Vishvakarman

Hdeity infobox|

Caption = The divine architect of Universe
Name = Vishwakarma
Devanagari = विश्वकर्मा
Sanskrit_Transliteration = viśvakarmā
Pali_Transliteration =
Tamil_script =
Affiliation = Deva
God_of = Craftsmen and architects
Abode =
Mantra =
Weapon =
Consort =
Mount = Swan
Planet =

Vishvakarma Or Vishwabrahmin (Sanskrit: विश्वकर्मा "IAST|" "all-accomplishing; all-creator") is the Hindu presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects. [cite web
url=http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-architecture/ancient-architecture/cave-architecture.html
title=Cave Architecture
publisher=
accessdate=2007-02-15 Vedic concept of creator is Viswakarma.In that time the concept of Brama may be hidden in Brahmanaspathi.] TS 4.3.2), as per Vasishtha Purana 3.6.11 Vishwakarma created 5 Brahmas from each of his 5 face, they are 1. Sanaga Brahma Rishi, 2. Sanaathana Brahma Rishi, 3. Abhuvanasa Brahma Rishi, 4. Prathnasa Brahma Rishi, 5. Suparnasa Brahma Rishi, in later mythology sometimes identified with Tvastr [Monier-Williams (1899) p.994 [http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/cgi-bin/serveimg.pl?file=/scans/MWScan/MWScanjpg/mw0994-vizvavyApti.jpg] ] , he is the divine craftsman of the whole Universe (RV 10.81.3), and the builder of all the gods' palaces. Vishwakarma is also the designer of all the flying chariots of the gods, and all their weapons and divine attributes. He is said to have revealed the Sthapatyaveda or fourth Upa-veda, and presides over the sixty-four mechanical arts.

In the Vedic mythology, however, the office of "Indian Vulcan" is assigned to Tvastr as a distinct deity, Vishva-karman being rather identified with Prajapati himself as the creator of all things and architect of the Universe; in the hymns RV 10.81 and 10.82 he is represented as the universal Father and Generator, the one all-seeing God, who has on every side eyes, faces, arms, and feet; in the Brahmanas he is called a son of Bhuvana, and Vishva-karman Bhauvana is described as the author of the two hymns mentioned above.

In the Mahabharata and Harivamsa, he is a son of the Vasu Prabhasa and Yoga-siddha. The Mahabharata describes him as "The Lord of the Arts, Executor of a thousand Handicrafts, the Carpenter of the Gods, the most eminent of Artisans, the Fashioner of all ornaments ... and a great and immortal God..." He has four hands, wears a crown, loads of gold jewellery, and holds a water-pot, a book, a noose, and craftsman's tools in his hands.

In the Puranas a son of Vastu, and the father of Barhishmatî and Samjna; according to other authorities he is the husband of Ghrtaci. The Ramayana represents him as having built the island of Lanka for the Rakshasas, and as having generated the ape Nala, who made Rama's bridge from the continent to the island; the name Vishva-karman, meaning, doing all acts", appears to be sometimes applicable as an epithet to any great divinity.

Vishwakarma Puja

Vishwakarma Puja (the Festival Day of Vishwakarma) is celebrated on the 17th of September. The festival is observed primarily in factories and industrial areas, often on the shop floor.

Vishwakarma is known as the divine engineer since the Puranic age. As a mark of reverence he is not only worshipped by the engineering and architectural community but also by all professionals. It is customary for craftsmen to worship their tools in His name.

Vishwakarma Puja is celebrated by all industrial houses, artists, craftsman and weavers. The festival is observed on the Kanya Sankranti Day (September) which follows the Ganesh Puja.

Legends of Vishwakarma Puja

According to mythology it is Vishwakarma who designed the triloka; the tripartite universe consisting of the mortal world, the heavens, and the netherworld. Vishwakarma is also credited for creating the missiles used in the mythological era, including the Vajra the sacred weapon of Lord Indra (a parallel of Zeus' thunderbolts) from the ribs of sage Dadhichi.

He is regarded as the supreme worker, the very essence of excellence and quality in craftsmanship.

Vishwakarma's Architectural Wonders

Hindu mythology describes many of Vishwakarma's architectural accomplishments.

Through the four yugas (aeons of Hindu mythology), he had built several towns and palaces for the gods. In chronological order, these were Swarglok (Heaven) in Satya Yuga, Lanka (the island of Ceylon) in Treta Yuga, Dwarka (Krishna's capital) in the Dwapar Yuga and Hastinapur and Indraprastha in the Kali Yuga.

Puri Jagannath Temple

The Jagannath Temple is a sacred Hindu temple in Puri, famous for its enormous statues of Krishna and his siblings Subhadra and Balarama, of which Vishwakarma is considered the sculptor.

Further reading

* Citation
last= Raina
first= M. K.
year= 1999
contribution= The Divine Creativity: The Mythical Paradigm and Lord Visvakarma
editor-last= Stein
editor-first= M. I.
title= Creativity's Global Correspondents - 1999
publisher= Winslow Press
place = Florida
pages=75-82
id=
doi=
oclc=
url=http://www.amcreativityassoc.org/ACA%20Press/Global%20Correspondents/Global_1999.pdf

ee also

*Vishwakarmas
*Great Architect of the Universe