Natyashastra
भृङ्गारजर्जरधरौ भवेतां पारिपार्श्विकौ । मध्ये तु सूत्रभृत्ताभ्यां वृत्तः पञ्चपदीं व्रजेत् ॥ ६८॥
The worn-out and aged attendants should be positioned on either side, while in the middle, two attendants holding the strings should move in a circular path, following the five-step rhythm.
english translation
bhRGgArajarjaradharau bhavetAM pAripArzvikau । madhye tu sUtrabhRttAbhyAM vRttaH paJcapadIM vrajet ॥ 68॥
hk transliteration by Sanscript