Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c10.s5.5

c10.s5.5

Viśvakarma is not worshipped by craftsmen or others with offerings or ritual, but is often referred to in charms and songs connected with building operations, where he is invoked to ward off disasters and assist the craftsmen. An example of such a charm is the Uḷuvahu Peṇima, “The Jump from the Threshold,” detailing ceremonies and offerings necessary to hallow and protect a newly completed building, at the close of which the officiating craftsman or kaṭṭaḍiya has to ‘spring from the threshold.’ Of this work there is a printed version, giving, beside the song itself, the auspicious mantrams that are chanted. This Uḷuvahu Peṇima, after the manner of such works, recites the origin of the matter in hand, in this case, the revelation of building and arts and crafts generally, by Viśvakarma in the time of the mythical Maha Sammata, and concludes with auspicious mantrams.