Agni Purana

निजयागं जगन्नाथ रक्ष भक्तानुकम्पया। एभिः संश्राव्य रक्षार्थं कुम्भे खड्गं निवेशयेत्

O Lord of the Universe, protect my own sacrifice out of compassion for the devotees; having recited these for protection, one should place the sword in the pot.

दीक्षास्थापनयोः कुम्भे स्थण्डिले मण्डलेऽथवा। मण्डलेभ्यर्च्य देवेशं व्रजेद्वै कुण्डसन्निधौ

At the time of initiation and establishment, on the pot, on the ground, or in the maṇḍala, after worshipping the Lord of Devas in the maṇḍala, one should proceed to the vicinity of the fire-pit.

कुण्डनाभिं पुरस्कृत्य निविष्टा मूर्त्तिदारिणः। गुरोरादेशतः कुर्युर्न्निजकुण्डेषु संस्कृतिं

Having placed the navel of the fire-pit at the front, and the images installed, at the guru's command, they should perform the rites in their own fire-pits.

जपेयुर्जापिनः सङ्‌ख्यं मन्त्रमन्ये तु संहितां । पठेयुर्ब्राह्मणाः शान्तिं स्वशाखावेदपारगाः

Those who recite should repeat the mantra by count; others should recite the Saṃhitā; the brāhmaṇas, accomplished in their own branch of the Veda, should recite the Śānti hymns.

श्रीसूक्तं पावमानीश्च मैत्रकञ्च वृषाकपिं। ऋग्‌वेदी पूर्वदिग्‌भागे सर्वमेतत् समुच्चरेत्

The Ṛgvedin, in the eastern direction, should recite the Śrīsūkta, Pāvamānī, Maitraka, and Vṛṣākapi hymns—all of these together.

देवव्रतन्तु भारुण्डं ज्यष्ठसाम रथन्तरं। पुरुषं गीतिमेतानि सामवेदी तु दक्षइणे

The Sāmavedin, in the southern direction, should recite Devavrata, Bhāruṇḍa, Jyeṣṭhasāman, Rathantara, Puruṣa, and the Gīti hymns.

रुद्रं पुरुषसूक्तञ्च श्लोकाद्यायं विशेषतः। ब्रह्मणञ्च यजुर्वेदी पश्चिमायां समुच्चरेत्

The Yajurvedin, especially in the western direction, should recite the Rudra, Puruṣasūkta, and the initial verses, as well as the Brahmaṇa.

नीलरुद्रं तथाथर्वी सूक्ष्मासूक्ष्मन्तथैव च। उत्तरेऽथर्वशीर्षञ्च तत्‌परस्तु समुद्धरेत्

In the northern direction, the Atharvavedin should recite the Nīlarudra, the subtle and the most subtle hymns, and the Atharvaśīrṣa; that is the prescribed order.

आचार्य्यश्चाग्निमुत्पाद्य प्रतिकुण्डंथ प्रदापयेत् । वह्नेः पूर्वादिकान् भागान् पूर्वकुण्डदितः क्रमात्

The teacher, having kindled the fire, should assign a separate fire-pit to each; beginning from the eastern direction of the fire, the portions should be distributed in order from the first fire-pit.

धूपदीपचरूणाञ्च ददीताग्निं सम्‌द्धरेत् । पूववच्छिवमभ्यर्च्य शिवाग्नौ मन्त्रतर्पणं

One should offer incense, lamps, and cooked offerings, then kindle the fire; as before, worship Śiva and perform the oblation to Śiva in the sacred fire with mantras.

देशकालादिसम्पत्तौ दुर्न्निमित्तप्रशान्त्ये। होमङ्‌कृत्वा तु मन्त्रज्ञः पूर्णा दत्त्वा शुभावहां

When the place, time, and other conditions are auspicious, and in order to pacify inauspicious omens, the knower of mantras should perform a homa, then give a full and auspicious offering.

पूर्ववच्चरुकं कृत्वा प्रतिकुण्डं निवेदयेत् । यजमानालङकृतास्तु व्रजेयुः स्नानमण्डपं

As before, prepare the cooked offering and present it at each fire-pit; the sacrificers, adorned, should proceed to the bathing pavilion.

भद्रपीठे निधायेशं ताडयित्वावगुण्ठयेत्। स्नापयेत् पूजयित्वा तु मृदा काषायवारिणा

Placing the Lord on the auspicious seat, striking and then covering Him, one should bathe Him, worshipping with clay and saffron water.

गोमूत्रैर्गोमयेनापि वारिणा चान्तरान्तरा। भस्माना गन्धतोयेन फडन्तास्त्रेण वारिणा

With cow urine, cow dung, and water in succession, with ashes, fragrant water, and water empowered by the protective mantra, one should bathe.

देशिको मूर्त्तिपैः सार्द्धं कृत्वा कारणशोधनं । धर्मजप्तेन सञ्छाद्य पीतवर्णेन वाससा

The teacher, together with the images, should perform the ritual purification; covering them with a yellow garment sanctified by recitation of dharma-mantras.

सम्पूज्य सितपुष्पैश्च नयदुत्तरवेदिकां। तत्र दत्तासनायाञ्च शय्यायां सन्निवेश्य च

Having worshipped with white flowers, he should lead them to the northern altar; there, after providing a seat and a bed, he should arrange them.

कुङ्कुमालिप्तसूत्रेण विभज्य गुरुरालिखेत्। शलाकया सुवर्णस्य अक्षिणी शस्त्रकर्मणा

With a thread anointed with saffron, the teacher should mark divisions and inscribe with a golden stick the eyes by means of the prescribed ritual.

अञ्जयेल्लक्ष्मकृत् पश्चाच्छास्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा। कृतकर्मा चशस्त्रेण लक्ष्मी शिल्पी समुत्तक्षिपेत्

He should then apply collyrium to the eyes, and, following the prescribed procedure, the accomplished artist should lift the auspicious mark with the instrument.

त्र्यंशादर्द्धोथ पादार्द्धादर्द्धाया अर्द्धतोथवा । सर्वकामप्रसिद्ध्यर्थं शुभं लक्ष्मावतारणं

From one-third, one-half, or half of a quarter, or even half of that, for the fulfillment of all desires, the auspicious mark should be established.

लिङ्गदीर्घविकारांशे त्रिभक्ते भागवर्णनात् । विस्तारो लक्ष्म देहस्य भवेल्लिङ्गस्य सर्वतः

In the elongated portion of the liṅga, divided into three parts as described, the breadth of the auspicious mark should be measured everywhere according to the body of the liṅga.

यवस्य नवभक्तस्य भागैरष्टाभिरावृता हस्तिके । लक्ष्मरेखा च गाम्भीर्य्याद् विस्तरादपि

With eight parts of barley out of nine, encircling the hand, the line of the auspicious mark should be measured both in depth and width.

एवमष्टांशवृद्ध्या तु लिङ्गे सार्द्धकरादिके । भवेदष्टयवा पृथ्वी गम्भीरात्र च हास्तिके

Thus, by increasing by one-eighth, in a liṅga of one and a half hands, the earth should be eight barleys wide and deep at the hand.

एवमष्टांशवृद्ध्या तु लिङ्गे सार्द्धकरादिके। भवेदष्टयवा पृथ्वी गम्भीरन्नवहास्तिके

Thus, by increasing by one-eighth, in a liṅga of one and a half hands, the earth should be eight barleys wide and deep at nine hands.

शाम्भवेषु च लिङ्गेषु पादवृद्धेषु सर्वतः। लक्ष्म देहस्य विष्कम्भो भवेद्वै यववर्द्धनात्

In Śaiva liṅgas, when the height is measured by the foot, the breadth of the auspicious mark should be determined everywhere by the increase of barley grains.

गम्भीरत्वपृथुत्वाभ्यां रेशापि त्रयंशवृद्धितः। सर्वेषु च भवेत् सूक्ष्मं लिङ्गमस्तकमस्तकं

By the increase of one-third, in both depth and width, the line should be made; in all, the liṅga from base to top should be subtle.

लक्ष्मक्षेत्रेष्टधाभक्ते मूद्‌र्ध्नि भागद्वये शुभे । षड्‌भागपरिवर्त्तेन मुक्त्वा भागद्वयन्त्वधः

In the field of the auspicious mark, divided into eight parts, at the top, in two auspicious portions, with a sixth part in between, leaving two portions below.

रेखात्रयेण सम्बद्धं कारयेत् पृष्ठदेशगं। रत्नजे लक्षणोद्धारो यवौ हेमसमुद्भवे

With three lines joined at the back, one should make the mark; in a gem-made liṅga, the mark should be two barleys wide if made of gold.

स्वरूपं लक्षणन्तेषां प्रभा रत्नेषु निर्मला। नयनोन्मीलनं वक्त्रे सान्निध्याय च लक्ष्म तत्

Their true form is indicated by the marks; the radiance in gems is pure. The opening of the eyes upon the face is a sign of presence.

लक्ष्मणोद्धाररेखाञ्च घृतेन मधुना तथा। मृत्युञ्जयेन सम्पूज्य शिल्पिदोषनिवृत्तये

To extract the marks and lines, one should use ghee and honey, and worship with the Mṛtyuñjaya mantra, for the removal of defects in the workmanship.