# विश्वकर्मा (viśvakarmā)

Canonical page: https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/vishvakarma

विश्वकर्मा (viśvakarmā) is a Sanskrit word meaning a Prajapati, a son of Tvashta and Yashodhara, the father of Maya and Surenu, the originator of arts and crafts, created the people as in previous cosmic cycles, a god of the Vamshavartin class. Its 5 recorded definitions are grouped into 4 contexts, among them Specific Divine Titles and Unique Manifestations, Cosmological Creator and World Shaper, Divine Architect and Master Craftsman.

- **SLP1:** `viSvakarmA`  **IAST:** viśvakarmā  **Devanagari:** विश्वकर्मा
- **Wikipedia:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishvakarma
- **Declensions:** 48 forms — https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/vishvakarma/declensions.md
- **Other headwords romanised the same way:** विश्वकर्म (viśvakarma)

## Meanings by context

### Specific Divine Titles and Unique Manifestations (2 definitions)
- one of the seven important rays of the south sun that helps the growth of the Budha planet  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Viśvakarmā (IV) — one of the seven important rays of the sun on the south; helps the growth of the Budha planet. Br. II. 24. 66-69. [ ID=13194 ]
- 1. A god of the Vamshavartin class. 2. A son of Prabhati and Bhuvana. 3. Lord of the Prajapatis.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Viśvakarmā (V) — a Vamśavartin god; a son of Pra- bhāta and Bhuvanā; Lord of Prajāpatis. Br. II. 36. 29; III. 3. 29. [ ID=13195 ]

### Cosmological Creator and World Shaper (1 definition)
- 1. Divided the earth into seven islands, oceans, hills, and worlds. 2. Created the people as in previous cosmic cycles.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Viśvakarmā (III) — divided the earth into seven islands, oceans and hills, Bhūḥ and other worlds; created the people as in the previous kalpas; but the whole was clouded in smoke, in five forms like a light enveloped by a pot; finding no light and all in their place (Nyāsa) was pondering over when a cross current passed that way and resulted in a second universe. Vā. 6. 33-45. 109. 4. [ ID=13193 ]

### Divine Architect and Master Craftsman (1 definition)
- 1. A Prajapati. 2. The divine architect skilled in making weapons and arts and crafts.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > विश्वकर्मा (viśvakarmā) [Printed book page 3-269 ] Viśvakarmā (I) — a Prajāpati. His daughter Barhiṣ- matī was the wife of Priyavrata. 1 A son of Vāstu and Ān- girasī; wife was Kṛti (Akṛti- Bhā. P. ). Father of Manu Cāk- ṣuṣa. 2 The divine architect skilled in making weapons. Page3-270+ 37 Made vajra of Dadhīci's body and built Indra's abode and erected Sutalam. 3 Fought with Maya in Devāsura war. Two more daughters of his were Samjñā and Chāyā who were married to the Sun god. 4 Was ordered by Kṛṣṇa to build a city for the Pāṇḍavas; 5 built Garuḍa's abode; 6 an author on architecture; 7 father of four sons; originator of all śilpas, arts and crafts; 8 presented Śrī with jewels. 9 [ Footnote: 1) Bhā. V. 1. 24.] [ Footnote: 2) Ib. VI. 6. 15.] [ Footnote: 3) Ib. VI. 9. 54: 10. 13. VII. 4. 8; VIII. 15. 15; 22. 32. M. 5. 27-8; 58. 33.] [ Footnote: 4) Bhā. VIII. 10. 29; 13. 8. Vi. III. 2. 2, 8, 10-12.] [ Footnote: 5) Bhā. X. 58. 24.] [ Footnote: 6) M. 163. 68: 203. 7.] [ Footnote: 7) Ib. 252. 2; Br. IV. 31. 6-7.] [ Footnote: 8) Vi. I. 15. 119-20; III. 2. 11.] [ Footnote: 9) Ib. I. 9. 104; Br. IV. 9. 81; 14. 4; 15. 20; 20. 46; 29. 84.] [ ID=13191 ]

### Viśvakarmā's Lineage and Progeny (1 definition)
- 1. A son of Tvashta and Yashodhara. 2. The father of Maya and Surenu. 3. The originator of arts and crafts.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > [Printed book page 3-270 ] Viśvakarmā (II) — a son of Tvaṣṭā and Yaśodharā; father of Maya, and his daughter was Sureṇu; originator of arts and crafts. Br. I. 2. 19; 5. 27. III. 1. 87. 7. 195; 32. 7: 59. 17-21: Vā. 65. 85. [ ID=13192 ]

## Sources

Definitions from The Purana Index.
Text from the Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, University of Cologne.

The Sanskrit Lexicon app for iPhone, iPad and Mac: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sanskrit-lexicon-dictionary/id6746787546