Hindu God Vishwakarma, also known as Biswakarma, finds mention in the Rig Veda and this gives us an idea about His antiquity. He is the divine architect of the whole universe. There are numerous stories in Hindu scriptures in which Biswakarma is directly and indirectly involved. He is the son of Brahma and all the important weapons and palaces mentioned in Hindu scriptures were designed and constructed by Vishwakarma. There are numerous temples spread across India that are believed to have been constructed by Vishwakarma.
The word Vishwakarma implies that only Karm in this world (Vishwa) is first and foremost thing – Karm Pradhan Biswa Kari Rakha.
Vishwakarma Tradition In Bengal
Across Bengal, Vishwakarma Puja is celebrated on the last day of the month of Bhadra. Vishwakarma is depicted as a handsome, youthful deity, radiant like Kandarpa (the god of love). His vehicle is the elephant, and in his four hands he holds tools such as a balance scale, a hammer, and other instruments. This form has become the symbol of the working class and craftsmanship, and it is in this form that Vishwakarma is most popularly worshipped.
In Bengal, the community of blacksmiths (Karmakars) worship Vishwakarma in his five-faced (Panchamukhi) and ten-armed (Dashabhuja) form. In his ten hands, he holds the Vedas, Sudarshan Chakra, Trishul (trident), Gada (mace), Shankha (conch shell), hammer, balance rod, and Kamandalu (water pot), among others. His mount here is the royal swan. On either side of this five-faced Vishwakarma stand two goddesses — Lakshmi and Saraswati.
According to tradition, Vishwakarma has five mind-born sons, each representing a different community — such as the carpenters (Sutradhar) and blacksmiths (Karmakar). All are considered Vishwakarma Brahmins, and only they have the right to perform the worship, as they belong to the Vishwakarma lineage and wear the sacred thread.
The five Vishwakarmas — Virat Vishwakarma, Dharmavanshi Vishwakarma, Angiravanshi Vishwakarma, Sudhanva Vishwakarma, and Bhriguvanshi Vishwakarma — are believed to represent the five faces of the Panchamukhi Vishwakarma. Over time, these five have come to symbolize different artisan communities such as carpenters, goldsmiths, and blacksmiths.
Vishwakarma in Rig Veda
Vishwakarma himself chose to be the Havis in a Yajna held to create the Universe (Rigveda 10.81.6). Thus he was raised to the status of a Deva. Rigveda (10.121) says he created earth, water, living creations etc.
Vishwakarma has four hands and they carry water-pot, book, noose and craftsman’s tools.
The vehicle of Vishwakarma is an elephant.
He is depicted as an old wise man with a white beard. Sometimes, he is also depicted as a young man.
Hindu Scriptures On Vishwakarma
- According to the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Vishwakarma was born from the navel of Prajapati Brahma.
- However, the Vishwakarma Puran states that Adi-Narayana first created Brahma, and then Vishwakarma.
- The Varaha Purana mentions that Lord Brahma created Vishwakarma to execute the plans for the construction of the three worlds (Tribhuvan).
Important Things Designed and Built by Vishwakarma
- Golden city of Lanka of Ravana
- Dwarka of Sri Krishna
- Indraprastha of Pandavas.
- Important weapons like Agneyastra
- It was Vishwakarma who created the beautiful Tilottama to destroy Sund and Upasund.
- He made the chariot for Lord Shiva to be used for the destruction of Tripurasura.
- He also created aerial vehicles for Devas.
- The murti of Lord Jagannath worshipped in the Puri Jagannath Temple was carved by Vishwakarma.
It is also believed that Nal and Neel who constructed the bridge across ocean to Lanka were the sons of Vishwakarma.
Built Weapon To Kill His Son
Vajra the weapon of Indra was created from the bones of Sage Dadhichi by Vishwakarma to kill demon Vritra. His son Vritra was greedy and demonic in character and was the general of Hiranyakashipu. Vishwakarma himself created the special weapon to kill his son. Vritra, who threatened to destroy Dharma, was killed due to the great sacrifice of both Vishwakarma and Sage Dadhichi.
Trimming Surya to Help His Daughter
Samjna, wife of Surya, the sun god, was the daughter of Vishwakarma. However, Samjna was unhappy with her married life due to the unbearable heat of Surya. So she never went to Surya. Samjna agreed to return to Surya, but first she had Vishwakarma, her father, trim away some of Surya’s rays to diminish his brightness. It is believed that Trishul of Shiva, Sudarshana Chakra of Vishnu and the lance of Lord Kartik was created from the trimmed parts of Surya by Vishwakarma.
Mahabharat defines Vishwakarma as
“The Lord of arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of gods, the most eminent of artisans, the fashioner of all ornaments, on whose craft all menu subsist, and whom, a great and immortal god, they continuously worship.”
Vastu and Art
Vastu Architecture and all the Arts were his inventions. He was the first laborer in the world and was the Acharya of labor. Many people belonging to different caste divisions of labor, consider that they are the successors of Vishwakarma. He is a model for all the laborers.
Festivals Dedicated to Vishwakarma
Vishwakarma is worshipped throughout India. The most auspicious day dedicated to Vishwakarma is the Vishwakarma Jayanti and Biswakarma Puja.
The most famous Biswakarma Puja which falls annually on Sept 17 is observed in eastern parts of India. He is also worshipped during Diwali and also in Magh month.