The Hindu Temple v1.c6.s3.49

v1.c6.s3.49

⁴⁴ Of the Vāstupuruṣa, after his fall to earth, the texts say: The Vāstupuruṣa lies on the ground, placed there by the gods (Bṛ. S. LII. 2-3; 'Matsya Purāṇa', CCLII); prostrate at the feet of Śiva; he remains in that position 'residing' on earth ('Īśāna-paddhati', Part III. ch. XXVI. 101-10, 117-9); he has been put down by the gods and placed on earth ('Śaradātilaka', III. 2. comm. quoting Mahākapiñjala); he has been so placed to prevent his arising; ('Merutantra', quoted in 'Puraścaryārṇava', pp. 105-6). The Vāstupuruṣa sleeps, rises from his sleep, sleeps again ('Śaivabhūṣaṇam', p. 140; cf. Jyotiṣa Śāstra). It is impossible to kill the Vāstupuruṣa; he is put or puts himself into a pit, and the gods prevent him from coming out; 'Tantrarājatantra', ch. XXX. 4-11; 'Puraścaryārṇava', i. c. Such are the degrees of his recumbent state according to various texts. Prostrate and defeated, he is resurrected and transformed in the gods who reside in him; in them he survives his fall.