Śrī-mūrti-prādurbhāvaḥ — Manifesting the Deity Form

May Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya become pleased with me because by His mercy, even a fool can become omniscient.

Vaisnavas are always eager to engage in worshiping the Supreme Lord as He appears as the Deity in various mediums. Indeed, devotees become joyful upon seeing the Deities in the temple, beautifully decorated and lavishly worshiped.

Previously, while discussing arcane, we mentioned some of the forms of the Deities. Now, we shall discuss the Deities' appearance and the method for Their authorized installation.

Although the Deity manifests in a form that is just suitable for accepting the worship of His devotee, some mahdjanas have outlined the ways in which the Deity should be invited to appear

visnu dharmmottare (In the Visnu-dharmottara it is stated) pratimarh kdrayitvd tu devadevasya cakrinah na durgatimavdpnoti visnulokarh sa gacchati One who arranges for the carving and installation of a Deity of Lord Visnu, the master of the demigods who holds a cakra in His hand, will not experience the miseries of material existence, but will attain the eternal abode of the Lord.

O n e who worships the Deity will go to reside in the abode of Lord Visnu for as many thousands of years as there are atoms in the Deity.

Just as one earns incomparable merit by constructing a temple of the Supreme Lord, one acquires a similar merit by installing a Deity in that temple. O brdhmanas, the merit attained by arranging for a Deity to be made from stone, iron, copper, silver, or gold, is progressively more for each proceeding one. However, one should not use bricks for preparing a Deity.

O n e who carves a Deity of Lord Nrsirhhadeva having all the authorized characteristics will be freed from all sinful reactions and after death attain the planet of Lord Visnu.

I shall now describe the various forms of Lord Visnu. The Deity of the Lord should hold a conch, disc, club, and lotus in His four hands. He should appear very peaceful, His forehead should be very broad, and His throat should resemble a conch shell with three lines. His nose should be raised, His vision should be auspicious, His ears should flare majestically, and His chest should be broad. He may be two-armed, especially if He is to be worshiped in one's house. Sometimes, the Deity should be four- armed or eight-armed. In the house of an dcarya, the Deity is generally two-armed.

Now, hear of the positions of the weapons that are held by the eight- armed Deity of the Lord. Beginning with the uppermost right hand to the lowest, the Lord holds a trident, club, arrow, and lotus. Beginning from the uppermost left hand to the lowest, the Lord holds a bow, shield, conch shell and cakra.

Hear now about the weapons held by the four-armed form of Vasudeva. O n e who desires wealth should place a club and a lotus in His right hands, and a conch and cakra in His left hands.

Regarding the four-armed form of Krsna, one should place a club in His lower left hand while a conch and cakra should be placed in His upper hands.

Lord Visnu's associates should be arranged in the following manner. Bhumi-devT should be placed below His lotus feet. To His should be Garuda, standing with folded hands. To the Lord's left should be a beautiful Deity of LaksmI holding a lotus flower in her hand. O n e who desires wealth should place a deity of Garuda in front of the Lord. SridevI and Pustidevi, who are expansions of Maha-LaksmI, should be placed on either side of Lord Visnu.

Near the temple gate that is decorated with creepers and so on, one should install deities of the Vidyadharas and other demigods, who are engaged in offering prayers to the Lord.

tatraiva (In the same literature it is stated) angustha parvvdd drabhya vitastim ydvadeva tu grhe vai pratimd kdryyd nadhikd sasyate budhaih Using the width of the joint of the thumb as a measurement, cwelve fingers, or about six or seven inches is a nice size for a Deity that is to be worshiped at home. Learned authorities do not consider large Deities to be suitable in this regard.

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The Deity that is to be installed in the temple can range from one to sixteen feet in height. According to one's means, one should arrange for a small, medium, or large Deity.

A Deity that is one foot high is considered enchanting. A Deity that is two feet tall awards the worshiper wealth. A Deity three feet tall bestows auspiciousness, and a Deity four feet in height awards prosperity.

A priest or dcdrya should arrange for a large block of marble, construct a nice cottage to the north of the temple, and have expert craftsmen carve the Deity there.

First, the large block of marble should be cut into a rectangular solid and then worshiped. The face and head of the Deity should then be painted on one of the sides. In this way, the acarya should begin the carving of the Deity according to the means of his disciple.

Before beginning, the block of marble should be kept facing east or north and bathed with water while being worshiped along with the chanting of Vedic mantras.

The acarya should worship the marble block with offerings of yogurt, rice paddy, durva grass, white sandalwood paste, and flower garlands, while chanting the following mantra.

84 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA One should chant the mantra orh tat sat namah orh tat sat namah pravirah sankarsano vasudevah pravaravaraha jaya supratisthita kirtti pravarddhayasva orh orh phat phat namah.

The assembled brdhmanas should recite Vedic mantras to create an auspicious atmosphere, and they should be served very respectfully by being given cloth and flower garlands.

The block of the marble should be divided into the various limbs of the Deity by marking it with a sharp weapon and then spreading threads over it, while reciting auspicious Vedic hymns.

mdtsye (In the Matsya Purdna it is stated) svakiyahgulimdnena mukharh sydd dvddasdngulam mukha-mdnena karttavyd sarvvdvayava kalpand The face of the Deity should measure the width of twelve fingers. According to this size of the face, all the other limbs of Deity should be contemplated proportionately.

srl hayaslrsapahcardtre (In the Hayasirsa-pahcardtra it is stated)

abhipreta pramdnantu navadha pravibhdjayet navame bhdskarairbhaktai bhdgah svdngulamucyate If one divides the marble block into nine parts and then divides each part into twelve, the size of that part should correspond to the size of the Deity's finger.

O brahmana, divide the total height of the Deity into nine parts, and then again divide each part into twelve. That should be the size of the Deity's finger.

After taking into account the descriptions found in the Purdnas and tantras, we herein describe the size of the Deity's limbs. The distance between top of the forehead and the chin should be about twelve fingers.

86 SRI H A R I - B H A K T I - V I L AS A The width of the mouth, forehead, and length of the nose of the Deity should measure about four fingers. The eyebrows should be about half-a-finger thick.

The lower lip should be half-a-finger thick, the upper lip should be one finger thick, the chin should be two fingers from top to bottom, and the neck should be four fingers wide.

The chest should be carved separately from the face. The section from the chest to the navel should also be carved separately, and the section from the navel to the genital should be carved separately. The two hips should be carved one at a time.

Similarly, the two thighs should be carved one at a time. The knees should be four fingers in width, and so should the feet. In this way, the total height of the Deity is divided into nine parts.

In some cases, the height of the forehead should measure three fingers. If that be the case, then the neck, knees, and feet should also be of three fingers' width.

According to this calculation, the Deity should be about one hundred and eight fingers tall. According to some opinion, the height of the Deity's head should be about fourteen fingers, or twelve fingers.

The Deity's head should be eight fingers wide and His forehead should resemble a half moon. His eyebrows should extend to the sides of His eyes and each eyebrow should be four fingers in length.

The distance between the two eyebrows should be two fingers, or sometimes one finger. This is the standard measurement. T h e width of the eyebrows can be half-a-finger, and the middle portion should be fat while the ends should be thin.

The ends of the eyebrows should be pointed and the eyebrows should resemble bows. The ears should be four or six fingers in height and there should be a hole in each ear. They should extend down to the cheeks.

The ears should be two fingers wide and the ear lobes should be half- a-finger. The depth of the ear hole should be about one finger, and the eyes should be one finger in height.

The width of the head above the ears should measure twelve fingers. The circumference of the head should be a little more than three times that. Including the hair, the circumference of the head should be about forty-two fingers.

The length of the eyes should be about two fingers, or sometimes three fingers, and they should be one finger wide.

The eyeballs should be one-third of one finger in diameter, and the pupil should measure one-fifth of one finger. The distance between the two eyeballs should be about four fingers.

In some cases, the distance between the two eyes should be about three fingers. The distance between the middle of the eye and the ear should be about four fingers, and the distance from the end of the lips to the middle of the ear should be about six fingers.

The distance from the ear hole to the top of the ear should be about two fingers. The jaws should resemble a mirror in shape, and the distance from the back of the ear to the jaws should be about four fingers.

The width of the nose at the top should be one finger and the height of the nose should be about two fingers. The breadth of the nose should be one finger, and each nostril should be half-a-finger in diameter

SRI H A R 1 - B H A K T l - V I LASA tundasya vistdre caturangulah The diameter of the nostrils should be similar to that of string beans. The nose should resemble a karavi flower, or a sesame flower. The size of the opening of the mouth should be four fingers.

The chin should be three fingers wide, the neck should be eight fingers in width, the circumference of the neck should be about twenty- four fingers, and the height of the shoulders should be six fingers.

The breadth of the shoulders should be eight fingers and they should resemble the shoulders of an ox. The upper arms should be round and their length should be about sixteen fingers.

The forearms should be eighteen fingers long, and in the circumference of the arms may vary.

The length of the hands, beginning from the wrists, should not exceed sixteen fingers. Excluding the wrist, the hand should be about twelve fingers in length. The palm of the hand should be seven fingers long and six fingers wide.

According to Ndradlya Purdna, the palm should be five fingers wide, and it should be deep and marked with symbols, such as the flag, thunderbolt, conch shell, and cakra. The length of the middle finger is about five fingers, and the index and ring fingers should be four-and-a- half fingers long.

The thumb and little finger should be four fingers in length. The thumb should have only two joints.

The other fingers should have three joints and they should appear very beautiful, like the tail of a cow. The gaps created by the joints of the fingers should be symmetrical.

In some cases, the width of the joint of the middle finger should be about two fingers. The joints of the other fingers should be smaller than this.

The length of the tip of the thumb should be four fingers, and the other fingers should be a bit shorter.

The fingernails should resemble the back of a tortoise and the size should be half that of the finger's joint. The breadth of the chest should be twenty-four fingers.

The distance between the two nipples should be twelve fingers. Each areola should be two fingers in diameter and the nipple should be the size of a grain of barley.

The size of the rib cage is about six fingers. The distance between each arm and the nipple is six fingers. The abdomen should be fourteen lingers wide.

The navel should be situated in the middle of the abdomen and should be one finger wide and one finger deep. The circumference of the abdomen should be forty-two fingers.

The waist of a male Deity should measure eighteen fingers. The hips should measure fifty-four fingers.

The breadth of each thigh should be about twelve fingers, and near the top, its circumference should be about thirty-six fingers.

In some cases, the thighs can measure about fourteen fingers. The knees should be about three fingers in height and slightly less in breadth.

The circumference of the knees should be twenty-one fingers, or in some cases, twenty-four fingers.

The calves should be seven fingers in width at the top, and they should taper down to the ankles so that the lower part of the calf should be six fingers.

The circumference of each calf should be eighteen fingers at the top. The circumference of lower part of each calf should be fourteen fingers.

It is the opinion of some scholars that the calves' circumference should be twelve fingers at the top and six fingers above the ankle. The

toenails should look like the shell of a tortoise, and they should be one linger in diameter.

T h e circumference of the big toe should be three or four fingers. The circumference of the other toes should be proportionately smaller.

T h e last toe should be smaller than the other toes and it should be about one finger in diameter.

In some cases, the diameter of the last toe should be one-and-a- quarter fingers. The diameter of the other toes should be one-and-a-half fingers. The length of each toe should be five fingers, except the last toe, which should be three fingers long.

Starting with the big toe, each toe should be proportionately smaller in circumference, so that the circumference of the smallest toe should be

only one-eighth that of the big toe. The big toe should have two joints, whereas the others should have three joints.

The diameter of each of the joints of the toes should be one-third the length of that toe. The length of the toenail should be one-fourth the length of the toe. Everything should be made so that the proportions appear very pleasing to the eye.

Each toenail should be slightly larger than the preceding one and should resemble the shell of a tortoise. The hips of the Deity should appear like the trunk of an elephant and should be sixteen fingers wide.

The distance from the top of the shoulders to the bottom of the back should be thirty-six fingers. The back should taper majestically from the shoulders to the waist.

The middle of the back should be broad and should resemble two fish joined together. Besides whatever details one can garner from the scriptures, one should be very eager to learn from the experience gained by constant practice.

O sinless one, I have thus briefly described the measurements of the Deity of the Supreme Lord. According to the instructions of the dcdrya, and by the realization attained by means of meditation, one should begin to carve the Deity.

With great care and attention, the dcdrya should arrange for the carving of a Deity according to the measurements found in the scriptures, as well as other characteristics, such as the Lord's sublimely smiling face.

All the limbs of the Deity should be formed in a manner that is both enchanting and beautiful. The forehead should be adorned with black, curly hair and beautiful tilaka.

The chest should be decorated with a necklace, the lotus feet with anklets, the arms with armlets, the waist with a waist band, and the head with a crown. If something else is seen in the dcdrya's meditation, it should also be included, even if it has not been mentioned herein.

It is a devotee's duty to decorate the Deity with dresses and ornaments according to the custom of the place where the Deity is installed. If a sincere devotee expresses a strong desire to nicely decorate the Deity, then the Supreme Lord certainly gives him the intelligence to do so.

The Deity of Vasudeva, the Lord of the demigods, should have four arms. He should hold a cakra in His upper right hand, a lotus in His lower right hand, a club in His upper left hand, and a beautiful conch shell in His lower left hand. Such a Deity awards one all-auspiciousness.

There should be two more Deities—SrldevI and PustidevI—standing on either side of the Lord. They should each hold a lotus flower and a stringed instrument in their hands. Their height should extend to the waist of the Lord and their heads should be slightly bent.

Learned persons should decorate the effulgence behind the Deity with paintings of Vidyadharas, elephants, snakes, and so on.

The effulgence and the stand for the Deity's lotus feet should be carefully prepared by the expert acarya according to the custom and standard of that particular country.

vimu dharmmottare (In the Visnu-dharmottara it is stated) gopala pratimdrh kuryydd venu vddana tatpardm varhdpiddrh ghanasydmdrh dvibhujd murddhvasarh sthitdm

100 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA The Deity of Lord Krsna should be playing His flute. He should have a crown of peacock feathers; He should possess a dark complexion; He should be two-armed; and He should stand in His three-fold bending posture.

An intelligent devotee should select an expert devotee artist who can nicely carve a Deity of Lord Krsna having the characteristics that were outlined by Visvakarma.

A Deity of Lord Krsna that is fifteen fingers in height is the best. A Deity of Lord Krsna that is twelve fingers in height is also considered very good, and a Deity of Lord Krsna that is eight fingers in height is also acceptable. One should not prepare a Deity larger or smaller than this.

Out of ignorance or illusion, if one who is the lowest among mankind carves a Deity of Lord Krsna either bigger or smaller than the above- mentioned sizes, his endeavor goes in vain and his worship of the Deity is futile.

In that place where there is a Deity being worshiped that was not carved according to the previously-mentioned standards, the king will torture his subjects and the householders go to hell.

A Deity of the Lord should be carved according to the measurements that are mentioned in the sdstra, and not otherwise. O foremost of sages, a Deity carved in the kingdom of Kasmlra awards one great wisdom, and a Deity made of gold awards the worshiper liberation.

A Deity made of stone awards wealth; a Deity made of silver bestows devotional service upon the worshiper; a Deity made of wood benedicts one with great prowess, and a Deity made of sand enables one to destroy his enemies.

101 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA A copper Deity enhances one's wealth and awards one immense happiness. A Deity made of clay is always considered auspicious, and He awards the worshiper material enjoyment and liberation. I have thus described the various kinds of Deities. Apart from these, there are two more Deities—those that are painted and those that are written in the form of letters.

There is no fault involved if a Deity was not carved according to the prescribed measurements if He is situated on the peak of a mountain, on the bank of a river, in an open courtyard, in a pasturing ground, on the seashore, or in a forest.

The Deity of Lord Krsna should be nicely decorated and have curly, black hair and other transcendental characteristics. O n e who practices the chanting of a mantra should install the Deity either at home or in the pasturing ground.

The abdomen of a female Deity should be fourteen fingers broad, the circumference of the waist should be twenty-two fingers, and the breasts should be twelve fingers in circumference.

EIGHTEENTH VILAS A 103

T h e arms of a Deity of Laksmi should be slightly smaller than the arms of a Deity of Lord Visnu. Her face should be longer, however. The distance between Her forehead and throat should be about two-and-a- half fingers.

T h e size of the reddish lower lip should be one-half a finger. The size of the eye should be one-fourth the size of a male Deity's eye. All the other limbs should be carved proportionately.

O n e should carve the hips, breasts, and thighs of a female Deity broader than a male Deity. T h e lotus hands should be made slightly smaller than those of a male Deity.

The lines on the throat should be made half-a-finger above one another.

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In this way, male and female Deities should be carved. The height of a Deity should be approximately nine talas. A tala is the distance from the tip of the middle finger to the tip of the thumb when they are stretched apart.

Members of all the varnas, headed by the brdhmanas, should collect pure clay either from a riverbank, from a holy place, or from any place that has been sanctified by ritualistic performances.

One should mix an equal quantity of stone powder and powdered iron. He should then add the abstract of the arjuna and catechu trees, making sure to blend it thoroughly. Next should be added resin, tarpin oil, kunkum, glue, yogurt, milk, and ghee, and after blending these items thoroughly, again and again, one should let it ferment for one month before using it to make a clay Deity.

At the beginning, one should use a pole, preferably made of catechu wood, which is primarily used for kindling in a sacrificial fire, as a support so that the clay Deity will stand erect.

One may use as many as one hundred and twenty poles, or according to another opinion, twenty-five poles. These poles should be the size of the Deity's fingers.

106 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA The length of the Deity's feet should be fourteen fingers, the waist at the navel should measure twenty-seven fingers, the lips should each measure half-a-finger, the thighs should be twenty-five fingers long, and the distance from the top of the knees down to the feet should be twenty- five fingers.

The eyes should be half-a-finger in height and the throat should be rounded. There are a total of twenty-five limbs of the body. The distance between the wrist and the head should be one kald. The Deity's chest should be twenty-five fingers broad. The waist should measure either sixteen or eighteen fingers.

The length of each forearm should be twenty-five fingers and the hands should be seventeen fingers long.

The wrist should be one kald in circumference, or its breadth can be measured as six middle fingers.

This is a brief description of how to make a clay Deity. A Kurma Deity should be one-fourth the size of the principal Diety.

matsye (In the Matsya Purdna it is stated) atah param pravaksmi devdkdrdn visesatah dasatdlah smrto rdmo balirvairocanistathd vardho narasimhasca saptatdlastu vdmanah matsyakurmmau tu nirddistau yathd sobha svayambhuvd Now I shall describe the size of the various Deities. The Deity of Lord Rama; Bali, the son of Virocana, Lord Varaha, and Lord Narasimha should be ten in height, and Lord Vamana should be seven talas. According to Brahma, the Deities of Lord Matysa and Lord Kurma should be the size that appears most suitable and beautiful.

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Now 1 will describe the appearance of the Deity of Maha-Varaha. This Deity should have a lotus and club in His hands. His teeth should be sharp, and His face should appear very fierce. The Lord holds mother Earth on His left elbow.

Mother Earth should hold a fully blossomed lotus flower in her hand as she is lifted by Lord Varaha on His tusks. The deity of the earth should appear astonished, with eyes wide open in disbelief.

The Deity of Lord Varaha's right hand should be placed on His waist. One of His lotus feet should be resting on Lord Kurma and His other lotus foot should be placed on the head of Ananta Sesa. This Deity should be surrounded by many demigods, who are engaged in offering prayers.

The Deity of Lord Nrsimha should have eight arms. He should appear very angry and have a head like that of a lion, and His eyes and mouth should be very fierce, like a lion.

His shoulder and chest should be covered with matted hair as He is engaged in tearing apart the body of Hiranyakasipu, the son of Diti. T h e demon, Hiranyakasipu, should be shown with his intestines coming out of his body.

HO SRI H A R I - B H A K T I - VILASA The demon, Hiranyakasipu, should be seen vomiting blood, his eyebrows are frowning, and he is trying his best to fight. He should appear exhausted while bragging and shouting. His associates should be carrying tridents and shields. Lord Nrsirhhadeva should be seen as being glorified by the best of the demigods.

Now I shall describe the Deity of Trivikrama. The Lord appears ready to encompass the entire universe and so His appearance should be very fierce. His hands should hang by His sides while His gigantic legs stretch upwards and downwards.

The Deity of Vamanadeva as a dwarf brdhmana should be seen with a water pot in his left hand and an umbrella in His right hand, and His face should appear serene.

The deity of Bali Maharaja should be placed by the Lord's side, holding a water pot with a spout. The deity of Garuda should also be by His side, engaged in arresting Bali Maharaja.

The Deity of Matsya should appear like a fish and the Deity of Kurma should appear like a tortoise. In this way, the Deities of the various forms of Lord Hari, or Narayana, should be carved.

visnu dharmmottare (In the Visnu-dharmottara it is stated) devadhevam. tathd visnurh kdrayedgaruda sthitam kaustubhodbhdsitauraskarh sarvvdbharana dhdrinam sajaldmbuda-'Saccha'yarh pitadivydmvararh tathd mukhdsca kdryydscawdro bdhavo dviguridstathd The Deity of Maha-Visnu, the Lord of the demigods, should be seated on the back of Garuda. His chest should be illuminated by the effulgence emanating from the Kaustubha gem. He should be adorned with all kinds of ornaments. His complexion is just like that of a dark cloud; He is dressed in yellow garments; and He possesses either four or eight arms.

His form should be attractive, His face should be as brilliant as moon rays, and He should be installed facing east. The Deity of Nrsimhadeva

112 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA should be installed facing south, the Deity of Kapiladeva should face west, and the Deity of Varahadeva should face north.

According to the description of the Visnu-dharma, Lord Maha-Visnu should hold an arrow, the sun, a musala and a cakra in His four right hands, and a shield, a conch, the moon, and a bow in His four left hands. He should be decorated with a garland of forest flowers.

The Deity of Lokapala-Visnu should be carved with one head and two are decorated with a club and a cakra.

kifica (It is also stated) ekavaktrusatur bdhuh saumyarupi sudarsanah salilddhndta meghdbhah sarvvd bharana bhusitah The Deity of Vasudeva should be carved with one head, four arms, very attractive features, and a dark complexion. He should be pleasing to the eyes and decorated with all kinds of celestial ornaments.

His appearance should be peaceful and His throat should resemble a conch shell. He should be decorated with varieties of excellent ornaments. His ears should be adorned with two beautiful earrings.

His arms should be decorated with armlets, and He should have a garland of forest flowers decorating His chest, along with a Kaustubha gem. His head should be decorated with a flower crown.

One should construct a canopy shaped like a lotus flower and hang it above the Deity's head. His four arms should be strongly built, long, and rounded. The color of His fingers and fingernails should be like that of copper.

T h e Deity's abdomen should be very attractive and adorned with three lines. A deity of mother earth should be placed near His lotus feet.

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The female deity of BhudevI should clasp the Lord's feet with her hands. The position of her feet should make a dramatic effect with her right foot slightly in front of her left foot.

She should appear as if astonished to see the Supreme Lord. The length of the Lord's garments should extend to His knees.

The Deity's garland of forest flowers should also extend to His knees and His sacred thread should extend to His navel.

The Lord should carry a beautiful lotus flower in His right hand and in His left hand should be placed a conch-shaped Deity of Ananata Sesa.

To the right of the Lord there should be a deity of GadadevI having beautiful eyes. Her waist should be very thin and her mood should be that of great awe and reverence. She should be nicely decorated with all kinds of ornaments. She should be seen as gazing at the Lord with a bemused expression as she fans Him with a cdmara. The Lord's right hand should be placed on her head.

A deity of the Lord's cakra should be installed to His left. This deity should have a large stomach and large round eyes, and should be round in shape and decorated with all varieties of ornaments.

This deity should be looking at the Lord and holding a cdmara, and the Lord's left hand should be placed on his head.

The Deity of Lord Sankarsana should be similar to that of Lord Vasudeva. Sankarsana is non-different form Baladeva, the foremost member of the Yadu dynasty. The only difference is that Baladeva's complexion is white and He wears blue garments.

Lord Sankarsana should be holding the musala in place of the club, and a plough in place of the cakra. The Deities of Lord Vasudeva and Sankarsana, who had performed transcendental pastimes in human-like forms, should be very attractive and of a medium size.

The Deity of Lord Pradyumna should also be similar to the Deity of Lord Vasudeva, but His complexion should be dark like newly-grown dilrvd grass, and He should wear white garments.

In place of the cakra that is held by Lord Vasudeva, Lord Pradyumna holds a bow, and in place of the club, He holds an arrow. Just as Baladeva holds a plough and musala, Pradyumna holds a bow and arrow.

The Deity of Aniruddha should resemble the Deity of Vasudeva. His complexion should be the color of a lotus leaf, and He should be dressed in red garments. In place of Lord Vasudeva's cakra, Aniruddha should carry a shield, and in place of the club, He should hold a sword in His hand. His shield should resemble a cakra, and His sword should resemble a trident.

O Yadava, I shall now describe the forms of the Lord's various weapons, such as the beautiful cakra. O king, to the left of the Deity one should place beautiful flags. These flags should be fastened to poles and installed according to the authorized procedures.

118 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILAS A srngi matsyastu karttavyo devadevo jandrddanah esvaryyam aniruddhastu vardho bhagavdn harih esvaryyasaktyd darhstrdgrasa muddhrta vasundharah The Deities of Harhsa, Matsya, and Kurma should also be carved in similar way, but the Mastya form of Lord Janardana should have a horn on His head. Aniruddha should appear very opulent, as should Lord Varaha, who should be seen holding the earth on His tusks.

The Deity of Varaha-Nrsirhha should be situated on the coils of Ananta Sesa. Lord Sesa should have four arms, a most charming appearance, and beautiful jeweled hoods.

O Yadava, Lord Sesa should be gazing at His worshipable Lord with blissful, wonder-struck eyes. He should carry a plough and musala in His two hands.

Ananta Sesa should have hoods and His hands should be folded in supplication. He should be seen licking His lips and Lord Varaha should be standing on His back.

The deity of Hiranyaksa should be devoid of any opulence or effulgence. Although Hiranyaksa, the killer of his enemies, was very powerful, he was comprehensively defeated by Lord Varaha.

O n e may also carve a Deity of Nrsimha-Varahadeva, sitting in meditation like Lord Kapila, or as a two-armed form engaged in offering oblations into the sacrificial fire.

One may also install a gigantic Deity of Varahadeva standing in the midst of many formidable demons. One can also install a Deity of Nrsimha-Varaha, or only Lord Varaha tearing apart the surface of the earth.

120 SRI H A R I - B H A K T I - VILASA sirhhdrumo nrdehasca nllavdsdh prabhdnvitah alidhasthdnah sarvvd bharana bhusitah Learned scholars describe the Deity of Lord Nrsimha as follows. He is the personification of knowledge and so He enhances the understanding of His worshipers. His shoulders, waist, and neck are very strongly-built and His abdomen is thin. He has the head of a lion and the torso of a human being. He is dressed in blue garments and His body is full of effulgence. His right leg is placed in front and His left knee is turned to the side as if He is engaged in fighting His enemies, and He is decorated with various ornaments.

His face should be surrounded by a circle of fiery effulgence and His mane should also appear ablaze. He should be seen tearing apart the chest of Hiranyakasipu with His sharp nails.

Hiranyakasipu should be lying on the lap of Lord Nrsimha and his complexion should be like a blue flower. Learned scholars know Hiranyakasipu to be the form ignorance.

One should faithfully install a Deity of Lord Vamana in times of danger. He should have a large body, and He should hold a staff in His hand. He should appear to be in the mood of studying. His complexion should be the color of newly-grown durva grass and He should be dressed in a black deer skin.

The Deity of the Supreme Lord, Trivikrama, should have a blackish complexion, the color of a newly-arrived monsoon cloud, and He should hold a stick and a rope in His hands. He should also hold a conch shell, club, lotus, and cakra. He should be placed next to the Deity of Ananta Sesa. Lord Sesa should appear with a hood and His eyes should display a look of astonishment.

122 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA O n e should install a Deity of Parasurama having a ferocious appearance. His head should be bedecked with matted hair. He should carry an axe in His hand and He should be dressed in black deer skin.

The Deity of Lord Ramacandra, the son of King Dasaratha, should have all the characteristics of royalty. Along with Him, there should be Deities of Laksmana, Bharata, and Satrughna. However, except Lord Rama, the others need not wear crowns.

The Deity of Lord Krsna should hold a cakra, and His complexion should be like that of a blue lotus flower. By His side there should be a Deity of Rukmini-devi, who is non-different from Laksmi, and she should hold a blue lotus flower.

The Deity of Baladeva should have a plough in one hand and a musala in the other. He wears only one earring and His complexion is white. He is dressed in dark blue garments and His eyes are rolling due to intoxication.

O King, the Deity of Pradyumna should be very attractive and He should hold a bow and an arrow in His two hands. His complexion is the color of the newly-grown durva grass, His garments are white, and He appears to be full of intense pride.

124 S R I H A R I - B H A K T l - V I L ASA The Deity of Kamadeva, whose beauty cannot be compared to anyone within this world, should be carved in a very distinctive manner. He should have eight arms and hold a conch shell, lotus flower, bow, arrow, and other symbolic representations. He should be very well-decorated, fully intoxicated, and casting a crooked glance. On His two sides stand His four beautiful wives—Rati, Prlti, Mrdusakti and Ujjvala. They should each have four arms and their height should reach to Kamadeva's chest. The flag on His chariot should have the marking of a shark, and five arrows should be kept in front of Him.

The Deity of Aniruddha should hold a trident and shield in His hands. The body of Samba should be strongly built and He should appear very enchanting. Both Aniruddha and Samba have complexions like the color of a lotus flower, and they wear red garments.

The Deity of Gopala should be carved in the following manner. He should play His flute and His head should be adorned with a crown of peacock feathers. He has two arms and His complexion is like that of a dark cloud.

The Deity of Lord Buddha should wear red or saffron cloth, and a cadara should rest on His shoulder. He has two arms, is seated in the padmasana, and is engaged in deep meditation. This form is very well- known throughout the world.

The Deity of Nara should have two long arms and his complexion should be the color of newly-grown durva grass. The Deity of Narayana should have four arms and his complexion should be the color of the blue lotus.

Between these two Deities there should be a jujube tree. Both Nara and Narayana should have chanting beads hanging around their necks.

Both should be situated within a network of eight circles and dressed in black deer skin. They should appear most magnanimous and have matted hair.

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While carving a Deity of Lord Hari, His bearing should be made to resemble that of a great general, whereas one foot should be placed upon His thigh, just like the great sage, Nara. This Deity of Krsna should be like Narayana.

The Deity of Hayasirsa should have a white complexion. He should be dressed in blue garments and His lotus feet should be respectfully held by Bhudevl.

The Deity of Hayasirsa, who is an expansion of Sankarsana, should have eight arms. A conch, club, cakra, and lotus flower should be placed in four of His hands. The other four hands should rest on the heads

of prominent demigods. The Deity should be decorated with various ornaments.

O n e should know that the Deity of Pradyumna should appear detached, like Kapiladeva. He should hold a conch shell and cakra in His two hands. One of His other two hands should be placed on His thigh, while the other should be placed on His lap.

Lord Kapila sits in the padmdsana, in a trance of meditation and His eyes remain closed. His head is covered with matted hair and His body is so effulgent that it is difficult to look at.

O King, because He restrains His life air, His body is very strong. His lotus feet appear to be just like lotus flowers. He wears a deer skin and a sacred thread. He should be seated within the whorl of a lotus, while being adored with the chanting of transcendental hymns.

Because of His detachment, He appears extremely powerful. He is engaged is meditating on His own supreme form, for the benefit of the people of the entire world. He is an erudite scholar, an eternal personality, and the propounder of Sarikhya philosophy.

Kapiladeva's complexion is dark, and He is dressed in fine garments. His eyes are a tawny color and He has matted hair. He should be surrounded by His four disciples—Sumanta, Jaimini, Paila and Vaisampayana.

Sage Valmlki has a fair complexion. His head is bedecked with matted hair and his effulgent form is difficult to look at. He is engaged in performing penance, his appearance is peaceful, and He is neither too fat nor too thin.

The Deity of Dattatreya should be similar to that of Valmiki. The Deity of Lord Sesa, the king of the serpents, should be situated within the water. His hoods should be adorned with brightly shining jewels that are so effulgent that it is impossible to look at Him.

The Deity of the Lord of the demigods should be carved so that He sits on the bed on Ananta Sesa. One of His hands should be placed on His knee while another hand should be near His navel. His third hand should be placed under His head as a pillow.

O Yadava, His fourth hand holds a bunch of flowers from a desire tree. A lotus stem sprouts from the lake of His navel, in which the fourteen planetary systems are situated. Brahma sits on the top of that lotus flower, while the two demons, Madhu and Kaitabha stand attached nearby.

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Many human-shaped snakes and weapons should also be placed there.

The Deity of Garuda should have a complexion like the color of an emerald. His nose should be like that of an owl. He has four arms, and His eyes, mouth, neck, thighs, knees, and legs are round. Garuda has very beautiful golden wings. In two of his hands he carries an umbrella and a water pitcher while his other two hands have palms joined in reverence.

When the Supreme Lord rides on Garuda's back, then instead of holding an umbrella and a water pitcher in his upper two hands, he

I uses them to hold the lotus feet of the Lord. His belly should be slightly protruding, and he should be decorated with all types of ornaments.

vesva karmma sastre ca (In the Visvakarma sdstra it is stated) laksml ndrdyanau kdryyau sarhyutau divya rupinau daksinasthd vibhormurtti laksmi murttistu vdmagd The Deities of Laksml-Narayana should be carved with great care and attention. Lord Narayana should stand to the right of Laksml, so that She remains by His left side.

Laksml's right hand should be touching Lord Narayana's neck and Lord Narayana's left hand should rest on the left side of Laksmi.

Laksml's form should be sublime, She should be decorated with celestial ornaments, and Her face should display charming eyes, forehead, and mouth. She is in the prime of Her youth and exceedingly beautiful. A Deity of Suddhi-devi, having a camara in Her hand, should stand

132 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA near Their Lordships. Apart from the principle Deities, all others deities should be small.

Two male deities holding a conch shell and a cakra should be placed in front of the Lord. These deities should be smaller than the principal Deities, and they should be decorated with necklaces, armlets, crowns, and other jeweled ornaments.

Two worshipers of the Lord—Brahma and Siva—should also be placed in front of the Lord. They should wear gold necklaces and sacred threads, and they should stand with folded hands.

This Deity should sit in the padmdsana, seated upon a white lotus. His eyes should be half-closed and His vision fixed on the tip of His nose.

His lower left and lower right hands should rest on His lap. A lotus and a club should be placed next to these hands. His two upper hands should hold a conch shell and the Sudarsana cakra. These are the characteristics of Yogasvaml. In order to achieve a state of transcendental happiness, yogis should worship Him and meditate upon Him.

irl hayaslrsa pancardtre (In the Hayasirsa-pancardtra it is stated) atahpararh pravaksyami matsyadinantu laksanam sattrirhsadanguldydmarh tadarddhena tu vistrtam Now I shall describe the characteristics of the incarnations, beginning with Matsya. The Deity of Matsya should be thirty six fingers height and eighteen fingers circumference at the chest.

His tail and mouth should each be one-eighth of His total length. His mouth should measure twelve fingers. He should resemble a fresh water fish. His black hair should be one kala in length, and half of His tail should be under His belly.

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After preparing the Deity in this manner, one should carve a Deity of Lord Narayana, who should be seen emerging from the mouth of Matsya avatara. The Lord's lotus feet and ankles should be within the mouth of the fish incarnation.

One who installed a Deity of Lord Matsya, the half-man, half-fish form of the Lord, will be endowed with all kinds of knowledge and will gain freedom from all types of danger.

The Deity of Kurmadeva should be three tolas long. One tala is the distance between the thumb and the middle finger. Kurmadeva has four legs and each leg has four toes.

Lord Govinda, the master of the demigods, should be placed as if he is coming out from Kurmadeva's forehead. The entire form of Govinda should be visible, expect His heels.

O n e who carves and installs a Deity of Nrsimha-Kurma, or just Kurmadeva, delivers his entire family back to Godhead.

O brdhmana, the width of Varahadeva's mouth should be eight kalds. His ears should be round. His jaws should be seven fingers wide, and His lower lip should be two fingers thick.

T h e openmg of His mouth should be seven fingers, His two front teeth should measure one-and-a-half kalds, the depth of His nostrils should be three yavas, and His eyes should be two yavas wide.

136 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA vasvahguld bhavedgrivd netrailiarh connatd tu sd bhavodadhi samuttdrarh rdjyanca hatakantakam His face should appear to be slightly smiling. His ears should round and broad. The diameter of the ear hole should be four kalds, and the depth should be half of that. His neck should be eight fingers wide and one netra high. The lower part of Varahadeva's body should be similar to that of Nrsirhhadeva.

One of His lotus feet should be placed on the head of Sesa, while His other foot should sustain the earth. In his two left hands He holds a conch shell and lotus flower, and in His two right hands He holds a club and cakra.

One who prepares and installs a Deity of Nrsirhha Varaha in this manner will easily cross over the ocean of material existence. Even prior to liberation, he will enjoy an undisturbed kingdom, either in this lifetime or the next—of this there is no doubt.

The Deity of Nrsimhadeva should be very large and imposing. His eyes are round and His shoulders measure one tala each, and appear most auspicious.

His eyebrows should be knitted, His mouth extended, His tongue lolling, His teeth very sharp, and His head covered with matted hair.

His two front teeth should extend from His mouth about two fingers. His teeth should be sharp and jagged, and their tips should be sharp. The breadth of the Lord's chest should be three kalas. His waist should measure a little more than five netras.

His thighs should be more than two kalas wide and His knees should be more than one kala wide. The lower part of the thighs may be one-and- a-half kalas wide, and the top of the thighs proportionately larger.

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The two legs should be very long and the armpits should measure slightly more than one-and-a-half kalds. The hands should not be too large. A learned dcdrya should prepare a Deity of Nrsimhadeva in this fashion.

The great demon, Hiranyakasipu, should be placed upon His lap. The demon's chest has been torn asunder by the Lord's fingernails. The Lord should be decorated with a vaijayanti garland, and a Deity of LaksmI should be installed by His side.

A learned devotee should carve the Deity of Nrsimhadeva so that He holds a trident and cakra. This will ensure that the worship always attains victory and is freed from all sinful reactions.

The length of Vamanadeva' arms should be three golokas, and His chest should be broad and attractive. His hands and legs should measure one-fourth His height. His head should be large and broad.

His thighs and calves should not be too thick. His waist, back, sides, and navel should generally appear formidable. If one wishes to always captivate the attention of others, one should install a Vamandeva Deity.

140 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA The Deity of Lord Parasurama's head should be covered with matted hair. His body should be very strongly built and so He should appear very powerful. His is a four-armed form and He is very fearful to the ksatriyas. In His lower right hand He carries an axe, and in His lower left hand He carries a bow. In His upper right hand He holds a trident, and in His upper left hand he holds a shield. One can also carve a two-armed form of Lord Parasurama, carrying an axe. One who prepares and installs a Deity of Lord Parasurama, the son of Jamadagni and Renuka, in this way will soon achieve wealth and all the fulfillment of all his desires.

The height of the Deity of Lord Ramacandra, the son of Dasaratha, should be seven tolas. Lord Ramacandra should be seen with four enchanting arms that hold a bow, arrow, conch, and cakra.

In His upper right hand He holds a cakra, in His upper left hand He holds a conch, in His lower right hand He holds an arrow, and in His left lower hand He carries a bow. O n e may also carve a two-armed form of Lord Ramacandra, holding a bow and an arrow.

To destroy his cruel enemies and accomplish his purpose, one should install a Deity of Lord Ramacandra having the above-mentioned characteristics.

Balarama should be carved with four arms. After Parasurama and Ramacandra, He is the third Rama. Now, please hear about His characteristics. Balarama carries a plough in His upper left hand, and a conch shell in His lower left hand. In His upper right hand, one may place either a club or a trident, and in the other hand, in place of a cakra, there can be a sword.

O n e who prepares and installs a Deity of Lord Baladeva is blessed with good sons and the destruction of his opposition.

142 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILAS A The Deity of Lord Buddha should be seated in the padmdsana. The Deity should be ten tolas, or about five feet, in height. He should have long ears and He should be dressed in a loin cloth.

His navel should be adorned with a jewel. He should be seated as if in trance and His face and eyes should resemble lotus flowers. His right hand is slightly raised and His eyes are half-closed. Those who desire beauty should install Him as the father of the universe.

The Deity of Lord Kalki should have four hands in which He holds a quiver, bow, conch shell, and cakra or trident. Lord Kalki may also be carved as having a two-armed form. The Lord of the demigods should be seated on the back of a horse, carrying a trident. By installing a Deity of Kalki, one can easily conquer the kingdom of his enemy.

kihca (It is also stated)

ddimurttirvdsudevah purvvamevodito mayd daksinodrdhve gadd yasya vdmodrdhve cakra mulvanam brahmesau pdrsvago nityarh sesamanyacca purvvavat The original form of the nine vyuhas is Lord Vasudeva, whose characteristics have already been described. In His upper right hand He holds a club, and in His upper left hand He holds a dazzling cakra. His associates, such as Brahma, Siva and Sesa, should be placed by His side.

The second Vasudeva expansion was manifested at the beginning of the Dvapara-yuga. He has two arms and holds a conch shell in His left hand, while His right hand is positioned so that He awards His blessings. Thus, two Deities of Lord Vasudeva can be carved.

The Deity of Baladeva has four arms and should be decorated with one earring. He holds a plough, musala, club, and lotus. Alternatively, He can hold a conch shell, cakra, and club, while His fourth hand showers blessings upon His devotees.

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The Deity of Pradyumna has four arms. In His four hands He holds a cakra and conch shell in His right hands, and a bow and arrow in His left hands. He should appear very attractive.

He should hold a conch shell in His right hand and a club in His left hand. In this way, one should carve the Deity with all the auspicious characteristics.

His two beautiful wives, Rati and Prlti, who carry a trident and shield in their hands, should be installed by His two sides. Pradyumna's throat should resemble a conch shell. A two-armed form of Pradyumna may also be carved, holding a bow and arrow in His hands.

T h e Deity of Aniruddha is four-armed and His throat should appear like a conch shell. In His two right hands He carries a cluh and lotus, and in His two left hands He holds a conch and cakra.

The Deity of Lord Narayana has four arms. His characteristics have already been described. I shall now describe the characteristics of the Deity of Brahma.

Brahma has four heads, four arms, a large abdomen, and matted hair atop his head. His complexion is like smoke and he should wear a waist band.

Place beautiful beads in his upper right hand, a sacrificial ladle in his lower right hand, and a water pot in one of his left hands.

146 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA In his other left hand place a pot of ghee mixed with kusa grass. Alternatively, a deity of four-headed Brahma can hold a conch, cakra, and club in three of his hands.

A deity of Sarasvatl should be placed to the left of Brahma, and on his right, a deity of Savitri should be installed. Alternativelyh, Brahma can also be surrounded by many great sages.

The deity of Brahma should appear as if he is engaged in meditation. The deity of Brahma should be a little larger than the Deity of Nrsimhadeva.

The Deity of Lord Visnu can be carved having eight arms or four arms. He sits on the back of Garuda and His form is very enchanting. Sometimes, He can be shown biting His lip.

In three His four right hands, the eight-armed Deity of Lord Visnu holds a trident, club, and arrow and with His fourth hand, He awards blessings to everyone. In His four left hands, He holds a bow, shield, cakra, and conch shell.

O n e of the right hands of four-armed Lord Visnu holds a club, and the other hand showers blessings. In His two left hands, the Lord holds a conch shell and a cakra.

The four-armed Deity of Lord Nrsimha carries a conch shell, cakra, and club. Alternatively, He can carry a conch shell and cakra in two hands and His other two hands can be engaged in tearing apart the abdomen of the great demon, Hiranyakas'ipu.

The Deity of Lord Varaha is four-handed. His hands and legs should be placed on Ananta Sesa. With His left hand, He lifts the earth, carrying Kamaladevi in His arms.

148 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA vardha kdmayeddevarh sankhacakra gada dharam If LaksmI is situated on Lord Varaha's arm, then the earth should be near His lotus feet. Lord Varaha carries a conch shell, cakra, and club.

The Deities of Varahadeva and Nrsimhadeva should be nine talas high. Previously it was described that they should measure more than nine talas.

kinca (It is also stated) astabdhum budhah kuryya ddeva trailokyamohanam garuda asanagarh devarh prathame vayasi sthitam An intelligent devotee should install an eight-armed Deity of Lord Purusottama, who enchants the three worlds. He should be in the prime of His youth and seated on the back of Garuda.

In His four right hands Lord Purusottama holds a cakra, trident, musala, and anchor, and in His four left hands He holds a conch shell,

bow, club, and rope. Laksmi, holding a lotus flower in Her hand, should be installed on to the Lord's left and Sarasvati, holding a stringed instrument, should be placed to His right.

I have already described the eight-armed form of Lord Purusottama. Now, hear about the four-armed and two-armed Lord Purusottama.

The upper right hand of four-armed Purusottama should appear as if bestowing peace upon His worshipers, and His lower right hand should appear as if bestowing mercy. In His upper left hand, the Lord holds a cakra, and in His lower left hand, He holds His renowned conch shell, the Paficajanya.

The four-armed Deity of Lord Purusottama should be installed along with deities of Sri and Pusti. This form of the Supreme Lord can be installed and worshiped either in a palace, at home, or in a temple.

150 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA ekarh santikaram hastam apararh cakra bhusitam sri sarasvatlsarhyutame kamdyatane nyaset The two-armed Deity of Lord Purusottama is two types. One of these Deities bestows peace with one hand and carries a cakra in His other hand. He should be installed along with deities of Sri and Pusti.

The other Deity holds a club and cakra in His two hands. He should be accompanied by Baladeva, who carries a plough, and His sister, Subhadra. He should be installed on a square altar, or at home. He fulfills all desires when worshiped.

His complexion should be the color of an atasi flower, and His chest and thighs are broad. His beauty showers a rain of nectar in all directions.

There is no comparison to the beauty of Lord Purusottama anywhere within the three worlds, nor will there be any in the future. Such an attractive Deity of Lord Purusottama should be installed.

The eyes of the two-armed Deity of Baladeva should be rolling due to intoxication. His left hand should hold a plough and His right a raised musala. He should be installed by the side of Lord Purusottama.

Alternatively, one may adorn Baladeva's two hands with a conch shell and cakra, a bow and arrow, or carve them in the positions of bestowing peace and mercy.

O foremost of fortunate souls, in His two-armed form, Baladeva should be covered by five or seven hoods, like Anantadeva.

152 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA Between the Deity of Lord Purusottama, or Krsna, and Baladeva one should install a Deity of Their sister, Subhadra. She should appear very beautiful as She should holds a lotus flower in Her left hand and showers blessings upon Her worshipers with Her right hand.

The queen of the demigods, Subhadra's, left hand may also be placed on Her hip. I have thus described to you the characteristics of the two- armed Deity of Lord Visnu. When worshiped, this Deity awards all kinds of happiness and the fulfillment of one's desires.

This Deity of the Supreme Lord should be accompanied by Baladeva and Subhadra. Subhadra should be installed to the right of Jagannatha, or Purusottama, and to Her right the Deity of Baladeva, who eyes display His great pride, should be installed.

kifica (It is also said) virhsadvahurh visvaruparh kuryydttallaksanam srnu cakrarh khadganca musala mankisarix pattisarh tathd sudgaranca tathd pdsam saktirh sararh tathd

daksinesu pradadyadvai vdmesu srnu sdmpratam sankha sdrngarh gaddrh pdsdrh tdmara langalarh tathd parasurh churikdrh carmma praksepanam tathd The universal form of the Lord should be carved having twenty arms. Hear now about His characteristics. In His ten right hands He holds a cakra, trident, musala, anchor, axe, mallet, rope, spear, lance, and arrow. In His ten left hands the Lord holds a conch, bow, club, rope, iron crowbar, plough, axe, dagger, stick, and shield.

The Deity of Visvarupa should be similar in size to Nrsimhadeva. To His left, a deity of four-headed Brahma should be installed, and on His right, three-eyed Mahadeva should be placed. There should also be some deities of sages glorifying the Lord, and some demons running away in fear.

who lies down in the Causal Ocean) vdmapdrsvena sayitam kdrayej jalasdyinam devibhirvihkagam devarh caturbdhum jandrddanam This four-armed Deity of Lord Janardana should be seen lying on His left side on the bed of Ananta Sesa.

154 ^Ri HARI-BHAKTl-VILASA

His lotus feet should be clasped by LaksmI, who is decorated with very nice ornaments. The Lord is respectfully served by His eight energies, such as Vimala. A lotus flower has sprouted from the Lord's navel, on which the grandfather of the universe is seated.

O sinless one, 1 shall describe the characteristics of the Deity of Laksmi in the Saura-khanda. Laksmi, the queen of the demigods, should measure eight tdlas in height.

Laksml-devl's eyebrows should be a little more than one yava in width, and the length of Her nose should be smaller than one yava.

Her mouth should measure more than one goloka. Her face should appear very pleasing and symmetrical. Her eyes should be a little less than three yavas in width.

The height of Her eyes should be half of that. Her earlobes should appear a little above Her lips.

Her shoulders should slope and the measurement of the width of Her neck should be one-and-a-half kolas. The width of Her neck should appear to be nicely proportioned in accordance with the other limbs of Her body.

Apart from Her eyes, which are very wide, the other parts of Her body, including Her thighs, knees, feet, back, spine, and waist should be carved with perfect proportions.

156 SRI H A R I - B H A K T I - VILAS A The length of Her fingers should be less than one-seventh the height of Her body and they should neither be too long nor too short. T h e width of Her thighs, knees, and waist should be less than one netra.

The middle portion of Her body and Her sides should not be too rounded. Her breasts are round and large. Each breast should measure one tdla in diameter. Her waist should measure more than one-and-a- half kalds. The other parts of Her body should be carved as previously described.

The Deity of Laksml-devI should be decorated with many ornaments. Her waist should be thin, Her breasts raised, and Her hips broad. These are the characteristics of LaksmI, the queen of the demigods.

She has two arms, Her throat resembles a conch shell, Her eyes are broad, and She is a reservoir of all good qualities. Her breasts should be raised and covered by a blouse.

Her two arms appear like the bodies of snakes and Her thighs resemble inverted banana stalks. Her head should be covered with a fine silk cloth having golden embroidery.

Her waist should be decorated with a waist band made of fine cloth having golden embroidery. Her chest should be adorned with a celestial necklace. She wears armlets on Her arms and a golden crown sits atop Her head.

The Deity of Laksmi should be seated on a lotus flower. In Her right hand is a white lotus flower and in Her left hand is a wood apple.

T h e Deity of Laksmi can be carved standing in the threefold bending posture and Her waist should appear ample. Two female deities holding camaras should be installed on either side of Laksmu ' •

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Two elephants should also be placed on the altar, bathing LaksmI with water kept in water pots held by their trunks. If one installs this Deity of Laksml-devI, he will achieve the fulfillment of all his desires.

Now I shall describe the Deity of Garuda, the best among all birds. His attractive body should be similar to that of a human being but his nose should resemble the beak of a bird.

The length of his nose should be about six fingers. His head should be decorated with beautiful hair, and his eyes should be round.

Garuda has two long arms and beautiful wings. His shoulders are not distinctly visible. He should be seen as greatly effulgent, like a blazing fire.

His toenails and fingernails are very long, and they resemble the coil of a snake. His anklets are two snakes and his armlets are two snakes named of Padma and Kambala.

His garment is covered at the waist by a serpent named Kulika. Noble- minded Garuda wears earrings of scorpions.

The Deitiy of Garuda should be installed in front of the Supreme Lord, or on top of a column, or in the temple courtyard. His altar should be almost as high as the Lord's altar, but if he is installed on a column, its height should be half that of the temple.

160 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA kinkarddydsca karttavydh sapta sdmsihdna sarhyutdh The measurements of the Lord's associates, as well as the demigods, should be similar to that of the Lord, while the measurements of the goddess should be similar to that of Laksmi. The Lord's servants should be marked with seven symbols.

mdtsye (In the Isiatsya Purdna it is stated) nddhikdngi na hindhgi karttavyd devatd kvacit svdminarh ghdtayatyund kardla vadand tathd One should never carve a Deity with an extra limb or less limbs than prescribed. Installation of a Deity with extra limbs, or a frightful appearance, causes the death of the person who installed the Deity.

If a Deity is carved with more limbs than are prescribed, this will cause the death of the sculptor. One who carves a Deity that is too thin will lose all his wealth. When a Deity is carved with a tiny stomach, famine will ravage that country, and when a Deity is carved so that He looks scrawny, that kingdom's opulence will decrease.

Carving a Deity with a crooked nose causes great suffering, carving a Deity with short limbs causes fear, carving a Deity whose features look flat and not accentuated will cause great grief, and carving a Deity without eyes will make the sculptor go blind.

Carving a Deity without a head will bring one great distress, carving a Deity with thin hands and legs will also award one much misery, and carving a Deity without shoulders or thighs causes bewilderment and ultimately madness.

Installing a Deity having a dry or pale mouth, or with a disjointed waist, brings about the ruination of the king. O n e who installs a Deity without hands or legs suffers very severely in hell.

O n e who installs a Deity without thighs strengthens his enemy as a result. O n e who installs a Deity without a chest will lose his children and friends. Only a properly-sculpted Deity will award one a long life and wealth.

162 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

If one worships a Deity that has extra limbs, he will soon face the wrath of the king. By worshiping a deformed Deity, one also becomes deformed. A Deity with thin abdomen causes hunger and fear, a Deity with very thin limbs destroys one's wealth, and a Deity with broken limbs ensures the worshiper's death by means of a weapon.

Worship of a Deity that tilts to the left will cause the death of one's wife. Worship of a Deity that is tilted to the right will diminish one's lifespan. Worship of a Deity whose vision is directed upwards causes blindness, and worshipping a Deity whose face is lowered creates anxiety within the heart.

When one worships a Deity that was carved without concern for the authorized symptoms, the demigods refuse to accept his offerings of food. Therefore, one should give up the worship of such a Deity.

mdtsye (In the Matsya Purdna it is stated) citraja caiva lepya ca sastrotkirnd ca pakaja sate kudye ca pdtre ca citraja pratimd smrtd There are four classes of Deities—citraja, lepya, sastrotkirnd, and pakaja. When a Deity is painted or drawn on canvas it is called citraja.

Lepya refers to a Deity that is made from clay. Any Deity made of metal is called pakaja, and Deities made of stone or wood are called sastrotkirnd.

According to the materials used, there are four kinds of Deities.

It is ascertained that there are seven types of Deities—those made of clay, wood, metal, jewels, stone, sandalwood, and flowers.

164 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA Deities made of flowers, jewels, or clay are always auspicious. When worshiped, They fulfill all of one's desires.

A Deity made of stone awards the worshiper good fortune, and a Deity made of gold awards prosperity to His worshiper. A Deity made of jewels awards happiness, and a Deity made of silver bestows fame and adoration.

A Deity made of copper awards wealth to His worshiper, a Deity made of wood benedicts one with opulence, a Deity made of flowers bestows happiness, and a Deity made of sandalwood bestows material enjoyment.

If a Deity made of clay is installed, He will award one all kinds of perfection.

One will reside in the abode of Lord Visnu for as many thousands of yugas as he beautifully draws or paints Deities of the Lord.

Lord Hari resides in His painted and clay Deities. Therefore, one should faithfully worship these two Deities of the Supreme Lord.

Because effulgence, ornaments, and mood are clearly visible in a picture of Lord Janardana, it should be understood that the Lord remains present in that form. Therefore, learned authorities consider the worship of the Supreme Lord in a picture as being extremely beneficial.

Simply by seeing a picture of the Supreme Lord, whose eyes are like lotus petals, engaged in transcendental pastimes, one is freed from all sinful reactions that were accumulated during his previous ten million births.

156 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA patasthah pujaniyastu devd ndrdyanah prabhuh Therefore, devotees who desire to advance on the path of devotional service should worship the picture of Lord Narayana.

One who desires to carve a Deity should understand how to locate the most suitable stone. Generally, the best stone is found at the Trikuta mountain, in the Himalayas, or beneath the surface of the earth.

For the benefit of his disciple, a spiritual master should set out to find a suitable stone for carving a Deity of the Supreme Lord. He should begin his journey on an auspicious day, at an auspicious moment, when there is an auspicious conjunction of stars planets, during the fortnight of the waxing moon when the sun travels in the northern hemisphere. He should dress in white garments, decorate himself with a garland of white

lotuses and white sandalwood paste, and wear a crown of white flowers. He should be accompanied by strongly-built men to carry the stone and expert sculptors to carve it.

First, the spiritual master should worship Nrsirhhadeva and pray for His mercy. He should also worship the Lord's weapons, such as the axe. Then, he should drink some ghee while remembering Lord Hari and perform the nyasa on all his bodily limbs. All the while, the brahmanas should recite sacred hymns. He should then look at auspicious things, such as yogurt, durva grass, cow's urine, a mirror, a white flower, and so on. He should then depart, after offering obeisances to a pitcher filled with water.

The spiritual master should gaze at the sky and at the land to look for auspicious signs. If he finds an auspicious omen, he should depart for the forest, but if he sees a bad omen, he should look again three times while meditating on Lord Hari's form as Nrsirhhadeva.

When the time is right, the spiritual master should chant his worshipable mantra eight times, followed by the patalamusala mantra. Then, he should leave home to the accompaniment of singing and the playing of musical instruments.

The spiritual master should walk in front while remembering Laksmldevi, followed by the artists and laborers. The sounds of conch shells and drums should fill the sky. Auspicious mantras from Rk, Yajur and Sama Vedas should be recited. While walking, the spiritual master should meditate on Lord Nrsimha. He should travel toward the east, north, or northeast.

He should approach one of the previously-mentioned mountains. He should wear his protective amulet or recite its mantra before entering the vicinity of the stone that is to be acquired.

When they arrive at the selected place, the spiritual master, along with the artists and laborers should search for the appropriate tree or stone. The spiritual master should personally examine the location to see that it is satisfactory.

According to the characteristics that were previously explained, the spiritual master, who is well-acquainted with mantras, should select a block of stone having a single color. He should be sure that this stone is devoid of external faults. The block of stone should then be cut into a rectangular solid, washed with pure water, and smeared with cow dung. Teut 350 tatraiva rrmndaparh krtvd vdsudevarh tato japet patdkais torarxaiscitrair mandaparh tarn vibhusayet A pandala should be erected at that place and the Vasudeva mantras should be chanted. Flags should be raised, a gate constructed, and the pandala should be decorated very nicely.

170 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Thereafter, the predominating deities of the ten directions should be worshiped, and the cruel ghosts should be offered gifts of urad dal, turmeric powder, yogurt, barley powder, puffed rice, and rice. The spiritual master should worship Lord Visnu before worshiping the ten dikpalas.

This worship should be performed in the north-west corner of the pdndala by chanting the astra mantra and offering sandalwood paste and flowers. The spiritual master should then ignite the sacrificial fire and offer oblations.

After performing a fire sacrifice according to the prescribed rules and regulations, the acarya should prepare some sanctified water for purification, which he should then sprinkle over the block of stone while chanting the astra mantra.

Then, the stone should be marked with kusa grass while the chanting of the astra mantra continues. After this, the acarya should recite appropriate mantras while covering the block of stone with a white cloth.

One should protect the stone by chanting the Nrsimha mantra and then cover it with kusa grass. Next, one should worship the stone with offerings of sandalwood paste, flowers, incense, and food.

Thereafter, the acarya should perform a fire sacrifice during which he offers one hundred and eight oblations of ghee while chanting the mula mantra. The final oblation should then be offered into the sacrificial fire while chanting the king of mantras.

After faithfully worshiping the stone in this way, the acarya should offer it various gifts. The acarya should also offer sandalwood paste, flowers, and incense to the ghosts and spirits.

172 SR! HARI-BHAKTI - VILAS A siddhddayo vdye cdnye tan sampujya ksamdpayet The acarya should also worship the demons, Guhyakas, Siddhas, and others who reside at that place, begging forgiveness from them.

I have undertaken this mission by the order of Lord Kesava, to prepare a Deity of Lord Visnu. I hope that all of you will cooperate in this mission of the Supreme Lord.

May all of you be pleased with these offerings. Kindly leave this place and go somewhere else, of your own accord.

After pacifying the living entities residing in that region by speaking in this way, the spiritual master should next perform dcamana, put on his amulet, and partake of a little prasadam. After offering prayers to Lord Hari and Laksmi-devI, the spiritual master, along with the sculptors and laborers, should pass the night at that place, sleeping on mats of kusa grass, facing west. The spiritual master should fast that night, and he should engage in chanting mantras and practicing prdndydma.

O father of all the planets! O Lord Visnu! O form of the universe! O Lord, who manifests the universal form! O Lord of the heavenly planets, I offer my obeisances unto You.

O Lord of the demigods, kindly make your appearance on this stage. I have taken shelter of You. You are present within my heart and I offer all my activities unto You by chanting this mantra: om hrirh phat visnave svdhd.

174 SRI H A R I - B H A K T I - V I L AS A When the spiritual master sees a blazing tree that is devoid of smoke, and is filled with fruit and flowers, he should know that it is suitable for carving a Deity.

Also, when he sees a burning block of stone, or a block of stone inhabited by either Laksmi or Brahma, he should understand that it can award one all kinds of benefit.

The dedrya may also see in his dream that the block of stone is blazing like fire, or that it is inhabited by Laksmi. He may also see the mountain expanding and surrounded by golden trees that bear all kinds of seasonal fruit and flowers. This is an indication that the Deity will be enchanting and auspicious.

The next day, the acarya should protect himself by chanting the appropriate mantras and then perform his daily worship. He should also worship the Lord's weapons, and offer arghya to the stone slab while chanting the astra mantra. The stone should again be worshiped while meditating upon it as being engulfed in fire.

Thereafter, the acarya should pour honey and ghee on the stone, while chanting the appropriate mantras and considering it to be a form of Lord Hari. The sculptor should be meditated upon as Visvakarma and the weapons as Lord Visnu. The spiritual master should then hand the weapons to the sculptor, while facing either north or east. The acarya should then determine the location of the Deity's face, back, and legs, and show these to the sculptor.

The sculptor should be decorated with white sandalwood paste and a garland of white flowers. With a clean body and pure heart, he should

176 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA stand facing either north or east, and he should meditate on the Supreme Lord .as being situated within his heart. The self-controlled sculptor should then pick up a chisel and begin to carve the Deity.

The top portion of the northern, eastern, or the northeastern side of the stone should be used for carving the Deity's back, and the lower portion should be used for carving the Deity's face.

The size of the stone slab is bigger than the size of the Deity to be carved from it. The Deity's face and other features should be predetermined before starting to cut the stone. First, the sculptor should cut away the unnecessary portions of the stone block, keeping enough to carve the Deity. Thus, the stone should be cut into a rectangular solid.

After carefully considering the good qualities and faults of the stone slab or tree, the learned spiritual master should engage the sculptor in carving the Deity.

Before transporting the stone, the spiritual master must arrange for a nice cart, drawn by strongly-built bulls. After placing the stone on the cart, it should be covered by a white cloth. The spiritual master should chant appropriate mantras while remembering Lord Hari and offering arghya to the stone.

If, while transporting the stone, there is any kind of accident or inauspiciousness caused by either the supervisors or the bulls, then a Vaisnava should perform a fire sacrifice, offering one hundred and eight oblations of ghee mixed with sesame seeds. In this way, such a fault can be counteracted.

178 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILAS A sildrh sarhsthdpya tasmistu arccayiwa balirh haret tatah pravarttayet karmma vidvdn vijhaistu silpibhih While transporting the stone, there should be sounds of blowing conch shells, singing, and recitation of auspicious verses. The acarya should arrange a workshop on the northern side of the temple and carefully place the stone there. He should again worship the stone with many kinds of offerings. Thereafter, the learned spiritual master should engage his sculptors in the work of carving the Deity.

Now hear from me about what one should do if he was unable to find a suitable stone in the manner that has been described.

Having brought a stone cut into a rectangular solid as previously described, the spiritual master should have a hole dug on the northern side of the temple, then place the stone into the hole, and finally cover it with clay. After leveling the surface of the earth at that place, the spiritual master should have a pandala erected.

This place should be decorated with flags, banners, gates, banana trees, and leaves, and it should be covered by a canopy.

O n the eastern side of that place, auspicious symbols should be drawn and nearby, the spiritual master should sit down and worship Lord Visnu by offering Him coral, pearls, and beautiful fragrant flowers.

One should strictly observe all these rules and regulations. One must satisfy all the living entities that had been displaced or disturbed while collecting the stone by offering them sufficient remuneration.

One may perform a fire sacrifice to appease the dikpdlas. This will insure that any impurity caused by selection of a wrong direction is nullified.

The fire sacrifice should be followed by recitirig the Patala Nrsirhha mantra while performing another sacrifice in which one thousand oblations are offered. After satisfying the demigods and others in this way, the spiritual master should offer the final oblation.

If the king of mantras is pleased, then the stone becomes relieved of the fault of selecting a wrong direction. Thereafter, the spiritual master should worship the stone as previously, and mark the Deity's head, back, and various limbs. He should then sprinkle some purified water on the stone, followed by a complete bath.

In order to counteract the mistake of taking the stone from an improper place, one should give the spiritual master a nicely-decorated cow having all good characteristics, whose horns are plated with gold,

whose color resembles that of copper, and whose hooves are plated with silver, along with a sacred thread, and a bell metal pot for milking the cow.

The spiritual master should be satisfied in all respects. He should be given new cloth, ornaments, and other gifts. Similarly, one should also please the sculptor by giving him cloth, ornaments, sandalwood paste, and so on. There is no doubt that if the spiritual master is pleased, Lord Visnu is pleased.

When one satisfies the sculptor in this way, Visvakarma becomes elated. After completing all these formalities, one should immediately begin carving the Deity of the Supreme Lord, because this will insure that all of one's desires are fulfilled.

tatraiva (In the same literature it is stated) ksaramlasevita ya ca naditira samudbhavd puramadhye sthita ;ya ca tatha pitrvane sthita

182 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA catuspathe sthitd yd ca mrcchild pakvane ca yd usare ca tathd madhye valmike vdpi yd sthitd A stone found on a river bank, a salty or sour stone, a stone found inside a city, a stone from a crematorium, a stone from an intersection, a stone from barren land, or a stone next to an ant hill are unfit for preparing a Deity and so should be rejected.

One should also carefully avoid a stone that has been burnt by hot sunshine or a forest fire, a stone that is suitable for other purposes, and a stone that has been chewed by carnivorous animals. Such stones has must be avoided at all costs.

A stone found at a holy place, or on the bank of a holy river or riverbed, should be accepted. A stone found in a mountain stream, a stone upon which the shadows of trees are not cast, a stone merged within the

ground, a stone found inside water, or any nice single-colored stone can be accepted.

White, orange, yellow, and black stones are suitable for brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas, and sudras, respectively. If a stone is selected in opposition to this rule, then a fire sacrifice should be performed on the stone while chanting Nrsimha mantras.

It is said that after performing a fire sacrifice on a stone, it will change color. According to the stone's new color, it can be utilized by a particular class of people. Observing this rule will be beneficial for all.

Stone slabs with golden lines are the most suitable for all classes of men. Stones with lines of other colors are not recommended for brahmanas.

184 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA Members of all four varnas can accept a stone having black lines. Stones having white lines are also acceptable.

If there is a discrepancy regarding the to the lines on a stone, then the acarya should perform a fire sacrifice, offering one thousand oblations while chanting the Patala Nrsimha mantra. When this king of mantras is pleased, the stone will become auspicious for all classes of men.

If the lines on the stone are not as prescribed, or if clear lines or diamond-shaped dots are not visible, then a fire sacrifice should be performed according to the prescribed rules and regulations.

A young or middle-aged stone is acceptable whereas a stone that is too young or too old stones should be rejected.

A young stone refers to a stone that is aromatic, very smooth, cool, and shining, and produces a grave sound.

A middle-aged stone refers to one that has all these qualities and is stronger than a young stone. A stone that is too young refers to one that is very soft, and a stone that is too old refers to one that is extremely hard.

Because a stone that is too young is very soft, it breaks very easily when struck by a tool. An old stone brings destruction to those who carve a Deity from it. According to their characteristics, stones are divided into three groups—masculine, feminine, and neuter.

If, while appraising a stone, a circle of fire is seen around it, sparks are visible, or a sound like bell metal is produced when it is struck by an object—it is considered masculine.

186 SRI H A R I - B H A K T I - VILAS A If, while appraising a stone, the above-mentioned symptoms are observed only slightly, and the sound produced when it is struck by an object resembles the sound of a bell metal pot—it is considered feminine.

A neuter stone is one that is devoid of any of the above-mentioned characteristics.

A masculine stone should be used for carving a Deity, a feminine stone should be used for making the Deity's stand, and a neuter stone should be used for making the altar.

If one discovers that one has used the wrong kind of stone, then he should perform the Patala Nrsimha sacrifice, as previously described. While cutting the stone, one may encounter two characteristics, classifying the stone as either sagarbhd or nigarbhd.

When a round symbol is found in a stone, it is called sagarbha. If that round symbol is reddish, the stone will no doubt become the residence of frogs.

If the circular symbol is slightly yellowish, the stone will no doubt become the residence of iguanas. If it has a blackish hue, black snakes will reside there; if it is grayish, water will collect there; and if it is rough, it will be the home of lizards.

If the circular symbol is yellowish, it will be the home of a mouse; if it is orange, lizards will live there; if it is brownish, rocks will collect there; if it is the color of a lotus, sand will accumulate; if it is multi-colored, then scorpions will reside there; if it is blue, flies will be attracted; and if it is the color of mercury, glow worms will appear there.

Frogs indicate confusion, iguanas bring misfortune, snakes causes death by poison, water indicates a flood, house lizards destroys wealth, a mouse indicates harm, lizards diminish the duration of one's life, a rock indicates death by lightning, sand indicates a draught, a scorpion creates quarrels, flies ruin the kingdom, and a glow worm indicates disease.

Therefore, an dcdrya must carefully examine the stone before carving a Deity.

If a Deity is carved from a sagarbhd stone, the king of that country, his subjects, and the dcdrya will all meet with destruction. That is why it is essential that a stone or tree be very carefully examined before beginning the work of carving a Deity.

The sculptor should be provided with a courtyard having a roof that is in a solitary place. As previously described, he should possess self-control; he should have a good understanding of time, place, and scripture; and he should dress in white, eat moderately, meditate on the Supreme Lord, and always work for the benefit of his client.

At the commencement of his work, a sculptor should place the stone or block of wood facing north or east, and offer worship it with offerings of yogurt, durva grass, and rice paddy.

As previously described, the stone should be established in its position so that work can begin in an atmosphere saturated with the chanting of Vedic mantras.

The sculptor should first worship the stone with offerings of white sandalwood paste and white flowers, and while doing so, he should recite

190 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA auspicious verses that will assure the smooth completion of his work. He should then demark the various limbs of the Deity's body.

hayaslrsa pancdratre (In the Hayasirsa-pancaratra it is stated) atah pararh pravaksydmi pindikd laksanarh tava 1 shall now describe to you the characteristics of the Deity's stand.

Its height should be half the height of the Deity, and its width should be equal to the width of the Deity. Prepare sixty-four square tiles and construct the stand on them.

Leave two tiles of space on all four sides and use only the middle portion for the stand. After being made, the stand should be thoroughly cleansed.

Thus, there should be an equal amount of space on the four sides of the base of the Deity's stand. The middle portion of the base, which covers an area of four times, is suitable for placing a nice stand for the Deity.

The upper portion of the Deity's stand should be divided into four sections. Encircling the stand in the second section from the top should be a mekhald, or belt, and half of it should be embedded in the stand. That belt should have an equal amount of space above it and below it.

O n e may also divide the upper portion of the stand into three parts, and such divisions should be made beginning from the west. The auspicious Deity stand awards various benefits according to its characteristics-

192 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA The width of the stand should be equal to that of the Deity and the depth should be half of the width. The height of the stand should be half that of the depth.

The width of the stand should be about three times its height. The width of the mekhald, or belt, should be about one-third the height of the stand. The base of the stand should be embedded in the ground a depth equal to one-third the width of the belt. T h e north side of the base should be embedded slightly less than the other sides.

One must ascertain the exact measurements of the four portions of the stand in terms of width, height, and depth. There should be an opening at the base where water drains out and this opening should be one-half of the width. The length of the kusa should be one-half the width of the stand.

One should use thread to measure the length of the kusa. The height should be ascertained according to procedures mentioned earlier.

The lower part should be divided into two and its neck should be divided into three. The remaining parts should be removed carefully, one at a time.

In the case of an ordinary statue, the stand or altar is known as sastikd. The size of the Deity that is made of either stone or wood depends on the size of the temple gate.

The Deity's effulgence should be mixed with gajabalaka. The Deity of Lord Hari should have an especially beautiful effulgence, and the stand should be equally attractive.

194 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA vrtto bhagastathaikah sydd vrtiapattastu bhdgatah The characteristics of a stand are as follows. One should divide the height of the stand into sixteen parts. One part should be within the ground, four parts should be jagati, one part should be vrtta, and one part should be vrtta patta.

The kantha, or neck, should be three parts, the kantha-patta should be three parts, the urdhava-patta should be two parts, and the last part should be pattika.

Each part should be embedded in the ground up to one jagati and the drain should extend up to the last pattika. The drain should be connected to the path for the water to be let out. These are the basic characteristics of a stand.

O foremost brdhmanas, hear now about the various kinds of stands, according to the different Deities. It has been ascertained that there are ten kinds of altars—sthandila, vapi, yaksi, vedl, mandala, purnacandra, vajra, padma, ardhacandrd and trikond.

A sthandila stand is square and without a belt. A vapi stand has two belts. A yaksi stand has three belts. A vedi stand is square but a Deity

196 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA should not be installed on it. A mandald stand is round and has three belts. A purnacandra stand should be red and it should have two belts. A vajra stand is hexagonal and has three belts. A padma stand is just like a lotus flower having sixteen petals and it is a little smaller at the base. An ardhacandra stand looks just like a bow. A trikona stand looks like a trident. If these stands appear to be not so well made on the northern side, they still are considered auspicious and suitable.

The circumference of the stand should be divided into three parts and the dividing line should extend from the base up to the top.

The drainage system should also be beautified by dividing it into three parts. Its width should be one-third the width of the linga.

The drain hole should be one-third the width of the belt. This measurement is not a hard and fast rule and so the hole may be somewhat smaller.

The area where the water flows out of the base should be larger on the northern side than on the other sides.

A sthandild stand awards one wealth, a vdpl stand bestows immense wealth, a yaksl stand awards one the wealth of cows, a vedi stand bestows opulence, a mandald stand gives one a good reputation, a purnacandrd stand awards benedictions, a vajra stand gives one a long duration of life, a padmd stand bestows good fortune, an ardhacandrd stand blesses one with good children, and a trikona stand enables one to defeat his enemies.

Thus, the ten kinds of Deity stands have been described by me. A marble Deity should have a marble stand, a clay Deity should have clay stand, a wooden Deity should have a wooden stand, and a Deity made of

various substances should have a stand made of several things. Those who desire their own welfare should never prepare a stand improperly.

The breadth of the stand should equal that of the Deity of Lord Visnu, or Siva lihga. O n e should accept the Deity stand as being non-different from the Deity's consort. Thus, the characteristics of the Deity's stand have been described in brief.

The height of the Deity should be one-fourth the height of the main gate, and the height of the Deity's stand should be one-third the height of the Deity. The stand should neither be too high nor too low.

The altar should be constructed according to the size of the Deity, and it should be square, or quadrangular.

EIGHTEENTH VILAS A 199

Each side of the altar should be equal to the height of the Deity. This is the primary characteristic of the altar and the height can vary according to one's taste.

O exalted sage, these are the characteristics of a quadrangular altar. Hear now about the caturasrdyata altar.

An altar is called caturasrdyata when its width is less than that of the Deity and its height is the same as the Deity's height.

O foremost sage, the altar of a movable Deity in a big temple, and the altar of a Deity that is worshipped at home, are distinct in style.

200 SRI H A R I - B H AKTI - VILASA dpddajdnuharyyantarh vistdrenocchrayena ca The altar of a Deity that is worshiped at home should be proportionate to the size of the Deity, or it can be equal to one's own height.

O brahmana, the height of the railings of the altar's platform can reach the Deity's thighs, or in some cases, even to His chest.

O Ariga, you should know that the size of the altar of a movable deity should be about one-fourth the main altar.

In the absence of enough metal, one can construct an altar similar to that of the immovable Deity, and then a smaller altar.

This smaller altar should be one-third the size of the main altar, both in height and width. The shape of this altar should resemble a shark.