कामिक आगम: पूर्व भाग (अष्टाविंशति मूल शैव आगमों का प्रथम एवं सर्वोच्च आगम महाकोश)

tataḥ kautukabandhassyācchayanārohaṇaṁ punaḥ|| 4
kumbhasaṁsthāpanaṁ paścādarpaṇaṁ tadanantaram|
tato mūrtyādi vinyāso homakāryamanantaram|| 5
dakṣiṇādānamante syānmantranyāsaṁ ataḥ param|
ataḥ paraṁ ca snapanaṁ arcanaṁ syādataḥ param|| 6
dvāviṁśatiḥ kriyā proktāstāsāṁ lakṣaṇaṁ ucyate|
Now, I will explain briefly the process of installation of the images within the shrine. The
installation is performed through a series of 22 activities. The first one is the collection
and arranging of the required materials. Second is the structuring of the image. Then,
construction of the pavilion. Next, fixing the gems. Opening of the eyes of the image,
purification of the image, circumambulating the village, keeping the image immersed in
water, decoration of the pavilion, fire-ritual related to the vastu deities, designing the couch,
perfecting the image, tying up the protective thread, placing the image to be in recumbent pose
on the couch, arranging the vessels(kumbhas), dedicating the image, doing the nyasa of
the actual form of the Deity, offering the oblations, offering the ceremonial fees, the
nyasa of the mantra, preparation of snapana and adoration – these are 22 activities prescribed
for the installation. I will give the details of these activities, one by one.
शिलामृल्लोहसद्वृक्ष रत्नधातु सुधा पटाः॥ ७
दन्तबेरकनिर्माणे तस्य संग्रहमुच्यते।
सुमुहूर्ते सुलग्ने तु नक्षत्र करणान्विते॥ ८
शिलादिस्थानमासाद्य स्थण्डिले पूजितेश्वरः।
हुताग्नि पूजिताश्चाथ दत्तभूतबलिश्रुचिः
śilāmṛllohasadvṛkṣa ratnadhātu sudhā paṭāḥ|| 7
dantaberakanirmāṇe tasya saṁgrahamucyate|
sumuhūrte sulagne tu nakṣatra karaṇānvite|| 8
śilādisthānamāsādya sthaṇḍile pūjiteśvaraḥ|
hutāgni pūjitāścātha dattabhūtabaliśśuciḥ|| 9
When the images made of granite, clay, metal, wood, gems, minerals, stucco, painted image or
the image depicted in thick cloth, image made of ivory are to be installed, the Acharya should
take hold of the image to be installed through the prescribed ritual. The process of that ritual is
now told. Upon the approach of auspiscious time characterised by beneficial muhurta and lagna