View source for Vishvakarma

{{short description|Hindu architect of the gods}}
{{about|the Hindu god|the Indian caste|Vishwakarma (caste)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox deity<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Hindu mythology-->
| type = Hindu
| image = 058 Visvakarman, 13c, Lopburi (34865435730).jpg
| name = Vishvakarma
| affiliation = [[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]]
| deity_of = Architect of the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]]<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 = [[Svarga]]
| mantra = Om Viśvakarmane Namaḥ
| weapon = [[Weighing scale|Scale]], [[kamandalu]], book, [[hammer]] and [[chisel]]
| consort = [[Ghritachi]]
| caption = A Bronze sculpture of Vishvakarma from [[Lopburi]], [[Thailand]], 13th century. Kept at [[Bangkok National Museum]]
| mount = {{ubl|[[Goose]] | [[Elephant]]}}
| children = Manu, Maya, Tvashta, Shilpi, Daivajna and [[Sanjna]], [[Trisiras|Vishvarupa]], Barhismati, Chitrangada, [[Nala (Ramayana)|Nala]]
| parents = Prabhasa [[Vasu]] (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 [[Deva (Hinduism)|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.<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 ''[[Vajra]]'' of the god [[Indra]].<ref>Coomaraswamy (1979), p. 79.</ref> Vishvakarma was related to the sun god [[Surya]] through his daughter [[Sanjna.]] According to the legend, when Sanjna 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]],<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> [[Dvārakā|Dvaraka]], and [[Indraprastha]].<ref name="Anc" /> According to the epic ''[[Ramayana]]'', the ''[[vanara]]'' (forest-man or monkey) [[Nala (Ramayana)|Nala]] was the son of Vishvakarma, created to aid the avatar [[Rama]].<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>

==Literature and legends==
===Vedas===
[[File:Vishwakarmaji.png|thumb|left|200px|Vishvakarma as depicted in modern times]]
{{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 [[Indra]] and the [[Surya|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.<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>

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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vishvakarman|website=[[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>

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.<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 the [[historical Vedic religion]], 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 [[Prajapati]] 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">[[Monier-Williams]] (1899) p. 994.</ref>

==Iconography==
{{multiple image
| 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 [[Chaturbhuja|four arms]]. He has white beard and is accompanied by his vahana, ''[[hamsa (bird)|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.<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>

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]].<ref name="Vishva1" />

== Family ==
Parentage of Vishvakarma differs in many other texts. In the [[Nirukta]] and [[Brahmana]]s he is stated to be the son of Bhuvana. In the [[Mahabharata]] and [[Harivamsa|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, [[Sanjna|Samjna]] 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 [[Vamana Purana]], Vishvakarma is presented as the husband of the celestial nymph [[Ghritachi]].<ref name=":1" /> When identified with Tvastar, Vishvakarma is also described to be the father of a son named [[Trisiras|Vishvarupa]].<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>
{{clearleft}}
==Vishvakarma Puja==
[[File:Jinjia Temple.jpg|thumb|Vishvakarma Temple in [[Jinja, Uganda|Jinja]], [[Uganda]]]]
[[File:Machilipatnam Vishwakarma Temple 9.jpg|thumb|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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.calendarlabs.com/holidays/hindu/vishwakarma-puja.php|title=Vishwakarma Puja in 2025 &#124; Calendar Labs|website=www.calendarlabs.com|accessdate=7 January 2025}}</ref>
* ''[[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 [[Vishwakarma (caste)|Vishvakarma community]] also celebrate this as an auspicious day in commemoration of their patron god at present.<ref>Achary, Subramanian Matathinkal (1995).</ref>

==See also==
*[[Vishwakarma Day|Vishvakarma Puja]]
*[[Vishwakarma (caste)|Vishvakarma (caste)]]
*[[Shilpa Shastras]]
*[[Mayasura]]
*[[Great Architect of the Universe]]
*[[Vishwakarmas]]
*''[[The Poem of Angkor Wat]]''
*[[Panchal]]

==Bibliography==
* Achary, Subramanian Matathinkal (1995): ''Visvakarmajar Rigvedathil'', Sawraj Printing and Publishing Company, Aluva.
* Coomaraswamy, Ananda K. [[Ananda Coomaraswamy]] (1979): ''Medieval Sinhalese Art'', Pantheon Books Inc., New York.
* [[Monier-Williams]] (1899)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/cgi-bin/serveimg.pl?file=/scans/MWScan/MWScanjpg/mw0994-vizvavyApti.jpg|title=Cologne Scan|website=www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de|accessdate=7 January 2025}}</ref>
* Pattanaik, Devdutt [[Devdutt Pattanaik]] (2009): ''7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art''. Westland, India. {{ISBN|978-81-89975-67-8}}.
* Padhi, Bibhu & Padhi, Minakshi [[Bibhu Padhi]] (1998): ''Indian Philosophy and Religion: A Reader's Guide'' (3rd ed.). D.K. Printworld. {{ISBN|978-8-12460-116-7}}. 

==References==
{{reflist}}

==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"
* {{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}}

==External links==
{{Commonscatinline}}
* [https://www.vishwakarmasamaj.com Vishvakarma Samaj] {{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}}

[[Category:Creator gods]]
[[Category:Hindu gods]]
[[Category:Buddhist gods]]
[[Category:Rigvedic deities]]
[[Category:Smithing gods]]
[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vishwakarma}}