विश्वकर्मा चालीसा — Word-by-Word Meaning
विश्वकर्मा चालीसा
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
श्री विश्वकर्म प्रभु
Shri Vishwakarma Prabhu
Lord Vishwakarma, the divine architect
वन्दऊं
Vandaun
I bow / I worship
चरणकमल धरि ध्यान
Charana-Kamala Dhari Dhyana
meditating upon your lotus feet
श्री, शुभ, बल अरु शिल्पगुण
Shri, Shubha, Bala Aru Shilpaguna
prosperity, auspiciousness, strength and the gift of craftsmanship
दीजै दया निधान
Dijai Daya Nidhana
grant me, O treasure of compassion
विश्वेश्वर कृपा निधाना
Vishweshvara Kripa Nidhana
Lord of the universe, abode of grace
शिल्पाचार्य
Shilpacharya
the supreme master/preceptor of all crafts and arts
भुवना-पुत्र
Bhuvana-Putra
son of Bhuvana (referring to his celestial parentage among the Vasus)
अष्टम बसु प्रभास-सुत
Ashtama Basu Prabhasa-Suta
son of Prabhasa, the eighth of the Vasus
शिल्पज्ञान जग कियउ उजागर
Shilpajnana Jaga Kiyau Ujagara
who revealed the knowledge of craft to the world
सृष्टि के कर्ता
Srishti Ke Karta
the maker/fashioner of creation
चक्र सुदर्शन
Chakra Sudarshana
the Sudarshana discus (which he forged for Vishnu)
अस्त्र शस्त्र जिससे निरमयऊ
Astra Shastra Jisase Niramayau
from whom (the sun's brilliance) the divine weapons were fashioned
विष्णुहिं चक्र शूल शंकरहीं
Vishnuhin Chakra Shula Shankarahin
the discus for Vishnu, the trident for Shankara
इंद्रहिं वज्र
Indrahin Vajra
the thunderbolt (Vajra) for Indra
अमृत घट के निर्माता
Amrita Ghata Ke Nirmata
the maker of the pot that held the nectar of immortality
ऋद्धि सिद्धि के वर दाता
Riddhi Siddhi Ke Vara Data
giver of the boons of prosperity and attainment
इक सौ आठ जाप
Ika Sau Atha Japa
reciting one hundred and eight times
छीजै विपत्ति महासुख होई
Chhijai Vipatti Mahasukha Hoi
calamity is destroyed and great happiness arises
विश्वकर्म शिवरूप
Vishwakarma Shivarupa
Vishwakarma who is one with the form of Shiva
Complete Translation
इस चालीसा में भगवान विश्वकर्मा की वन्दना करते हुए उनके चरणकमलों में ध्यान लगाकर श्री, शुभ, बल और शिल्पगुण का वर माँगा गया है। उन्हें विश्वेश्वर, कृपानिधान, शिल्पाचार्य तथा सृष्टि के अद्भुत कर्ता रूप में नमन किया गया है। वे अष्टम वसु प्रभास के पुत्र हैं जिन्होंने जगत् में शिल्पज्ञान को उजागर किया। उनका अनेक मुख-भुजाओं वाला तेजोमय स्वरूप चक्र, शंख, सूत्र-माप, धनुष-बाण, त्रिशूल और कमल धारण किए वर्णित है। उन्होंने सूर्य के तेज से देवों के अस्त्र-शस्त्र—विष्णु का चक्र, शंकर का त्रिशूल, इन्द्र का वज्र, वरुण का पाश—गढ़े, अमृत-घट बनाया, तथा लौह, काष्ठ, ताम्र, पाषाण और स्वर्ण के अद्भुत शिल्प रचे। वे शिव से अभिन्न, ऋद्धि-सिद्धि के दाता और समस्त शिल्पियों के रक्षक हैं। जो इस चालीसा का एक सौ आठ बार जप करता है, गौरीश की साक्षी में उसकी विपत्ति नष्ट होकर महासुख की प्राप्ति होती है।
Origin & History
Source: Traditional Hindi devotional literature (Vishwakarma worship tradition)
Author: Traditional (anonymous)
Period: Modern devotional period
Vishwakarma is celebrated in the Vedas and Puranas as the divine craftsman 'Tvashtar' and the architect of the cosmos. This forty-verse Hindi chalisa, composed in the popular Chalisa form, gathers his epithets and feats — the fashioning of the gods' weapons, the building of their cities, the making of vehicles and instruments — into a hymn recited by the artisan and labouring communities who hold him as their patron deity, especially on Vishwakarma Puja.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lord Vishwakarma?▼
Vishwakarma is the divine architect and master craftsman of the gods in Hindu tradition. He is described as the maker of the universe, the builder of the gods' palaces and cities (such as Dwarka and Lanka), the forger of their weapons, and the patron deity of all craftsmen, engineers and artisans.
When is the Vishwakarma Chalisa recited?▼
It is recited especially on Vishwakarma Jayanti (Vishwakarma Puja), which usually falls on 17 September (Kanya Sankranti). On this day workers, artisans and businesses worship their tools and machines. It is also chanted at the start of new construction or work.
What does the chalisa say about Vishwakarma's creations?▼
It credits him with fashioning the discus (Sudarshana) for Vishnu, the trident for Shiva, the thunderbolt (Vajra) for Indra, the noose for Varuna, the pot that held amrita, and celestial vehicles that travel by land, water and sky — all from the brilliance of the sun.
How many times should it be chanted for results?▼
The chalisa itself states that reciting it one hundred and eight (108) times, with Lord Shiva as witness, destroys calamities and brings great happiness, so a full mala of 108 recitations is traditionally recommended.
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