Mandalas in connection with Vastu

Mandala, meaning a circle or a spiritual diagram, is a symbolic diagram representing the universe or a cosmos. It is a form of repetitive pattern in the shape of a circle.

 It denotes the cycles of time or cycle of life. Creation has always happened in cycles.

 Vedic scriptures think of time as a circular concept, and calls it yugas, while in the modern times, we call them - eras.

The basic form of Mandala consists of square with four gates, containing a circle with a central inner point or bindu.

 The bindu is the symbol of the universe in the unmanifested state. It is the seed from which the universe manifests.

 The most familiar Mandala that we come across is of the Vastu Purusha Mandala. The Vastu Purusha Mandala is a play of two contrasting forces of Purusha and Prakriti. The energy fields that are a constant (Purush)and the activities that happen in their periphery, (Prakriti) that are the variables. Purush is the static. The variables that you can make out of it is Prakruti.

 The chess-board has been inspired from the concept of the Mandala. Chessboard represents a field of action where the powers come to play - again an extension of the concept of Purusha and Prakriti.

 The Three fundamental shapes - circle, triangle and the square - which are commonly used in Mandalas , represent the three gunas.

 The circle represents the flow of Sattwa. The triangle represents the movement or activity of Rajas and the square represents inertia or stability of Tamas.

Bindu is the point around which the mandala is created, representing the universe. Bindu is the core or the seed from which the universe manifests. It is the Beej.

 The concept of Beej Mantras and Bindu is the same. The representation of the Core.

 Those who study chakra shapes in depth, would understand that the any of the chakra shapes, fundamentally comprises of shapes like square, triangle and circles, in different permutation and combination, which in-turn gives it a character.

 Drawing of Mandala arose in the Himalayan regions of India and then spread to Buddhism in Tibet. The buddhist devotees have to undertake the making of the Mandala under the supervision of the teacher.

In the presence of the teacher, the essence is absorbed. Every shape and dot and line gets its meaning.

The Mandala ritual is done at a sacred place, accompanied by cleaning, fasting, chanting and meditation.

 It's about purifying the soul. It's a spiritual journey

The circle is divided into four equal parts and markings are made by threads. Traditional shapes and patterns followed and yet there is room for creativity.

 A deep understanding is imparted about the images drawn.  And then after the divine Mandala is completed, it is dissolved to establishing a concept of impermanence of the universe.

 Mandala and Yantra - look similar on the outside, however, there are fundamental differences between the two. Mandalas are very generic when Yantras are very specific.

 Mandalas are very generic means that the symbolism in them is universal whereas Yantras are very specific to a planet, problem or direction.  Second difference is that Mandalas have a focal point or centre while the yantras do not have focal points

 The third difference is that Yantras use numbers while Mandalas do not use numbers in the drawings.

The concept of Rangoli making is inspired by the Mandalas too.

 However with the changing times, the rangolis are getting fancy with themes of cartoons, human figures and other modern influences, while the spiritual aspect is weaning away.

 Diwali is like a fancy dress compitition of Rangoli designs.

There is very little spirituality left in it.

Mandala in modern times, can be used as vastu remedy in a home.

 After balancing the zone, you can ask the lady of the house to make a small Mandala on regular basis, using permissible shapes and color of the zone.

 This can prove to be a very effective, yet a very economical remedy if done with love.

 Meditations are of two types. Static - One where we sit and meditate. Dynamic - where we are involved in an activity which has meditational effects.

 Making the Mandala is a type of dynamic meditation. It has therapeutic properties to reduce stress, connect deeply with one’s self, and to gain knowledge from within.

For meditational purpose, you can choose to make one on paper. The internet is full of sites that gives you different designs of the Mandalas and also their symbolic meaning

Regards

Team Vastulogy