VIŚWÁKARMA: A VEDIC PERSPECTIVE

ABSTRACT

Viśwákarma meaning ‘all-accomplishing, maker of all, all-doer’ is personified omnipotence and the abstract form of the creator God according to the Rigveda. He is the presiding deity of all artisans and architects. He is believed to be the "Principal Architect of the Universe", and the root concept of the later Upanishadic figures of Brahman and Purusha.

Viśwákarma is the presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects. Son of Brahma, he is the divine draftsman of the whole universe, and the official builder of all the gods’ palaces. Viśwákarma is also the designer of all the flying chariots of the gods, and all their weapons. 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 jewelry, and holds a water-pot, a book, a noose and craftsman’s tools in his hands.

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