Sūta said: The ground shall be carefully scrutinized by its smell, colour, taste etc. All the weeds and stumps shall be assiduously taken out. The middle of the ground, a cubit in extent, shall be covered with sand. If a Kuṇḍa is dug it shall be long and splendid or the bare ground shall extend to an arrow’s length. The ground shall be scrubbed, cleaned and smeared with cowdung and fire shall be placed there in accordance with the injunctions in the scripture. Water shall be sprinkled all round. The rites pertaining to the fire shall be performed and concluded along the traditional lines as mentioned in one’s own branch of the Vedas by repeating the following mantras. After worshipping on the bare ground he shall perform Homas by means of sacrificial twigs, etc. Homas shall at the outset be performed with the twigs; then with Caru and ghee sparkling splendidly in a separate vessel. Homas shall be performed by oneself invoking[2] the Tattvas and Bhūtas all round.