With deep reverence and attention to sacred detail, the great rite began. A clean, consecrated cloth was spread over the ritual pot, and upon this, Acyuta and Śrī were worshipped with the mantra “in union, in union.” With devotion, they were placed upon the ritual bed, carefully positioned in the six directions of the maṇḍala. Upon this bed, which was laid with blades of kuśa grass and a soft cushion, Viṣṇu was worshipped in all directions as the Lord of Knowledge, and also as Madhughāta and Trivikrama. In every direction, beginning with the wind, the forms of Vāmana, Śrīdhara, and Hṛṣīkeśa were honored, as was Viṣṇu in his aspects as Lord of Knowledge, Madhugāta, and Trivikrama. After worshipping in the northeast with five special vessels and on the sacred altar, all the ritual materials were gathered and carried to the bathing pavilion, where they were respectfully deposited. Within the bathing pavilion, ritual pots were installed in the four cardinal directions, and the kalashas were properly arranged for the holy abhiṣeka, the bathing ceremony. To prepare for this, branches were gathered from twelve auspicious trees: banyan, udumbara, aśvattha, campaka, aśoka, śrī, palāśa, arjuna, plakṣa, kadamba, bakula, and mango. Their tender shoots were placed in the eastern pot, accompanied by padmaka, rocanā, dūrvā grass, and a bundle of darbha grass. On the right side, jātī and kunda flowers were laid out, along with sandalwood, red sandalwood, siddhārtha, tagara, and rice. Gold and silver were also set forth, together with two types of clay from the riverbank, and especially the sacred clay from the Jahnavi (Ganga) river, which journeys to the ocean. Cow dung, barley, rice, and sesame seeds were placed nearby, as well as the auspicious plants viṣṇuparṇī, śyāmalatā, bhṛṅgarāja, and śatādhari. Sahadevī, mahādevī, balā, and vyāghnī with distinctive marks were set out, and in the northeast, other auspicious substances were arranged. Earth was collected from an anthill and from seven different places, and in another pot, sand and water from the holy Jahnavi river were placed. Earth was also gathered from the tusk of a boar, the testicles of a bull, the horn of an elephant, and from the root of a lotus and kuśa grass. Sacred earth from holy fords and mountains was included, and in another vessel, nāgakeśara flowers and fragrant kāśmīra were set. Fragrant substances such as sandalwood, nágara, camphor, and various flowers were brought together, along with precious stones—beryl, coral, pearls, crystal, and diamond. All these were placed together in one spot, as prescribed, while in another place, water from many rivers, lakes, and ponds was assembled. In a splendid pavilion divided into eighty-one sections, pots filled with grains and fragrant water were set up and consecrated with the Śrī Sūkta. To the east, barley, white mustard, fragrant substances, the tips of kuśa grass, unbroken rice, fruits, and flowers for worship were placed. For washing the feet, lotus, black creeper, dūrvā grass, viṣṇuparṇī, and kuśa grass were set to the south, along with madhuparka. To the north, kakkola, clove, and auspicious nutmeg were arranged for sipping, together with dūrvā grass and unbroken rice for the fire. In the northeast, a vessel for waving lights and anointing with fragrant substances was placed, filled with sweet fragrances and flowers. Murā, māṃsī, āmalaka, sahadevī, and niśādika were set out, along with sixty lamps and eight special lamps for waving before the deity. In a golden vessel, the emblems of Viṣṇu—the conch, discus, Śrīvatsa, thunderbolt, and lotus—were placed, surrounded by flowers of many colors and kinds. At this point, the Blessed Lord spoke: In the northeast, the teacher should establish the fire-pit and kindle the Vaiṣṇava fire. After offering one hundred and eight oblations with the sacred Gāyatrī mantra, he should sprinkle the ritual pots as prescribed. He should then sprinkle water in the workshop, allowing the image-makers to proceed with their work. Amid auspicious sounds, the teacher should tie the protective thread on his right hand. For Viṣṇu, while reciting “Śipiviṣṭa,” the teacher should prepare the protective thread using wool, mustard seeds, and a silk cloth. The image of the Lord, adorned with garments and worshipped, was placed in the pavilion. With folded hands, the teacher praised: “O Lord of the gods, I bow to you, O one fashioned by Viśvakarman. O sustainer of the universe, who empowers all, I bow to you again and again. In you, O Lord, I worship Nārāyaṇa, the flawless one. May you always be free from faults in workmanship and endowed with prosperity.” After these words, the image was led to the bathing pavilion. The artisans were honored with gifts, and a cow was given to the teacher. With the mantra “O Deva, O Beautiful One,” the teacher then performed the opening of the eyes. He bestowed the gaze with the words “Agni is light,” seating the image upon the auspicious seat, and offered white flowers, clarified butter, and white mustard seeds. On the deity’s head, the teacher placed dūrvā grass and the tip of kuśa grass, and with the mantra “Madhuvāta,” he anointed the eyes. Using the Hiraṇyagarbha mantra, he recited “imaṃ me” and anointed with ghee, repeating the process as prescribed. The image was then rubbed with lentil flour, washed with warm water from sacred places while reciting “ato deve,” and bathed with waters poured over gems, accompanied by the “pavamāni” hymns. Anointing with “drupadādi,” the teacher sprinkled water while reciting “āpo hiṣṭha,” and bathed the form with river or sacred waters, again chanting “pavamāni” with gem water. Then, with sandalwood and a pot of sacred earth, the teacher went to the ocean, bathing the image with the Gayatri mantra and warm water, reciting “śanno devīḥ.” The Supreme Lord was bathed with five kinds of earth, reciting “hiraṇya,” then with sand and the “imaṃ me” mantra, and with water from an anthill or mound pot. With the “taddhiṣṇor” mantra, the Lord was bathed with medicinal herbs and water, reciting “thā oṣadhi,” and then with the five sacred products of the cow, chanting “yajhāyajña.” With the mantra “payaḥ pṛthivyāṃ,” the Lord was bathed with waters from fruit-bearing plants; with the “viśvataścakṣuḥ” mantra, water from the eastern pot was used. Reciting “somaṃ rājānam,” Viṣṇu was bathed on the right, and with “haṃsaḥ śuciḥ,” Hari was anointed on the west. Thus, with every ritual act, every sacred substance, and each holy mantra, the worship was carried out in perfect order, filling the space with divine presence and auspiciousness.