Ishtadeva Shree Vishwakarma is considered to be an architect of whole universe. According to Rigveda (10:121), Vishwakarma constructed earth, water and whole universe. His birthday is celebrated by all the artisans on the auspicious day of Mahasuda Terasa. Vishwakarma has been depicted with a book in one hand (symbol of knowledge), Water container (Kamandal) in other hand, thread in third hand (symbol of artisan’s instrument), and measuring device in the fourth hand. Standing near to him are his five sons Manu (Luhar or Iron Smith), Maya (Suthar or Carpenter), Tvasta (Kansara, metal worker), Shilpi (Kumbhar/Kadiya or masonry worker), and Devagna (Soni or Gold-Smith); all these sons are called Panchal from which all artisans are derived. The life and work of Vishwakarma is described in 35 chapters of the Vishwakarma Purana.

According to Vishwakarma Purana initially Adi Narayana created Brahma and then Vishwakarma. Adi Nrayna directed Brahma that “O Brahma, with the help of your younger brother Viswakarma, now you construct the universe”. Brahma started with universe of 14 parts of universe, including 7 Patala Loka (infernal regions for Naga, Daitya, Yaksha, etc) and 7 upper regions (Bhurloka for Human, Swarga i.e. heaven for Deva, Bhuvarloka for dead humans, etc). Vishwakarma initially created 5 senses (touch, hearing, seeing, taste, etc), then human kind. Brahma also created animals and plants to support the life on earth.

Mythology describes various constructions created by Vishwakarma in all four Yugas as following:

• In Sata Yuga constructed Swarga (Heaven). For Brahma built the Brahma Loka, for Vishnu the Vishnu Loka, and for Shiva the Kailash.
• In Treta Yuga constructed Golden Lanka for the newly wed Shiva and Parvati. Before entering new home a knowledgeable Brahmana, Ravana, was called in for the ceremony. After the ceremony, Shiva was happy and requested Ravana for Dakshina (honorarium), and Ravana asked for the Golden Lanka itself! Shiva agreed to keep his promise!!
• During Dvapara Yuga constructed Dwarka for Shree Krishna. This was a 96 square miles area residence made from mixtures of metals in the center of Sea. There were 36 check posts around it, and only one entrance was placed in the south region, which was very hard to locate; many soldiers shouted for the location of Dwara (opening); therefore, the name came as Dwarka. There were 16,000 residences, central most for Krishna, and surrounding 8 for his queens. There were wide roads, with trees on both sides. The residences were of 1-7 stories with facilities of windows, seating facility, cupboards, storages, etc. Vishwakarma also made Sudarshana Chakra (discus weapon) for Krishna. After Krishna left for heaven, the Dwarka sank into the sea. Recently an archeologist Dr. Rao has discovered some traces of Dwarka.
• In Kali Yuga (current time), Vishwakarma constructed Hastinapur for Pandava and Kaurava, this is the place where war of Mahabharata was fought between Pandava and Kaurava for the disputed kingdom. This war is considered to be the beginning of Kali Yuga. Vishwakarma also constructed Indraprastha for Pandava, which was so unique that water would look like land and land would look like water. That is why Duryodhana even fell into water by mistake. It is also said that Vishwakarma was invited by the king Indrayama to build a big statue for the god Subhadra. Vishwakarma agreed with a condition that He would work with closed door, and no body should open the door until it is completed, otherwise construction will be left incomplete. The king could not wait and he opened the door, and Vishwakarma left the incomplete statue, which is seen today in Jagannath Puri temple.

As per Hinduism the universe undergoes cyclic changes of creation and destruction, one cycle takes about 8.6 billion years. Brahma creates the universe, Vishnu maintains it, and Shiva destroys it when the life becomes too un-just, un-ethical, and violent.

Mythology describes that Vishwakarma was born in Brahmin caste, but He married with Shudra born lady Dhruta. From this marriage 5 sons were produced who became specialized in different arts of carpentry, metal work, iron work, masonry, and ornaments making. Vishwakarma also had two daughters, of which Ranna Devi was married with the god Sun. During this marriage ceremony, Vishwakarma invited everybody including Deva, Rishis, Deads, Naga, Asura, Daitya, Danava, Brahmana, Kshtriya, Viashya, Shudra, animals, birds, etc.

Vishwakarma also adopted one daughter Ila who was born in Naga race. Vastudeva was his adopted son, in his memory a ceremony is always performed by everybody before entering any new construction in order to have safe and happy life.

Many of these stories are mythological, it is hard to prove their past existences. Such mythologies are described in all religions in various forms. However, each mythology gives us some message in a form of powerful sacred story. From the Vishwakarma Purana we can learn that:

• As per Hinduism the cycle of creation and destruction goes on, initially from nothing the universe is created (like a Big Bang hypothesis by the modern scientist for the universe creation). Hinduism calculated 8.6 billion years of creation and 8.6 billion years of destruction, making it total of 17 billion years of one cycle. This is close to the currently predicted 13.5 billion years age of our universe by the modern scientists. On the other hand Bible calculated that life is only about 5,000 years old!
• Vishwakarma is remembered for His wonderful work, we will also be remembered for our good work by the future generation.
• Vishwakarma demonstrated living in harmony with other lives, including Deva, Daitya, Naga, Asura, animals, etc, they were all invited during His daughter’s marriage celebration. Hinduism philosophy is unique in stressing for “Whole universe is my family” and following the way of non-violence.
• Even though Vishwakarma was Brahmin, he married with Shudra lady, so in those days also “love marriages” were practiced.
• We all artisans (Suthar, Luhar, Kanasra, Soni, Kumbhar, Kadiya) are distantly related.

By: Dr. Kishor Mistry, MD, PhD