Tvashtr ( sa, त्वष्टृ, Tvaṣṭṛ) is a
Vedic artisan god or fashioner. He is also mentioned in later literature of Hinduism like the ''
Harivamsa
The ''Harivamsa'' ( , literally "the genealogy of Hari") is an important work of Sanskrit literature, containing 16,374 shlokas, mostly in the '' anustubh'' metre. The text is also known as the ''Harivamsa Purana.'' This text is believed to ...
''. Sometimes, Tvashtr is identified with another deity named
Vishvakarma.
In Hindu Literature
In the ''
Rigveda'', Tvashtr is stated to be a skillful craftsman who created many implements, including
Indra's bolt, the axe of
Brahmanaspati, and a cup for divine food and drink. He is stated to be the creator of forms, and is often stated to be the crafter of living beings and wombs. He is also considered a universal father, and an ancestor of humans through his daughter
Saranyu.
He is the father of
Bṛhaspati
Brihaspati ( sa, बृहस्पति, ), also known as Guru, is a Hindu deity. In the ancient Vedic scriptures of Hinduism, Brihaspati is a deity associated with fire, and the word also refers to a rishi (sage) who counsels the devas (gods ...
, and likely Indra's father as well.
He wields a metal axe,
and rides a chariot pulled by two fallow bay
mares
A mare is an adult female horse or other equine. In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse three and younger. In Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more than four y ...
.
He is the guardian of
Soma, and his son Vishvarupa is the guardian of cows. Indra has a conflict with his likely father Tvashtr, with him stealing Tvashtr's soma and trying to possess Vishvarupa’s cattle. Indra is consistently victorious in the conflict, and Tvashtr is stated to fear Indra. In the
Taittiriya Samhita and
Brahmanas
The Brahmanas (; Sanskrit: , ''Brāhmaṇam'') are Vedic śruti works attached to the Samhitas (hymns and mantras) of the Rig, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva Vedas. They are a secondary layer or classification of Sanskrit texts embedded within ea ...
, Vishvarupa is killed by Indra, and so Tvashtr does not allow Indra to attend his Soma sacrifice. Indra however, steals and drinks the soma through his strength.
In order to have revenge for the murder of his son Vishvarupa, Tvashtr creates a demon called
Vritra. However when wishing him into existence, Tvashtr makes a mispronunciation in his incantation, which allows Indra to defeat Vritra.
In the Mānava Purana, he took rebirth as Arjuna's son,
Babhruvahana.
Tvashtr is associated with many other deities,
Pushan,
Savitr,
Dhatr,
Prajapati
Prajapati ( sa, प्रजापति, Prajāpati, lord and protector of creation) is a Vedic deity of Hinduism. In later literature, Prajapati is identified with the creator god Brahma, but the term also connotes many different gods, depe ...
, and
Vishvakarman, due to his role as a fashioner.
See also
*
Tuisto
Citations
External links
www.viswakarmas.com
Hindu gods
Rigvedic deities
Solar gods
Smithing gods
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