Vishwakarma – Applied Indology

Vishwakarma Prajapati is the Supreme cosmic creator god also known as Swayambhu Brahman (self existing) or Narayana/Purusha in the vedic texts. Vishwakarma is called ‘Devashilpi’ or ‘The Architect of Gods’ . The literal meaning of Vishwakarma is ‘all-creator’, vishwa means ‘all’ and karman means ‘doer’. Vishwakarma is visualised as Ultimate reality (later developed as vishwa Brahman) in the Rig Veda, from whose navel the Hiranyagarbha emanates. Hiranyagarbha refers to our universe and the literal translation is – The Golden womb.

The Rig Veda describes Viswakarma as the god with multi-dimensional vision and supreme strength. Vishwakarma is able to predict well in advance in which direction his creation will move. He is the highest Brahman (Para Brahman) and called as ‘the Lord of all existence’ in Satapatha Brahmana. Vishwakarma is visualized as the Ultimate reality in the Rig Veda, from whose navel all visible things emanate. The same imagery is seen in Yajurveda purusha sukta, where the divine smith Tvastar originates from Vishwakarma. This concept developed later in the puranic period as Padmanabha.

He is ‘Aja’ (Unborn) and as mentioned in Vishwakarma suktam of Yajurveda, he created ‘Brahmanda’ (where the universe exists) containing all the Gods and the Asuras which lies connected to his navel by means of a receptacle. This picturisation of Vishwakarman Prajapati was later transferred to Vishnu by Vyasa in his Puranas and Mahabharata and called him ‘Padmanabha’and ‘Sheshasayana’. Vishwakarma has created most of the gods’ weapons, flying chariots, and palaces. He has also created many amazing cities on Earth. Vishwakarma is said to have revealed the Sthapatyaveda or fourth Upa-Veda and presides over the sixty-four mechanical arts. His many faces and arms depict his multifaceted creative power and supreme strength.

Puranas states Vishwakarma’s mother was Yoga Siddha, sister of Brihaspati. Vishwakarma’s father was Prabhas, the eighth rishi of the legendary Astam Basu. Vishwakarma married Gayatri and had two daughters named Sanjana and Barhismati. Sanjana married Surya deva and began to be known as Saranyu. Barhismati married Priyavrata and had a daughter named Oorjaswati and 10 sons. Oorjaswati married Shukracharya. They had 5 children called Twastra, Dharatra, Sham, Araila and Devyanee. Devyanee would wed Yayati and would give birth to Yadu, the starter of the Chandravansha also called Yadava vamsha.

Visvakarma’s five sons are Manu, Maya, Tvasta, Shilpi and Visvajna (Devagya). The sons are understood to be the forbearers of five gotras (clans) of Vedic craftsmen. Each of the sons followed in the footsteps of their transcendental father, each becoming an illustrious craftsman in his own right. Manu was an ironsmith, Maya a woodcrafter, and Tvasta a metalsmith who worked with brass, copper and alloy. Silpi was a stone carver, and his name is associated with the craftsman’s code, Shipla-sastra. Visvajna, the youngest son, became a great jeweler, working with gold and silver. Today, architects, mechanics, carpenters, iron-smiths, plumbers and all professions related with architecture and construction are known as the Vishwakarma community, whose members claim to be direct descendants of Vishwakarma and sons.

Visvakarma’s eldest son was Manu, who married Kanchna, the daughter of Rishi Angira. The second son was Maya, who married Soumya, the daughter of Parasar rishi. The third son was Tvasta, who married Rishi Kaushik’s daughter, Jayanti. The fourth son, Shilpi, was married Karuna, daughter of Rishi Bhrigu. The youngest son, Devagya (Visvajna) married the Rishi Gemini’s daughter, Chandrika.

Vishwakarma is the divine draftsman of the whole universe and the official builder of all the gods’ palaces. Vishwakarma is also the designer of all the flying chariots of the gods and all their weapons. Through the four yugas, he had built several towns and palaces for the gods. In Satya-yuga or the first and the best age of Hindu world cycle, he built the Swarga Loka, the abode of the gods and demigods where Lord Indra rules. Vishwakarma then built the Swarna Lanka in Treta yuga, the city of Dwarka in Dwapara yuga, and Hastinapur and Indraprastha in the Kali yuga. Rigveda considers him to be the architect, divine engineer of universe from before the advent of time.

• Alakapuri: When Kubera went to Vishwakarma for a residence after he became the god of wealth, Vishwakarma created the splendid city of Alakapuri on Mount Mandara.
• Chaitraratha: These are the most beautiful gardens in the universe. These were created by Vishwakarma for Kubera. Vishwakarma built them near Alakapuri.
• Indra’s Palace: After Indra became the king of the devas, he requested Vishwakarma to make a really amazing and colossal palace. After Indra killed Vritra, Indra had Vishwakarma redo the palace and make it more grand multitudinous times.
• On an invitation of Lord Krishna, He also built the city “Indraprastha” earlier known as “Khandavaprastha”. Which was offered by Dhritarashtra when asked by Yudhisthira.
• Lankapuri: This city, made entirely of gold, was originally created by Vishwakarma. After some time, the Rakshasa Sumali and his brothers seized the city from Vishwakarma. After the Rakshasas ran away because of Vishnu, Kubera took control of the city. Later, Ravana banished Kubera and started ruling. After Ravana’s death in the Ramayana, Vibhishana, his righteous brother, ruled for a very long time. The centre of the complex (which was finally occupied by Ravana) has been mentioned as a collection of several edifices that reached over one yojana (8 miles or 12.88 kms) in height, one yojana in length and half a yojana in breadth.
• Dwaraka: When Jarasandha kept attacking the Yadavas at Mathura, Krishna and the Yadavas moved to an island near Saurashtra. There, Krishna invoked Vishwakarma to build a beautiful city. Vishwakarma notified Krishna that the city could be built only if Samudradeva (god of the oceans and seas) gave some land. Krishna prayed to Samudradeva and eventually Samudradeva gave Krishna 12 yojans. Vishwakarma then built a beautiful city for Krishna and the Yadavas. This city came to be called as Dvaraka.
• Flying chariots of the devas: Most the flying chariots of the devas were built by Vishwakarma.
• Pushpaka Vimana: Kubera was really deformed. He had a hard time moving around. When Brahma saw this he felt sad for Kubera. To help, he had Vishwakarma build a flying chariot called the Pushpaka Vimana for Kubera. This chariot would obey any commands such as right, left, up, backwards, forwards, down etc.
• Vajra: Twastra created a monster named Vritra to kill Indra after Indra killed his son Vishwarupa. The devas found it really difficult to defeat Vritra. They went to Vishnu deva for help. Vishnu deva adviced to make a weapon out of Rishi Dadichi’s bones. Rishi Dadichi agreed and sat in meditation. Soon, his soul left his body. Vishwakarma then created a gruesome weapon called the Vajra out of Rishi Dadichi’s bones. Soon, Indra deva killed Vritrasura with his new weapon: the Vajra. Rishi Dadhichi sacrificed his life for the Devas. Vishwakarma created the vajra for Indra, the king of the Devas. Using this weapon, Indra defeated the Asuras and reclaimed heaven.
• Yamapuri: Vishwakarma also created Yamapuri for Yamadeva, his Yamadutas, and his other advisors and ministers.
• Shraddhavati: This is the city of Varuna. It was built by Vishwakarma in the ocean.
• Vijaya bow: This bow was made by Vishwakarma and given to Indra.

The name Vishwakarma occurs five times in the tenth book of the Rigveda. The two hymns of the Rigveda identify Vishwakarma 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.

The visible aspect of Vishwakarma is called Tvashtar. Tavashtar is credited with producing the 3 Lokas and protecting it with his arms and wings. Owing to this, custom of kite flying is prevalent during Vishwakarma Pooja.

Beyond 8000 Years, The Vishwakarma People are Well Known as Main Seed of All Arts, Architectural Intelligents and Creators of Hindu Religion and Temples. Members of the Vishwakarma community today worship Vishwakarma as their deity and follow five Vedas: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda, and Pranava Veda.

Vishwakarma Pooja falls on the last day of the month Bhadra which is also known as Bhadra Sankranti or Kanya Sankranti. This time of year, artisans, craftsmen, engineers and other workers pledge themselves to great quality and productivity in their work. 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 Vishwakarma’s five children ( five rishis) came together to declare their solidarity and pray to their illustrious father.The Vedic Jayanthi is celebrated on Magha Shukla Trayodashi is celebrated culturally.

Each one of the five gotras coming down from the five sons of Vishwakarma is further divided into 25 sub-groups. The principal gotras are:

• Sanaga Gotra – Son of Sage Manu(Shiva) known as the Blacksmiths (Lohar)
• Sanatana Gotra – Son of Sage Maya (Vishnu) known as the Carpenters (Badhae)
• Abhuvana gotra – Son of Saga Twashtha (Brahma) known as the Bronze smiths (Tamrak)
• Pratanan Gotra – Son of Shilpi (Indra) know as the Architects (Murtikar)
• Suparna Gotra – Son of Devagya (Surya) know as the Goldsmiths (Sunar)

In ancient times, members of the Visvakarma gotras lived an itinerant lifestyle, traveling from place to place, getting work wherever temples were being constructed. As great dynasties such as the Vijayanagar empire came to power, then waned, the fortunes of the Visvakarma craftsmen also rose and fell. They were primarily dependant on whatever line of rulers offered patronage and religious focus at a given time.

In Nepal the Kami/Bishwakarma have a similar lore. This is an ethno-linguistic group. They are essentially blacksmiths and are credited for being the original makers of the famous Nepali drum, the Madol and the Nepali Kukri (knife). The Kukri which is a short curved knife used by the Gurkha troops. The community’s traditional dance, Maruni Nritya is also famous. The Kami/Biswakarmas are found in the mountainous regions of Sikkim and Darjeeling District of West Bengal also.

In Sri Lanka, oral traditions connect the origin of the Navandanna caste to Vishwakarma. Artisans, known locally as Vishwakarma, comprise Kannar (brass-workers), Kollar (blacksmiths), Tattar (goldsmiths), Tatchar (carpenters) and Kartatchar (sculptor).

Sanathana Dharma teaches that every force at play in the universe has a consciousness and humans are too infinitely small in front of the forces to be able to comprehend them let alone declare them non living. Vishwakarma in this aspect, Dharma says there is a higher intellect that is the brain behind the universe. For example, our DNA is not a creation of Humans, humans are still trying to catch up with the way DNA works. There has to be a higher intelligence engineering the process of evolution, and the consciousness behind that “intelligent design” is Vishwakarma.

Shwethashwatha Upanishad described Lord Vishwakarma as Rudra, one who dwells in all forms. He is called Swayambhu – One who has no creator, as there was no time when he was not present. Thus clearly they all refer to the Advaita, the non dual and thus Vishwakarma is simply another adjective for the One.

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About Author:
Subhasini BA, is a Screenplay writer, Director, creative director, costume designer and producer, whose work has featured in some of the most prestigious film festivals in the country and internationally. She has collaborated on several film projects juggling different roles. 

In beginning of her career, she worked as Associate director and Costume Designer with the acclaimed director Girish Kasaravalli. She’s written and directed a documentary film on the famed Krishna Temple in Udupi, and also written plays, screenplays for films and short form content for some of the leading technology companies in India, including Microsoft, Akamai Technologies, LAM Research, and SAP. 

With Knowledge in Sanskrit, Subhasini is a seeker of the Eternal Truth / Santana Dharma, writes on dharma. She is passionate about History, Mythology, Philosophy and Spirituality. She believes Dharma is the manifestation of the natural strength of every living soul.
She lives in Cincinnati.

Image Courtesy: Hindustan

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