E-Book

Sudarsana Chakra

By

Tamarapu Sampath Kumaran

About the Author:
Mr T Sampath Kumaran is a freelance writer. He regularly contributes
articles on Management, Business, Ancient Temples, and Temple
Architecture to many leading Dailies and Magazines.

His articles are popular in The Young World section of THE HINDU
His e-books on nature, environment and different cultures of people around the
world are educative and of special interest to the young.
His e-books Guide to 108 Divya Desams, Guide to 275 Siva Sthalams, The
Path of Ramanuja, Madhwacharya, Guide to Kancheepuram and Hinduism
in a nutshell have been well received in the religious circle. He was associated in
the renovation and production of two Documentary films on Nava Tirupathi
Temples, and Tirukkurungudi Temple in Tamilnadu.

Acknowledgement:
I wish to express my gratitude to the authors from whose works I gathered the
details for this book,
Courtesy Google, for some of the photographs. Special thanks to
www.scribd.com for hosting my e-books
The Sudarshana Chakra is a spinning, disk-like weapon with 108
serrated edges used by the Lord Vishnu. The Sudarshana Chakra is
generally portrayed on the right rear hand of the four hands of Vishnu,
who also holds a Shanka (conch shell), a Gadha (mace) and
a Padma (lotus).
The Sudarshana Chakra may be depicted as ayudhapurusha, as a fierce
form of Vishnu. While the Sudarshana Chakra is depicted as a
subordinate figure with Vishnu, in many South Indian temples, the
Chakra as an ayudhapurusha is worshipped in its own shrine attached to
the central temple.
According to Puranas, Sudarshana Chakra is used for the ultimate
destruction of an enemy. The depiction of Vishnu with Sudarshana
Chakra also means that Vishnu is the keeper-owner of the celestial
bodies and heavens
The word Sudarshana is derived from two Sanskrit words Su()
meaning "good/auspicious" and Darshana () meaning "vision".
Hence, the word Sudarshana collectively means "vision of which is
auspicious". Sudarshana is generally worshiped during Homams to ward
off negative powers or vibrations.
The word chakra is derived from the word Chruhu
(:) meaning movement and kruhu(:) meaning to do. Hence,
chakra collectively means the one which is mobile. Among all the Vedic
weapons, Sudarshana Chakra is the only mobile weapon.
There are various legends related to the origins of the Sudarshana
Chakra.
The Sudarshana Chakra was made by the architect of gods, Viswakarma.

Vishvakarma's daughter Sanjana was married to Surya, the Sun God.

Due to the Sun's blazing light and heat, she was unable to go near the
Sun. She complained to her father about this. Vishvakarma pleaded to
Sun and made him shine less so that his daughter would be able to hug
the Sun. The left-over Sun "dust" was collected by Vishvakarma and
made into three divine objects. The first one was the aerial
vehicle Pushpaka Vimana, the second being the Trisula (Trident) of the
God Shiva, and the third was the Sudarshana Chakra of Vishnu. The
Chakra is described to have 10 million spikes in two rows moving in
opposite directions to give it a serrated edge.
Sudarshana Chakra is considered to be the most powerful weapon in
Hindu mythology. When it pursued sage Durvasa, neither Lord Brahama
nor Lord Shiva could stop it.
Sudarshana Chakra was used to cut the corpse of Sati, the consort of
Shiva into 51 pieces after she gave up her life by throwing herself in
a yagna (sacrificial fire) of the yagna conducted by her father Daksha. It
is said that Shiva, in grief, carried around her lifeless body and was
inconsolable. The 51 parts of the goddess' body were then tossed about
in different parts of the Indian subcontinent and came to be known as
"Shakthi peetams".
The use of the Sudarshan Chakra is occasionally mentioned in the texts
of Rigveda, Yujurveda and Puranas, as an ultimate weapon of law, order
and preservation to eliminate the enemy. Such enemies are enumerated
variously as rakshasas, and Vikrutatmas.
In one such instance, as scribed in the stanzas of the Mahabaratha, Lord
Shri Krishna, beheads Sishupala with the use of the Sudarshan Chakra,
for his rapacious behaviour (committing 100 mistakes each worthy of
death) at the Rajsuya yagna celebration of Pandava King Yudhistira. It
was also used to cut the celestial mountain Mandrachal Parvat for
churning the ocean of milk (Samudra Manthan).
In Tamil, the Sudarshan Chakra is also known as Chakkrath
Azhwar (translated as Ring/Circlet of God).

The Chakri Dynasty, the current ruling house of Thailand, is named after
this weapon.
Sudarsana Azhwar also known as Chakrapani, He always accompanies
Lord Danvantri the medicinal God of Hindu panthion. He is known to
give immediate responses to peoples expressed wishes. He annuls
negative thoughts through light (Sudarsanam). He wears a protective
anklet (kaapu), and his hand is in abaya mudra. His stance is as if he is
ready to run at the call of a devotee.
Sudarsana Azhwar relieves one of the tantric effects of black magic and
ill will from others, traditionally referred to as billi soonyam and so on
He is true to the tenet ask of me, and it shall be done.

According to another version in order to relieve the suffering of people

in this world, the devotees prayed to Bramha to create a powerful Shakti.
So, Brahma took up a serious penance for thousands of years resulting in
the creation of, one of the Sri Vishnu's Ayudhapurushas, the extremely
powerful Sri Sudarshana. Sri Sudarshan represents the cosmic mind and
Vishnu's infinite power to create and destroy the universe. He also
represents Sri Vishnu's will to multiply. He also will neutralize all
poisons. There are more than one hundred and eight names to Sri
Sudarshana. Among them are Sudarshana, Chakraraja and Sahasrabahu.
Prayers to Sri Sudarshana will alleviate serious diseases, avert great
dangers and prevent obstacles in any one's efforts to succeed.

Narasimha Avatara is the fifth re-

incarnation of Lord Vishnu. As Narashimha, He destroyed the demon
king Hiranyakashiyapu, the father of Baktha Prahalad.

Sudarshana and Narasimha are one and the same as two faces of a coin.
Both deities benefit the entire human kind by their blessings.

SLOKA/PRAYER for Sri Sudarsana

Prathibhata Shrevi Bhishana

Varaguna Sthoma Bhusana
Janibhaya Sthana Karana
Jagadavasthana Karana
Nikhila Dushkarna Karshana
Nigavana Saddhama Darshana
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarshana
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarshana
Each sloka/prayer has significant meanings conveying the following:

Shatru Parajanga (defeat of enemies),Khayathi Prapti (attaining honor)

Papa Karma Vimochana (relieving Papa and Karma)
Sampath Prapti (prosperity), Manorathi Siddhi (fulfillment of ambitions)
Vyadhi nivarana (relief from diseases), Jaya Prapti (conquering)
Sakala Siddhi Prapti (achieving all ambitions)

SLOKA/PRAYER for Sri Yoga Narasimha

Om Namo Narasimhya
Hiranyakashipu Vaksha Sthala Vidaranaya
Thri Bhuvana Vyapakaya
Bootha Preta Pishachi Shakini Dakini
Keelanon Moolanaya
Sthabidbhave Samasta Sishan
Hana Hana Sara Sara Chhala Chhala
Kampa Kampa Matha Matha Hoom Patt Hoom Patt
Tantaha Narasimhaya Namaha ||

Meaning:

One Who has pierced and Killed Hiranyakashipu

And one who is all pervading and
Omnipotent On Narasimha
You destroy all evil forces and throw away
The Powers of devil and demons by appearing
Instantally form the pillar making great thunderous sounds
I offer my Namaskarams to You ||
GAYATHRI for Sri Sudarsana : moola mantra.

Om Kleem Shreem
Iym, Hleem, Kleem
Om Jaya Jaya
Sudarshana Narasimha
Hreem, Kheem, Teem,
Taha ||
This is the

GAYATHRI for Sri Yoga Narasimha

Vajra Nakhya Vidmahe

Theekshan Dhruggutya
Thanno Narasimha Prachodayath ||

Meaning

Characterized by having hard diamond nails and having powerful sight,

Oh NARASIMHA, you please enlighten me by occupying my heart.