The architect of the Gods; pilgrimages; tips for a cold

The Adiveda Weekly #17

Sep 11, 2022

Hari Aum Sadhakas!

Hinduism is famous for keeping one special day to honour our gods, our gurus, our parents, our ancestors and so on. We worship the divine architect and presiding deity of all craftsmen – Vishwakarma. There’s a special day for honouring him, known as Vishwakarma Day (this year on 17th September).

The Hindu way of life

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.

Reflection of the week

“Anyone who looks at our ancient splendour with an open mind cannot help but admit that our ancient civilisation must have been far superior to our modern one. It is a fact that we did not choose to spend our scientific knowledge in making our lives more comfortable (as we do now) but we chose to spend our time in making our lives more worthwhile. We spent more time in the pursuit of the true dharmic values of life rather than frittering it on the production of physical comforts.”

For your everyday practice

Go on a pilgrimage at least once a year.

Truth is an armour that no evil can penetrate. However much one tries to stamp out truth, it shall not be overcome. Let us practise truthful speech.

For your health and well-being

Tips for a cold.

If you are sneezing or find that you have a runny nose, what is something natural you can do to soothe your symptoms? A steam inhalation, with eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil, is a lovely intervention that can both soothe your symptoms and aid in your recovery. To do a steam inhalation, boil a few mugs of water and then pour the boiled water immediately into a steel or mud pot (don't use plastic as the hot water can release microplastics, which you don't want to inhale). Add a few drops of essential oil, like eucalpytus or peppermint, to the steaming water and then taking a towel, bend over the pot with your head and the mouth of the pot covered by the towel. The towel is used to ensure that the steam remains trapped and doesn't evaporate away. Hold your face over the steaming water and keep your eyes tightly closed. Have some tissues nearby and then breathe in the steam through your nose slowly. You can breathe out through your mouth if you prefer. If your nose runs, use the tissue you have nearby to blow out any mucuous/phlegm. Keep breathing in the steam till the water gets cold. Once the water has cooled down, you can use that same water as a relaxing foot soak :) You can do this 1-2x/day till your symptoms improve and you find relief.

By Dr. Poorna Menon, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

From Vanamali Mataji’s desk

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 Maheshwara. 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. In the Puranas, he is described as “The Lord of arts, executer of a thousand handicrafts, carpenter of the gods and the most eminent of artisans, the fashioner of all ornaments!” In Satya Yuga he built Swarga Loka or heaven, the abode of the gods which is ruled by Indra, the king of the gods. In Treta Yuga he designed the golden Lanka, the capital of Ravana, king of Lanka. In the Dwapara Yuga, it was Vishwakarma who built the golden city of Dwaraka at Lord Krishna’s request which has been now discovered by divers off the coast of the present day Dwaraka.