The Hindu Temple v1.c7.s1.98

v1.c7.s1.98

That the name of the First Brick, Adyeṣṭakā or Prathameṣṭakā is extended also to the first stone, etc. shows the rite of depositing the bricks to be the more comprehensive one. In this way, the foundation rite of a temple, built of any substance can be performed as Iṣṭakā-nyāsa. When the Śilānyāsa is performed as Iṣṭakā-nyāsa, when the first stones are laid alike to the first bricks, a stone jar is deposited in the centre and the stones are laid in the corners of the square with the invocation which is that of the Earth in its fulness, and of the bricks; "O Nandā, O Vāsiṣṭhā, gladden with wealth and progeny; O Jayā, bearer of victory, O goddess, bring thou victory. O Pūrṇā, thou fulfilled one, daughter of Aṅgiras, make me one with all desires fulfilled; O Bhadrā, daughter of Kāśyapa render my mind gentle. O ye, endowed with all seeds, full of all gems and plants, Rucirā, Nandanā, Nandā, Vāsiṣṭhā, take your pleasure here. O divine daughter of Prajāpati, thou square one (caturaśra)⁵⁸ and handsome in all parts, Mahimāyā, Subhagā, Suvratā, Bhadrā, Kāśyapī, take your pleasure in this building. O Bhārgavī, honoured by great teachers (ācārya), decorated with perfumes and garlands, benefactress of the world, take your pleasure in this building. O thou Perfect one, perfectly proportioned, with beautiful eyes, daughter of Aṅgiras, bestow (on us) the desired (blessings). I now instal thee (pratiṣṭhā)" ('Viṣṇudharmottara', Pt. II. ch. XXIX. 84-89)⁵⁹. With many names and as daughter of Prajāpati,⁶⁰ the lord of creation, and as square, Earth, the goddess in her wealth and perfection, is invoked in this rite of placing the first stones. There is no vertical symbolism of the centre here as that of the Fire altar or of the Ādhāraśilā of the temple and of the Pīṭha-pūjā.