Vishvakarman

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This article is about a Hindu deity . For the Hindu community, see Vishwakarmas.
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Vishwakarma
The divine architect of Universe
The divine architect of Universe
Craftsmen and architects
Devanagari विश्वकर्मा
Affiliation Deva
Mount Swan
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Vishvakarma Or Vishwabrahmin (Sanskrit: विश्वकर्मा viśvá-karman "all-accomplishing; all-creator") is the Hindu presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects.[1] TS 4.3.2), as per Vasishtha Purana 3.6.11 Vishwakarma has 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[2], 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 or 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 jewelry, 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 Ramayanma 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.

According to the mythology of traditional artisan like Blacksmith, Carpenter, Copper Smith, Stone Sculptor and Gold Smith, Vishwakarman is the personification of Virad Viswa Brahman, the ultimate reality.

Viswabramapurana and Moolastambapurana are singing about a Vishwakarma who incarnated out of nothingness having five heads known as Sadyojatham, Tathpurusham, Akhoram, Eeshanam, Oordham and ten hands wielding trident, tools of creation, four vedas, now the vedopangas, such as Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Gandarvaveda, Stapatyaveda and fifth veda of Pranavam. Five prajapathies such as Manu, Maya, Toshtwa, Shilpy and Viswajna originated from his five heads. This concept of god of creation must have been crystallized during the formative period of toolmaking artisan society and may be closely associated with the advent of metal technology. Later puranic period presented a mutilated form of Brahma with four heads and his epithet or the remaining head became another Vishwakarma the divine architect. This visual language reveals the social change, that is the supremacy of clerics and warriors over the creative working class before imposing chathurvarnya. In south India there are traditional Vishwakarmas still donning sacred threads and following their vedic lineage. In viswakarma philosophy yajna is not the symbolic ritual but creative works, thus they are imitating the vedic god Viswakarman

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[edit] Vishwakarma Puja

The month of September brings with it an essence of the forthcoming festivities. The pleasant weather of early autumn, with clouds scattered across the sky looks more colourful with the numerous kites floating side by side on Vishwakarma Puja, the festival of the God of Architecture and engineering, Vishwakarma.

Vishwakarma Puja is celebrated with full enthusiasm on 17th of September every year. The celebration is mainly done in factories and industrial areas. Shop floors in various factories wear a festive look on this occasion. In beautifully decorated pandals the image of Vishwakarma and his faithful elephant are inaugurated and worshipped.

Vishwakarma is known as the divine engineer since the Puranic age. As a mark of reverence he is not only worshipped by the engineering community but also by all professionals. On this day all the workers in the workshops and offices worship their tools and instruments in front of Lord Vishwakarma, which are generally used in their profession.

This is the puja of Lord Vishwakarma, the principal designer of the Universe who fabricated the Universe as per the direction of Brahma, the lord of creation.

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.

[edit] Legends of Vishwakarma Puja

According to mythology it is Vishwakarma who designed the triloka: including the entire Universe as well as the heavens and the Earth. Vishwakarma is also credited for 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. Vishwakarma is the divine architect of the whole Universe. He has four hands, carrying a water-pot, a book, a noose and craftsman's tools.

[edit] Celebration

This festival of Vishwakarma Puja is celebrated with full enthusiasm. It is observed mostly in workshops, offices and factories in the industrial areas. Shop floors in various factories wear a festive look on this occasion. In beautifully decorated pandals the image of Vishwakarma and his faithful elephant are inaugurated and worshiped. The industrial towns in urban areas come alive with decorative pandals and loudspeakers. Most factories around the area declare the annual bonus on this day. The puja pandals are usually made within the factory premises. On this day family members of the employees come together to create a bright moment in an otherwise dull and mundane workshop. The entire factory workforce sits together for lunch.

The rituals are followed by the distribution of "prasad". The yearly feast is cooked and the workmen and the owners take their lunch together. People are also found to be flying multi-colour kites. The sky fills up with all shades and colours. Chadials, Mombattis, Chowrangees, Petkattas, Mayurpankhis, Baggas fly high to establish the skills of the fliers. The sky becomes a war zone with the discarded kites dropping every now and then with the cry of "Bho-Kattaaa" from the distant roofs or parks.

[edit] Vishwakarma's Architectural Wonders

Hindu mythology is full of Vishwakarma's many architectural wonders. Through the four 'yugas', he had built several towns and palaces for the gods. In "Satya Yuga", he built the Swarg Loke, or heaven, the abode of the gods and demigods where Lord Indra rules. Vishwakarma then built the 'Sone ki Lanka' in "Treta yuga", the city of Dwarka in "Dwapar yuga", and Hastinapur and Indraprastha in the "Kali yuga".

[edit] Dwarka

Among the many mythical towns Vishwakarma built is Dwarka, the capital of Lord Krishna. During the time of the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna is said to have lived in it, and made it his "Karma Bhoomi" or center of operation. For the same reason, it has become a well known pilgrimage for the Hindus.

[edit] Ravana's Lanka

According to Hindu mythology, Lanka was the place where the demon king Ravana dwelled in the "Treta yuga." As we read in the epic story Ramayana, this was also the place where Ravana kept Sita, Lord Ram's wife as a hostage. He also rebuilt Lanka after Hanuman burnt it. There is also a story behind the construction of the Golden Lanka. When Lord Shiva married Parvati, he asked Vishwakarma to build a beautiful palace for them to reside. Vishwakarma put up a palace made of gold! For the housewarming ceremony, Shiva invited the wise Ravana to perform the "Grihapravesh" ritual. After the sacred ceremony when Shiva asked Ravana to ask anything in return as "Dakshina", Ravana, overwhelmed with the beauty and grandeur of the palace, asked Shiva for the golden palace itself! Shiva was obliged to accede to Ravana's wish, and the Golden Lanka became Ravana's palace.


[edit] Hastinapur

In the present "Kali Yuga", Vishwakarma is said to have built the town of Hastinapur, the capital of Kauravas and Pandavas, the warring families of the Mahabharata. After winning the battle of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna installed Dharmaraj Yudhisthir as the ruler of Hastinapur.

[edit] Puri Jagannath Temple

The Jagannath Temple is a sacred Hindu temple in Puri, a seacoast town on the Bay of Bengal, in the state of Orissa. The temple is of great significance to followers of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, whose founder Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had a special attraction to the Jagannath deity and lived in Puri for many years. Viswakarma advented in the form of artisans and carved and painted 'icons' (Sanskrit: murti) of Krishna, Balarama and Subhadra from a tree.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Cave Architecture. Retrieved on 2007-02-15 Vedic concept of creator is Viswakarma.In that time the concept of Brama may be hidden in Brahmanaspathi..
  2. ^ Monier-Williams (1899) p.994 [1]

[edit] Further reading

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