Tvashtar is the Vedic deity of Chitra Nakshatra, which spans 23°20' Virgo to 6°40' Libra and is ruled by Mars. He is the craftsman of the gods in the Rig Veda. Tvashtar forged Indra's thunderbolt, made the drinking cup of the gods and shapes the form of each child in the womb.
Chitra means "the bright one" or "the jewel." Its Vedic verse says that Tvashtar comes to Chitra and shapes the forms of all the worlds.
| Tvashtar | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Other spellings | Tvashtri, Tvashta, Tvashtr |
| Nakshatra | Chitra (23°20' Virgo to 6°40' Libra) |
| Nakshatra ruler | Mars |
| Role in the Veda | Craftsman of the gods, shaper of forms |
| Made | Indra's vajra and the cup of the gods |
| Children | Vishvarupa and Saranyu |
| Later texts | One of the 12 Adityas, sometimes identified with Vishvakarma |
In this article
Tvashtar, the Craftsman of the Gods
Tvashtar appears in the Rig Veda as a maker. He works for the other gods, and the best-known thing he made is Indra's weapon. The hymn of Indra's victory over Vritra names him in its second verse:
अहन्नहिं पर्वते शिश्रियाणं त्वष्टास्मै वज्रं स्वर्यं ततक्ष ।
He slew the serpent lying on the mountain. Tvashtar had fashioned for him the roaring thunderbolt. (Rig Veda 1.32.2, first half)
Rig Veda 1.61.6 says the same thing in other words: Tvashtar forged the bolt that Indra used in battle.
The Shaper of Forms
Tvashtar also shapes living bodies. A Rig Veda hymn for conception calls on him by name:
विष्णुर्योनिं कल्पयतु त्वष्टा रूपाणि पिंशतु ।
May Vishnu prepare the womb, may Tvashtar shape the forms. (Rig Veda 10.184.1, first half)
The same verse asks Prajapati to pour the seed and Dhatar to set the embryo.
The Ribhus and the 4 Cups
Tvashtar made the drinking cup of the gods. Rig Veda 1.161 tells how the gods asked the Ribhus, the 3 skilled sons of Sudhanvan, to make that 1 cup into 4. If they did it, they would share in the sacrifice with the gods. The Ribhus made the 4 cups.
When Tvashtar saw the 4 cups, he hid among the goddesses. He spoke of killing those who had insulted the cup of the gods (Rig Veda 1.161.4-5). Rig Veda 1.161 gives no further account of what he did.
Vishvarupa and the Birth of Vritra
The longest story about Tvashtar concerns his son. The Shatapatha Brahmana (1.6.3) tells it, and the Bhagavata Purana (6.9) tells it again with more detail.
Tvashtar's son Vishvarupa, "the one of all forms," had 3 heads. In the Bhagavata, Vishvarupa served as priest to the gods. His mother came from the asuras, and he secretly gave them a share of the offerings too. Indra cut off all 3 heads (Bhagavata Purana 6.9.1-5).
Both texts say the 3 heads turned into birds. In the Shatapatha Brahmana, the mouth that drank Soma became the kapinjala bird. The mouth that drank sura became the sparrow, and the mouth that ate food became the partridge (1.6.3).
Tvashtar then prepared a Soma sacrifice and left Indra out of it. In the Shatapatha Brahmana, Indra drank the Soma anyway. Tvashtar poured what remained into the fire to raise an enemy for Indra, and the being that rose from it was Vritra.
The Shatapatha Brahmana says he got his name because he came into being rolling (vrit). The Bhagavata gives a different reason: he covered all the worlds (6.9.18). It also says Vritra rose from the southern fire of the altar (6.9.12).
The Mistake in Accent
The Shatapatha Brahmana gives the words Tvashtar spoke over the fire: "Grow thou, having Indra for thy foe!" Had he said "Grow thou, the slayer of Indra," the text says, Vritra would have killed Indra. As it was, Indra killed Vritra.
Both phrases are the same Sanskrit compound, indrashatru, spoken with a different accent. In the Bhagavata Purana (6.9.11), Tvashtar says the same words over the fire. Its commentators explain the outcome by the same error in pronunciation.
Saranyu, Daughter of Tvashtar
Tvashtar's daughter Saranyu appears in a Rig Veda hymn that is recited at funerals. It opens with her wedding:
Tvashtar prepares the bridal of his daughter: all the world hears the tidings and assembles. (Rig Veda 10.17.1, Griffith)
Saranyu married Vivasvat, the Sun, and became the mother of Yama. The hymn says she was hidden from mortals, and a woman made like her was given to Vivasvat. Saranyu also bore the Ashvin twins (Rig Veda 10.17.1-2).
Is Tvashtar the Same as Vishvakarma?
Some later texts identify Tvashtar with Vishvakarma, the architect of the gods. Our Chitra Nakshatra page follows this usage and lists the deity as "Tvashtar (Vishwakarma)." Older texts do not all agree.
Rig Veda 10.81 and 10.82 are 2 separate hymns to Vishvakarma, and they do not name Tvashtar. In the Puranas, Tvashtar is also one of the 12 Adityas. The Bhagavata Purana (6.6.39) lists him fourth, after Vivasvan, Aryaman and Pushan.
Tvashtar and Chitra Nakshatra
Chitra's symbol is a bright jewel or a pearl, and its deity is the god who gives things their finished form. In jyotish, Chitra is linked with design, architecture, engineering, jewellery and the arts.
Mars, the nakshatra ruler, gives drive and a liking for work done with the hands. The first half of Chitra lies in Virgo, a sign of detail, and the second half in Libra, a sign of balance. You can find your own birth nakshatra with the nakshatra calculator.
Tvashtar Mantra
The Vedic verse for Chitra in the Nakshatra Suktam of the Taittiriya Brahmana (3.1) is addressed to Tvashtar:
त्वष्टा नक्षत्रमभ्येति चित्राम् ।
सुभग्ंससं युवतिग्ं रोचमानाम् ।
निवेशयन्नमृतान्मर्त्याग्ंश्च ।
रूपाणि पिग्ंशन् भुवनानि विश्वा ।
तन्नस्त्वष्टा तदु चित्रा विचष्टाम् ।
तन्नक्षत्रं भूरिदा अस्तु मह्यम् ।
तन्नः प्रजां वीरवतीग्ं सनोतु ।
गोभिर्नो अश्वैः समनक्तु यज्ञम् ॥Tvashta nakshatramabhyeti Chitram |
subhagumsasam yuvatigum rochamanam |
niveshayannamritanmartyagumshcha |
rupani pigumshan bhuvanani vishva |
tannastvashta tadu Chitra vichashtam |
tannakshatram bhurida astu mahyam |
tannah prajam viravatigum sanotu |
gobhirno ashvaih samanaktu yagyam ||
Meaning: Tvashtr goes to his nakshatra, Chitra, the beautiful and shining young woman. He settles the gods and the mortals in their places and shapes the forms of all the worlds.
May Tvashtr and Chitra look on this for us. May that nakshatra give me plenty. May it give us children with brave sons, and fill our sacrifice with cattle and horses.
The word for shaping in line 4, pimshan, comes from the same root as pimshatu in the conception hymn above. The verses for all 27 stars are on our page of nakshatra mantras. Learn the accents from a teacher or a recording before you recite it.
Name Mantra
We could not find a fixed name mantra for Tvashtar in a classical text. A plain salutation to the deity is:
ॐ त्वष्ट्रे नमः
Om Tvashtre Namah
It means "Om, salutation to Tvashtar." Tvashtre is the Sanskrit form for "to Tvashtar."
How to Worship Tvashtar
Recite the Nakshatra Suktam verse or the name salutation on the days the Moon passes through Chitra. This happens about once every 27 days, and a panchang shows the dates. Couples who wish for a child can also recite Rig Veda 10.184.
Many craftsmen and engineers honour the divine maker on Vishvakarma Puja, when tools and machines are cleaned and worshipped. People born in Chitra can join this worship.
All of this works on the mind. For a Chitra native, careful and honest work in a craft is a practical way to honour Tvashtar. For a reading of your own Moon nakshatra and running dasha, you can book a Vedic astrology consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the deity of Chitra Nakshatra?
Tvashtar, the craftsman of the gods in the Rig Veda, is the deity of Chitra. The Nakshatra Suktam verse for Chitra names him and says he shapes the forms of all the worlds.
What did Tvashtar create?
Tvashtar forged Indra's thunderbolt (Rig Veda 1.32.2) and made the cup of the gods (1.161). He shapes the form of each child in the womb (10.184.1). In anger he raised Vritra from the sacrificial fire.
Is Tvashtar an Aditya?
Yes, in the Puranas. The Bhagavata Purana (6.6.39) counts Tvashtar among the 12 Adityas, the sons of Aditi.
Who is the son of Tvashtar?
His son was Vishvarupa, the 3-headed priest of the gods whom Indra killed. Tvashtar then raised Vritra to fight Indra.
What is the mantra of Tvashtar?
The Vedic mantra is the Chitra verse of the Nakshatra Suktam, which begins "Tvashta nakshatramabhyeti Chitram." The plain name salutation is Om Tvashtre Namah.
Summary
Tvashtar is the craftsman of the gods in the Rig Veda and the deity of Chitra Nakshatra. He forged Indra's vajra, made the cup of the gods and shapes each child in the womb. Indra killed his son Vishvarupa, and Tvashtar's angry rite produced Vritra.
Later texts count him among the Adityas, and some identify him with Vishvakarma. To work with Chitra, recite his Nakshatra Suktam verse on the Chitra day and put care into what you make.
