Sūta said: The devotee shall spend this period studying the Vedas, performing dances and singing auspicious songs or playing on Vīṇā and other instruments to the accompaniment of tingling of small bells. The sacrificer shall have mental concentration and be free from excitement. After taking it out he shall meditate on the Svastika. The Liṅga shall then be placed in the Maṇḍapa endowed with characteristics. There shall be nine pits all round endowed with their characteristic marks. The eight auspicious articles called Aṣṭamaṅgalas shall be spread there. There shall be the eight emblems of the guardians of the quarters. The pits shall have the auspicious signs mentioned before. They shall be placed in the directions beginning with the east. The chief pit shall be made in the north-east oblong in shape. Or five pits made into one and a bare spot of ground shall constitute one unit. They shall be endowed with the paraphernalia and requisites of the sacrifice and ornaments, used in the worship of Śiva (?). In the middle of the altar there shall be a great bed bedecked in gold. A five-wicked lamp shall be kept nearby. The bed shall be covered with a white cloth. After arranging these he shall place the idol of the lord thereon.