Manual of the Nine Planets Sacrifice

...It is desired that the measurement of a finger-breadthoriginal: "angula" — The standard unit of measurement in Vedic architecture, approximately the width of a thumb or finger. be the width of eight barley grains or three rice grains. It is said that twelve finger-breadths make one spanoriginal: "vitasti" — The distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger on an outstretched hand.. 28 A cubitoriginal: "hasta" — A measurement from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, defined here as twenty-four finger-breadths. of twenty-four finger-breadths is prescribed for the construction of fire pitsoriginal: "kunda" — Specially shaped pits used for sacred fire offerings.. If a stone is found while the fire pit is being dug... 29 ...a cubit of twenty-four finger-breadths is prescribed for the fire pits. [Building] in a place [with impurities] leads to a short life or death; in Kangora?, it leads to the loss of wealth. A distance of thirty finger-breadths should be maintained between the altar and the seat. 30 One should prepare a one-cubit altar in the North-East direction of the fire pit. One should make the middle slightly raised...

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...[it should be] twelve finger-breadths. 31 It should be equipped with two ramparts and smeared with cow dungoriginal: "gomaya" — Considered a primary purifying agent for ritual ground in Vedic tradition.. The wise Brahmins say it should be joined with two stepped tiersoriginal: "mekhala" — The concentric borders or rims around the mouth of the fire pit.. 32 [With] the Rudra-Arka mantra, gems, and the Vasasoriginal: "vasu" — A group of elemental deities representing aspects of nature., fill it with holy wateroriginal: "tirthodaka" combined with all medicinal herbs. 33 One should place the altar for worship, adorned with flowers and sandalwood. Rice, barley, wheat, mung beans, black gram, and millet— 34 —and sesame is declared the seventh; these are called the Seven Grainsoriginal: "sapta-dhanya" — A symbolic collection of staple crops used as offerings to ensure prosperity. here. The Banyan, Udumbara, Ashvattha, and Plaksha trees, as well as milk... 35 ...are always excellent for the consecration ritualoriginal: "abhisheka" — A ritual of sprinkling or pouring sanctified liquids to purify the site..