The Geography of the Puranas c13.s2.1

c13.s2.1

The Ṛgveda mentions a number of gods who performed various functions during the process of creation. These gods were the artists who contributed their skill to the construction and completion of the Universe. They wove various materials into a pattern,¹ and shaped the Universe by blasting and smelting.² The Universe was compared to a house and the Rgveda alludes to various stages in the construction of this Universal house.³ References to cosmic dust as the building material of the Universe occur in certain hymns of the Rgveda, i.e. RV (X 81) and (X 82) which are addressed to Viśwakarmā who is anterior to Earth, Heaven, Asuras, gods and other animate and inanimate objects.