-102 Isänaśivagurudevapaddhati The next item is ploughing the land or site for the temple. Before doing this a ritual is to be performed to clear the land of the evil spirits. A square shaped structure with four pillars is to be erected and in that a sacrifice is to be performed using Mantras. After this the ploughing ceremony is conducted. The high priest should touch the plough inaugurating the tilling activity. Others bathed and properly dressed are to plough the land. Seven types of seeds are sown during the ceremony. After the seeds are grown into plants they are to be grazed by cows, The next procedure is clearing the earth upto the end of the proposed temple campus. The area is to be set out fixing the centre first and then finding out the different directions. For marking the area, stakes are to be fixed firmly driving them into the ground using an iron hammer. These stakes are to be connected by threads of cotton tied to them to demarcate the area. If there are any thorn- like bushes on the ground they are to be removed. Now it is time for Västupuja. By Vastu, a demon whose body is ground itself is indicated. The rite is intended to please him by offering oblations. The author has given the story of Vastupuruşa as follows: Of yore in the fight between demons and gods the former could not defeat the latter owing to the prowess of Vişnu. The son of Bhrgu, the preceptor of demons became angry and conducted a sacrifice in which he offered as oblation of a goat. During the ritual the drops of sweat form the body of the preceptor happened to fall on the goat and it transformed into the fierces form of a demon with the face of a goat. He appeared from the sacrificial fire and asked the preceptor as to what to do. The preceptor asked him to vanquish the gods. The demon drove away the gods who approached Siva for protection. Siva asked the fire emanating from his third eye to destory the demon who took to heels to save his life. The fire then pursued the preceptor who reduced his form into a tiny one and entered the body of Śiva through the ear of the god seeking protection, Siva then let out the preceptor in the forma of semen and hence he came to be known as Sukra. The preceptor of the demons asked the demon with the face of a goat to submit himself to the god. Siva gave him some boons as a result of which
