Garuda Purana

सौवर्णे राजते ताम्रे वैणवे मृन्मये न्यसेत् 43.

One should place it in a golden, silver, copper, Vaishnava, or earthen vessel.

तदर्द्धा तु कनिष्ठा स्यात्सूत्रमष्टोत्तरं शतम् 43.

The lesser one is half that; the thread should be one hundred and eight in number.

उत्तमोंऽगुष्ठमानेन मध्यमो मध्यमेन तु 43.

The best is measured by the thumb, the middle by the middle finger.

विमाने स्थण्डिले चैव एतत्सामान्यलक्षणम् 43.

On the altar and on the platform, this is the general rule.

हृन्नाभिरू(रु) रुमाने च जानुभ्यामवलम्बिनी 43.

It should hang from the heart, navel, thighs, and rest upon the knees.

षट्‌त्रिं(ड्विं) शच्च चतुर्विशद्द्वादश ग्रन्थयोऽथवा 43.

There should be thirty-six, twenty-four, or twelve knots, alternatively.

चर्चितं कुंकुमेनैव हरिद्राचन्दनेन वा 43.

It should be anointed with saffron or with turmeric and sandalwood.

अश्वत्थपत्रपुटके अष्टदिक्षु निवेशितम् 43.

Placed in a packet of peepal leaves, it is set in the eight directions.

रोचनाकुंकुमेनैव प्रद्युम्नेन तु दक्षिणे 43.

With yellow pigment and saffron, and on the right side with pradyumna.

चन्दनं नीलयुक्तं च तिलभस्माक्षतं तथा 43.

Sandalwood mixed with blue, as well as sesame, ashes, and unbroken rice.

पवित्रं वासुदेवेन अभिमन्त्र्य सकृत्सकृत्‌ 43.

The sacred thread should be consecrated by Vasudeva, again and again.

देवस्य पुरतः स्थाप्यं प्रतिमामण्डलस्य वा 43.

It should be placed before the deity or at the circle of the image.

ब्राह्मादींश्चापि संस्थाप्य कलशं चापि पूजयेत् 43.

Having established the Brahma and other deities, one should also worship the pot.

अधिवास्य पवित्रं तु त्रिसूत्रेण नवेन वा (च) 43.

Having consecrated the sacred thread with three or nine threads.

अग्निकुण्डं विमानं च मण्डपं गृहमेव च 43.

The fire-pit, the altar, the pavilion, and the house as well.

दत्त्वा पठेदिमं मन्त्रं पूजयित्वा महेश्वरम् 43.

Having given, one should recite this mantra after worshipping Maheshvara.

तत्प्रभातेऽर्चयिष्यामि सामग्र्याः सन्निधौ भव 43.

In the morning I will worship; be present with the required materials.

रात्रौ जागरणं कृत्वा प्रातः संपूज्य केशवम् 43.

Having kept vigil during the night, in the morning one should worship Keśava.

धूपयित्वा पवित्रं तु मन्त्रेणैवाभिमंत्रयेत् 43.

After offering incense, one should consecrate the sacred thread with a mantra.

गायत्त्र्या चार्चितं तेन देवं संपूज्य दापयेत् 43.

Having worshipped the deity with the Gāyatrī, one should offer it to him.

विशुद्धग्रन्थिकं रम्यं महापातकनाशनम् 43.

It should be a pure, well-made thread, beautiful and destroyer of great sins.

एवं धूपादिनाभ्यर्च्य मध्यमादीन्त्समर्पयेत् 43.

Thus, having worshipped with incense and the like, one should offer the middle and other threads.

धर्मकामार्थसिद्ध्यर्थं स्वकंठे धारयाम्यहम् 43.

For the attainment of righteousness, desire, and wealth, I wear it on my own neck.

नैवेद्यं विविधं दत्त्वा कुसुमादेर्बलिं हरेत् 43.

Having given various offerings of food, one should present a bali of flowers and the like.

अष्टोत्तरशतेनैव दद्यादेकपवित्रकम् 43.

With one hundred and eight, one should give a single sacred thread.

विष्वक्सेनं ततः प्रार्च्य सुरुमर्घ्यादिभिर्हर 43.

Then, having worshipped Viṣvaksena, one should offer him water for washing and other honors.

ज्ञानतोऽज्ञानतो वापि पूजनादि कृतं मया 43.

Whether knowingly or unknowingly, whatever worship and the like has been done by me—

मणिविद्रुममालभिर्मन्दारकुसुमादिभिः 43.

With garlands of gems and coral, and with mandāra flowers and the like—

वनमाला यथा देव कौस्तुभं सततं हृदि 43.

O Lord, may the forest garland always remain in the heart like the Kaustubha gem.