Post No. 12,216
Date uploaded in London – – 2 July , 2023
Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
https://www.pustaka.co.in/home/author/london-swaminathan
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Part 8
Hindus were great builders in ancient India. They not only built different shaped buildings but also did them scientifically. They made calculations of the length and breadth so that the constructions will be strong and long lasting. They developed Vastu Shastra on the basis of it. The word Vastu is found in Rig Veda and Jaiminiya Brahmana. All point to a place, plot, building etc. Vedic Brahmins constructed Fire altars in the shape of eagle and other desings with 10008 bricks. They have calculations for this in the Sulab Sutras. Romans took it from India and gave it in the name of a Goddess called Vesta.
Vesta is the goddess in charge of fire in hearths documented from 400 BCE in Italy. Her sanctuaries are found throughout Italy . She became Hestia in Greece. Christians banned her worship in 380 CE.
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In Hinduism , Vastospathi is the God worshipped as the god of places and buildings.
Vaastu Homa is performed before occupying a new building (Griha Pravesa). This is done to clean the place and drive away the evil spirits and negative forces. Doing this will give all good things to the dwellers or residents. Nowadays even people who occupy rented buildings do this Vaastu Homa.
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What is Vaastu Homa?
This Homa consists of all regular parts of any homa.
First, the priests start with Ganapati Puja also called Vigneswara Puja followed by Punyaaha vaachanam. Varuna is invoked in the holy metal pots filled with spiced water. Spices in the water include cardamom. Cloves and saffron.
Then Fire is installed in the Fire altar (Havan vessel or Homa Kunda). Homa is done with Vaastospathe mantra.
Usual Jayaathi homam (explained already in a previous post) and other rituals of sending off Agni (fire god) are performed after the main homa.
Graha Preeti Dhaanam is important in this Homa. Just to satisfy the Grahas/ heavenly bodies, different types of donations are given to priests.
The metal pot containing the water is taken three times round the building, slowly pouring the water along the way, saying ‘Shivam, Shivam’. Shivam means good, auspiciousness. If it is a flat, just sprinkle the water in all parts of the house. Normally the metal pot with water called Purna Kumbha will have mango leaves and a coconut on top. Tha mango leaves are used for sprinkling the water.
All Homas finish with Dakshinas (fees for the performance). It is always good to fix the fees in advance.
—-subham—
Tags- Vastu, Homa, Vesta, Vastospathi, Havan, Griha pravesa
Tamil and Vedas 