Read Sudarshana Chakra – Weapon of Lord Vishnu

The Sudarshana Chakra (सुदर्शन चक्र) is a spinning, disk-like weapon literally meaning “Disk of Auspicious Vision”, having 108 serrated edges used by the Hindu God Vishnu or Krishna. The Sudarshana Chakra, or the spinning wheel of Lord Vishnu is one of the most potent weapons described in all literature. It is said to be Kriya Shakti aspect of Lord Vishnu, and is worshipped along with his most ferocious form of Lakshmi Narasimha.

In a personified form, Lord Sudarshana is depicted as a ferocious deity, with 16 arms holding various weapons.He is depicted to be encircled in blazing fires, moving forward and is described as the provider of boons of victory over enemies, wealth and freedom from disease.

Sudarshana Gayatri and Sudarshana Ashtakam are the most popularly chanted mantras associated with Lord Sudarshana Chakra.

Story of Sudarshana Chakra

According to Hindu mythology, daughter of Viswakarma, the God of architecture was married to the sun God and she left him because of his immense heat. Viswakarma put Sun God in a cage and churned him to reduce his heat. With this heat, he created three weapons: The Trishoola, Shakti, and the Sudarshana chakra. These three weapons belonged to three Devas. The Trishoola (trident) is the weapon of Lord Shiva. Shakti is the tool of Subramanya. Sudarshana Chakra is given the status of God by the followers of Ramanujacharya. He being a prime devotee is called the Chakrathazhwar, Sage of the wheel, and worshipped by Vaishnavas.

Lord Shiva gives Sudarshan Chakra to Lord Vishnu

According to a legend, Lord Vishnu once went to Kashi to worship Shiva. After bathing at the Manikarnika Ghat, Vishnu resolved to worship Lord Shiva with 1000 golden lotus flowers. Thet time, Shiva reduced a lotus flower to test the devotion of Lord Vishnu. Seeing the lack of a flower, Vishnu also resolved to offer his eye to Shiva. Because Lord Vishnus eyes are considered as beautiful as lotus, he is also called Kamalnayan and Pundriksha.

As soon as Vishnu was ready to offer his eye to God, Shiva himself appeared there and said that I have no other devotee like you in this whole world. That day was Kartik Shukla Chaturdashi but Lord Shiva himself said that from now on, the whole world will celebrate this day as Vaikuntha Chaturdashi. It also said that whoever worships you on the day of this fast and later, will receive Vaikuntha Lok. Lord Shiva was pleased with Vishnu and also provided the Sudarshan Chakra and said that there would be no weapon to equal it in the three worlds. This lonely cycle will be able to destroy the demons.

Significance of Lord Sudarshana

Lord Sudarshana plays a very crucial role in decimating evil and protecting the good. He is considered to be extremely powerful. In Bhagvad Gita, Lord Krishna makes references to Vajrayudham. This is not to say that Sudarshana’s role is inferior in any manner. For the Lord, Sudarshana Chakra is much more than a weapon.

The Sudarshana is formed from the words – Su(सु) means “good or auspicious” and Darshana (दर्शन) mean “vision”. Sudarshana Chakra (सुदर्शन चक्र) is a spinning, disk-like weapon and the holy wheel that Lord Vishnu uses as his chief weapon. Vishnu holds Sudarshan Chakra in the right rear hand. The chakra is round and has pointed ridges all around its circumference. It has tremendous occult and spiritual powers to destroy everything. Nobody can stand against the Sudarshana Chakra. This is the disk of auspicious vision and having 108 serrated edges.

When Lord Krishna took avatar, Vishnu gave him this chakra. Krishna could quickly use the chakra at any time. The Sudarshana Chakra is not thrown. With will-power it is sent towards the enemy. It rotates very fast after leaving the finger and chases the enemy and turns back to the owner. This chakra used for the destruction of an enemy.

Sudarshan Mantra

ॐ सुदर्शन महाज्वाल कोटीसूर्य समप्रभ ।

अज्ञानं तस्यमे देव विष्णोर्मार्गम् प्रदर्शय॥

Sudarśana mahājvāla koṭi sūrya Samaprabha |

Ajñānāndhasye me deva viṣṇor mārgaṃ pradarśaya ||