Vishvakarman

Vishvakarman (Sanskrit: व कमन्, Viśvakarman; lit. "Maker of all") Vishwakarma

or Vishwakarma (Sanskrit: व कमा, Viśvakarma; lit. "Maker of all") God of Architecture
is the Personification of ultimate reality, the abstract creative power
inherent in deities, living and nonliving being in this universe.
According to the Rigveda[1]

He is considered to be the first monotheistic God concept, an

architect, and divine engineer of universe from before the advent of
time.[2][3][4]

Contents
In the Vedas
Vishwakarma Puja
Architectural wonders
Jagannath puri, Temple
Dwarka Affiliation Deva
Pushpaka Vimana Abode Vishwakarma loka
Trishul Mantra Om Vishwakarmane
Sudarshana Chakra Namah
Vajra aayudham
Weapon Scale
See also Mount Goose
Notes Elephant
References Personal information
Further reading Consort Virochanā
Children Saranyu and her
shadow Chhaya, Maya
In the Vedas and Trisiras

The term Vishvakarman was originally used as an epithet for any

supreme god[5] and as an attribute of Indra and the Sun. The name Vishvakarman occurs five times in the tenth
book of the Rigveda. The two hymns of the Rigveda identify Vishvakarman as all-seeing, and having eyes,
faces, arms and feet on every side and also has wings. Brahma, the later god of creation, who is four-faced and
four-armed resembles him in these aspects. He is represented as being the source of all prosperity, as swift as
thought and titled a seer, priest, lord of speech.[6]

The later parts of the Rigveda reveals efforts to find a satisfactory answer to the mysteries regarding the origin
of the universe, the creation hymns present in these parts of the Rigveda mention individual creator gods as
opposed to the collection of gods and their chiefs (Indra, Varuna, Agni, etc.) creating the world.[7]
In the Rig Veda Vishwakarman is visualised as the Ultimate Reality
(later developed as Brahman) ,[8] from whose navel all visible things
Hiranyagarbha emanate. The same imagery is seen in Yajurveda purusha
sukta, in which the divine smith Tvastar emerges from Vishwakarma.[9]

In the Vedic period the term first appeared as an epithet of Indra, Surya,
and Agni. In that time the later developed creator concept of Brahma
might have been intertwined with the concept of Vastoshpati and
Bṛhaspati, or Brahmanaspathi[10] In the last phase of vedic period and
during the growth of monothesism ,one can see Vishwakarma [the
invisible creative power] emerged as the supreme god[11] who was
perceived as a hotar, the unborn [Aja] creator and name giver of all other
gods who have lot of faces, eyes and feet on every side; and who helps
Tvastar, [the visible creative power of viswakarma] in producing all the
Heavenly, Earthly and other Celestial realms and preserves them through
the exercise of his arms and wings. He sacrificed himself to himself for
the evolution of this visible world (Sarvamedha), thus he is Purusha or
[[Narayana][12] His attributes like Vachaspathy[13] connect him with
Brahaspathi (the Guru of Gods). Again, Yajurveda pictured him as the
Prajapati[14] and in the Atharva veda he is mentioned as Pashupati.[15]
Shwethashwatharopanishad described him as Rudrasiva, the one who is
dwelling in all living forms.[16] In Puranas

According to a hymn, from Moolastambha purana which is something

similar to Nasadeeya suktha .in which It/He was the one who created
himself from himself when there was no earth, water, light, air and
akasha, and even the Thrimurthies Later in the post vedic and brahmanic
period, the term Vishwakarma is appeared both as a Rsi and a Silpi. In
Shukla yajurveda the term is seen as one of names of pancha risis. ( ie.
Vasishta, Jamadagni, Bhardwaja , Vishwamitra- and Viswakarma . ) In
Rigveda the term again i appeared as an epithet of surya , but in
Purana one of the seven rays of the Soorya is also known as
Viswakarma. Bhauvana Vishwakarma (Atharva/Angirasa Gothra) is a
vedic Rsi who was the author of Rg 10–81,82 suktha, (Prabasa
Vishwakarma) was probably a silpi and the son of Prabhas, the eighth
hermit of the legendary Astam vasu and Yogasiddha, sister of
Brihaspati. He is said to have revealed the Sthapatya Veda / Vastu
Shastra or fourth Upa-veda, and presides over the sixty-four
mechanical arts.In the later puranic period this vedic Creator concept
paved the way to the imagery of Brahma [ atharva veda ] and
Sadasiva [shaivisam ]and Padmanabha [vaishnavism ].

Vishvakarma [ God ] created five prajapathies – from his five faces

such as Sadyojāta, Vāmadeva, Aghora, Tatpuruṣha, Īsāna.[17] They are Manu, Maya, Twosta, Silpy, Viswajna
and their respective Rishis (Gothra rishis of Vishwakarma (caste))

1. Sānaga Brahma Rishi

2. Sanāthana Brahma Rishi
3. Ahabhuna Brahma Rishi
4. Prathna Brahma Rishi
5. Suparna Brahma Rishi
In later puranas he is degraded as a mere silpi, sometimes identified
with vedic Tvastar.[18] Silpi Vishwakarma is the designer of all the
flying chariots of the gods, and all their weapons and divine attributes.
Vishwakarma/Tvostar is also credited with creating the missiles used
in the mythological era, including the Vajra, the sacred weapon of
Lord Indra, from the bones of sage Dadhichi. He is regarded as the
supreme worker, the very essence of excellence and quality in
craftsmanship.[19]

Vishwakarma Puja
Since Vishwakarma is the divine engineer of the world, as a mark of
reverence, he is not only worshiped by the engineering and
architectural community but also by all professionals. It is customary
for craftsmen to worship their tools in his name.

Silpy Vishwakarma is attributed a putative birthday by the Hindu

religion. The more philosophical minded argue that it is impossible for
the original Creator of everything to be born on a particular day. In
Rig veda he is described as Swayambhu[20] So it is a contradiction in
terms since that presupposes another creator for Vishwakarma. The
Vishwakarma Puja is celebrated in all parts of Nepal and India.

Even among those who believe that there is a birthday there is no

agreement as to when it actually occurs. Visvakarma birthday is
celebrated on two days under different names:

Vishwakarma Puja. "Vishwakarma Puja" always Vishwakarma Temple at

celebrated in India on the 17/18 September of every Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Year.[21]
Rishi Panchami Dinam. "Rishi Panchami Dinam" literally
means ‘the day of the solidarity of five rishis.’ Those who
celebrate this day believe that Vishwakarma did not have a
birthday like the mortals but only a commemoration day in
which his five children (supposedly five rishis) came
together to declare their solidarity and pray to their
illustrious father. This day follows the rules of the Hindu
calendar and changes with every year. The five groups
among the Vishwakarma community also celebrate this as
an auspicious day in commemoration of their patron god at
present.[22] Vishwakarma Temple, Lohgarh,
Zirakpur (Near Chandigarh)
 Visvakarma Jayanthi. Vishwakarma Jayanthi is celebrated by all industrial houses, artists,
craftsmen, and weavers. The Vedic Jayanthi is celebrated on Magha Shukla Trayodashi is
celebrated culturally. The festival is observed on Kanya Sankranti (16 September in 2016)[23]
which follows the Ganesh Puja. It was on this particular day that the forefathers of the present
Visvakarma people invented the plough and gave it to humanity. The plough represents both
the artisan trade as well as agriculture and therefore becomes the representative symbol of the
ancient Indian civilisation. It changed the course of human history altogether. This was a
change from ‘local mob culture to universal human culture’ and Vishwakarmas of India
pioneered it. Coincidentally, this also becomes the birthday of Rsi/Silpi Visvakarma. So Indians
in the past celebrated this day of many illustrious conjunctions as an occasion to honor
Vishwakarma and his descendants.

Vishvakarman is a particular god of Hindu railwaymen in India.[24]

Architectural wonders
Hindu scriptures describe many of Vishwakarma's architectural accomplishments.

Through the four yugas (aeons of Hindu mythology), he had built several towns and temples for the gods.
Among them were, in chronological order, Svarga (Heaven) in the Satya Yuga, Lanka in the treta Yuga, and
Dwarka (Krishna's capital) in the dwapara Yuga.

Jagannath puri, Temple

The Lord of Architecture is also supposed to have built the three deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra,
Goddess Subhadra along with Sudarshana Chakra in the Shreekshretra Jagannath Temple .

Dwarka

Viswakarma is also supposed to have built Dwarka overnight.[25]

Pushpaka Vimana

Vishwakarma is said to have built the Pushpaka Vimana from the sun
dust from his son-in-law Surya and given it to Brahma. Brahma later
presented it to Kubera. Ravana, Kubera's half brother seized it.

Trishul

Also made from the sun dust, it was given to lord Shiva.

Sudarshana Chakra

Also made from the sun dust, it was given to lord Vishnu.

The Lord Krishna in the Golden City

Vajra aayudham Dwarka built by Viswakarma
The Vajra aayudham made from sage Dadichi's bones for Indra to kill Vritra.

See also
Vishwakarma Day
Rajgir karigar
Shilpkar
Acharya
Barhai
Vishwakarma (caste)
Tarkhan
Lohar
Daksha
Kami (caste)
Jangid
Shilpa Shastras
Great Architect of the Universe
Tvas
tar
Vishwakarmas

Notes
1. "Vishvakarman – Oxford Reference" (http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.
20110803120038316).
2. Melton, J. Gordon (2011). Religious Celebrations: L-Z (https://books.google.com/?id=KDU30Ae
4S4cC&pg=PA908#v=onepage&q&f=false). ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781598842050.
3. "Rig Veda: Rig-Veda, Book 10: HYMN LXXXI. Visvakarman" (http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/r
igveda/rv10081.htm). www.sacred-texts.com.
4. "Rig Veda: Rig-Veda, Book 10: HYMN LXXXII. Visvakarman" (http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/
rigveda/rv10082.htm). www.sacred-texts.com.
5. "Vishvakarman | Hindu mythology" (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vishvakarman).
Encyclopedia Britannica.
6. Macdonell, Arthur Anthony (1898). Vedic Mythology (https://books.google.com/?id=b7Meabtj8m
cC&pg=PA41&lpg=PA41&dq=primeval+waters+vedas#v=snippet&q=Visvakarman&f=false).
Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 9788120811133.
7. Dhavamony, Mariasusai (1982). Classical Hinduism (https://books.google.com/?id=DD0w_IMF
A8gC&pg=PA48&lpg=PA48&dq=rig+10.82.5#v=onepage&q=rig%2010.82.5&f=false).
Gregorian Biblical BookShop. ISBN 9788876524820.
8. Thamid garbham pradhamam dhadra apo yatra deva samagachanta visve Aja asya nabha---
(Ṛg Veda, 10.82.5), Aja is an epithet for Upanishadic Brahman, Ondian philosophy and religion
by Bibhu/Minakshi Padhi
9. Abya sambootha prutvi rasacha viswakarmana samavarthatadi tasya tvoshta vidatha
roopameti tat purshasya visvam ajanamagre
10. Sadyayo janayan brahma deva vasthospathim vratapannira takshan Rg veda
11. Sam bahubhyam dhamathy sampatathrair dyavabhoomy janayanth Deva Eka [Rg 10 81,
Indian nireeswaravadam by D.B.Chathopadyaya, p43, Hindu civilisation by Radakumar
mukhargy p 89
12. Viswakarman havisha vrutharra swayam yajaswa-rig 10–81, moreover first part of viswakarma
sukta and purusha sukta and narayanasukta are almost same, Vedic cosmology, Rajendra
verma, page 80
13. Vachaspathim viswakarmana moothaye manojuvam vachae adyahuvema Rig & Yajurveda
14. Shukla Yajurveda 18–43 Prajapathir viswakarma mano gandharvasthasya .... Jaiminiya
Brahmana – 2.233; Satapatha Brahmana – 8.2.3.13, 8.2.1.10, 7.4.2.5; Shankhayana Aranyaka
– 2.17; Aitareya Brahmana – 4.22.3; Maitrayani Samhita −1.3.35, 3.2.3; Taittiriya Brahmana –
3.7.9.7; Apastamba Shrauta Sutra – 9.16.7; Vajasaneyi-Madhyandina Samhita – 12.61.
15. Ya eshe pashupathy .......viswakarma prajayam samrarana 2–34,2–34 Atharva veda
16. Yeshadevo viswakarma mahatma....zz 4–17
17. TS 4.3.2), as per Vasishtha Purana 3.6.11 Suparna sanakaro cheive sanathana Ithu smrutha
muni sreshta Abhuvanacha sha Prajnasa rsi Viswakarma Mukhothbuta brahmana
panchakirthika, ( Scandam Nagarakhand 5 ) Manurmayascha tvostava silpi Viswajna panchate
devarishayo Viswakarma Mukhotbhava -
18. Monier-Williams (1899) p. 994.
19. Coomaraswamy (1979), p. 79.
20. Yo na pita janitha yo vidata, Rig veda
21. "Vishwakarma Puja in Hindu Calendar" (https://www.calendarlabs.com/holidays/hindu/vishwak
arma-puja.php).
22. Achary, Subramanian Matathinkal (1995).
23. http://www.festivalsofindia.in/kanya-sankranti/index.aspx
24. documentary Monsoon Railway, directed by Gerry Troyna, shown on Yesterday (TV channel)
5pm to 7 pm (UK time) Sunday 28 January 2018
25. Archer, W. G. (2007). The Loves of Krishna in Indian Painting and poetry. Echo Library. p. 44.
ISBN 9781406825404.

References
VISHWAKARMA SAMAJ [1] (http://www.vishwakarmasamaj.com)
Achary, Subramanian Matathinkal (1995): Visvakarmajar Rigvedathil, Sawraj Printing and
Publishing Company, Aluva.
Coomaraswamy, Ananda K. (1979): Medieval Sinhalese Art, Pantheon Books Inc., New York.
Monier-Williams (1899). [2] (http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/cgi-bin/serveimg.pl?file=/s
cans/MWScan/MWScanjpg/mw0994-vizvavyApti.jpg)
Pattanaik, Devdutt (2009). 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art. Westland, India. ISBN 978-81-
89975-67-8.
Indian philosophy and religion by Bibhu/Minakshi Padhi*. Mainly suthar cast prayer to lord
Vishwakarma.Suthar cast which is famous and popular for interior and architectural work along
with furniture decor in all over world. People of Suthar community is follower of lord
Vishwakarma. Suthar, Gajjar&Mistry community mainly live in Rajasthan, Gujarat and
Maharashtra states of India. Some famous Sub castes of Suthar Community are Mandan,
Dayma, Dhamu, Aasdev, makkad, Gepal, Chhabra, Nagal, Kulariya, Bardwa, Mandan, Chuyal,
Dhamu etc. In Maharashtra 'Suthar' are called"sutar".
Siddharth, Dr.Jayshree om, Vishwakarma Prakash, The ancient Science of Vastu, 2020,
ISBN 978-93-90030-07-1.

Further reading
 Dr G Gnanananda, "Vishwakarma Darshana-Vishawakarma Volume-1 (2008), "Sanskriti
Sahithya Pratisthana, Bangalore Publications"
Dr G Gnanananda, "Vishwakarma Darshana-Hiranyagarbha Volume-2 (2009), "Sanskriti
Sahithya Pratisthana, Bangalore Publications"
Dr G Gnanananda, "Vishwakarma Darshana-Rhubugalu Volume-3 (2010), "Sanskriti Sahithya
Pratisthana, Bangalore Publications"

Raina, M. K. (1999). "The Divine Creativity: The Mythical Paradigm and Lord Visvakarma". In
Stein, M. I. (ed.). Creativity's Global Correspondents – 1999 (https://web.archive.org/web/20070
226165221/http://www.amcreativityassoc.org/ACA%20Press/Global%20Correspondents/Globa
l_1999.pdf) (PDF). Florida: Winslow Press. pp. 75–82. Archived from the original (http://www.a
mcreativityassoc.org/ACA%20Press/Global%20Correspondents/Global_1999.pdf) (PDF) on 26
February 2007.

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