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Introduction
expressed her intention to keep a part of herself there. Vishnu asked the Ganas to bring holy Brāhmaṇas from different parts of the country and asked Viṣvakarmā to build in the meanwhile a city on the site. The divine architect built a magnificent city which is beautifully described in the Srīmāla Purāṇa.* The city was inspected by Sri, Vishnu, and other gods from air and they expressed their satisfaction with the words 'Oh lovely! lovely! What beauty! What magnificence !'+
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Sri, being completely satisfied, gave Viṣvakarmācelestical hasta-sutras-armlets (literally threads for arms) and golden lotus garlands; while Vishnu gave him a boon which is historically significant. The best of Brāhmaṇas will study the science of architecture that you have created as if it were a dharmaṣāstra (religious work). Without doubt you will be the first of architects who will honour you when they build palaces and houses." When we remember the architectural heritage of Gujarat and the class of master - builders who created it, this promise seems to have been properly fulfilled.x
* See. Adhayas 9 (verses 1-22), 10 (vs. 2-24), and 72 (verse 1-15).
+ अहोरम्यमहो रूपमहो महः ।
x परितुष्टा ततो देवी प्रददौ विश्वकर्मणे । हस्तसूत्राणि द्विव्यानि खजं च कनकाम्बुजां ॥ प्रददौ देवदेवोऽपि वरं तस्मै गदाधरः । ३० त्रिषु लोकेषु शालानां यत्कृतं शास्त्रमुत्तमम् । धर्मशास्त्रमिव प्रीत्या पठिष्यन्ति द्विजोत्तमा ।। ३१ त्वदायाः शिल्पिनः सर्वे भवितारो न संशयः । लोके निष्पद्यमानेषु प्रासादेषु गृहेषु च । अर्चयिष्यन्ति मर्त्यास्त्वां सर्वे कामार्थसिद्धये ॥ ३३
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