Story of Devapratiṣṭhā

The sacred rite of installation of Devas (idols) in temples for which definite rules have been laid down by great ācāryas. According to the rules Vāsudevamūrti is to be installed in the centre of the pañcāyatanas. (the Śrī kovil—the sanctum sanctorium and the four paths used for the procession of the deity, around it). The mūrtis Vāmana, Narasiṃha, Hayagrīva and Varāha are to be installed in the zones (corners) dominated by Agni, Nirṛti, Vāyu and Īśāna respectively. Nārāyaṇamūrti should be installed at the centre of the prāsāda. Ambikā should be installed in Agni’s corner, Āditya in Nirṛti’s corner, Brahmā in Vāyu’s corner and Śivaliṅga in the Īśāna corner. Liṅga in the form of Rudra should also be installed in the Īśāna corner; or it may be installed in all the nine corners or zones. In that case Vāsudevamūrti should be installed at the centre. All the Devas bearing the name Rāma must be installed to the east of the Prāsāda. Lokapālakas like Indra should be installed at the eight places starting with the east. In Pañcāyatana pratiṣṭhā Puruṣottama should be installed at the centre. Mahālakṣmī and Vaiśravaṇa are to be installed to the east of the Prāsāda, and the Mātṛs in the south. Subrahmaṇya, Gaṇapati, Īśāna and the planets (grahaṣ) like Sun should be installed in the west. Daśāvatāramūrtis (ten incarnations of Viṣṇu) should be installed in the North. Caṇḍikā should be installed in Agni’s zone, Sarasvatī in Vāyu’s zone, Ambīkā in Nirṛti’s zone and Śrī Bhagavatī in Īśāna zone. In temples with thirteen Ālayas Viṣṇu should be installed at the centre. Mūrtis like Keśava should be in the east.

Devapratimās (idols) are of seven varieties like those made of earth, of wood, of metals, of gems, of sandal wood, of stone and of flowers. Of the above, idols made of earth, sandalwood and of flowers are meant only for temporary use, but they also grant all the desires of the devotees.

Stone for idols should be got from mountains. Pāṇḍura (white), Aruṇa (red), Pīta (yellow) and Kṛṣṇa (black)rocks having any one of these four colours may be selected. If no such stone is available any other stone may be used, but by doing homa and reciting Narasiṃha mantra the attributes of any of the specified varṇas should be transferred to it. It is best to have white markings on the stone selected for the idol. There are the three genders, masculine, feminine and neuter with reference to stones. Stone which produces the sound of bell metal on being hit and gives out sparks of fire on being cut is of the masculine gender. Stone which possesses these attributes to a lesser degree is of the feminine gender. Stone with no shape is of neuter gender. Beside these three varieties there are the sagarbha (pregnant) stones also, viz. stones with round markings on them, and they should not be used for making idols. Once it is decided to make an idol, Vanayajña should be performed first. To worship the forest from which the stone for the idol was to be obtained is vanayajña. A specified place in the forest should be dug up, the pit treated with cow-dung and a small platform raised and Viṣṇu worshipped thereon. After sacrificial offerings etc. instruments for the construction of the idol like ṭaṅka (chisel) should be worshipped. To sprinkle on the stone śālitoya (water in which paddy grains are put) purified with the chanting of astramantra is the next step. After that bhūtabali (offerings to the spirits of the stone) should be performed upon which the bhūtas residing inside the stone will quit. Then the ācārya should go to sleep repeating the svapna mantra.* If he dreams good dreams everything is quite right; if bad dreams are dreamt, the next morning narasiṃhahoma should be performed, the stone given offerings with chanting of astramantra. The edge of the instruments used for sculpturing the idol should be firstly smeared with ghee, honey etc. The architect should be one who has gained mastery over the senses. He should first cut the stone into a square, and then it should be placed on a chariot, covered with cloth and taken to his house. Then after performing a pūjā the work on the idol should be started. (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 43).

*) Svapnamantra:

"oṃ namaḥ sakalalokāya viṣṇave prabhaviṣṇave / viśvāya viśvarūpāya svapnādhipataye namaḥ // ācakṣva devadeveśa prasuptosmi tavāntikam / svapne sarvāni kāryāṇi hṛdistāni tu yāni me // om om hum phaṭ viṣṇave svāhā."