The Hindu Temple v1.c6.s3.47

v1.c6.s3.47

The Puruṣa built into the Altar faces upwards (uttāna), towards heaven, towards light, his destination. The Asura, fallen, face downwards, carries and protects the building and receives his name: Vāstupuruṣa, the Puruṣa of the site. This is how he should be meditated upon at the rites of installation of a house of God and man. To the devotee who worships the Vāstupuruṣa a miracle happens. He beholds him in his true state, facing upwards, whence he had fallen. The Vāstupuruṣa thus lies in the same position as Agni Prajāpati reconstituted as the Vedic Altar. He carries the gods on his face and chest, they are stationed on his supine body (Br. S. LII. 51-54)⁴³. Somaśambhu says: "With folded hands the Asura lies, facing upwards, (uttāna) during the performance of pūjās⁴⁴; with his face bent down he should be meditated upon at the rites of installation, etc., of a house of God or men". ('Śaradātilaka', III. 2, com. 9). United with the gods he is the firm basis for an ascent to the high region by means of the temple, built on his recumbent body. By looking (darśana) at the temple, which he carries, its builder and whosoever knows its meaning, is led to the highest point.