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.
स्थानं विमर्दितं कुर्यात्खनित्वा सेचयेज्जलैः
After digging, one should make the place smooth and sprinkle it with water.
अर्कांगुलमितं सूत्रं चतुरस्रं प्रकल्पयेत्
Using a thread measured by the sun's finger, prepare a square.
मापयेत्तेन मानेन त्रिवृत्तं कुंडमुज्ज्वलम्
With that measure, mark out a threefold circular altar, shining.
वृत्तानि कालिकादीनि बहिस्त्रीणि विवर्जयेत्
Exclude three outer circles, such as those of Kālika and others.
दशधा भेदयेत्क्षेत्रे उर्ध्वाधोर्ध्वांगुलद्वयम्
Divide the area tenfold, each division being two fingers in height.
पंचधा भेदिते क्षेत्रे कामं वा विभजेत्सुधीः 2.1.13.
If the area is divided fivefold, a wise person may further subdivide as desired.
योनिस्थानं प्रतिष्ठाप्य अश्वत्थस्य दलाकृतिः
Establish the place of origin, shaped like a leaf of the ashvattha tree.
चतुरस्रं समुद्धृत्य सूत्रं संकल्पयोगतः
Having drawn a square, let the thread be arranged according to the prescribed method.
शृंगाटकं युग्मपुटं षडस्रं कुंडत्रयं बुधाः
The wise should make a śṛṅgāṭaka, a double leaf, a hexagon, and three types of fire-pits.
चतुस्रं भवेत्कुंडं द्विजसंस्कारकर्मणि
For the rites of initiation for twice-born, the fire-pit should be square.