us with water. 70% of the earth is covered with water. In Panchamahabhuta, water is the very first element of living. According to the Brahmand Purana, the creation of the earth is from water. Hence it is a religious practice to start prayers by worshipping and offering water to the gods first.
Puspadanta and Asura deities who are the assistants of Lord Varuna
Varuna of Rigveda, the one who encompasses (var) the whole world, is one of the oldest Vedic deities. He belongs to the older generation of gods than that of Indra; and his origins go back to the pre-Vedic era. It was in the later Vedic era, that Indradev attained the superior position. It is said, Varuna was uncreated or unborn; he existed before the very dawn of creation; and, Varuna manifested himself along with the wake of the world. That perhaps is a poetic way of suggesting that Varuna had been recognized as a sovereign ruler even before the dawn of the Rigvedic age. In Kalunga, Varundev got the third position among the Gods. Varundev nourishes moral power. According to the seventh mandala of Rigveda, Varundev is reckoned to be invincible and inexhaustible, the bestower of magical powers. Varundev is the regulator and ruler of the entire creation. He is the guardian of all living creatures and life forms. Lord Varuna vouchsafes abundant prosperity on a person who shows honesty and integrity.
Association of Lord Varuna and Prosperity
In Rigveda, Lord Varuna is the composer of the earth, the sun, the change of seasons, and the creator of day and night. Varundev has thousands of eyes to observe souls and return karma to them. Rigveda describes Varuna’s appearance in glowing terms: as the most resplendent god of radiant- sky-blue complexion, with Agni(fire) in his face and Surya(sun) in his eye. Varundev is far-sighted(uru-chaksasa). He is the eye of all the world (Jagath-chakshu). He has soft and beautiful hands(supani) in which he holds lotuses and an auspicious noose. Varundev is splendidly adorned in a golden mantel (drapi) and a shining robe.
Benefits of Temple in the West direction
Western direction is ruled by Lord Varuna and Lord Shani; hence it is regarded as the direction of the karma you receive. This means the person facing westwards towards Lord Varundev, is his friend and will be blessed with boons whatsoever his zodiac sign may be.
Varundev’s assistant is accounted to be Pushpadanta who is always present on their right side. Pushpadanta is the priest of gods. He is not only a great listener but he is also a great executor with the ability to enforce the rules required of him. Pushpadanta is Gandharva Raja and also an assistant to Lord Shankar. He has determined the rules and rituals of worship. Asuras and Devas are the sons of Goddess Aditi. She produced Mitra and Varundev for Asurya- Might of Mightiness. Hence Varundev is glorified with the position on the left of Devas and Asuras on the right. The equitable status according to all gods was generally in the context of younger gods, the Devas. But Varuna belonged to the older generation wherein he was honoured with a very special status and hailed as the greatest god, Asura Mahat. Asura was a title of highest lordship or honour assigned to certain gods who were regarded as mighty, powerful and worship-worthy. These gods in general were also addressed as devas. The older deities celebrated as Devas were often addressed as Asuras; just to emphasize their power and might. Varuna is not only the supreme kshatra, supreme Asura, the wise king, the best of the Adityas but he is also the abode of life(visvayu). The term Asura (one who controls asu= breath or life) meaning the Lord of Life mainly applied to Varuna. No other Vedic god has been described in this manner. Prayers are submitted to him to grant an enjoyable life span of a hundred Shrad-rituals, better than the life lived by their forefathers. The locus in front of Varundev is esteemed to be friendly.
If there is any hindrance in an accomplishment, Varundev helps in removing those obstacles promptly. Even though a person might be extremely hardworking and disciplined, he still might face failure because of the lack of grace of the deities of God Varuna, Pushpadanta, and Asuras.
Lord Varuna is the seer and the agent of good judgment who induces material pleasures and comfort. The presence of Pushpadanta administers the correctness in practicing rituals. The residence of Asuras makes the person dauntless and courageous. As the western direction is also the rulership of God Shani, every hard work pays off. To infer, if you want to achieve progress and prosperity in financial, social, family, or emotional realms of life, it is essential to obtain the grace of the supreme Lord Varuna.
Astrology and Vaastu-shastra are closely related. In astrology, the tenth house is of karma and the eleventh is of fulfilment of wishes. In that position, Capricorn and Aquarius appear in the horoscope of Kaal Purusha. Both these signs come under the rulership of Saturn (Shani). Saturn is the son of the sun. If the mandir is placed in the West, the Sun which rises from the East, will definitely shower its glory on followers and when its rays cast on the feet of the mandir and the idols, whatever positive energy is generated, there is a divine effect on the devotees who bow down in the mandir.
Seek Expert Guidance
When dealing with the positioning of Pooja Ghar, it is essential to seek expert guidance to ensure that the remedies and rituals are performed correctly. While general Vastu tips can provide a starting point for balancing energies in your home, a personalized consultation is often necessary for a more accurate assessment. Contact us for Expert Vastu Consultation.
Conclusion
Thus, ‘devghar’ and temples of western direction bring about constructive radical changes in people’s lives and makes their aura spiritual, pious, revered, pure, and saintly. Divine, physical and metaphysical benefits are guaranteed if the mandir in homes is in the West.
FAQs
Why is the West considered a powerful direction for placing the mandir?
The West is associated with Lord Varuna, the god of water and cosmic order, and Lord Shani, the god of karma and discipline. According to Vastu, positioning the mandir in the West brings prosperity, success, and spiritual blessings by aligning with these divine energies.
Can I place the pooja ghar in any other direction besides the West?
While the North-East is traditionally recommended for the mandir, the West direction holds significant power due to its association with Lord Varuna and Lord Shani. Both directions are beneficial, but a West-facing pooja ghar is believed to amplify prosperity and karma-related blessings.
What are the benefits of having a mandir in the West direction?
A West-facing mandir ensures that devotees receive the blessings of Lord Varuna and Lord Shani. It is believed to bring material prosperity, protection from negative energies, and the fulfillment of desires, especially those related to financial and social success.
How does the position of the Sun affect a mandir placed in the West?
The Sun's rays, rising from the East, eventually cast their light onto the West, illuminating the mandir and its idols. This flow of positive energy is believed to enhance the spiritual atmosphere of the home, bringing divine grace upon the devotees.
Can I still place my mandir in the West if my zodiac sign doesn’t favor Lord Varuna or Lord Shani?
Yes, Vastu principles transcend individual astrological signs. A West-facing mandir invites the grace of Lord Varuna and Lord Shani regardless of your zodiac, ensuring blessings and positive outcomes for those who offer sincere prayers.
What role does Pushpadanta play in a West-facing mandir?
Pushpadanta is the priest of the gods and an assistant to Lord Varuna. His presence symbolizes the proper execution of rituals and spiritual discipline. He is believed to ensure that all prayers and rituals performed in the West-facing mandir are heard and fulfilled.
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