8 - Worship of Vishnu and Vajranabha mandala 

Hari said: 

1-2. O Rudra! after the due bath Vishnu should be worshipped in the Mandala (mystic diagram) prepared in a Mandapa (consecrated temple or hall) on the ground. This mystic diagram should be drawn with powders of five colours and should consist of sixteen apartments. It is known as Vajranabha. The string should be first placed on the fourth and the fifth corners. 

3. The well-versed devotee should then extend the strings into those corners too, which are on either side of the original corners. 

4. On the alternative corners too this should be done. In the interval juncture of the lines the first centre is to be taken. 

5. In all the interstices, there are such eight centres. The thread should be whirled round from the earlier and the middle centres.

6. O Shiva! in the interstics the learned brahmana should whirl (the thread) about three fourth (in length). By this the hypotenuse of the central thread should be whirled. 

7. The well-versed devotee should draw the filaments of the lotus in two parts on either side of the hypotenuse. The petals should be drawn on the top of it. 

8. O you of firm vows, the instructor who knows reality should make the figure of lotuses in all the regions around the centres. 

9. Openings should be made (drawn) in proportion to the first thread-length. The opening should be embellished about half way. 

10. In the mystic diagram the colours chosen (for the powders) should be as follows—The hypotenuse in yellow, the filaments in white and red, the interstices in blue, the petals in black. 

11-12. The four borders in black, the openings in white and the five lines in the mystic diagram too likewise. White, red, yellow and black lines should be in this order. Having prepared the mystic diagram and after performing the nyasa¹ one should begin the worship of Hari.

1. Assignment of the various parts of the body to different deities, which is usually accompanied with prayers and corresponding gesticulations. (SSED, P. 306.) 

13-14. The nyasa (assignment) of Vishnu is in the middle of the heart, of Sankarshana in the throat, of Pradyumna in the head of Aniruddha in the tuft, of Brahma in all the limbs and that of Shridhara in both the hands. After cotemplating "I am Vishnu" one should fix Hari in the pericarp of the lotus. 

15. One should fix Sankarshana in the east, Pradyumna in the south, Aniruddha in the west and Brahma in the north. 

16. Shridhara is to be fixed in Rudra's Corner (North-east), Indra and others should be fixed in the four quarters. Thereafter due worship by means of fragrant incense and other articles one attains the greatest status.