The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c13.s5.2

c13.s5.2

Viśvakarmā, the divine architect or Vulcan, is an eponymous hero like Manu, and is encountered as an author, founder or patron-saint in connection with the arts, sciences or crafts called *śilpa* and the *śilpaśāstras*, i.e., treatises bearing on the *śilpas*. We know of a *Viśvakarmiya-śilpam*³⁹ which is described as a treatise on the manual arts attributed to Viśvakarman. The contents comprise such items as the origin of *Viśvakarman* and the derivation of terms like *takṣaka* (carpenter), *vardhaki* (sculptor), and so forth. The human stature of diverse *yugas* (Hindu epochs), wood and stone as material for sculpture, sacraments for sculptors and carpenters, proportions bearing on the images of plants and *lingams*, consecration of cars, etc. are to be found among the topics. The forms of Brāhmī, Māheśvarī and other goddesses have found a place in the discussion.