The Hindu Temple v1.c6.s5.74

v1.c6.s5.74

In the Vāstu they are stationed on either side of Sugrīva, who is Manu, son of Vivasvān Mārtāṇḍa and brother of Yama. Manu is the primordial and universal law-giver, the prototype of 'man' (Manu, Mānava). His place is midway between Nirṛti and Varuṇa, whereas next to Varuṇa, Asura is stationed, whom the Viṣṇudharmottara (l. c.) designates as Yakṣa. This great and principal power is Rāhu. The 'Hayaśīrṣapañcarātra' (VIII. 156) names it Ardha-Vāstu; it is the other half, where Existence, Vāstu, is the one half. Its station in the Vāstu-maṇḍala however is but one amongst the 45 Vedic divinities. Vāstu is extension; Rāhu is duration. The two are brothers. "The wife of Kāśyapa gave birth to two sons: Rāhu and Vāstu; the head of the former was cut off by Viṣṇu and the latter was laid low on the earth by the gods" ('Śāradātilaka', III. 2. Comm.).