The Crest-Jewel of Siddhantas

By "clearly," original: "स्फुटमिति" it is indicated that it differs from the treatises of Pitamaha and others. By this entire array of special characteristics, it is indicated that the qualified student is one who desires these specific points. The fruit of composing this work is easy; it is as stated: "makes." 3.

Marichi Commentary by Munishvara — Now:

"Since the success of the students' efforts follows from the statement of the relationship, therefore, in all scriptures, the relationship is stated first.
If, when asked by someone, 'What is the subject matter here?', it is not told to him, then it becomes fruitless for him.
For of any scripture or any action, as long as the purpose is not stated, by whom would it be grasped?"

Having said this, to ensure the continuity of his own fame, and to demonstrate his own name for the sake of the students, he declares his intention in the Shardulavikridita a specific meter verse.

"Having placed" original: "कृत्वा-इति". Bhaskara, the famous teacher Bhaskarasharma. "Of his own Guru," because the word 'Guru' denotes a father, it means his own father. "Lotus-feet," because of the convention of describing feet as lotus-flowers. "Having placed in the mind," meaning having performed meditation regarding that. But, one might ask, is it not true that if, for fear of social norms, that meditation is done only superficially and not with the mind, then since the fruit of a ritual performed with all its parts is inevitable, how can the fruit be attained from a part? To this, he says: "In devotion" original: "भक्तित इति". Because meditation done with the mind, in the form of knowledge jnana wisdom as a form of worship, is truly meditation, there is no obstacle to the attainment of the fruit; this is the meaning. Then, "having obtained a portion of knowledge" original: "ततः... बोधलवं लब्ध्वा" from the father.

"There was one named Maheshvara, famous on earth, who attained the rank of the best of teachers among the learned.
Having obtained a portion of knowledge from him, his son, the younger Bhaskara, composed the Bijaganita Algebra."

Since this is stated at the conclusion of the algebra text, the meaning that the father is indeed the Guru is correct. It is not the case that the "own Guru" should be understood literally, as there is the fact of knowledge being necessarily obtained from the Guru.