Images

To build an image out of a stone, a clear and superior stone has to be chosen. The stone should first be worshipped with prayers and offerings of rice, incense, sandalwood and lamps. A linga and a shalagrama are images of Shiva and Vishnu respectively.

Among images made out of wood, an image made out of the wood of the mahua tree is the best.

When making an image out of clay, attention must be paid so that the clay does not crack.

Images can also be made out of metals and alloys like copper and bronze.

When making an image out of any material, the material must first be purified and sanctified. After the image has been made, it should be anointed with red sandalwood paste. It must also be decorated with flowers and incantations must be recited in front of the image.

It is prohibited to worship an odd number of images in any household. For example, the worship of three shalagramas or three images of Ganesha or Durga is not permitted. An image which is broken or lacks limbs should never be worshipped. But a shalagrama image with circular marks can be worshipped even if it does not happen to be whole. While there is no such restriction on the worship of a linga, a shalagrama cannot be worshipped by low or unclean people. The worship of a shalagrama is of exceptional importance.