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Vishvakarman

Vishvakarma in vedas

In Yajurveda, Viswakarma is described as Virad purusha purusha sukta from whose navel [the later puranic concept of padmanabha] the divine smith Twosta originated.[dwiteeya anuvaka of yajurveda purusha sootktha. In Vedic period the term first appeared as an epithet of Indra and surya. In that time the concept of Brama might have been hidden in concept of Vasthospathy or 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,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.
As per the Rig Veda he is the one and, only one beyond the Seven Ṛṣis. In Hindu mythology, Viswakarma is considered as the Divine Architect. He is called 'Devashilpi' or 'The Architect of Gods' . The Rig Veda describes Viswakarma as the god with multi-dimensional vision and supreme strength. He is able to predict well in advance in which direction his creation will move. In later mythology sometimes identified with Tvastr, he is the creator of the whole Universe (RV 10.81.3), and the architect of all the gods' palaces. The term viswakarma appeared as a Rsi as well as Silpi In this form his mother was Yogasiddha, sister of Brihaspati. His father was Prabhas, the eighth hermit of the legendary Astam Basu. 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.

According to the later puranas and mythologies it is the Silpi Viswakarma who created the entire universe as well as the heaven and the earth. Viswakarma 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. Viswakarma as a the divine architect appears with four hands, carrying a water-pot, a book, a noose and craftsman's tools.

In scriptures

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. 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.

Descendants of Vishwakarma

In India, there is a class known as the Vishwakarmas who are also known as Vishwabrahmins and they are a combination of five categories of craftsmen (panchamukhi) namely (1) Kammari (Blacksmiths). (2) Vadrangi/Vadla (Carpenters). (3) Swarnakara (Goldsmiths). (4) Shilpi (sculpturist who makes all kinds idols of god) (5) Kanchara (Bronzsmith who makes all bronz related items including idol of god).

Vishwakarma Puja

In Hyderabad, Vishwakarma Puja (the Festival Day of Vishwakarma) is celebrated on 17th September at Exhibition Grounds Hyderabad and in some other places it will be celebrated a day after Diwali. The festival is observed primarily in factories and industrial areas, often on the shop floor.

Vishwakarma is known as the divine engineer of world. 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

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 also credited with the creation of the twin bows Saringa and Pinaka used by Vishnu and Siva respectivly against each other to decide who was the greater warrior.

He is regarded as the supreme power according to Rig veda, the very essence of excellence and quality in creation.

In the state of Bengal it is celebrated much before Dushhera which falls rougly in or around in the month of September.

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 in Treta Yuga, Dwarka (Krishna's capital) in the Dwapar Yuga and Hastinapur and Indraprastha in the Kali Yuga. 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.
Sone Ki(of Gold) Lanka
According to Hindu mythology, 'Sone ki Lanka' or Golden 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. There is also a story behind the construction of Golden Lanka. When Lord Shiva married Parvati, he asked Viswakarma to build a beautiful palace for them to reside. Viswakarma 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. Again, the traditional sources point to Mahamaya as the architect and his daughter Mandodri married Ravana.
Dwarka
Among the many mythical towns Viswakarma built is Dwarka, the capital of Lord Krishna. During the time of the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna is said to have lived in Dwarka, and made it his "Karma Bhoomi" or center of operation. That is why this place in northern India has become a well known pilgrimage for the Hindus.
Hastinapur
In the present "Kali Yuga", Viswakarma 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. This is a local legend not borne out by Mahabharata.
Indraprastha
Viswakarma also built the town of Indraprastha for the Pandavas. In Mahabharata, the creator is Maya, the other divine architect. The Mahabharata has it that King Dhritrashtra offered a piece of land called 'Khaandavprastha' to the Pandavas for living. Yudhishtir obeyed his uncle's order and went to live in Khaandavprastha with the Pandava brothers. Later, Lord Krishna invited Viswakarma to build a capital for the Pandavas on this land, which he renamed 'Indraprastha'.
Legends tell us about the architectural marvel and beauty of Indraprastha. Floors of the palace were so well done that they had a reflection like that of water, and the pools and ponds inside the palace gave the illusion of a flat surface with no water in them. After the palace was built, the Pandavas invited the Kauravas, and Duryodhan and his brothers went to visit Indraprastha. Not knowing the wonders of the palace, Duryodhan was flummoxed by the floors and the pools, and fell into one of the ponds. The maids of the Pandava wife Draupadi, who witnessed this scene, had a good laugh! This insult from the maids of Draupadi annoyed Duryodhan so much that later on it became a major cause for the great war of Kurukshetra described in the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita.