Shantikamalakara 2.3.2

2.3.2

Because it is stated in the Śāradātilaka: “One should perform regular and occasional fire oblations on a leveled mound of earth.” In the Skandapurāṇa: “Such should be the pit, or one should resort to a leveled mound of earth. And to its northeast [shall be] the sacrificial altar on the mound of earth: triangular or square, measuring a span in height. The first terrace is declared to be two digits high; and above it are two terraces each of one digit in height. The breadth thereof is stated by the wise to be two digits for all. In the sacrifice to the nine planets, four auspicious officiating priests are to be engaged; or else, having worshipped one [priest] in accordance with the injunction, together with the Brahman priest.” In the Madanaratna, from the Skandapurāṇa: “In the sacrifice to the nine planets, there shall be four brahmins versed in the Vedas; or, in a propitiatory rite, only two officiating priests prescribed by the Vedic scripture are to be engaged; but in an ayutahoma, one should not indulge in excessive elaboration.” When a sacrificial altar is not available, the sarvatobhadra [diagram] is to be made, because it is stated in the Śāradātilaka: “The sarvatobhadra diagram is considered common to all.” In the Matsyapurāṇa: “On an auspicious day declared by a brahmin, having performed the recitation by brahmins, and having brought forward the fire, one should invoke the gods upon the sacrificial altar. Having set up thirty-two deities, all facing the Sun, together with their presiding deities and counter-presiding deities.” Yājñavalkya describes the images: “The planets should be made, in order, of copper, crystal, red sandalwood, gold (for two), silver, iron, lead, and bronze; or they may be drawn on cloth or on diagrams with fragrant pigments in their respective colors.” In the Matsyapurāṇa: “Seated upon a lotus, holding a lotus in his hand, having the splendor of a lotus petal, with seven horses and seven reins, having two arms, the Sun should always be. White, wearing white garments, with ten horses, adorned with white ornaments, holding a mace in his hand, having two arms, bestowing boons, the Moon should be made. Wearing red garlands and garments, holding a spear, a trident, and a mace, having four arms, riding a ram, bestowing boons, should be the Son of the Earth. Wearing yellow garlands and garments, having the splendor of the karṇikāra flower, holding a sword, a shield, and a mace in his hands, mounted on a lion, bestowing boons, is Mercury.”