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Vishwakarma Puja: Honoring the Divine Architect of the Universe
- Tanya Singh
- Sep 17, 2024
- 4 min read
Ever wondered who's the celestial mastermind behind all those divine palaces and gadgets in Hindu mythology? Yes, that’s Vishvakarma, the architect of the gods. Well, buckle up, because we're about to dive into the fascinating world of Vishwakarma Puja!
Who is Vishwakarma?
In simpler words Vishwakarma can be considered as the architect, engineer and interior designer. In Hindu mythology, Vishvakarma is the divine carpenter and master craftsman who fashioned the weapons of the gods and built their cities and chariots. He is the architect of the mythical city Lanka and is also said to have made the great image of Jagannatha at Puri (Orissa). He revealed the sciences of architecture and mechanics to humans and is the patron deity of workers, artisans, and artists.
Places built by Vishwakarma’s
The Floating City: Legend says that after leaving Mathura Krishna invoked Vishwakarma, Deity of construction, to build his new city. Vishwakarma agreed to it only if Samudradev, Lord of Sea, provided some land. Krishna prayed to Samudradev and he was pleased. He gave Krishna 12 yojanas (773 square kilometres) to build his city. Hence Vishwakarma built Dwarka.
2. The Shape-Shifting Palace: Ever heard of the Maya Sabha? It's a palace Vishwakarma that could change its appearance. Maya Sabha, also known as Palace of Illusions, was built for Pandavas.
3. Swarna Lanka : Once Parvati, Lord Shiva's consort, got tired of the ascetic’s life and living in the cold Himalayas. So, she requested Shiva to build a home for them, where the couple would live a proper life. Shiva appointed Ravana as the project manager Ravana then approached his half-brother Kubera and Lord Vishwakarma. Vishwakarma completed the construction of an exquisite and unrivalled golden palace which was later on ruled by Ravana only.
Legend behind weapons built by Vishwakarma
Vishwakarma had a daughter Sanjana who was married to Surya, the Sun God. However, the Sun God was too fierce and bright and Sanjana found it difficult to look at her husband or even live with him. She went to her father and asked him to devise a solution for her problem. Vishwakarma being an engineer, thought about it and arrived at a practical solution. He removed the outer layer of the 'sun dust' from Surya, to make him less fierce. Sanjana oversaw as her father removed the sun dust. When she found that she could look at her husband easily, she asked her father to stop removing the layers. Sanjana went on to live with her husband happily.
Using the removed portion of the sun dust, Vishwakarma designed three things:
1. The Trishul of Lord Shiva: Lord Vishwakarma bestowed it upon Shiva as a divine gift. It is commonly known as the Shiva trident, is a significant symbol associated with Lord Shiva. It is a three-pronged weapon with profound spiritual and symbolic meaning in Hinduism. The Trishul is often depicted alongside Lord Shiva, symbolizing his divine power and cosmic influence.
2. The Sudarshana Chakra of Lord Vishnu: The Sudarshana Chakra which is a spinning discus of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that not only is the Sudarshana Chakra a very powerful weapon and it also bestows good fortune and protection to all those who are under the protection of Lord Vishnu. That is the reason it is called Sudarshana Chakra. ('Su' means good or auspicious and Darshana means 'sight.'). The Sudarshana Chakra is supposed to made of an indestructible metal and has two layers of 108 sharp edges, which rotates in opposite directions.
3. The Pushpaka Vimana [the flying chariot]: It was given to Kubera. The Pushpaka Vimana was eventually taken over by Ravana, the villain of the Ramayana, when he took over the kingdom of Lanka.
Facts about Lord Vishwakarma
Vishwakarma is often depicted with four hands, each holding a different tool.
He's considered the patron deity of architects, engineers, and artisans. So if you've ever built a wobbly IKEA shelf, you know who to pray to next time.
In some parts of India, Vishwakarma Puja coincides with Rishi Panchami or Ganesh Chaturthi.
Worshipping Weapons
This day is celebrated by all the craftsmen, engineers, and architects. People offer their prayers and show their gratitude to the Lord for the skills and seek blessings of Lord on this sacred day. They seek forgiveness and ask for blessings to progress in their respective fields and get success. Workers, who work on machines, use tools and other instruments, offer their tools the Lord and seek his blessings. In order to pay the respect to the Lord, they do not use their tools and instrument on the day of Vishwakarma Puja.
Vishwakarma Day thus encapsulates a rich tapestry of mythology, spirituality, and practical reverence for the art of creation. It continues to inspire artisans, engineers, and craftspeople across India, encouraging them to approach their work with dedication, skill, and a touch of divine inspiration. As we reflect on the legends, creations, and rituals associated with this day, we are reminded of the timeless value of craftsmanship and the transformative power of human ingenuity guided by divine wisdom.
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