The Story of Vastu Purush
The ancient texts (Matsya Purana) have depicted variations in how Vastu Purush actually manifested on Earth in various cycles of creation.
At one time, the Creator Brahma was inspired by the Supreme Lord Visnu to create a multitude of subtle and gross bodies for all types of beings. As he attempted to create the ‘aura’ a formless, chaotic and unrestrained cosmic male appeared, who was later given the name Vastu Purush.
During another cycle, Vastu Purush was instead created by the sweat of Lord Siva whilst he was in battle with evil forces. Vastu Purush meditated upon Lord Shiva so devoutly that Shiva was compelled to grant Vastu Purush a boon. However, when Vastu Purush asked that Lord Shiva would make him so powerful that he could devour the 3 planetary systems, since he was very hungry, Vastu Purush’s intentions caused the celestial beings and devatas (universal rulers) to became very fearful and perturbed. With blessings from Lord Visnu, Lord Brahma helped them devise a plan to arrest him before he could undertake such a catastrophic task.
In both these incidences Vastu Purush was thrown to Earth and the Avatars of the Lord, devatas and sages sat on him and pinned him face down.