Adorned with a spot of vermilion and a mark of musk, Ghṛtācī shone with beauty and grace. Viśvakarmā, skilled in the science of love, addressed her, his dear and gentle companion. With longing in his heart, he said, "Having lost my very life-breath for you, O lovely one, stay a moment." He confessed that he had searched for her alone, wandering across the surface of the earth. He had heard from Rambhā that Ghṛtācī was preparing to go to the world of Kāma. He recalled their time together on the charming bank of the Sarasvatī, in a garden of flowers, where, just as a youthful lover delights with his beloved, he had delighted in her company. Viśvakarmā praised Ghṛtācī’s steadfast youth, remarking that she alone was long-lived. He told her that, by the boon of the conqueror of death, he had overcome the maiden of death. He spoke of Ratnamālā, the ornament of women, who came from Varuṇa and Vāyu, and of the Kāmaśāstra, the treatise which delights women, which came from Kāmadeva. He described the garland of jewels, a pair of garments, and all ornaments he had gathered—all of which he placed in his house before going out in search of her. Hearing the words of the passionate Viśvakarmā, Ghṛtācī smiled. She replied, "I will speak a word appropriate to the time, O love-stricken one. I am going to the abode of Kāmadeva, adorned for that purpose. Today I am the wife of Kāma, and now also your teacher’s wife." Ghṛtācī reminded him of the sacredness of the guru, saying, "The giver of knowledge, the giver of mantra, the guru is a hundred thousand times more than a father. In the scriptures, it is said that the guru’s wife is to be honored a hundred times more than the guru himself. The fault incurred by a son who unites with his mother is declared in the scriptures. And the woman whom a man addresses with the word 'mother'—whoever unites with her, his thread of life is cut. Union with one’s mother brings a fault four times greater. He falls into Kumbhīpāka hell for as many ages as there are of Brahmā. That hell is round like a potter’s wheel, sharp-edged like a sword, infested with worms like a spear, molten and as hot as fire. Such is the extent of sin for a man who unites with his teacher’s wife." Ghṛtācī declared, "Today I will go to the abode of Kāma, to that lover’s beloved." Hearing these words, Viśvakarmā grew angry with her and, overwhelmed by passion and disappointment, cursed her with a terrible curse. Having spoken to the artisan, Ghṛtācī departed for Kāma’s abode. There, in Bhārata, by the will of Kāma and the cowherd, she was born again, remembering her past life, and became an ascetic. She performed austerities, her body shining like heated gold. By the power of the divine artisan, she bore nine sons. Śaunaka then asked, "Where did she give birth to the nine sons, and after how many days?" The Sūta replied that Viśvakarmā, overcome by grief, went to the abode of Brahmā. Having bowed and praised Brahmā, he recounted the story. That very brāhmaṇa, being born on earth, became an artisan. He made crafts for everyone, everywhere, always—wondrous, various, astonishing, and delightful works.