When preparing to build a sacred dwelling according to the ancient wisdom of the Garuḍa Purāṇa, one must begin with reverence for the divine. At the four corners of the site, the deities are to be worshipped, beginning with Īśāna, honoring each in their proper place. In the very center, at the ninth position, Brahmā himself is established, surrounded by eight other illustrious beings: Aryaman, Savitṛ, Vivasvat—the lord of the wise—and Apavatsa among them, forming a celestial circle about Brahmā. From the southeast corner originates a formidable lineage, presided over by the powerful goddess Kālikā, followed by the Gandharvas, the celestial musicians associated with Indra. The place of worship for the gods is to be set in the front of the house, while a grand kitchen should be created in the southeast, nourishing both body and spirit. In the northeast, a perfumed flower room is to be arranged, adorned with fine cloth, offering fragrance and beauty. The northwest is reserved for a water room, complete with windows to invite light and air. For guests, a pleasant house is to be prepared, furnished with beds, seats, and footstools, ensuring comfort and hospitality. All the inner chambers should be supplied with water and sheltered by banana leaves, providing refreshment and shade. Around the dwelling, an outer wall should be constructed, measuring five hastas in breadth, both protecting and sanctifying the space. At the outset of construction, one must worship the sixty-four divisions of the site, for each has its own presiding deity. At every corner and at the summit, the deities are to be remembered and honored, their presence ensuring harmony and blessing. Beyond these, beginning again with Īśāna, are the deities and elemental causes: Agnijihva, Kālaka, Karāla, and Okapādaka, whose powers extend even into the sky. There, Gandhamālī is to be worshipped, along with the guardians of the field, whose watchful eyes protect the land. The offerings are to be carefully apportioned, following the guidance of Yama: what remains after the shares are given is considered inexhaustible, a sacred residue. This remnant, left according to the will of the deity, is understood as the very essence of life; what is consumed by beings brings about death, but what is left becomes the source of vitality. When resting, one should sleep on the left side, a practice not to be doubted. The same order applies to creatures such as the scorpion: east, south, and west are their directions. Within the home, matters such as progeny, dispatch, status, vehicles, and golden ornaments are all influenced by these arrangements. Fire brings about both binding and liberation, the extension of life, the blessing of sons, and the satisfaction of children. Yet, there is also the fear of the king, death of offspring, childlessness, and the avoidance of enmity to be considered. Doors are given special significance: the northern doors are known, but the eastern doors are said to bring the consequence of slaying a king and inciting anger. The southwest holds the western door, and the northwest the northern. In the east, the aśvattha, plakṣa, and banyan trees, as well as the udumbara, are venerated; when worshipped, these trees remove obstacles for both palace and home. Thus concludes the forty-sixth chapter of the Garuḍa Purāṇa’s first section, detailing the characteristics of Vāstu measurement. Now, O Shaunaka, listen as the characteristics of palaces are described. The palace should be quadrangular, with four doors, reflecting the number of the sun’s paths. The measurement of the “thigh” should match that of the “upper field,” and half the thigh should be twice as much, ensuring proper proportion. The structure may be divided into three or five parts, and the summit itself is to be split into four, with the altar’s enclosure arranged in three. Alternatively, the base may be made level and divided into sixteen parts for precision. The walls’ height should be one fourth of the total structure, while the summit should rise to twice the height of the walls. In this way, the palace is constructed in harmony with divine order, inviting auspiciousness, prosperity, and peace.