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{{short description|Hindu architect of the gods}}
{{for|the Indian caste|Vishwakarma (caste)}}
{{about|the Hindu god|the Indian caste|Vishwakarma (caste)}}
'''Viśwákarman''' ({{lang-sa|विश्वकर्मा}} is the Family Name or Surname from the ] (in Nepal: Dalit) community and it is also said that they are from ] in India. Those who are from this community have good position in the field of Technology as Goldschmidt, iron Schmidt as well as in the social community politics.
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox deity<!--Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Hindu mythology-->
| type = Hindu
| image = 058 Visvakarman, 13c, Lopburi (34865435730).jpg
| name = Vishvakarma
| affiliation = ]
| deity_of = Architect of the ]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vishvakarma | title=Vishvakarma, Viśhwakarmā, Viśhwakarma, Vishwakarman, Viśhwakarman, Vishwa-karman: 26 definitions | date=19 December 2011 }}</ref>
| abode = ]
| mantra = Om Viśvakarmane Namaḥ
| weapon = ], ], book, ] and ]
| consort = ]
| caption = Bronze sculpture of Vishvakarma from ], ], 13th century. Kept at ]
| mount = {{ubl|] | ]}}
| children = Manu, Maya, Tvashta, Shilpi, Daivajna and ], ], Barhismati, Chitrangada, ]
| parents = Prabhasa ] (father) <br> Yogasiddha or Angirasi (mother)
}}
{{Hinduism}}
'''Vishvakarma''' or '''Vishvakarman''' ({{langx|sa|विश्वकर्मा|lit=all maker}}, {{IAST3|Viśvakarmā}}) is a craftsman deity and the divine architect of the ] in contemporary ]. In the early texts, the craftsman deity was known as ] and the word "Vishvakarma" was originally used as an epithet for any powerful deity. However, in many later traditions, Vishvakarma became the name of the craftsman god.<ref name = Anc>{{Cite book|last1=Coulter|first1=Charles Russell|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VWxekbhM1yEC&q=visvakarma&pg=PT1134|title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities|last2=Turner|first2=Patricia|date=2013-07-04|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-96397-2|language=en}}</ref>


Vishvakarma crafted all of the chariots of the devas and weapons including the '']'' of the god ].<ref>Coomaraswamy (1979), p. 79.</ref> Vishvakarma was related to the sun god ] through his daughter ] According to the legend, when Samjna left her house due to Surya's energy, Vishvakarma reduced the energy and created various other weapons using it. Vishvakarma also built various cities like ],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sarga 2 {{!}} Sundara Kanda - Ramayana |url=https://siva.sh/ramayana/sundara-kanda/2/20 |access-date=2023-12-04 |website=siva.sh |language=en}}</ref> ], and ].<ref name="Anc" /> According to the epic '']'', the '']'' (forest-man or monkey) ] was the son of Vishvakarma, created to aid the avatar ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sarga 17 {{!}} Bala Kanda - Ramayana |url=https://siva.sh/bala-kanda-ramayana/17/12 |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=siva.sh |language=en}}</ref>
The '''Scheduled Castes''' (SCs)<ref name="List of SC">{{cite web|title=Scheduled Caste Welfare - List of Scheduled Castes|url=http://socialjustice.nic.in/sclist.php|publisher=Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment|accessdate=16 August 2012}}</ref> '''and Scheduled Tribes''' (STs) are two groups of historically-disadvantaged people recognised in the ]. During the period of ].


==Literature and legends==
The ] and ] comprise about 16.6 percent and 8.6 percent, respectively, of ]{{'}}s population (or about 25.2 percent altogether, according to the ]).<ref><!-- Bot generated title --></ref>
===Vedas===
The ''Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950'' lists 1,108 ] across 25 ] in its First Schedule,<ref></ref> and the ''Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950'' lists 744 tribes across 22 states in its First Schedule.<ref></ref>
]
{{See also|Tvastar}}


The term Visvakarman was originally used as an epithet for any supreme god<ref>{{cite web|title=Vishvakarman {{!}} Hindu mythology|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vishvakarman|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> and as an attribute of ] and the ]. The name Visvakarman occurs five times in the tenth book of the Rigveda. The two hymns of the Rigveda identify Visvakarman as all-seeing, and having eyes, faces, arms and feet on every side and also has wings. ], the 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, swift in his thoughts and titled a seer, priest, and lord of speech.<ref>{{cite book|last=Macdonell|first=Arthur Anthony|title=Vedic Mythology|date=1898|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-8-12081-113-3|url={{googlebooks|b7Meabtj8mcC|page=41|plainurl=y}}|page=41|language=en}}</ref>
Since independence, the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and ]es (the three categories combined constitute about 60 percent of India's population) were given ]. The reservation policy became an integral part of the Constitution through the efforts of ], who participated in the ] and fought for the rights of the oppressed and depressed classes. The Constitution lays down the general principles of affirmative action for SCs and STs.


According to some parts of the '']'', Vishvakarma was the personification of ultimate reality, the abstract creative power inherent in deities, living and non-living being in this universe.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Vishvakarman – Oxford Reference|url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803120038316|language=en}}</ref> He is considered to be the fifth monotheistic God concept: He is both The Architect and The Divine Engineer of The Universe from before the advent of time.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sprochi|first=Amanda K.|editor-last=Melton|editor-first=J. Gordon|title=Religious Celebrations: L-Z|date=2011|location=Santa Barbara, CA|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-59884-205-0|url={{googlebooks|KDU30Ae4S4cC|page=908|plainurl=y}}|page=908|language=en}}</ref>
== History ==
Since the 1850s these communities were loosely referred to as ] ("original inhabitants"). The early 20th century saw a flurry of activity in the Raj assessing the feasibility of responsible self-government for India. The ], ] and the ] were several initiatives in this context. A highly-contested issue in the proposed reforms was the reservation of seats for representation of the Depressed Classes in provincial and central legislatures.


The later parts of the Rigveda reveal efforts to find a satisfactory answer to the mysteries regarding the origin of the Architect, the creation hymns present in these parts of the Rigveda mention individual creator gods as opposed to the collection of gods and their chiefs (], ], ], etc.) creating the architecture.<ref>{{cite book|last=Dhavamony|first=Mariasusai|title=Classical Hinduism|date=1982|publisher=Gregorian Biblical BookShop|isbn=978-8-87652-482-0|url={{googlebooks|DD0w_IMFA8gC|page=48|plainurl=y}}|page=48|language=en}}</ref>
In 1935 the ] passed the ], designed to give Indian provinces greater self-rule and set up a national federal structure. The reservation of seats for the Depressed Classes was incorporated into the act, which came into force in 1937.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Government of India Act of 1935|url=http://www.ambedkar.org/News/reservationinindia.pdf}}</ref> The Act introduced the term "Scheduled Castes", defining the group as "such castes, races or tribes or parts of groups within castes, races or tribes, which appear to His Majesty in Council to correspond to the classes of persons formerly known as the 'Depressed Classes', as His Majesty in Council may prefer".<ref>{{cite web|title=Scheduled Communities: A social Development profile of SC/ST's (Bihar, Jharkhand &amp; W.B)|url=http://planningcommission.nic.in/reports/sereport/ser/stdy_scmnty.pdf}}</ref> This discretionary definition was clarified in ''The Government of India (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1936'', which contained a list (or Schedule) of castes throughout the British-administered provinces.


In the ], the role of Vishvakarma as the builder of gods is attributed to Tvastar.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VWxekbhM1yEC&q=visvakarma&pg=PT1134|title = Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities|isbn = 9781135963972|last1 = Coulter|first1 = Charles Russell|last2 = Turner|first2 = Patricia|date = 4 July 2013| publisher=Routledge }}</ref> Vedic Vishvakarman is identified with ] rather than ''Tvaṣṭṛ''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Monier-Williams|first=Monier|title=A Sanskrit-English Dictionary: Etymologically and Philologically Arranged with Special Reference to Cognate Indo-European Languages|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1899|pages=994}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Macdonell|first=Arthur Anthony|title=Vedic Mythology|year=1897|publisher=Oxford University Press|page=118}}</ref> In later mythology, Vishvakarman is sometimes identified with ''Tvaṣṭṛ'' and is a craftsman deity.<ref name=":0">] (1899) p. 994.</ref>
After independence the ] continued the prevailing definition of Scheduled Castes and Tribes, giving (via articles 341 and 342) the president of India and governors of the states a mandate to compile a full listing of castes and tribes (with the power to edit it later, as required). The complete list of castes and tribes was made via two orders: ''The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950''<ref></ref> and ''The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1958'',<ref></ref> respectively.


==Iconography==
==Vishwakarma Puja==
{{multiple image
Since Vishwakarma is the ] 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.
| image1 = Cambogia, vishvakarman, l'architetto divino, periodo angkor, xiii secolo ca.jpg
| image2 = Biswakarma (crop).jpg
| image3 =
| align = right
| total_width = 350
| footer = Two different depictions of Vishvakarma – Cambodia and Bengal
}}


Vishvakarma's iconography varies drastically from one region to another, though all picture him with creation tools. In the most popular depiction, he is depicted as an aged and wise man, with ]. He has white beard and is accompanied by his vahana, '']'' (goose or swan), which scholars believe that these suggest his association with the creator god ]. Usually, he is seated on a throne and his sons standing near him. This form of Vishvakarma is mainly found in the Western and North Western parts of India.<ref name="Vishva1">{{Cite book|last1=Jacobsen|first1=Knut A.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sPmADwAAQBAJ&q=vishwakarman&pg=PT36|title=Religion and Technology in India: Spaces, Practices and Authorities|last2=Myrvold|first2=Kristina|date=2019-01-15|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-351-20477-4|language=en}}</ref>
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<ref>Yo na pita janitha yo vidata , Rig veda</ref> So it is a contradiction in terms since that presupposes another creator for Vishwakarma. The Vishwakarma Puja is celebrated in all parts of ], especially in ] ] ] ].


Contradictory to the above account, the ] of Vishvakarma in the eastern parts of India depict him as a young muscular man. He has a black moustache and is not accompanied by his sons. An elephant is his vahana, suggesting his association with ] or ].<ref name="Vishva1" />
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:
* ''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 ] 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.<ref>Achary, Subramanian Matathinkal (1995).</ref>
* ''Visvakarma Jayanthi''. Vishwakarma Jayanthi is celebrated by all industrial houses, ], ], and ]. The festival is observed on the ] (September 17) which follows the ] ''Puja''. It was on this particular day that the forefathers of the present Visvakarma people invented the plough and gifted 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.


== Family ==
==Architectural wonders==
Parentage of Vishvakarma differs in many other texts. In the ] and ]s he is stated to be the son of Bhuvana. In the ] and ], he is the son of ] Prabhāsa and Yoga-siddhā. In the ], he is the son of Vāstu or sometimes, ]. Vishvakarma is the father of three daughters named Barhishmati, ] and Chitrangada, as well as five sons.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9v1OAQAAIAAJ&q=vishwakarma+Chitrangada|title=The Sacred Scriptures of India|date=2009|publisher=Anmol Publications|isbn=978-81-261-3630-8|language=en}}</ref> In ], Vishvakarma is presented as the husband of the celestial nymph ].<ref name=":1" /> When identified with Tvastar, Vishvakarma is also described to be the father of a son named ].<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Debroy|first1=Bibek|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jXoRAQAAIAAJ&q=vishvakarma+vishvarupa|title=The Holy Puranas|last2=Debroy|first2=Dipavali|date=2002|publisher=B.R. Publishing Corporation|isbn=978-81-7646-299-0|language=en}}</ref>


==Vishvakarma Puja==
Hindu scriptures describe many of Vishwakarma's architectural accomplishments.
], ]]]
]


Among those who celebrate Vishwakarma's birthday, it is celebrated on two days under different names:
Through the four ] (aeons of Hindu mythology), he had built several towns and palaces for the ]. Among them were, in chronological order, ] (Heaven) in the '''Satya Yuga''', ] in the '''Treta Yuga''', and Dwarka (Krishna's capital) in the '''Dwapara Yuga'''.
* '']:'' This occasion is observed by adherents on the 17/18 September of every year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.calendarlabs.com/holidays/hindu/vishwakarma-puja.php|title=Vishwakarma Puja in Hindu Calendar}}</ref>

* '']:'' Those who celebrate this day believe that Vishvakarma 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 ] and changes with every year. The five groups among the ] also celebrate this as an auspicious day in commemoration of their patron god at present.<ref>Achary, Subramanian Matathinkal (1995).</ref>
===Lanka : The City Of Gold===
{{unreferenced section|date=May 2012}}
According to ''Ramayana'', 'Sone ki Lanka' or Golden ] was ruled by Ravana during the Treta yuga. This is also the city where Ravana held Sita hostage. It is said that when Lord Shiva married Parvati, he asked Viswakarma to build a beautiful palace for them to reside in. Vishwakarma built a palace made of gold. For the housewarming ceremony, Shiva invited the wise Pulastya rishi (The Grandfather of Kuber and also Ravana) to perform the "Grihapravesh" ritual. After the sacred ceremony when Shiva asked Pulastya rishi to ask anything in return as "]", ], overwhelmed with the beauty and grandeur of the palace, asked Shiva for the golden palace itself. Shiva was obliged to accede to ]'s wish, and the Golden Lanka became his grandson ]'s palace. Ravana who was born and brought up in South India banished his half-brother, ]. The city of gold is said to have fallen into Ravanas hands when he overthrew his half brother Kuber.

===Dwarka===
] king ] on the throne]]
{{unreferenced section|date=May 2012}}
Viswakarma is also supposed to have built ] overnight.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Loves of Krishna in Indian Painting and Poetry |first=W. G. |last=Archer |publisher=Echo Library |year=2007 |isbn=1406825409, 9781406825404 |page=44 }}</ref> During the time of the ], ] is said to have lived in Dwarka, and made it his "Karma Bhumi" (center of operation). This land now located in today's ] has become a well known pilgrimage for the Hindus.


==See also== ==See also==
*]
* ]
*]
* ]
* ] *]
*]
* ]
* ] *]
*'']''
* ]
* ] *]
*]

==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}
=={{anchor|Prominent personalities of SC and ST communities}}Notable members==
* ]: Jurist, political leader, writer, father of Indian Constitution
* ]: Tenth ]
* ]: Former Deputy Prime Minister of India
* ]: Former Chief Justice of India, chairman of national human rights commission
* ]: Former MP, Governor of Kerela and Bihar
*Raj Kumar Verka: ] Amritsar, vice-chairman National Commission for SC/ST, Govt. of India
* ]: ] for Home Affairs
* ]: Former Chief Minister of ]
* ]: Indian independence advocate and tribal leader
* ] (1921–1972): First ] chief minister of a state and first dalit president of the ]
* ]: Founder of ]
* ]: Dalit ]
* ]: Former Chief Minister of ] state
* ]: Judge, Madras High Court and High Court of Andhra Pradesh
* ]: President of the ]
* ]: Former President of ] (BJP)
* ]: Member of the seventh and eighth Parliaments
* ]: Cricketer who played in 44 test matches for India
* ]: Music director, instrumentalist and composer
* ]: Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
* ]: Leader of the Legislative Assembly, AP
* ]: MLA
* ] (Janumala John Prakasa Rao): Bollywood comedian, born in Vusullapalli (near ], ], AP)
* ] ("Pichha kottudu sudhakar"): Comedian, Tollywood character actor
* ] (1918–1992): First dalit university vice-chancellor (Andhra University, 1968–74)
* ]: MP of the sixth Lok Sabha; member of ] serving Ghatampur (UP) Lok Sabha constituency
* ]: Chairman, National Commission for SC/ST

==See also==
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]



==Bibliography==
* Achary, Subramanian Matathinkal (1995): ''Visvakarmajar Rigvedathil'', Sawraj Printing and Publishing Company, Aluva.
* Coomaraswamy, Ananda K. ] (1979): ''Medieval Sinhalese Art'', Pantheon Books Inc., New York.
* ] (1899):
* Pattanaik, Devdutt ] (2009): ''7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art''. Westland, India. {{ISBN|978-81-89975-67-8}}.
* Padhi, Bibhu & Padhi, Minakshi ] (1998): ''Indian Philosophy and Religion: A Reader's Guide'' (3rd ed.). D.K. Printworld. {{ISBN|978-8-12460-116-7}}.


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}}
* Achary, Subramanian Matathinkal (1995): ''Visvakarmajar Rigvedathil'', Sawraj Printing and Publishing Company, Aluva.
* Coomaraswamy, Ananda K. (1979): ''Medieval Sinhalese Art'', Pantheon Books Inc., New York.
* ] (1899).
* 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


==Further reading== ==Further reading==
* Dr G Gnanananda, "Vishvakarma Darshana-Vishawakarma Volume-1 (2008), "Sanskriti Sahithya Pratisthana, Bangalore Publications"
* {{Cite book
* Dr G Gnanananda, "Vishvakarma Darshana-Hiranyagarbha Volume-2 (2009), "Sanskriti Sahithya Pratisthana, Bangalore Publications"
| last= Raina
* Dr G Gnanananda, "Vishvakarma Darshana-Rhubugalu Volume-3 (2010), "Sanskriti Sahithya Pratisthana, Bangalore Publications"
| first= M. K.
* {{cite book|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|url=http://www.amcreativityassoc.org/ACA%20Press/Global%20Correspondents/Global_1999.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070226165221/http://www.amcreativityassoc.org/ACA%20Press/Global%20Correspondents/Global_1999.pdf|archive-date=26 February 2007}}
| 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.
| url=http://www.amcreativityassoc.org/ACA%20Press/Global%20Correspondents/Global_1999.pdf
}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category}}
sriviratvishwakarma.jimdo.com
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203085738/https://www.vishwakarmasamaj.com/ |date=3 December 2022 }}

{{Hinduism_footer small}}
{{HinduMythology}}
{{Worship in Hinduism}}
{{Authority control}}


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] ]
] ]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Vishwakarma}}

Latest revision as of 09:58, 7 December 2024

Hindu architect of the gods This article is about the Hindu god. For the Indian caste, see Vishwakarma (caste).

Vishvakarma
Architect of the devas
Bronze sculpture of Vishvakarma from Lopburi, Thailand, 13th century. Kept at Bangkok National Museum
AffiliationDeva
AbodeSvarga
MantraOm Viśvakarmane Namaḥ
WeaponScale, kamandalu, book, hammer and chisel
Mount
Genealogy
ParentsPrabhasa Vasu (father)
Yogasiddha or Angirasi (mother)
ConsortGhritachi
ChildrenManu, Maya, Tvashta, Shilpi, Daivajna and Sanjna, Vishvarupa, Barhismati, Chitrangada, Nala
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Vishvakarma or Vishvakarman (Sanskrit: विश्वकर्मा, lit. 'all maker', IAST: Viśvakarmā) is a craftsman deity and the divine architect of the devas in contemporary Hinduism. In the early texts, the craftsman deity was known as Tvastar and the word "Vishvakarma" was originally used as an epithet for any powerful deity. However, in many later traditions, Vishvakarma became the name of the craftsman god.

Vishvakarma crafted all of the chariots of the devas and weapons including the Vajra of the god Indra. Vishvakarma was related to the sun god Surya through his daughter Samjna/Randal. According to the legend, when Samjna left her house due to Surya's energy, Vishvakarma reduced the energy and created various other weapons using it. Vishvakarma also built various cities like Lanka, Dvaraka, and Indraprastha. According to the epic Ramayana, the vanara (forest-man or monkey) Nala was the son of Vishvakarma, created to aid the avatar Rama.

Literature and legends

Vedas

Vishvakarma as depicted in modern times
See also: Tvastar

The term Visvakarman was originally used as an epithet for any supreme god and as an attribute of Indra and the Sun. The name Visvakarman occurs five times in the tenth book of the Rigveda. The two hymns of the Rigveda identify Visvakarman as all-seeing, and having eyes, faces, arms and feet on every side and also has wings. Brahma, the 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, swift in his thoughts and titled a seer, priest, and lord of speech.

According to some parts of the Rigveda, Vishvakarma was the personification of ultimate reality, the abstract creative power inherent in deities, living and non-living being in this universe. He is considered to be the fifth monotheistic God concept: He is both The Architect and The Divine Engineer of The Universe from before the advent of time.

The later parts of the Rigveda reveal efforts to find a satisfactory answer to the mysteries regarding the origin of the Architect, 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 architecture.

In the historical Vedic religion, the role of Vishvakarma as the builder of gods is attributed to Tvastar. Vedic Vishvakarman is identified with Prajapati rather than Tvaṣṭṛ. In later mythology, Vishvakarman is sometimes identified with Tvaṣṭṛ and is a craftsman deity.

Iconography

Two different depictions of Vishvakarma – Cambodia and Bengal

Vishvakarma's iconography varies drastically from one region to another, though all picture him with creation tools. In the most popular depiction, he is depicted as an aged and wise man, with four arms. He has white beard and is accompanied by his vahana, hamsa (goose or swan), which scholars believe that these suggest his association with the creator god Brahma. Usually, he is seated on a throne and his sons standing near him. This form of Vishvakarma is mainly found in the Western and North Western parts of India.

Contradictory to the above account, the murtis of Vishvakarma in the eastern parts of India depict him as a young muscular man. He has a black moustache and is not accompanied by his sons. An elephant is his vahana, suggesting his association with Indra or Brihaspati.

Family

Parentage of Vishvakarma differs in many other texts. In the Nirukta and Brahmanas he is stated to be the son of Bhuvana. In the Mahabharata and Harivamsha, he is the son of Vasu Prabhāsa and Yoga-siddhā. In the Puranas, he is the son of Vāstu or sometimes, Brahma. Vishvakarma is the father of three daughters named Barhishmati, Samjna and Chitrangada, as well as five sons. In Vamana Purana, Vishvakarma is presented as the husband of the celestial nymph Ghritachi. When identified with Tvastar, Vishvakarma is also described to be the father of a son named Vishvarupa.

Vishvakarma Puja

Vishvakarma Temple in Jinja, Uganda
Vishvakarma Temple at Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh

Among those who celebrate Vishwakarma's birthday, it is celebrated on two days under different names:

  • Vishvakarma Puja: This occasion is observed by adherents on the 17/18 September of every year.
  • Rishi Panchami: Those who celebrate this day believe that Vishvakarma 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 Vishvakarma community also celebrate this as an auspicious day in commemoration of their patron god at present.

See also

Bibliography

References

  1. "Vishvakarma, Viśhwakarmā, Viśhwakarma, Vishwakarman, Viśhwakarman, Vishwa-karman: 26 definitions". 19 December 2011.
  2. ^ Coulter, Charles Russell; Turner, Patricia (4 July 2013). Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-96397-2.
  3. Coomaraswamy (1979), p. 79.
  4. "Sarga 2 | Sundara Kanda - Ramayana". siva.sh. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  5. "Sarga 17 | Bala Kanda - Ramayana". siva.sh. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  6. "Vishvakarman | Hindu mythology". Encyclopedia Britannica.
  7. Macdonell, Arthur Anthony (1898). Vedic Mythology. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 41. ISBN 978-8-12081-113-3.
  8. "Vishvakarman – Oxford Reference". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. Sprochi, Amanda K. (2011). Melton, J. Gordon (ed.). Religious Celebrations: L-Z. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. p. 908. ISBN 978-1-59884-205-0.
  10. Dhavamony, Mariasusai (1982). Classical Hinduism. Gregorian Biblical BookShop. p. 48. ISBN 978-8-87652-482-0.
  11. Coulter, Charles Russell; Turner, Patricia (4 July 2013). Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities. Routledge. ISBN 9781135963972.
  12. ^ Monier-Williams, Monier (1899). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary: Etymologically and Philologically Arranged with Special Reference to Cognate Indo-European Languages. Oxford University Press. p. 994.
  13. Macdonell, Arthur Anthony (1897). Vedic Mythology. Oxford University Press. p. 118.
  14. Monier-Williams (1899) p. 994.
  15. ^ Jacobsen, Knut A.; Myrvold, Kristina (15 January 2019). Religion and Technology in India: Spaces, Practices and Authorities. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-351-20477-4.
  16. The Sacred Scriptures of India. Anmol Publications. 2009. ISBN 978-81-261-3630-8.
  17. Debroy, Bibek; Debroy, Dipavali (2002). The Holy Puranas. B.R. Publishing Corporation. ISBN 978-81-7646-299-0.
  18. "Vishwakarma Puja in Hindu Calendar".
  19. Achary, Subramanian Matathinkal (1995).

Further reading

  • Dr G Gnanananda, "Vishvakarma Darshana-Vishawakarma Volume-1 (2008), "Sanskriti Sahithya Pratisthana, Bangalore Publications"
  • Dr G Gnanananda, "Vishvakarma Darshana-Hiranyagarbha Volume-2 (2009), "Sanskriti Sahithya Pratisthana, Bangalore Publications"
  • Dr G Gnanananda, "Vishvakarma 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 (PDF). Florida: Winslow Press. pp. 75–82. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 February 2007.

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