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Sunday
, February 10, 2002
Literature

The science of temple architecture
M.L. Sharma

Pyramid and Temple Vaastu
by Bhojraj Dwivedi. Diamond Pocket Books, New Delhi. Pages 219. Rs 195.

THE eagerness to know vaastu and feng shui is evident from the number of books flooding the market; new publications are coming from abroad as well. The reason for interest in them is to seek remedial measures without repairs and undertaking reconstruction work by just changing the placement of articles in suitable directions and using wind chimes, flutes, amulets and crystals. It is common knowledge that the east and north directions should be open and the central point in the shape of a verandah is essential besides putting Pa-Kwa, an octagonal mirror, to ward off evil effects from the corners of the opposite buildings, half-cut trees, electrical poles, etc.

Dwivedi’s book deals with vaastu with special reference to pyramids. He has brought out new insights into the study of pyramids, having visited Egypt and by making an in-depth analysis of these with new material on mummification. It is packed with useful information, illustrations and photographs and he has drawn amply from Egyptian sources like "The Book of the Dead".

 


Spread over 26 chapters, the book covers all aspects of pyramids like chronological details of their construction, ancient science and therapy, astrological analysis and prevalent legends about Egyptian deities. In the chapter, "Form and shape of a pyramid", he deals with different pyramid-shaped temples, gurdwaras, mosques, etc and how they draw energy from the sun. Having conical triangle-shaped domes they attract energy from the rays of the sun and also from the ground below. Lord Venkateshwara’s temple, the white Church in Paris, Buddhist stupas, the famous mosque in Istanbul are examples of vaastu.

Pyramids abound in Mexico, South America, China, Siberia, Central America, Cambodia, Africa, France, England and above all, Egypt. Three Giza pyramids near Cairo are the most important ones.

In a significant chapter on sri yantra, he has provided new insights, especially the one that sri yantra is meru (mountain) shaped and therefore linked with pyramid. He suggests installation of sri yantra in combination with Kuber and Kanakadhara yantras for promoting material prospects and removing vaastu doshas on business and factory premises.

The chapter, "Ancient Egyptian vaastu science and pyramid therapy" provides information how readers can benefit from pyramids in their day-to-day lives, and how pyramids made of metal (except iron and aluminium) and plastic can protect articles from decay like food, vegetables, fruit; batteries can be recharged and water kept in pyramids can acquire nectar-like effect. Merely by sitting inside a pyramid one can heal oneself.

An American lady, Sophia Tanbroch who set up a school in Bangalore, has made several successful experiment in the use of pyramids and she is credited with having treated patients suffering from insomnia, paralysis, etc. successfully. Dwivedi lists 34 diseases, including cancer, which can be cured by the use of pyramid-charged water. He has explained this application in the chapter dealing with how to prepare pyramid-charged water. The pyramid formation for personal use is explained with drawings. He has also shed light on the mantras and their efficacy in removing vaastu defects and for promoting peace and prosperity besides beneficial qualities of pyramid lockets, pendants, rings and pens. In another chapter he has explained the types and formation of the pyramids in the world. This chapter is of great academic interest.

The 10th chapter deals with the legends in the Egyptian mythology. Some of the main findings of Dwivedi are (a) pyramids are not solid structures just as mountains. They derive strength from the space (akash) element and if they are based on geometrical and vaastu principles they have more beneficial effects; (b) The energy of pyramids is spread over all four sides in the underground portion and it moves upward and then to the topmost points (conical place); (c) If a duly sanctified sri yantra is placed underneath a pyramid for some time and then kept in a safe or a cash box it brings luck; (d) Pyramids made of paper and plastic are devoid of chetan shakti (vital force and hence ineffective; gold, silver, copper, brass and all alloys are suitable for their making but not iron and aluminium. When one pyramid is placed upon the other, its energy is enhanced; (b) While putting a copper utensil or a jug of water, one pyramid should be above it and one below. Place wood underneath the utensil as well as the pyramid to act as a non-conductor of electricity; (c) Pyramid charged water or milk should be ingested two hours before meals. If the water is sanctified by the chanting of mantras like Maha Mritunjay mantra, it becomes potent; (d) If one sits in a lotus posture inside a pyramid, one can have better concentration and spiritual powers; (e) There is a close proximity between Hindu mythology and Egyptian mythology and rituals. "The Book of Dead" and Garuda Purana are similar. Both are recited at the time of death. Their gods and goddesses are also similar.

This informative book is marred by language blemishes and the havoc of printer’s devil in English and in Sanskrit mantras and contains superfluous material. It seems it has not been edited nor the proof read. Amulet is spelt as emulet, beej as beef, Mahamood Gaznvi as Mohammad Ghanazi, sanctum sanctorum as sanctum sanatorium, dome of the temple as the tomb of the temple, incense sticks as essence sticks, earthern lamps as eastern lamps, to mention just a few of them. It seems that the publishers never bothered to give due attention to the language niceties as the English expressions are quite substandard. The experiences of Dwivedi’s Egyptian tour should have formed the material for another book as it makes a hotch-potch of the whole subject.