102 - Mode of consecrating the flagstaff 

The Lord said: 

1. O Skanda! Ishall describe (the mode of) consecration of the pinnacle, the banner and the flag-staff relating to a temple as laid down. 

2. Either itshould be half the depth of the tank or of the whole edifice. The banner-staffshould be made of wood in the case of (a temple) built of brick and of stone in the case of that built of stone. 

3. In the case of a temple of Vishņu, the pitchershould have the mark of a disc and be proportionate to the image of the deity. If it is with a trident it is known as agracüla (the tip of the top portion). 

4. If the (mark of a) linga is found on the top it is called Ishasula (the banner-staff of Siva). This kind of flagstaff) is also found to be described in saivite texts as having the bijapūraka 

(of theshape of common citron) 

5. The coloured bannershould be made to reach down to the half of the plinth (of the temple), or to commensurate with its entire length, or of the same length with its rod, according to the option (of the consecrator). 

6-7. That banner is known as the mahadhvaja (great banner) which flaps around the platform of the edifice. The rod measuring fourteen, nine or six cubits in lengthshould be known as the excellent etc. by learned men. A flagstaff made of a bamboo or of wood etc. yields all desires. 

8. A flagstaff breaking down in the middle at the time of planting the same augurs evil to the sovereign of the country or to the consecrator. 

9. Itshould be remedied by (the repetition of) the bahu- rūpamantra. Then the guardian deities of the doorshould be worshipped and appeasement with the mantras (should be done). 

10-12. After having placed the flagstaff, itshould be bathed with (the repetition of) the mantra of the weapon. After having sprinkled the flagstaff (with water) with (the repetition of) the same mantra, the preceptorshould then bathe (it) with herbal waters and make the divine edifice. After having smeared (the rod) with juice and laid on the bed as before, the location (of the mantras) (is done) in the flagstaff as in the case of the linga. But oneshould not locate the energies of knowledge and action. There is no need to use the fourth case (of inflection) indicating speciality. There is also no need for constructing an altar. 

13-14. Then the principle of artha (sense), the second principle of knowledge and the faces (of Siva) such as Sadyojāta etc. and the principle of Siva (should be located) in the flagstaff. Lord Siva, the indivisible, whose attendants have been locatedshould be worshipped. Then oblationsshould be made with the vedic mantras for the sake of the presence of the flagstaff and ending with (the word phat for every part of the flag staff. The flagstaff is also consecrated in a different way. 

15-17. All about this has been described in the mode of the astrayāga. After the temple has been made, the bedstead and the quadrangle having been decorated at the (decided) place, and the three fundamental principles have been located therein, the oblations etc.should be offered and then (lord) Sivashould be worshipped as before. 

18-22. After having meditated on (lord) Siva as the repository of all the principles, the all-pervasive godshould be located (therein). The (gods) Ananta (serpent chief) and Kälarudra (a form of lord Siva)should be considered as lying at the lotus feet, the (lords) Kūshmäņda and Håțaka at the platform at the top of the plinth and the guardian deities along with the nether worlds, hells, other worlds and the hundred Rudras representing the cosmic egg having been contemplatedshould be considered at the plinth. Then (the preceptor)should contemplate the picture of a man on the cloth with a lion on the left along with the forty such as principles of water, lustre, and wind, that which is known as enclosing all things, the eight resultant of the intellect, the eight kinds of yoga, and the three qualities ending with destruction. The four (principles of) learning etc. (should be considered) as located in the cornice of the temple. 

23. The (principle of) illusion along with (lord) Rudra (are located) in the neck, the learning in the threshold, the mystic circle, the master along with the lord of learning in the (ornamental) pot above. 

24. Itshould be conceived as the matted hair and the crescent (on the top) as the trident (of the lord). The three energies (should be located) in the flagstaff andshould be looked upon (as permeated) with the sound. 

25-26. (The preceptor)should also conceive that the energy (known as) kundali is present in the banner. Thus (the different gods)should be conceived as present in that abode. After having lifted the linga along with its pedestal or with the earth (lying at its bottom) with (the recitation of) the mantras, itshould be placed in its seat namely the lotus of energy after having placed the gems etc. 

27. After the banner staff has thus been fixed, the person for whom the rite is performed gets the desired fruits after circumambulating the edifice along with his relatives and friends. 

28. After having contemplated (the mantra) pasupata, along with the presiding deities of the mantras, the preceptorshould invoke the presiding deities possessing the weapons for the sake of protection. 

29. After having made oblation for the removal of defects of deficiency etc. and making offerings to the quarters, feesshould be paid to the preceptor. The yajamana (the person for whom the rite is done) would go to the heavens. 

30. Such a person would enjoy comforts for so many thousand yugas as the number of atoms in the structures of the image, linga and the altar.