VISHWAKARMA - THE ARCHITECT OF THE GODS
When we see the ancient monuments and temples of Bharat one cannot fail to be astounded at the magnificent way they have been built and the great mathematical precision in which every detail has been seen to. Who were the engineers who were able to make these grand creations? Without the use of modern measuring tools how were they able to make such fantastic constructions which have stood the test of time not just for a few years but for centuries and sometimes millennia. All Puranas reiterate that all these creations were made by the divine architect, Vishwakarma. He was also the one who built the great cities of Dwaraka, Ayodhya and Mathura.
The modern mind likes to look down upon all our ancient knowledge and assert that the earliest craftsmen and engineers used very basic instruments. But anyone who has gone to our old Hindu temples and seen the magnificent way in which they have been built cannot help but wonder how they could have made such marvellous creations using only basic tools. We must also remember that these temples have stood the test of time unless they have been deliberately destroyed and defaced by western vandals who failed to see the amazing beauty of these fantastic creations. Is it possible that they possessed techniques which we have not recognised or refuse to believe?
If we can let go of our superiority complex that we of the modern world are the best engineers and architects and the ancients were illiterate fools who knew nothing and used primitive tools, we would be able to see these sculptures and temples with a different eye. Actually, we should be filled with humility when we look at our earliest Hindu temples and sculptures. We should also be filled with pride that our ancestors were capable of creating such fantastic works of art. But unfortunately, the modern Indian youth see everything through the eyes of the western scientist and western technology so they tend to scoff. In fact, they simply refuse to face facts – that these creations were done by people who were highly intelligent with highly advanced engineering skills and they most probably used tools that were similar if not superior to the ones we are using now. In any case they obviously had some techniques that have been lost through time so we are certainly not in a position to scoff at them. Mentally we should be falling at their feet and begging them to reveal their knowledge to us.
The word “vishwakarma” means “the one who created the world”. This was originally an epithet of Brahma who is the creator of the world in the Hindu Trinity consisting of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara.
Later on, this name was given to one particular person who was designated as the architect of the gods. He is said to be the son of Brahma, the divine draftsman of the whole universe and the official builder of all the gods’ palaces as well as their flying chariots and their divine weapons. He is said to have revealed the Sthapatyaveda or fourth Upa-Veda which describes in detail the construction of temples and other buildings. He presides over the sixty-four mechanical arts.
Hinduism is famous for keeping one special day to honour our gods, our gurus, our parents, our ancestors and so on. Since we worship him as the presiding deity of all craftsmen, we have kept a special day for honouring him. This is known as Vishwakarma Day. So, when we go to these magnificent creations let us bow our head in humility before that divine architect – Vishwakarma.
This year 2024 Vishwakarma Day is on Tuesday 17th September.
Hari Aum Tat Sat