विश्वकर्मेश लिंगस्य प्रादुर्भावं मनोहरम्
The wondrous manifestation of the linga of Vishvakarma, O lord.
विश्वकर्माभवत्पूर्वं ब्रह्मणस्त्वपरा तनुः
Vishvakarma was formerly the other body of Brahma.
कृतोपनयनः सोथ बालो गुरुकुले वसन्
Having undergone the sacred thread ceremony, he lived as a boy in the house of his teacher.
एकदा तद्गुरुः प्राह प्रावृट्काले समागते
Once, when the rainy season had arrived, his teacher spoke.
यत्कदाचिन्न भज्येत न पुरातनतां व्रजेत्
That which should never break at any time, nor fall into oldness.
ममांगयोग्यं नो गाढं न श्लथं च प्रयत्नतः
It must fit me well—not too tight, nor too loose, but made with care.
गुरुपुत्रेण चाज्ञप्तो ममार्थं पादुके कुरु
And, instructed by the teacher’s son, make sandals for me.
चर्मादिबंधनिर्मुक्ते धावतो मे सुखप्रदे
Free from leather and other bindings, let them give me comfort as I walk.
गुरुकन्यापि तं प्राह त्वाष्ट्र मे श्रवणोचिते 4.2.86.
The teacher’s daughter also spoke: ‘Make for me earrings, as crafted by Tvaṣṭṛ, fitting for my ears.’
कुमारी क्रीडनीयानि कौतुकानि च देहि मे
‘Give me toys and amusements, for I am a young girl.’
गृहोपकरणं द्रव्यं मुसलोलूखलादिकम्
Household implements and items, such as pestles, mortars, and the like.
अक्षालितान्यपि यथा नित्यं पीठानि सत्तम
And, O best one, stools and seats, even if unwashed, as always.
सूपकर्मण्यपि च मां प्रशाधि त्वष्ट्रनंदन
And in cooking tasks as well, instruct me, O son of Tvaṣṭṛ.
एकस्तंभमयं गेहमेकदारुविनिर्मितम्
A house made of a single pillar, constructed from a single piece of wood.
ये सहाध्यायिनोप्यस्य वयोज्येष्ठाश्च तेपि हि
Even those who studied together with him, and those older in age, also (requested).
तथेति स प्रतिज्ञाय सर्वेषां पुरतोद्रिजे
Saying, ‘So be it,’ he promised before them all.
किंचित्कर्तुं न जानाति प्रतिज्ञातं च तेन वै
He did not know how to do anything, yet he had made the promise.
किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि को मे साहाय्यमर्पयेत्
What shall I do? Where shall I go? Who will offer me help?
अंगीकृत्य गुरोर्वाक्यं गुरुपत्न्या गुरोः शिशोः 4.2.86.
Accepting the words of the teacher, the teacher’s wife, and the teacher’s child.
गुरुशुश्रूषणं धर्म एको हि ब्रह्मचारिणाम्
Service to the teacher is indeed the sole duty of students.
गुरूणां वाक्यकरणात्सर्व एव मनोरथाः
By carrying out the commands of the teachers, all desires are fulfilled.
कथं तद्वचसः सिद्धिं प्राप्स्याम्यत्र वने स्थितः
How shall I, dwelling here in the forest, attain success in their command?
आस्तां गुरुकथा दूरं योऽन्यस्यापि लघोरपि
Let talk of the guru be set aside, for even the slightest matter concerning another is far off.
कथमेतानि कर्माणि करिष्येऽज्ञोऽसहायवान्
How can I, ignorant and without support, accomplish these deeds?
यावदित्थं चिंतयति स त्वाष्ट्रो वनमध्यगः
While he was thus reflecting, that son of Tvaṣṭṛ, wandering in the forest,
अथ नत्वा स तं प्राह वने दृष्टं तपस्विनम्
Then, having bowed, he addressed the ascetic whom he saw in the forest:
त्वद्दर्शनेन मे गात्रं चिंतासंतापतापितम्
My body is scorched by the heat of worry and anxiety at seeing you.
किं त्वं मे प्राक्तनं कर्म प्राप्तं तापसरूपधृक्
What former deed of mine has come to me, O ascetic in this form?
योसि सोसि नमस्तुभ्यमुपदेशेन युंक्ष्व माम् 4.2.86.
Whoever you are, I bow to you; instruct me and engage me in the teaching.
कथं कर्तुमहं शक्तः कर्म तत्र दिशाद्भुतम्
How am I able to perform that wondrous deed there?