Shloka 4
हिमालयगृहे नारदस्य आगमनम् तथा विश्वकर्मनिर्मितवैभववर्णनम् — Nārada’s Arrival at Himālaya’s Palace and the Description of Viśvakarman’s Marvels
श्रान्तस्त्वमात्मना तेन कृत्रिमेण महामुने । अवलोकपरस्सोऽभूच्चरितं विश्वकर्मणः
śrāntastvamātmanā tena kṛtrimeṇa mahāmune | avalokaparasso'bhūccaritaṃ viśvakarmaṇaḥ
O großer Weiser, durch jenes künstliche Vorhaben hast du dich selbst ermüdet; und du wurdest darauf bedacht, nur die Taten und das Kunsthandwerk Viśvakarmas zu betrachten.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Purāṇic account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: No Jyotirliṅga. The verse continues the crafted-form episode: the sage becomes fatigued by the contrived undertaking and fixated on observing Viśvakarman’s workmanship—illustrating how attention can be bound by marvels (a subtle pāśa).
Significance: A cautionary devotional lesson: fascination with spectacle (even divine craftsmanship) can distract from the goal; redirecting attention to Śiva as Pati is implied as the remedy.
FAQs
It cautions that merely self-driven, contrived striving can lead to fatigue and distraction; spiritual progress in Shaiva thought is steadied when effort is aligned with devotion and right orientation toward Śiva rather than fascination with external marvels.
Viśvakarmā’s “workmanship” can symbolize outer constructions and impressive forms, but Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana emphasizes inner steadiness and devotion to Saguna Śiva; the verse hints not to lose the spiritual aim in mere outward spectacle.
A practical takeaway is to simplify practice: steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with focused attention, rather than exhausting oneself in elaborate, ego-driven exertions.