Introduction
Tvashtri, also called Tvashtar, is the divine craftsman of the Vedas, who fashions the tools and weapons of the gods and shapes the forms of living beings. In the Puranas he is identified with Vishvakarma, "the maker of all", the divine architect and artisan of the gods. He is worshipped as the patron of craftspeople, architects and engineers.
The Adityas are the sons of Aditi. The Rigveda names six (Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, Varuna, Daksha and Amsha in hymn 2.27), and later texts list eight or twelve. In the Puranas, the twelve Adityas correspond to the twelve months of the year, and each rides in the sun's chariot in its month. The lists vary.
Family
- Father: Kashyapa
- Mother: Aditi
- Siblings: Vishnu, Surya, Indra, Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, Dhata, Amsha, Pushan, Savitri (aspect of Surya), Garuda, Aruna
- Daughter: Sanjna
Tvashtar in the Rigveda
Tvashtar is a skilled maker who fashioned the thunderbolt of Indra and the cup of the gods. He also creates the forms of humans and animals in the womb. He is the father of Saranyu, who married Vivasvat, the sun, and the mother of Yama and Yami, the first mortals. His son Vishvarupa was killed by Indra, and Tvashtar created the serpent Vritra in revenge, who was in turn killed by Indra.
Vishvakarma
In the Rigveda, a separate god called Vishvakarman, "maker of all", is praised in two hymns (10.81 and 10.82) as the all-seeing creator of the universe, who has eyes and faces on every side. Over time, Tvashtar and Vishvakarman were merged.
The Puranas differ about his parentage. In some, he is an Aditya, son of Kashyapa and Aditi. In others, he is the son of Prabhasa, the eighth Vasu, and Yogasiddha.
Sanjna and the sun
The Puranas say that Sanjna, Tvashtri's daughter, could not bear the heat of her husband Surya. Tvashtri placed Surya on a lathe and trimmed off one eighth of his brilliance. From the shavings, he made the discus of Vishnu, the trident of Shiva and other divine weapons.
Works
The Puranic tradition credits Vishvakarma with many creations: the golden city of Lanka, the city of Dwaraka for Krishna, the flying chariot Pushpaka, and the palace of Indra. According to Odia tradition, he appeared as an old carpenter to carve the images of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra at Puri.
Worship
Vishvakarma Puja is a major festival of craftspeople, workers and factory workers, held on 17 September in many parts of India and Bangladesh, especially in Bengal, Odisha and Bihar, when tools and machinery are worshipped. Communities of artisans, such as the Vishwakarma (Panchal) communities, claim descent from him.
Meaning
Tvashtri represents skill and the divine power of making. In the tradition, all made things, from weapons to temples, are ultimately expressions of his craft.