प्रासादमानमथवा अथवा सर्वलक्षणम्
Whether it is a palace or otherwise, or possessing all auspicious marks,
देवागारस्य यद्द्वारं तस्मादष्टांगुलेन तु
The doorway of the temple should be eight finger-breadths from that point.
अंगुलं वै भवेद्वृद्धिरशीतिश्चतुरुत्तरा
An increase of one finger-breadth should be made, and eighty-four in total.
मुखत्रिभागे चिबुकं ललाटं नासिकां तथा
The chin, forehead, and nose should each occupy a third part of the face.
नयने द्व्यंगुले स्यातां त्रिभागा तारका भवेत्
The eyes should be two finger-breadths, and the pupils should be a third part.
ललाटमस्तकग्रीवं कुर्यात्तत्सममेव तु
The forehead, top of the head, and neck should be made equal in measure.
तुल्यौ नासिकया ग्रीवा मुखेन हृदयांतरम्
The neck should be equal to the nose, and the space between the face and heart.
बाहू च बाहुतुल्यौ च ऊरू जंघे च जाघनम् षडंगुलस्तु विस्तारस्तुल्यांगुष्ठोंऽगुलत्रयम् ।। 2.1.12.
The arms should be equal to each other, as should the thighs, shanks, and hips; the breadth should be six finger-breadths, and the thumb three finger-breadths.
प्रदेशिनी च तत्तुल्या हीना शेषान्नखानखम्
The index finger should be equal to that; the remaining nails are less than the others.
एवं लक्षणसंयुक्ता सा पूज्या प्रतिमा शुभा
A form endowed with such marks is an auspicious image worthy of worship.
गंडं च नियतं मूर्तौ कुर्यादंगसमुन्नतेः
The cheek should be made in the image according to the proper elevation of the limbs.
सवितानल पत्रस्य चारुविद्याधरस्तथा
With a beautiful canopy and lotus-petal, and likewise a charming celestial attendant.
अभ्यंगपदबन्धादि सामान्येनोपशोभि च
With the proper joining of limbs and feet, and adorned in general.
कराभ्यां कांचनीं मालां प्रोद्वहंतीं शिरोरुहान्
With both hands holding a golden garland and bearing the hair on the head.
सुस्निग्धां वरदां सौम्यां द्वितीयाश्रमिणामिमाम्
Very smooth, bestowing boons, gentle, and in the second stage of life.
नृसिंहः पञ्चतालः स्याद्धयग्रीवस्तु पंचमः
Nṛsiṃha should be five tālas in height, and Hayagrīva likewise the fifth.
नवताला भवेद्दुर्गा लक्ष्मीश्चैव त्रितालिका
Durgā should be nine tālas, and Lakṣmī three tālas in height.
दक्षिणे वासुदेवस्य करे चक्रं प्रतिष्ठितम् 2.1.12.
On the right hand of Vāsudeva, the discus is established.
तदधश्च भवेत्पद्मं श्रीवत्सेनोपशोभितम्
Below that, there should be a lotus adorned with the mark of Śrīvatsa.
पार्श्वे नलिनसिंहौ द्वौ सुभद्रां दक्षिणे न्यसेत्
On the sides, place two auspicious lion figures near the lotus, on the right.
कृतांजलिपुटस्थश्च नारदः कपिलस्तथा
Nārada and Kapila should be depicted with hands joined in reverence.
यदुग्रं वासुदेवस्य तथा नारायणस्य च
The fierce forms of Vāsudeva and Nārāyaṇa likewise.
तीर्थे गिरौ तडागे च समीपे स्थापयेत्सुधीः
A wise person should establish them near a sacred place, mountain, or pond.
अविमुक्ते विशेषण सिद्धक्षेत्रे दशार्णके
In Avimukta, in special places, in fields of accomplishment, and in Daśārṇaka.
कुलानि पूर्वं विप्रेंद्राः समुद्धरति नान्यथा
The foremost Brāhmaṇas first uplift their lineages; not otherwise.
चंदनागुरुभिः कुर्याद्बिल्वश्रीपर्णिकस्य च
One should perform with sandalwood, agarwood, and also with leaves of bilva and śrīparṇi.
कुण्डनिर्माणविधिवर्णनम् तस्योद्धारं च संस्कारं शृणुध्वं द्विजसत्तमाः
Hear now, O best of twice-born, the description of the construction and consecration of the altar.
चतुरस्रं च वृत्तं च पादार्धं चार्धचंद्रकम्
It may be square, circular, half-footed, or shaped like a half-moon.
सप्तार्धं च नवार्धं च कुंडं दशकमीरितम्
Seven and a half, nine and a half, and ten are the prescribed sizes for the altar.
भ्रामयेच्चोर्ध्वतस्तस्या भस्मांगाराणि यत्नतः
Carefully move the ashes and coals upward from it.