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.
वसुंधरायोगभेदे प्रपंचे वर्तमादिशेत्
According to the distinctions of the earth and its connection, one should indicate the beginning in the world.
अंकुरार्पणयागे च वैष्णवे यागकर्मणि
In the rite of offering sprouts and in Vaishnava sacrificial acts,
मार्जारपौष्टिके वैरं रम्ये च शांतिके तथा
In the rites for nourishing cats, for enmity, in pleasing rituals, and for pacification,
पुरश्चरणकाम्येषु ज्वरादीनां विमोक्षणे
In rites for accomplishment, in the removal of fevers and similar afflictions,
देवतातीर्थयात्रादौ महायुद्धप्रवेशने
At the beginning of pilgrimages to holy places, and when entering into great battles,
मारणोच्चाटने चैव तथा रोगोपशांतये 2.1.13.
Also in rites for destruction and expulsion, as well as for the alleviation of diseases.
अष्टास्रमब्जकुंडं च सप्तास्रं निधिसाधने
An eight-petaled lotus-shaped fire-pit is used, and a seven-sided one for the attainment of treasures.
यावन्निम्नं भवेदेव विस्तारस्तावदेव तु
The breadth should be equal to the depth, just so far as it is not sunken.
अयुतादिषु होमेषु मेखलां योजयेत्सुधीः
In great fire offerings, the wise should apply a girdle.
कोणवेदरसैर्मानं यथायोग्यमनुक्रमात्
The measurements should be taken in order, using the corners and the lines as appropriate.