Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.389

c5.389

(corners) dominated by Agni, Nirṛti, Vāyu and Īśāna respectively. Nārāyaṇamūrti should be installed at the centre of the prāsāda. Ambikā should be installed in Agni's corner, Āditya in Nirṛti's corner, Brahmā in Vāyu's corner and Śivalinga in the Īśāna corner. Liṅga in the form of Rudra should also be installed in the Īśāna corner; or it may be installed in all the nine corners or zones. In that case Vāsudevamūrti should be installed at the centre. All the Devas bearing the name Rāma must be installed to the east of the Prāsāda. Lokapālakas like Indra should be installed at the eight places starting with the east. In Pañcāyatana pratiṣṭhā Puruṣottama should be installed at the centre. Mahālakṣmī and Vaiśravaṇa are to be installed to the east of the Prāsāda, and the Mātṛs in the south. Subrahmanya, Gaṇapati, Īśāna and the planets (grahas) like Sun should be installed in the west. Daśāvatāramūrtis (ten incarnations of Viṣṇu) should be installed in the North. Caṇḍikā should be installed in Agni's zone, Sarasvatī in Vāyu's zone, Ambikā in Nirṛti's zone and Śrī Bhagavāī in Īśāna zone. In temples with thirteen Ālayas Viṣṇu should be installed at the centre. Mūrtis like Keśava should be in the east.