Vishwakarma Chalisa
विश्वकर्मा चालीसा
40-verse hymn to Lord Vishwakarma — the divine architect (deva-shilpi) who designed the entire cosmos, the four mythological cities (Swarnalanka of Ravana, Indraprastha of Pandavas, Dwarka of Krishna, Sone-ki-Lanka), the Trishul of Shiva, the Sudarshana Chakra of Vishnu, the Vajra of Indra (from Sage Dadhichi's bones), and all the celestial weapons of the gods. The Chalisa describes his five-faced form holding the architectural and craft tools — chisel, hammer, plumb-line, compass, and palm-leaf manuscript of design.
Significance
The foundational hymn for all artisan, engineer, architect, and manufacturer communities in India. Vishwakarma Puja Day is the largest factory holiday in eastern and northern India — every workshop, garage, factory floor, and construction site decorates machinery with garlands, performs tool-puja (calling them the body of Vishwakarma), and recites this Chalisa. Mechanical engineers, civil engineers, IT professionals (modern interpretation as code architects), carpenters, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, and weavers consider Vishwakarma their kuldevta. The hymn is particularly invoked before purchasing a new vehicle, opening a new manufacturing unit, or beginning construction.
When recited: Vishwakarma Jayanti (17 September annually, Kanya Sankranti — the only Hindu festival fixed on solar calendar), Vishwakarma Puja Day (factory and workshop tradition across north and east India), Diwali eve in artisan households, before commissioning new machinery or vehicles, before construction of new buildings or vehicles
Benefits
- Success and prosperity in all manufacturing, engineering, and construction businesses
- Protection of machinery, vehicles, and tools from breakdown and accident
- Sharpening of intellect and craft-skill for artisans and engineers
- Granting of original design and creative innovation abilities
- Removal of obstacles in construction projects (especially Vastu doshas)
- Protection of factory workers, drivers, and machine operators from injury
Opening verses
First 6 verses of the Vishwakarma Chalisa — the most-recited opening section.
जय विश्वकर्मा कर्ता देवा, सृष्टि रचैता परम जिनेवा॥
पंच मुख दश हस्त सुहावे, औजार सब हस्त में पावे॥
स्वर्णलंका सोने की बनाई, इन्द्रप्रस्थ पाण्डव हित रचाई॥
द्वारका कृष्ण निवास बनाये, सुदर्शन त्रिशूल वज्र सब रचाये॥
शिल्पी कारीगर तुमको पूजे, यन्त्र चक्र सब चलते सूझे॥
जो नर श्रद्धा से नित गाये, धन वैभव कौशल घर पाये॥
Meaning
Victory to Vishwakarma, the divine architect, the supreme creator of the universe. Your five-faced form with ten hands holds all the tools of craft. You built golden Lanka, you constructed Indraprastha for the Pandavas, you made Dwarka the residence of Krishna, you forged the Sudarshana Chakra, Trishula, and Vajra. Artisans and craftsmen worship you — all machines and wheels turn with insight. Whoever recites with faith daily receives wealth, abundance, and skill in his home. Recited on Vishwakarma Jayanti (17 September), Vishwakarma Puja Day, before commissioning new machinery or vehicles, and before construction of buildings — the foundational hymn for engineer, architect, manufacturer, and artisan communities across India.
For complete authoritative text
Refer to printed editions from these sources for the full 40-verse chalisa with traditional pronunciation guides: