This Universe is the creation of God. To locate a particular place in this beautiful Universe, it becomes necessary to describe the address of the place. Similarly, God has created the Eight Directions to describe the location of different objects in this universe. A story regarding the creation of directions can be found in ‘Varaha Purana’. There was no support of magnitude to the universe when it was formed.
There was a need for a measure to understand the exact position of each object in the universe. To facilitate this objective, it was presumed that the entire area of the universe is 100 crores yojanas (an ancient measure), and 10 directions of equal dimensions (Dashadisha) were formed with an area of 10 crores yojanas per direction. As per mythology, these 10 directions are deemed to be the 10 daughters of Lord Brahma, the Creator. Each direction was given a name and also provided with a guardian.
The Eight Directions Are As Follow
- North (Uttara)
- East (Purva)
- West (Paschim)
- South (Dakshin)
- North East (Ishanya)
- South East (Agneya)
- North West (Wayavya)
- South West (Nairutya)
constitute the four sub-directions. The remaining two directions comprise the Sky (aakash) and the Underworld (pataal). This is of course a mythological reference. It does not have any connection to any religion. These ten directions provide a perfect location for mankind to identify the position of each and everything in this universe.
From the point of view of Vastu, we give prominence to the eight directions. The number eight has special significance in India. For example, we refer to Ashtakona (Octagon), Ashtagunas (eight qualities), Ashtapradhan, Asthalakshmi, Ashtavinayak, etc. signifying special traits. The sub-directions each have a special name assigned to them just like the main directions. All other countries refer to a sub-direction as the one which exists between two main directions.
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As an illustration, North East (Ishanya) is referred to as the direction between North and East. India is the only country having proper names for the sub directions. We understand the relevance of the sub-directions and have made an in-depth study of them. A sub-direction means a direction arising from the union of two directions. This sub-direction has a combination of the main qualities of both directions. The name of the direction itself suggests its nature.
For example, East (Purva) means first grade, West (Paschim) means the one which comes afterward, and North (Uttara) means where there is an answer to everything. South (Dakshin) means slowly weakening. The sub direction North East (Ishaanya) means God, place for water element, South East (Aagneya) means the place for fire element, North West (Wayavya) means the place for Air element and South West (Nairutya) means Nairuti (Demon) region of negative energies.