History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c44.41.1

v3.c44.41.1

Here numerous matters have to be considered. The principal matters to be attended to according to the Matsyapurāṇa (264-66) are: the auspicious time for the consecration of an image, the erection of a maṇḍapa to the east or north of the temple, the erection of a vedi therein, erection of four *toraṇas* (arched gates) for the maṇḍapa, placing two auspicious jars at each of four gates filled with scented water and herbs and covered with mango leaves and white cloth, raising of banners all round the maṇḍapa, worship of lokapālas (guardian deities of quarters), erecting another maṇḍapa for bathing the image in, bringing the image and honouring the artizans, drawing lines on the image or liṅga with a golden needle to represent the lustre of eyes, the selection of a qualified sthāpaka or ācārya and of from eight to 32 other priests (called mūrtipa); taking the image or liṅga to the maṇḍapa meant for bathing the image, bathing the image to the accompaniment of music with pañcagavya mixture, with mṛttikā (loose earth), with holy ashes and water; rendering it pure by repeating four mantras (viz. samudrajyeṣṭhāḥ, āpo divyāḥ, yāsāṃ rājā and āpo hi ṣṭhā, which are respectively Ṛg. VII. 49. 1-3 and X. 9. 1); offering worship after the bath to the image with sandalwood paste and covering it with a garment (with the verse 'abhi vastrā' Ṛg. IX. 97. 50), placing the image in a standing position with the mantra 'uttiṣṭha' (Ṛg. I. 40. 1);