Let us begin with the auspicious marks and reverent practices regarding swords. Swords that bear even markings, each the length of a finger, are considered highly auspicious and praiseworthy. However, those whose marks are uneven or whose color resembles that of a cuckoo or an owl are not deemed favorable. There are also certain observances to be maintained: one should never gaze upon one’s own reflection in the blade of a sword, nor should one touch the blade while in a state of impurity. Speaking of the sword’s price or origin at night is to be avoided, as is placing the sword upon one’s head. Now, Agni speaks of the characteristics of gems, which are to be worn by men for their auspiciousness and virtue. Among these are the diamond, emerald, ruby, sapphire, and pearl. Further, there are gems such as indranīla, the great sapphire, cat’s eye, topaz, moonstone, sunstone, crystal, and pulaka. The list continues with karketana, pushparāga, jyotīrasa, crystal, royal cloth, and auspicious royal metal. Saugandhika, ganja, conch, Brahma metal, gomeda, rudhirākṣa, and bhallātaka are also praised. Dust, emerald, tuttha, sesame, pīlu, coral, and mountain diamond are noted for their unique properties. The serpent-gem and the excellent diamond-gem, as well as ṭiṭṭibha, piṇḍa, bhrāmara, and utpala, are included among the revered stones. Jewels adorned with gold, bearing names such as Śrī and Jaya, are especially prized for their inner brilliance, purity, and exceptional form. Gems that are impure, lacking luster, broken, or containing gravel are unfit to be worn. The finest gems are those worthy of setting in a vajra. A true vajra is recognized by its ability to pass through water unscathed, remaining unbreakable, flawless, six-angled, rainbow-like, light, radiant like the sun, and auspicious. Its appearance is likened to the bright half of the moon, smooth, lustrous, pure, and adorned with tiny, gold-dust-like emerald spots. Padmarāga gems, born of crystal, are vividly colored and extremely pure, while Jātavaṅga gems arise from the Kuruvinda stone. Pearls produced from fragrant sources are tinged with red; those from shells are considered the finest among the pure, and pearls from conch are regarded as superior. Pearls that arise from elephant tusks, pots, boars, and fish are also excellent. Those originating from bamboo and snakes are highly esteemed, with the serpent’s pearl being the most supreme of all. Turning now to the marks of the Vāstu-puruṣa and the arrangements for Brāhmaṇas and others, Agni describes four types: white, red, yellow, and black, in that order. Land that is rich in the fragrances of ghee, blood, food, and liquor, and which possesses sweet, astringent, and sour tastes, is considered suitable in their respective order. The chosen site should be covered with kuśa grass, reeds, open sky, or dūrvā grass. After honoring the Brāhmaṇas, one prepares the previously excavated site. The ground is divided into sixty-four squares, with Brahmā placed at the center, forming a fourfold division. In the east, the lord of the house and Aryaman are established, while the south is assigned to Vivasvat, the west to Mitra, and the north to Mahīdhara and Āpavat, with Vahviga residing at the corners. Sāvitra and Savitṛ are placed in the southwest, Jayendra in the northwest, and Rudra and Vyādhi also in the northwest. At the eastern entrance, Koṇaga and Vahi are stationed. Mahendra, Ravi, Satya, and Bhṛśa are found in the east and south, while Gṛhakṣata, Aryaman, Dhṛti, Gandharvas, and Varuṇa dwell in the west. Puṣpadanta, Asuras, Varuṇa, and Yakṣa are present there as well. In the northeast are Bhallāṭa, Soma, Aditi, and Dhanada. Nāga and Karagraha are also in the northeast, with eight deities remembered in each direction. The two deities placed in each direction are revered as the lords of the house. Parjanya is the foremost deity, followed by Karagraha, with Mahendra, Ravi, Satya, Bhṛśa, and Gagan present as well. Roga is principal in the northwest, while Puṣpa and Vittada are in the south; Gṛhakṣata, Yasa, Bhṛśa, Gandharva, Nāga, and Paitṛka are also present. In the northeast reside Dauvārika, Sugrīva, Puṣpadanta the asura, water, yakṣmā, disease, and dryness, while Nāgarājaka is in the north. Among the foremost are Bhallāṭa, Śaśin, Aditi, and Kuvera, with Nāga and Hutāśa esteemed, and Śakra and Sūrya in the east. In the south is Gṛhakṣata and Puṣpa; in the northeast, Sugrīva is supreme; Puṣpadanta is at the northern gate, and Bhallāṭa is known as Puṣpadantaka. Once the arrangement of stones and bricks has been worshipped with mantras, the rites for the gods are to be performed, invoking Nanda, Nandaya, and Vāsiṣṭha, along with the Vasus and their offspring. For the increase of progeny, the Phārgava lineage is remembered in victory; for fullness, the Āṅgirasa lineage is invoked to fulfill all desires. For auspiciousness, the Kāśyapa lineage is called upon to grant a favorable mind, with all seeds, gems, and medicinal herbs gathered around. In the beautiful Nandana, in Nanda, in Vāsiṣṭha, may delight abound, O goddess, daughter of Prajāpati, in this four-sided, earth-filled place. O fortunate, virtuous, and auspicious one, may Kāśyapi bring joy to the house, honored by the highest teachers and adorned with fragrances and garlands. O goddess, bring prosperity to the house, may Kāśyapi delight in this unobstructed, unbroken, and full house of the son of the sage Āṅgirasa. Upon the brick, the desired object is offered, and the foundation is established in the realm of the lord of the land, the lord of the city, the lord of the house, and all possessions. May this site bring increase to humans, wealth, elephants, horses, and cattle. Upon entering the house, the laying of stones is to be performed. To the north stands the auspicious Plakṣa tree; from the house, speech emanates to the east; to the south is the Udumbara tree, and to the west, the excellent Aśvattha tree. On the left side, a garden or an auspicious dwelling should be made within the house. In the evenings and mornings, especially in the cold season and at the end of the day, one should tend to dharma. During rainy nights, when the earth is dry, the trees that have been planted should be watered, mixing virāṅga and ghee, and using cold water for their nourishment. Thus, with reverence and care, the auspiciousness of weapons, gems, land, and dwelling is established, ensuring prosperity, purity, and harmony for all who reside there.