By the merit of this sacred act, both the paternal and maternal lineages of the devotee are liberated. Now, listen as I describe the process for installing my image crafted in silver. Thus concludes the one hundred eighty-fifth chapter of the glorious Varaha Purana, entitled ‘The Procedure for Installing a Bronze Image.’ Sri Varaha then spoke: “The image should be tightly joined, flawless, and perfectly finished in every way. It must shine with the brightness of the moon, be exceedingly smooth, free from blemishes, and possess all auspicious marks. Such an image, made with devotion and according to my rites, should be brought into the home with auspicious praises and blessings. There, the householder should recite the mantra: ‘Om. He who, in all worlds, is worthy of every offering, worship, and honor—even among the gods; who shines as the lord of sacrifice at sunrise; my ritual is the agnihotra.’ With the ‘manda’ mantra, and invoking the One whose form is beginning, middle, and end, the devotee—having bathed and adorned himself—should place the image facing east. This should be done when the nakshatra of embrace is present and the sign of Cancer ascends. At that auspicious time, the consecration must be performed in accordance with the prescribed ritual, preceded by the recitation of mantras. The image should be adorned with all medicinal herbs and decorated with fresh mango leaves. O Devi, following the guru’s instruction, everything should be made pleasant, delightful, and cool. The devotee should recite: ‘He who is the sole creator of all worlds, the overseer of all, whose form is the form of all forms.’ Then, with the mantra ‘Salutations to the infinite,’ and when the directions are auspicious, the image should be brought to the threshold. After establishing it according to the prescribed ritual, it is to be anointed and placed in its proper position. The devotee should declare: ‘From the Ganges and other sacred rivers, and from the oceans, I have taken this water.’ With this, the image is bathed ritually, and then brought into the house. Next, the mantra is recited: ‘He who is known through the Vedas, worshipped by those who know the Vedas, whose essence is sacrifice and who grants the fruits of sacrifice.’ With wealth, silver, and gold, and saying ‘Salutations to the infinite,’ the worship is performed as previously described. The image should be offered blue garments and ornaments beloved to me. Then, saying ‘Salutations to Narayana,’ the devotee may express any wish as desired. He should recite: ‘He who is yourself, shining with the radiance of moonbeams, whose color matches that of the conch and jasmine.’ With a mind joined in devotion, offering the prāpaṇa, he should contemplate my beautiful, endless, immortal, and radiant form—cause and destroyer, easily attained yet hard to attain, excellent in every way. Reciting ‘Salutations to Narayana,’ the devotee offers the prāpaṇa, praying: ‘O Lord, O Ananta, O Supreme Person, accept this prāpaṇa.’ For the welfare of all worlds, the peace invocation should be chanted. The devotee then offers salutations to night, the two twilights, the stars, the planets, and the directions; to all that is unmoving and moving, to those who move in the sky, to the swift, the lotus-radiant, the arisen—all established as Vāsudeva. Let the devotees gathered there be worshipped according to one’s means and ability. On this occasion, the Brāhmaṇas should be fed and the guru worshipped with mantras. With joined palms, the devotee should offer salutations to the Brāhmaṇas and his own people. Then, honoring the guru with gifts and respect, the Lord is to be worshipped. As the meal concludes, the drops of water that fall are offered with reverence. Whoever, wise and devoted, worships in this manner, establishes my silver image as prescribed. O goddess, just as this is done for a silver image, so too should it be done for a golden one. The merit gained from images made of wood, stone, bronze, and silver is the same. O beautiful one, this rite delivers twenty-one thousand families. Thus, O Earth, as you have asked, this sacred procedure has been revealed to you.