The 32 Deities of the Outer Rim: A Guide to the Padadevata in Mayamatam

1. The Invisible Fence: Beyond the 8 Directions (32 deities)

I remember sitting in the living room of a client—let’s call him Mr. Sharma—about five years ago. He was visibly anxious. He had just bought a beautiful row house, but a well-meaning relative had visited the previous day and told him, “Oh, this is a South-facing house. South is the direction of Yama (Death). You must sell it.”

Mr. Sharma was ready to put the house back on the market at a loss. He looked at me and asked, “Is it true? Is my house cursed because of the direction?”

I had to smile. “Mr. Sharma,” I said, “Saying a house is bad because it faces South is like saying a medicine is bad because it is red. It’s not about the general direction; it’s about the specific millimeter where you enter.”

This is the biggest misconception in modern Vastu. We tend to paint with broad strokes—North is good, South is bad, East is holy. But the ancient texts, specifically the Mayamatam, rarely speak in such simple terms. They view the house not as a block of four directions, but as a living, breathing energy grid.

When we look deeper, specifically at the perimeter of your property, we don’t just see “North” or “South.” We see a high-definition fence made of 32 distinct energy fields. These are called the Padadevata (literally, the Deities of the Squares).

Think of your house like a human body. The walls are the skin. The skin is what protects the inner organs from the outer world. It decides what to let in (sunlight, oxygen) and what to keep out (bacteria, dust).

In Vastu, the outer rim of your house—technically called the Paisacha Vithi—acts exactly like skin. It is the interface between your private sanctuary and the chaos of the universe.

If you place your door in one specific 3-foot section of the South wall, you might invite the energy of Vitatha (which can bring immense fame and success in show business). But if you shift that door just four feet to the right, you hit the zone of Yama, which invites strict discipline and, yes, sometimes hardship.

Both doors are “South Facing.” But one brings fame, and the other brings struggle.

This is why I always tell my students: God is in the details. The Mayamatam teaches us that the universe isn’t vague. It is precise. And if we want to harness the winds of change, we need to stop looking at the compass and start looking at the grid.

2. The Layout: Decoding the 81-Square Grid

So, how do we find these invisible deities? We have to stop looking at the floor plan as a drawing and start seeing it as a geometric mandala.

In residential Vastu, we almost exclusively use a grid called the Paramasayika Mandala. Imagine taking your plot of land—whether it’s a square or a rectangle—and drawing a grid over it. We divide the width into 9 equal parts and the length into 9 equal parts.

This gives us a checkerboard of 81 small squares (9 x 9 = 81).

Now, pay attention to the outermost ring of this checkerboard. The squares that touch the boundary. This outer belt is where the 32 Deities reside.

Here is how the math works:

• The 4 Corners: Each corner square is ruled by a specific elemental guardian (like Shikhi in the North-East or Dadhi in the South-East).
• The Sides: Between the corners, there are multiple deities standing shoulder-to-shoulder, guarding the perimeter.

When you look at this layout, don’t think of “gods” in the religious sense—like idols sitting on a shelf. In the context of the Mayamatam, think of them as Frequency Holders.

Imagine your house is a radio. The outer rim is the dial.

• One frequency connects to the energy of Parjanya (The Rain Cloud) in the East. This frequency downloads creativity and growth, perfect for a young family or an artist.
• Another frequency connects to Gandharva (The Celestial Musician) in the South. This frequency is erratic; it brings highs and lows, which might be exciting for a traveler but disastrous for a banker who needs stability.

The “Layout” is essentially a circuit board. When you punch a hole in your wall to make a door or a window, you are literally plugging a cable into one of these 32 sockets. The electricity that flows into your house—and into your life—depends entirely on which socket you chose.

Did you plug into Indra (The King)? You will likely feel a surge of authority and social connection. Did you accidentally plug into Shosha (The Dryer)? You might find your savings drying up no matter how much you earn.

Understanding this grid is the first step to taking control. It moves us from fear (“Is South bad?”) to empowerment (“I will choose the specific frequency of South that serves my goals”).

In the next sections, we will walk the perimeter of this grid, starting with the East, and meet these 32 guardians one by one.

3. The East Bank: The Deities of Awakening (Prana)

Let’s start our walk where the energy begins: The East.

In my experience, East-facing homes are the easiest to “sell” but the hardest to get perfectly right. People assume any East door is lucky. This is dangerous. The East bank is ruled by the Solar principle—it represents clarity, social connections, and the power of the government.

When we look at the 9 steps of the East wall (from Top/North-East to Bottom/South-East), we meet a fascinating lineup:

The Golden Zone: Jayanta & Indra If you want to know the secret to political success or high social standing, look here.

• Jayanta (The Victor): Located at the 3rd step from the top. Placing a door here ensures enthusiasm. You feel like a winner. It’s excellent for authors and people who need to be “seen.”
• Indra (The King): Located at the 4th step. This is the heavy hitter. Indra brings power, influence, and connections with high-ranking officials. I once consulted for a man who ran a government liaison agency; his office door was exactly on Indra. His entire business model was “knowing the right people,” and the space supported that perfectly.

The Danger Zone: Shikhi & Surya

• Shikhi (The Fire): This is the top-most corner (North-East). A door here is often accidental because people want to be “as North as possible.” But Shikhi represents potential fire accidents and high anxiety. It’s too volatile for a main entry.
• Surya (The Sun): Right next to Indra is Surya. You’d think the Sun would be good, right? But in the Mayamatam, a door directly on Surya can lead to an ego clash. It makes the residents extremely strict and angry. It’s too much heat.

My Advice: If you are building East, aim strictly for the 3rd and 4th divisions. That is where the sunrise turns into success.

4. The South Bank: The Deities of Action & Result (Dharma)

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room. The South.

I cannot tell you how many perfectly good South-facing plots are rejected because of fear. The South is ruled by Mars and Yama. It is the zone of Action and Relaxation. It is not “bad”; it is just “demanding.”

The deities here (running from East to West) are strict taskmasters.

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The Hidden Gems: Vitatha & Grihakshat Contrary to popular belief, there are two fantastic entrances here.

• Vitatha (The Falsehood/Illusion): This sounds negative, doesn’t it? But in the modern world, “illusion” is the basis of cinema, advertising, and branding. A door here (4th step from East) is phenomenal for actors, media professionals, or anyone who needs to project an image.
• Grihakshat (The Stabilizer): The 6th step. This is the zone of legacy. It gives stability to the family lineage and firm control over the mind.

The Strict Judge: Yama Right in the center sits Yama. A door here isn’t “evil,” but it brings a very specific energy: Justice. I’ve noticed that families living with a main door exactly on Yama often deal with legal issues or become extremely rigid about rules. It lacks warmth.

The Warning: Avoid the South-West corner (the deity Mriga). This is the zone of “The Deer”—restlessness. An entrance here makes it impossible to save money or sit still. The energy just runs away.

5. The West Bank: The Deities of Profit (Kama)

The West is my personal favorite for business owners. While East is about “who you know,” West is about “what you keep.” It represents the element of Space and Air—gains, profits, and education.

Walking from South to North along the West wall, we find the guardians of treasury.

The Money Magnets: Pushpadanta & Sugriva If you run a trading business, a stock brokerage, or a retail shop, fight for these two spots.

• Pushpadanta (The Flower-Toothed): The 4th step. This is the deity of assistance and luxury. A door here ensures that you always have help when you need it. Loans get approved, friends show up, and life feels smooth.
• Sugriva (The Swan): The 3rd step. This zone creates “wealth through education” or easy gains. It’s the energy of grace.

The Trap: Asura & Papyakshma

• Asura (The Demon): Located past the center. This zone is tricky. It can bring massive wealth, but usually through questionable means or gambling. It often leads to addiction. I usually advise clients to close this door unless they have very strong self-discipline.
• Papyakshma (Disease): The last step towards the North-West. The name says it all. A door here drains health and creates a feeling of guilt or burden.

6. The North Bank: The Deities of Opportunity (Artha)

Finally, we arrive at the North—the direction of Kubera (The Lord of Wealth). Everyone wants a North-facing house, but just like the East, you have to be precise.

The energy here flows from West to East.

The Trinity of Wealth: Mukhya, Bhallata, Soma This is the jackpot zone.

• Mukhya (The Chief): The 3rd step. This builds leadership. It is great for heads of institutions.
• Bhallata (The Bear): The 4th step. This is the heavy wealth energy. In ancient texts, it is said to grant “vast abundance.”
• Soma (The Moon): The 5th step. This is softer wealth—liquid cash, gentle flow, and spiritual merit. It is excellent for women and religious people.

The Silent Killers: Roga & Naga Be very careful of the North-West corner.

• Roga (Disease): The 1st step on the North wall. A door here creates constant rivalry and jealousy. People will envy you, and you will feel physically drained.
• Naga (The Serpent): The 2nd step. This brings intense craving. You might make money, but you will never feel satisfied.

Summary: The Map is Not the Territory

As we finish this tour of the 32 deities, I want you to look at your house differently.

If you are feeling stuck in your career, don’t just buy a windchime. Go outside with a compass. Check your door. Are you entering through Indra (Power) or Surya (Anger)?

If you are losing money, are you walking through Pushpadanta (Gains) or Shosha (Drying Up)?

The Mayamatam gives us this map not to scare us, but to show us that we have options. Even if your door is in a “bad” zone, knowing which deity is active is the first step to fixing it.

7. Practical Application: How to Find Your Frequency

Now that you know who these invisible guardians are, the obvious question is: “Where exactly is my door?”

I often see enthusiasts standing in their driveway with a compass app, guessing. “I think I’m in the Indra zone.” Guessing in Vastu is like guessing in chemistry; it usually leads to an explosion.

Here is the professional method I use to calculate the “Padas” (Steps) for my clients. You can do this yourself with a long measuring tape and a helper.

The “Rule of 9” Calculation:

1. Measure the Wall: Take the measurement of the entire side of the house where your main door is located. Measure from the outside corner to the outside corner. Let’s say your North wall is 45 feet long.
2. Divide by 9: The Mayamatam divides each side into 9 equal parts.
   • Calculation: 45 feet ÷ 9 = 5 feet.
   • This means each “Deity” or “Pada” controls a 5-foot wide strip of your wall.
3. Locate the Zone:
   • For North Facing: Start measuring from the North-East corner towards the North-West.
     • 0–5 ft = Shikhi (Fire/Accident) – Avoid
     • 5–10 ft = Parjanya (Rain) – Good
     • 10–15 ft = Jayanta (Victory) – Excellent
     • …and so on.
   • (Note: The counting direction is always Clockwise around the house).

“What if I have the wrong door?” (The Remedies)

This is the part where people usually panic. “My door is on ‘Roga’ (Disease)! Do I have to sell the house?”

No. The ancient architects were wise. They knew we couldn’t always have the perfect plot. While the Mayamatam emphasizes structure, modern Vastu provides “Virtual Entry Corrections.”

If you cannot physically move a door (which is true for 99% of apartment owners), we use elemental blocking.

• The Theory: If a door is in a negative zone, it is “leaking” negative energy. We can “seal” that leak using specific metal strips inserted into the floor threshold.
• The Practice:
  • For a wrong North door, we might use an Aluminum strip.
  • For a wrong East door, a Stainless Steel strip often helps.
  • For South, Copper or Brass.
  • (Disclaimer: Please do not start drilling holes in your floor based on a blog post. Remedial Vastu requires precise degree checking. Treat this as a medical diagnosis—get a professional opinion before performing surgery.)

8. Conclusion: Your House is a Partner, Not a Box

I want to leave you with a thought that changed how I view architecture.

We spend our lives thinking we live in a house. But the Mayamatam suggests we live with a house.

The 32 Deities of the Outer Rim are not just superstitious labels. They are archetypes of human experience: Power, Greed, Rest, Truth, Illness, and Victory. Your house is constantly broadcasting one of these stations.

If you are struggling to find a job, and your door is on the frequency of “Restlessness” (Mriga), your house isn’t punishing you. It’s just doing what it was built to do—it’s broadcasting restlessness.

The moment you understand this, you stop fighting your environment and start tuning it. You realize that a slight shift—moving a gate three feet to the right, or blocking a negative threshold—can change the broadcast from “Struggle” to “Success.”

The wind is always blowing. The Padadevata just tells you how to set your sails.

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What You Should Do Next

If this article sparked a realization for you, here are three concrete steps you can take this weekend:

1. The Tape Measure Test: Don’t assume. Actually measure the full length of your front wall. Divide that number by 9. Mark the segments with chalk if you can. See where your main door actually falls.
2. Observe Your Life: Look at the deity your door sits on. Does the description match your life?
   • Door on ‘Pitra’ (Ancestors/South-West)? Do you feel heavy, conservative, or stuck in the past?
   • Door on ‘Soma’ (Moon/North)? Is your cash flow smooth and gentle?
   • Validation is the first step to belief.
3. Map Your Gate: Remember, for independent houses, the Main Gate (compound wall) is just as important as the Main Door. Apply the same “Rule of 9” to your boundary wall.

Need help with the math? It can be tricky to figure out if you are counting from Left-to-Right or Right-to-Left. If you’re stuck, reply to this email with your facing direction, and I’ll send you a simple “Cheat Sheet” for the counting order.

May your doors always open to prosperity.

32 Padadevatas (Deities of the Squares)

This is a complex set of data to digest. To make it as actionable as possible, I have organized the 32 Padadevatas (Deities of the Squares) into a table based on the four cardinal walls.

How to Read This Table:

• The “Pada #”: Imagine standing outside the house facing the wall. We divide that wall into 9 equal segments. The count always proceeds in a clockwise direction around the house.
• The Strength: I have categorized the effect of having a Main Door (Mahadwara) in that specific segment.
  • ✅ Excellent/Auspicious: The “Golden Padas” for prosperity and happiness.
  • ⚠️ Mixed/Specific: Useful for certain professions but generally avoided for peaceful family homes.
  • ❌ Inauspicious/Avoid: Zones known to bring difficulty, loss, or illness.

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The Comprehensive Table of 32 Padadevatas

1. The East Wall (Prana – Sunrise Energy)

Counting from Top (North-East) down to Bottom (South-East)

Pada #	Deity Name	Archetype/Meaning	Entrance Strength & Effect
E1	Shikhi (Ishana)	The Fire	❌ Avoid: High volatility, fire hazards, anxiety.
E2	Parjanya	The Rain Cloud	✅ Good: Promotes growth, fertility, blessings for women.
E3	Jayanta	The Victor	✅ Excellent: Brings success, enthusiasm, financial gains.
E4	Indra	King of Gods	✅ Excellent: Power, government connections, high social status.
E5	Surya	The Sun	⚠️ Mixed: Extreme strictness, ego clashes, high temper.
E6	Satya	Truth/Integrity	⚠️ Mixed: Good for ethics but can make residents too rigid or uncompromising.
E7	Bhrisha	Excess	❌ Avoid: Overreactions, lack of restraint, unreasonable behavior.
E8	Antariksha	Space/Sky	❌ Avoid: Feeling of emptiness, fear of theft.
E9	Anila (Agni)	Wind/Fire	❌ Avoid: Aggression, accidents, anger issues.

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2. The South Wall (Dharma – Action & Justice)

Counting from Right (South-East) across to Left (South-West)

Pada #	Deity Name	Archetype/Meaning	Entrance Strength & Effect
S1	Anila (Agni)	(Shared Corner)	❌ Avoid: (See E9 above).
S2	Pusha	The Nourisher	❌ Avoid: Creates dependency, feeling of bondage or servitude.
S3	Vitatha	Illusion/Falsehood	⚠️ Specific: Good only for media/glamour professions. Otherwise, brings deceit.
S4	Grihakshat	The Stabilizer	✅ Good: Brings stability, legacy, and helps retain wealth.
S5	Yama	Lord of Death/Order	❌ Avoid: Too much strictness, lack of warmth, potential legal issues.
S6	Gandharva	Celestial Musician	❌ Avoid: Erratic energy, extreme highs and lows, instability.
S7	Bhringaraja	The Great Bee	❌ Avoid: Unknown dangers, backstabbing, draining of resources.
S8	Mriga	The Deer	❌ Avoid: Restlessness, inability to save money or sit still.
S9	Pitra	Ancestors	❌ Very Bad: instability, feeling haunted by the past, heavy energy.

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3. The West Wall (Kama – Profits & Gains)

Counting from Bottom (South-West) up to Top (North-West)

Pada #	Deity Name	Archetype/Meaning	Entrance Strength & Effect
W1	Pitra	(Shared Corner)	❌ Very Bad: (See S9 above).
W2	Dauvarika	The Doorkeeper	⚠️ Neutral/Good: Brings loyalty and stability in jobs, but slow growth.
W3	Sugriva	The Swan/Bird	✅ Excellent: Wealth through education, grace, easy gains.
W4	Pushpadanta	Flower-Toothed	✅ Excellent: Financial gains, helpful friends, luxury, smooth life.
W5	Varuna	Lord of Water	⚠️ Mixed: High ambition. Can bring wealth but also mixed fortunes.
W6	Asura	The Demon	⚠️ Specific: Can bring sudden massive wealth, but risks addiction and bad habits.
W7	Shosha	Drying Up	❌ Avoid: Drying up of finances, physical emaciation.
W8	Papyakshma	Disease/Consumption	❌ Very Bad: Chronic illness, feelings of guilt or burden.
W9	Roga	Disease/Wind	❌ Very Bad: Constant rivalry, jealousy from others, supportive systems break.

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4. The North Wall (Artha – Wealth & Opportunity)

Counting from Left (North-West) across to Right (North-East)

Pada #	Deity Name	Archetype/Meaning	Entrance Strength & Effect
N1	Roga	(Shared Corner)	❌ Very Bad: (See W9 above).
N2	Naga	The Serpent	❌ Avoid: Intense cravings, never satisfied with what you have, temper.
N3	Mukhya	The Chief	✅ Excellent: Leadership qualities, heading institutions or large teams.
N4	Bhallata	The Bear	✅ Excellent: Massive abundance, inherited property, heavy wealth.
N5	Soma	The Moon	✅ Excellent: Gentle wealth, liquid cash flow, spiritual inclination.
N6	Bhujaga (Sarpa)	Snake	❌ Avoid: Disputes, hidden enemies, short temper.
N7	Aditi	Mother of Gods	✅ Good: Expansiveness, general welfare, good for daughters.
N8	Diti	Mother of Demons	❌ Avoid: Contraction, poverty, feeling restricted.
N9	Shikhi (Ishana)	(Shared Corner)	❌ Avoid: (See E1 above).