In the Vedas
Vishwakarma is visualized as an indirect form of the Ultimate reality (later developed as Brahman) in the Rig Veda,[2] from whose navel all visible things Hiranyagarbha emanate. The same imagery is seen in Yajurveda purusha sukta, in which the divine smith Tvastar emerging from Vishwakarma.[3] In the later puranic period this concept paved the way to the imagery of Padmanabha and Sadasiva.
In the Vedic period the term first appeared as an epithet of Indra, Surya, and Agni. In that time the later developed creator concept of Brahmamight have been intertwined with the concept of Vastospati and Bṛhaspati, or Brahmanaspathi[4] In the last phase of vedic period and during the growth of monotheism, this realistic God concept becoming more abstract and one can see Vishwakarma [the invisible creative power] emerged as the supreme god [5] who was perceived as a hotar, the unborn [Aja] creator and name giver of all other gods who have lot of faces, eyes and feet on every side; and who helps Tvashtar,[the visible creative power of viswakarma] in producing all the Heavenly, Earthly and other Celestial realms and preserves them through the exercise of his arms and wings. He sacrificed himself to himself for the evolution of this visible world, thus he is Purusha or narayana.[6] His attributes like Vachaspathy[7] connect him with Brahaspathi (the Guru of Gods). Again, Yajurveda pictured him as the Prajapati [8] and in the Atharva veda he is [9] mentioned as Pashupati.
Shwethashwatharopanishad described him as Rudrasiva, the one who is dwelling in all living forms.[10]
Later in the post vedic and brahmanic period, the term Vishwakarma is appeared both as the Rsi and the Silpi .In yajurveda the term is seen as one of names of pancha risis. Though the term is an epithet of suryanarayana, One of the seven rays of Surya is also known as viswakarma. Bhuvana Vishwakarma (Atharva/Angirasa Gothra)is a vedic Rsi who was the author of Rg 10-81,82 suktha, (Prabasa Vishwakarma) was probably a silpi and the son of Prabhas, the eighth hermit of the legendary Astam vasu and Yogasiddha, sister ofBrihaspati. He is said to have revealed the Sthapatyaveda/vasthusastra or fourth Upa-veda, and presides over the sixty-four mechanical arts.
Vishvakarma [ God ]created five prajapathies — from his five faces such as sadyojatham,vamadevam, akhoram,isanam, oordham .[11] They are Manu, Maya, Twosta, Silpy, Viswajna and their respective Rishis are
- Sanaga Brahma Rishi
- Sanaathana Brahma Rishi
- Abhuvanasa Brahma Rishi
- Prathnasa Brahma Rishi
- Suparnasa Brahma Rishi
In later puranas he is sometimes identified with vedic Tvastr.[12] Silpi Vishwakarma is the designer of all the flying chariots of the gods, and all their weapons and divine attributes. Vishwakarma/Tvostar is also credited with creating the missiles used in the mythological era, including the Vajra, the sacred weapon of Lord Indra, from the bones of sageDadhichi. He is regarded as the supreme worker, the very essence of excellence and quality in craftsmanship.[13]
In Mahabharata and Harivamsa, Viswakarma is the son of 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 architect God..." In paintings he wears a crown and a large amount of gold jewelry and holds a water-pot, a book, a noose, and craftsman's tools in his hands.
In some other Puranas he is the father of Barhishmatî and Samjna. The Ramayana represents him as having built the island-city of Lanka for the Shiva, and as having generated the ape Nala, who made Rama's bridge from the continent to the island.[citation needed]} }
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