320 - The different mystic diagrams

The Lord said:

1-5a. O Guha¹! Ishall describe to you the Sarvatobhadraka² (that which confers good from all sides). A wisemanshould worship the favourite Goddess of energy on the east at (the time of) the equinox. Then heshould hold the thread east-west having the middle point between (the asterisms) Chitra and Sväti and mark at its centre after causing it to move gently. Two points on the north and southshould be marked from its middle point. The two pointsshould be brought in line with the middle point after having moved (the string) gently north-south. The junctions of angular pointsshould be marked such that one would have one hundred and fifty divisions. Thus a quadrangle would be formed by causing the four lines to movegently. The auspicious Bhadra diagramshould be drawn in that. 

1. denotes Kumära, son of Siva and Parvati.

2. a kind of mystical diagram. 

5b-8a. (The quadrangle)should be divided into eight squares. The pathways and doorwaysshould be made in two squares each. The cupolashould be proportionate to the measure of the lotus, The excellent angular jointsshould be formed by turning round two squares. The lotusshould be (painted) white, the pericarp yellow, the filaments variegated, the pathway red and the door having the hue of Lokeśha (Lord of the world). The angular point (should be) red. (This is the lotus to be drawn) in the case of a daily rite. Listen to me! (Ishall describe the niode of drawing) a lotus for an occasional (rite). 

8b-9. There are two varieties of lotus (diagrams), (the diagram) that does not touch and (the diagram) that touches, which confer enjoyment and emancipation. That which does not touch (is intended) for those who desire for release (from worldly existence). That which touches is of three (kinds) young one, middle one and old. (These three) yield the fruits and perfection according to their respective names. 

10-14. Linesshould be drawn in the different directions as well as the directions in between in the place for the lotus. Five circlesshould be drawn (having dimensions) equal to that of the lotus. Thereshould be nine lotuses around the pericarp in the first (circle). The second (circle)should have twentyfour pericarps. Thereshould be a union of petals, the tip of the petal resembling the temple of an elephant. The fifthshould be of the form of the sky. This is known as contiguous (type of) lotus. In the uncontinguous one, the tip of the petalshould be divided into four from the bottom. After having discarded two parts, a petalshould be set with one-eighth of the remaining. The petalshould be anointed with the line at the union from the base. This would be Vruddha class on the left and right. 

15-17a. In the alternative oneshould whirl round from the middle of the union to form a semi-circle. The two unions and the foremost line (should be made into circles). This would form a young type of lotus. Oneshould turn it from behind with half the measure of the union line. This lotus having pointed tip known as youthful class is capable of conferring enjoyment and emancipation. The bala class of lotus is known as of two kinds-mukta and uruddha useful in subjugating (one's enemy) etc. 

17b-22. A ground measuring nine cubitsshould be made ready as having nine central points with parts possessing mantras. A lotus (should be drawn) at the centre having a banner at the centre and a door proportionate in size to that of the lotus. Leaving its neck portion and the adjacent parts, a pathwayshould be made outside. The pathwayshould have five parts. Thereshould be ten parts around that. Lotuses (should be drawn) in the eight directions and the directions in between. The lotus at the entranceshould have a pathway. A pathway of five foot (breadth) adorns outside that. The door and the neck (should measure) like that of the lotus. The frontal and neck (should measure) a foot. The cupolashould be made a foot. Thereshould be three doors in the (different) directions. The angular joints will have three chambers. Two chambers would bear the mark of a mace. The central lotus (should be) white (and other lotusesshould be) yellow, red, blue, whitish yellow, smoky, red and yellow conferring emancipation. 

23-24a. Oneshould worship Siva, Vishņu and others in the eight lotuses on the cast etc. After having worshipped Indra and others at the centre of the edifice, the weapons in the lotuses and (lord) Vishnu and others in the external pathway, one would get (the fruits of performing) the aśvamedha (sacrifice). 

24b-30a. Oneshould draw a great circle in connection with the investiture of the sacred thread on the idol etc. A piece of ground (measuring) eight cubitsshould be divided into eight chambers. Thereshould be a lotus in two chambers at the centre and the pathway in one chamber. Eight blue lotusesshould be marked in the different directions and the spaces in between. Thirty blue lotuses without the union of petals (should be drawn) measuring the same size as the central lotus. Thereshould be a pathway behind occupying a chamber. Thereshould be (the figure of) svastika-s above that. As before the pathway outsideshould be in eight (chambers) divided into twenty parts having (the figure of) svastikas in two chambers. The doors and the boundariesshould be proportionate to the lotus. The angular point, the pathway and the lotus in the circleshould be red, yellow and blue respectively. O Guha! the svastika (figure) etc. of varied colour are capable of fulfilling all the desires. 

30b-33. (The circle having) five lotusesshould measure five cubits. Itshould be wholly divided into ten parts. The pathway (should occupy) two chambers of the lotus, and the tablet (in one chamber). Thereshould be four lotuses at the cardinal points. Thereshould be a pathway on the rear in one chamber or two chambers. The doorsshould be endowed with boundaries and adjacent spaces. Thereshould be a lotus at the centre. In this circle consisting of five lotuses, (the lotus) in the east (is) white and yellow, the lotus in the south (is) of the hue of lapis lazuli, the lotus in the west (is) of the colour of jasmine, the lotus in the north (is) of the colour of a conch and all the rest of varied colour. 

34-37. Ishall describe a circle of ten cubits which yields all the desires. Itshould be a four-sided one divided into ten parts. The door would occupy two chambers. As (described) carlier (thereshould be) a lotus at the centre. Ishall now describe (the circle known as) the destroyer of obstacles. After having made (ready) a place (measuring) four cubits, a circle measuring two arms length (should be drawn). The pathway (should measure) only a cubit. Itshould be made to contain many figures of svastika. The doorsshould measure a cubit. Thereshould be circle containing lotus (figures) in the cardinal points. Five white coloured lotuses (should be drawn). God without any attributesshould be worshipped at the centre. The heart (and other limbs) (should be worshipped) in the east and other directions. The weaponsshould be worshipped in the directions in between (these directions). 

38-41. As before the five Brahmans (forms of Sivashould be worshipped). Ishall describe the support of intellect. A placeshould be divided into hundred parts and a lotus (should be drawn) in fifteen parts. (Figures) of eight lingasshould be drawn in the (eight) directions. The girdleshould occupy a part and the boundary would be in two chambers. The preceptorshould provide decorative festoons etc. making use of his creative thinking.¹ There are one thousand four-hundred and forty circles for the gods Hari, Sambhu and Sun and the goddess. 

1. Verse number 40 is cryptic and has not been translated. 

42-48. Listen to me! Ishall describe the decorations and marks to be made in (a place) divided into seventy (parts). Fifteen, one, three and five (chambers) in the cardinal pointsshould be erased. The temple of lingashould be made above in two chambers on the sides. A lotusshould be drawn in two chambers at the centre. A lotusshould be drawn in one chamber on either side of the linga. By destroying the six lines of the decorations the remaining (would form lines) for (lord) Hari. After having erased the two squares above, it is said to form the auspicious ashtaka (having eight parts) of (lord) Hari. It is decorated by erasing four lines and possessing beam like (lines). Then the lotus for a seat is made in twentyfive (chambers). After having retained two chambers on each side, the eight secondary decorations (are made). The diagram sacred to the goddess is big at the centre and small above. Thereshould be a lotus at the centre in nine chambers and four chambers in the cardinal points. The remaining thirteen chambers form a circle resting on one's intellect. That one having onu hundred and sixty petals based on one's intellect is intended) for Hara (Śiva) and others.