184 - Consecration of Copper Images

Varaha said:

1. Getting a beautiful image made of copper, it should be brought to the middle of the abode with due rites.

2. It should be placed facing north and the adhivasana should be done in the asterism Chitra.

3. Bath should then be conducted with water mixed with Panchagavya and sandal and with the following mantras:

4. The Mantra: “You, the essence of everything, remain in copper as the eye. O, the abode of all worlds, come to this idol with the five elements.”

5. After consecrating with this mantra, adhivasana and worship should be done as before.

6. When the night is over and the sun rises, purification should be done with mantras of the Rugveda and bath should be performed with mantras.

7. The Brahmins assembled may recite the Vedas. Auspicious materials may be placed in the Mandapa.

8. The devotee should then bring scented water and bathe me with the following mantra:

9. The mantra: “O Lord of worlds, you are the greatest of all with power of maya and yoga. be pleased to come quick for my sake and remain in this copper image. O Lord, the best of Men, fire, Sun and air, be here yourself, 0m”.

10. Then I should be led into the sanctum and installed on a pedestal and worship done.

11. The installation should be done with the following mantra and with sandal, flowers and lamps.

12. The mantra for installation: “0m, the light of all light, the light of the world, the embodiment of knowledge, embodiment of bliss, the lord of the universe, be pleased to come and remain here, O the best of Men, and protect me”.

13. After installation in this way, white cloth should be offered with the mantra: “0m, O lord of the celestials, the pure soul, the most ancient Man, the truth of the worlds, accept these clothes. Bow to Purushottama.”

14. After dressing me with the clothes, the devotee should perform arcana (with flowers).

15. After arcana and offering of sandal, incense etc, the offering of food should be made.

16. When the naivedya with delicious food is over, Shantipatha (invocation of peace) should be made.

17. The mantra: “Let there be peace for the gods, peace for the Brahmins, peace for the kings and their kingdoms, peace for Vaishyas, peace for boys and pregnant women. Let there be peace everywhere by your grace, O Lord”.

18. After uttering this Shanti, the Brahmins should be honoured.

  19. Then the Guru should be honoured and the Brahmins should be fed according to capacity.

20. Particularly when the Guru is honoured with clothes, decorations and food, I am worshipped and this is the truth, I tell you.

21. I am far away from him whose Guru is not pleased.

22. He who performs my installation in this way, liberates thirtysix generations in his family.

23. Thus have I told you about the installation of idols. He who does this remains in my world for as many thousands of years as there are drops in the water during the bath given to me.