Sudarsana Chakra and
Sudarsana Yajna and Homas
(Compilation for a discourse by N.R. Srinivasan)
Lord Vishnu is said to use both the "Panchajanya"
(Conch) and the Sudarsana (chakra) to protect his devotees from danger, evil
and death. According to mythology Lord
Vishnu has used the Sudarsana Chakra often to protect his devotees from evil,
dispel earthly fears and destroy wicked people with his chakra thereby they too
have attained moksha.
In Gajendra Moksha (The liberation of the elephant
from the Crocodile's mouth) the elephant was released from its curse, while
Vishnu hurled his chakra at the crocodile and killed it, thereby the crocodile
attained moksha; Krishna backed up Arjuna by creating a temporary illusion of
sunset during Jayadratha's killing; The killing of Sisupala and his release
from his curse, these are some of the stories that glorifies Sudarsana.
Sudarsana's disk has also broken the arrogance of
Surya (sun god), who became dull and lacked luster. Surya pleaded with the
Almighty who later restored his brilliance.
Sudarsana has also played a prominent role in the avatars of
Vishnu, being the horn of the Varaha,
sharp nails of the lion faced Narasimha, the powerful axe of Parasurama, the
formidable arrow of Lord Rama, and in his original form, a disc in the Krishna
avatar, glorified in Shodasaayudha Stotra of Vedanta Desika. In Parthasarathy
temple in Tiruvallikkeni in Chennai in
India he is shown as the sword Nandaka in the hands of Lord Parthsarathy. In Puri Jagannath he is shown as a rod
representing Sudarsana Narasimha while Narasimha in Puranas reveals he stepped out of a pillar as burning flame of
rage and as Man-Lion. Bharatha
was an incarnation of Sudharsana chakra in Tretaa Yuga. He was prince regent (Yuvaraja) during Rama’s rule
of Ayodhya. The Tamil Vaishnava Saint Thirumazhisai Azhwar is also believed to
be the incarnation of Sudarsana Chakra.
There are
many legends as to the origin of Sudarsana Chakra. Vishnu once promised Siva 1008
lotuses. To test his devotion, Siva stole one of the lotuses. When Vishnu discovered this loss, he offered
Siva one of his lotus-shaped eyes instead. For this act, Siva gave Vishnu a
discus with jagged edge called the Sudarsana-chakra which rotates round the
Lord’s finger. When flung it beheads his enemies before returning to his hand.
A popular
legend in Puranas says that Sudarsana Chakra was made by the architect of gods,
Vishvakarma. 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.
Vishvakarma took the 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 Trisoola (Trident) of the god Siva,
and the third was the Sudarsana 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.
A Chakra, which was studded with diamonds in the center,
was presented to Lord Krishna after the wild fire destruction of the Kaandava
forest by the fire God "Agni" to assist him in his task of destroying
the evil and protecting the innocent.
Describing the qualities of the Chakra, Agni said, "Krishna, you can
destroy the evil and demons as well, with this, moreover it will strike the
enemy you desire and will return back to you". Because of its beauty, brilliance and
radiance it came to be known as the Sudarsana Chakra (good to behold).
It is common to show the weapons of Lord
Vishnu also in human form. They are then worshiped as Weapon-beings or Aayudha
Purushas. Aayudha Purushas can be male
or female or neuter gender depending on the gender of the word in Sanskrit
indicating it. For example Gadaa is female and Chakra is male. Sudarsana is shown as standing or moving
about within a circle of flame in a hexagon
(shatkon) superimposed on the circle.
The hexagon illustrates Vyuha ideology of six divine qualities of
Bhagawan—dominion, glory, splendor, wisdom and dispassion. “Utpattim pralayam
chaiva bhootaanaam-aagatim gatim | vetti vidyaam-avidyaam cha sa vaachyo
bhgawann-iti ||” [He who understands the creation and dissolution, the
appearance and disappearance of beings, the wisdom and ignorance, is called Bhagavaan]. Sudarsana with a hexagon and circle as his
background is as brilliant as fire and having four or eight or sixteen arms holding
bow, arrow, trident, noose, goad and other implements as also weapons. He is
shown as Vaishnavite symbol along with the conch (Shankha). The six cornered
figure which is enclosed within the flaming circle and which in turn encloses
the male figure of Sudarsana represents also six chakra--Achakra; Vichakra;
Su-chakra; Jwaalaa Chakra, Trailokya-rakshaa Chakra and Asuraantaka Chakra.
There
are fine metallic images of Sudarsana-Narasimha in the temple of Kanchipuram and
Srirangam popularly called in Tamil Azhagiya-singar. Sudarsana Narasimha is a composite icon of
Sudarsana having on one side of the hexagon (shat-kona) within the flaming
discus (Chakra) and that of Man -lion on the other side. Here Narasimha is seen
in seated posture and Sudarsana in the standing or moving posture. Vihagendra Samhita declares these two forms
are really one. Padma Samhita says
Narasimha who is to be located in the heart of Sudarsana is like mountain of
crystal covered with countless manes and roaring like the thunder of
dissolution (pralaya). Narasimha is
seated with crossed legs in yoga-posture in this assembly.
The use of
the Sudarsana Chakra is occasionally mentioned in the Hindu texts of Rigveda,
Yajurveda and Puranas, as an ultimate weapon of law, order and preservation to
eliminate the enemy of the Devas. Vedas
mention of Brahma Chakra as described
in my earlier discourse on the subject and Soorya (Sun) moving on a single
wheel chariot with twelve spokes representing months as well as zodiac. They
are also called as Bhagya Chakra or Rasi Chakra. Wheel is thus symbolic of life ever-renewing
itself in cycle of time as producer and consumer of everything of the
invariable law governing matter and energy in the nerve channels as Kaala Chakra
and Nadee Chakra. We see the iconic wheels are represented sculpturally in
different ways. We are all familiar with
the Wheel of Dharma that Buddha set into
motion used as a symbol in Indian
National Flag which has replaced the
wheel of Charaka (spinning wheel) of the
Indian National Congress; The wheel of Sun transformed into a temple in
Konark; The wheel of the radiance that surrounds Vishnu deity Prabhaachakra, Prabhaavali and Prabhaamandala
usually taken in procession behind the deity during Brahmotsava or Annual worship of the Temple;
The small ornamental wheel that turns round behind the deity called Siras Chakra and Chakra Purusha,
wheel personified as human being.
Wheel
is also weapon used in warfare described in Puranas. Vishnu Chakra has a special name Su-darsana,
which means Beautiful to Behold. It has
twelve spokes, three concentric rings, and a design with six corners with an
inclination to the right. In Vishnu’s hands it is seen either as flat facing
the viewer called Samasthiti (stationary) Chakra or in the ready
to be hurled form as seen in the index finger of Lord Krishna called Prayoga
Chakra. Vishnu is invariably seen with a
crown surmounted by a prominent discus. He is also distinguished by two weapons
in his hands, discus as Chakra Purusha and Gadaa (mace) as Gadaa Devi. Twenty four armed Padmavati carries Chakra in
one of her hands. Dhyaani Buddha called Vairochana is distinguished by the
Chakra emblem in white color. Jain deities
Vajraankusi and Chakresvaree carry Chakra in their hands.
Chakra represents the cosmic mind, the will of
the Lord to multiply as well as His infinite power to create and destroy the
Universe. The Sudarsana mantra Om Sahsraara Phat- is
said to possess the power to neutralize poisons and exorcise malignant
spirits. Slokas or hymns on Sudarshana are very powerful and should be chanted with
sincerity, purity of mind, and body. The
place where the chanting is done should be clean. Slokas should be
recited only after learning the correct pronunciation and intonation.
Lord Vishnu is invoked in the Saalagrama which is a
special stone obtained only from the river Ghantaki. This stone is said to contain marks of the
chakra (discus) which is symbolic of the Sudarsana Chakra held by Lord Vishnu
in his right hand. There are nineteen different
types of saalagramas worshipped by Vaishnavites at home and temples in place of
idols. Worship through this medium is considered to be powerful. Sudrasana is considered a representative of
Lord Vishnu and therefore worshipped with equal reference.
Before the Brahmotsava, in 108 Divydesa Vaishnava Temples,
Kovil Azhwar Sudarsana is given a holy
bath called Thirumanjanam. The day before the commencement is the ritual of
Mrit-sangrahanam or collecting the earth when the temple officials pray to Sudarsana
for the successful conduct of the festival.
The tenth day of Brahmotsavam is the Chakra-snaanam when the main Vishnu
deity, his consorts and Sudarsana, the personification of his weapon Chakra are
bathed in the temple tank. On the last day Sudarsana Chakra is bathed in the
temple tank and the honored guests Brhama, the Gods and rishis are given a warm
send-off. Sudarsana Purusha, the Discus Person is always an independent icon in
South Indian Vishnu Temples unlike in the Northern Temples.
As a part of the Panchasamskara rite, orthodox Vaishnavites
bear the chakra (disc) and Sanka (conch) emblems of Vishnu on their shoulders
branded by a holy ceremony called Samasaranam. Sri Vedaanta Desikar points out
in Dehalisastuti that those who bear these marks will have
their desires fulfilled.
Chakra and Music: Here is an analogy of “Chakra” to
classical music. Singing a song in words is called a kirtan. Whereas if we only
delineate the raaga and do not utter words it is known as raaga aalaapana and
we can go much deeper into the body of the music this way. The worship of Gods
in their Chakra is similar to the Raaga Aalaapana in music.
Sri Mahaa Vishnu carries in his right hand the
Sudarsana Chakra (disc) and in his left hand the Paanchajanyam (Conch). He uses them to protect his devotees from
danger, evil and death. Vishnu
Sahasranamam, praises Lord Vishnu as "Bhayakrit bhaya naasanaha": it says he is the creator of fear as well as
the destroyer of fear.
Sudarsana Shanti Homa
Sudarsana Shanti Homa is popular in all Vishnu temples
like Ganesha Homa in Siva temples and Chandee homa in Sakta temples. Sudarsana Homa, if performed with sincerity, is said to help
societies overcome personal and public obstacles, calamities, dispel harboring
evil forces and vibes. In contrast, it
promotes a sense of well-being, builds strong friendships, a positive attitude
among mankind, promotes the lush growth of flora and fauna, and helps the
animal kingdom to flourish, ensures safety when facing danger; wins over
enemies when going through critical and bad planetary periods, wards off
physical and mental illnesses, averts accidents through machinery or weapons,
last but not the least, helps to overcome the fear of death, thus promoting a
healthy, prosperous society.
Vedas prescribe about 400 forms of fire
rituals. Homa is a form of Haviryajna in
which the oblations offered include butter, boiled preparations of rice,
barley, wheat, and fagots of selected trees, which have medicinal value. The smoke from the Homa is said to be very
auspicious and therapeutic for inhalation, also the smoke that permeates the
air is said to cleanse and purify the atmosphere of disease causing germs and
other impurities. Srauta Homas are
generally performed for the benefit of the world at large, while the Smarta
Homas are performed for the well -being of self and their family.
Sudarsana Yajna
"Yagna" is derived from the root
"Yaj" in Sanskrit meaning worship "Haviryajna" is a
specific form of worship, which is popularly known as "Homa". Yajna refers to a Vedic ritual in which one
offers specific materials such as ghee (melted butter) and fagots to various
deities through the medium of fire.
Worship through "Yajna" is a unique form of prayer in the
Vedic tradition, even though, any "Karma" or action performed for the
sake of the Lord is "Yajna".
Homas are generally performed for the benefit of the world at large, for
the well-being of self and their family, for the fulfillment of human pursuits
like giving away ones possession and becoming an ascetic, a ritual pertaining
to ancestors, desire to enter Heaven, gain of unrivalled sovereignty, to wish
for a progeny to carry on the family tree etc.
Vedas perceive "Fire" as the medium of
worship and enjoin varieties of Homas for the fulfillment of human
pursuits. Since fire carries brilliance
and heat energy, it is the life sustaining principle in the creation and lands
itself for the worship through Vedic homas. Fire is a blessing but if looked as
a mere form of energy, it is an inert blessing, not a deity or a devata, a part
of God. However if one perceives the fire as a Devata, one recognizes it as a
non-separate entity of the Lord. One
then discovers the harmony in the Lord and his creation. The various elements are therefore considered
as "Devatas"; Varuna, the devata for water; Agni, the devata for
fire; Pruthvi, the devata for the earth; Vayu, the devata for air; Aakasa, the
devata for space; Kaala, the devata for time.
Sudarshana is considered as a Devata, part of God whose energy and
brilliance are manifold compared to the "Surya" (sun) and
"Agni" (fire), as he is always associated with Lord Vishnu, the
preservation form of the Trinity.
Mahaa Yajnas are performed periodically at temples
for the "Yoga -Kshema
"(welfare of all living beings), not only in a particular community or society
but the entire world, for the abundance of rain/ crops, kindness among human
beings- amongst themselves and towards the animal and plant kingdom. Additionally, Yajnas are performed as a form
of penance, asking forgiveness of the almighty for the "apacharas"
(unintentional mistakes) committed by the "ajnanis" (illiterate
folks); to restore and preserve the sanctity, faith, peace and prosperity, and
to seek the almighty's blessings.
Sudarsana Yajna is performed for the "Yajna
Purusha" (the protector of mankind), Sri Mahaa Vishnu, to whom oblations
are offered in this sacred event. It is believed that what is offered to the
raging fire reaches directly to our Creator through the Purifier Agni
(Fire). Yajnas are to be performed with
a lot of dedication and concentration combined with purity of self and
soul. Cleanliness is of utmost
importance at these events. The priests
intake "pancha-kavyam (cleansing agents), before they perform the Homa. The place where the Yajna is to be performed
is thoroughly cleaned before the yajna is performed.
The Sudarsana Chakra (wheel) is
the most important weapon of the Great Protector, Lord Vishnu. His other
weapons include the Sankha (conch) and the Gada (mace). The Chakra is the
instrument of the preservation of this world and the Sankha signals moksha or
liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Sudarsana Chakra is the mighty
weapon of Lord Narayana. The beauty of
Sudarsana Chakra arises from the fact that Chakra leads the seeker to the path
of Lord Narayana. The Chakra itself has many auspicious attributes. 1: Peedaa
pariharam (relief from all kinds of pain
and suffering) 2: Paapa Naasanam (destroying one’s sins). As you are all aware papa-naasanam
is the first step towards realizing Lord Narayana.
The magnificence of the Sudarsana Chakra is very eloquently described in Shodashayudha stotram and the Sudarshana Ashtakam. Related references, which offer attributes to the Chakra include the Mahabharata, Vishnu Sahasranamam, Padma Samhita and Abhirbudhniya samhita (both samhitas are Paancharatra Agama texts). The Mahabharatha refers to the Wheel of Time (Kaala chakra), denoting the temporal aspect of the Sudarsana Chakra. The Vishnu Sahasranama salutation “Ritu Sudarsana kaala iti dighandaha” also refers to the spatial-temporal mighty jwaala, which forms the center of the kaala-anala (fire at the end of time.) This jwaala has the radiance of thousand suns, which is evident from the opening salutation of the Sudarsana Kavacham. Therefore, the Chakra dispels all ignorance and darkness.
In the early days, people worshipped Sun as God, and as the dispeller of ignorance and
darkness. They thought that the Earth was the center of the
universe, and the Sun was moving around the Earth. This was called
as GEOCENTRIC THEORY by Ptolemy. GEO means Earth. Then Galileo
proposed HELIOCENTRIC THEORY. The Sun was the center of the universe
while all the planets were moving around the Sun. He also discovered many
things, like the actual value of the gravity of the Earth, telescopes, and
conducted many experiments. He was charged by Catholic Churches that he
was corrupting the minds of the people, and put him in prison until his
death. Then Copernicus discovered the ELLIPTICAL THEORY which is
true even today. All the planets are moving on elliptical orbit while the
Sun is at one of the focal points of the ellipse. But Hindu
astrologers based on Puranas say
the Earth is still the in the center while
planet Sun, planet Moon, planet
Kuja, planet Budha, planet Guru, Planet
Sukra, planet Sani, Planet Rahu
and Planet Ketu are moving around the Earth influencing people on Earth., for
they call everything as Graha which religious authors translate as planets.
Hindu
astrologers have a great influence on human mind and therefore Navagraha worship
and homa are considered even more important than focus on the main deity. No
doubt Sun and Moon have significant effect on humans as witnessed during
eclipses. So this worship could have been confined to Vedic deities Sun and
Moon to avoid all controversies, doubts and criticisms. Rahu and Ketu are purely mythological minor
deities. I often wonder why Navagraha worship is confined to followers of Siva
and Sakta worshipers and not found in Vaishnava tradition, which they divert
to Sudarsana. There is neither Navagraha
sanctum, nor Navagraha worship in Vishnu temples. Somehow Navagraha worship
concept did not catch the imagination of Vaishnavites who always worship
Aaditya. Moon as a graha is also not
worshiped in Vaishnava concept. But,
astrologers have a strong influence on private lives of Vaishnavas because of
their beliefs in horoscope and influence of Grahas. In Vaishnava belief Sudarsana is 1000 times more powerful
than Sun. Bhagavadgeetaa says supreme
Being is 1000 times powerful than Sun. It describes Viswaroopa as divisooryasahasrah, the brightness of thousand blazing Suns. Vaishnavites feel Sudarsana is an amsa (part)
of Vishnu as mentioned in Ramayana where Bharata is an incarnation of Sudarsana
and Amsa of Vishnu who was born on account of the part of pudding from the same
pot of Amrita which Kaikeyi consumed. Sri Sudharshana Azhwar is Sriman Narayanans Sankalap Shakti to wipe out all evils.
Sudarsana Gaayatree
Sudarsanaaya vidmahe mahaa jwaalaaya
ddheemahi tanno chakrah prachodayaat
|
"Oh Sudarsana! The
one with the blazing flames; the one who is equivalent to millions of
suns; I am unintelligent and blind to
the way of the almighty. May Sudarshana
lead me to the almighty!”
SUDARSANA-CHAKRA
DHYAANA SLOKA
Taaro Bhrigur-viyadbhooyas-tadaadyam
vahnidheergayuk |
Paavakah kavachastraanto manu sptaaksharah smritam ||
Ahirbubhudyo munih
prokta-chchando-anushtu-budahritam |
Devataa munibhih proktaa chakraroopee harih swayam
||
Kalpaantaarkaprakaasamtribhuvanam-akhilam
tejasaa poorayantam Raktaakshm pingakesam ripulabhyadam
bheemadamshtra-attahaasam | chakram sankham gadaabje prthu-tara-musalam
chaapa-paasaankusaan bibhraanam dorbir-aadyammanasi muraripum
bhavayed-chakra-sanjyam ||
Sudarsana Mantra
Om sahsraara Phat |
Ahirbudhyaana is the Rishi of this Mantra; Meter (Chhandas) is Anushtup;
and the deity is Vishnu in the form Chakra as Devata (deity).
SUDARSANA-MAHAAVISHNU
DHYAANA SLOKA
Avyaad-bhaaskara-sannibhaabhir-akhilaabhirdiso |
Bheemaakshah
ksharad-attahaasa-vikasad-damshtraapradeeptaananah|
Dorbhis-chakradarau gadaabja-musalaams-traasaamscha
Paasaankusau
Bibhrat-pinga-siroruho-atha bhavatah
chakraabhidhaano harih ||
Sudarsana Mantra
Om Shasraara phat
Ahirbudhyaana is the Rishi of this Mantra; Meter (Chhandas) is Anushtup;
and the deity is Vishnu in the form Chakra as
Devata (Deity).
"Om Kleem Krishnaaya Govindaaya Gopijana
Vallabhaaya Paraaya Parama Purushaaya Paramaatmane Para Karma Mantra Yantra
Tantra Oushada Astra Shastraani Samhara Samhara mrutyor mochaya mochaya. Om
Namo Bhagavate Mahaa Sudarshanaya deepthrae Jwaalaa Parivrithaaya Sarva
Dikshobhana Karaaya Hum phat Brahmane
Paranjyotishe Swahaa”
“Om Sudarsanaaya vidmahey Mahaa
Jwalaya dheemahi tanno Chakrah Prachodayaat”
Sudarsanaashtakam
Pratibhata-sreni-bheeshana varaguna-sthoma-bhushana
Jani bhaya-sthaana-taarana jagadavasthaana-kaarana
|
Nikhila-dhushkarma-karsana
nigama-saddharma-darsana
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana Jaya Jaya Jaya
Sri Sudarsana || 1 ||
You who causes
fear in the enemy circles, who have
numerous good attributes as ornaments, who help people to come over
the fear of rebirth, who are the cause of the existence of the world,
who destroys the effects of all bad actions
and who shows the different paths laid down in the Vedas for Jeevanmukti
(liberation)—Hail! Hail! Sri Sudarsana!
Subha
jagadrupa mandana sura gana
traasa khandana |
Sata-makha brahma vandita
sata-pata brahma nandita |
Prathita vidvat-sapakshita
bhajata ahirbudhnya lakshita
Jaya jaya Sri Sudarsana
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana || 2 ||
You
adorn the sacred form of the Lord whose body is the whole world! You are the dispeller of the fears of hosts
of Gods! Indra and Brahma pay their obeisance to You. You are glorified in Satapata
BHrahmana of Vedas. You treat as your kith and kin those learned people and you
are visualized by Ahirbudhnaya (Siva addressed by that name in the
Samhita). Hail! Hail! OH Sudarsana!
Sphuta tatijjaala pinjara prithu-tara jwaala panjara |
Parigata pratnavigraha
patutara prajna durgraha
Praharana graama mandita parijana traana pandita |
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana || 3||
You
are gilded like the clear clusters of lightning. You are enclosed in a very
large cage of flames. You are surrounded by weapons. You are not attainable
even by those with sharp intellect. You are adorned by a multitude of weapons.
You are master in protecting your servants. Hail! Hail! Sri Sudarsana!
Nija pada preetha sadgana
nirupadhi spheeta shad guna
Nigama nirvyudha vaibhava
nijapara vyooha vaibhava |
Hari haya dweshi daarana
hara pura plosha kaarana
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana || 4 ||
You have with you good crowd devoted to
your sacred feet. You have the six good natural qualities in perfection and
plentitude. Your greatness is celebrated in Vedas. You have the qualities
of para (spiritual) and Vyooha
(emanations of Vishnu) glory. You have destroyed the enemies of Indra. You have
caused the city of Hara(Kaasi) ablaze. Hail! Hailo! Sri Sudarsana!
Danuja vistaara kartana
jani tamisraa vikartana |
Danuja vidyaa nikartana bhajat avidyaa nivartana |
Amara drishta sva vikrama
samara jushta bhrami krama
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana ||
You
cut off the gangs of the demons. You remove the inherited ignorance of birth
like Sun. You put an end the illusion created by
demons. You remove the ignorance of the
devotees. Your valor is noticed by the
divines and you are seen whirling around in the battlefield (helping the
deserving). Hail! Hail! Sri Sudarsana
Pratimukhaaleedha prithu
mahaa heti dantura
Vikata maaya bahishkritha
vividha maalaa parishkritha
Prithu mahaayantra tantritha dhridha dayaa tantra yantrita
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana ||
You
are fantastic in your leap forward. You are surmounted by many a mighty
weapons. You are beyond the reach of all deceitful powers. You are adorned by a
vaeiety of Garlands. You are well seated in a great yantra motif on solid
foundation. You yield easily to bonds of compassion! Hail! Hail! Sri Sudarsana
Mahita-sampat-sadakshara
Vihita-sampat-shadakshara
Shadar-chakra-pratishthita
sakala –tattva-pratishthita |
Vividha –sankalpa-kalpaka
vibudha-sankalpa -kalpaka
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana ||
You
bestow the power to destroy Moha
(illusion) to attain liberation (Moksha). Your six-lettered name grants honor
and prosperity. You are embedded in a circle with a hexagon of six sides and
are established in all entities as
antaryamin or inner-self. You like Kalpavriksh, all boon granting tree,
fulfil all wishes including the desires of even the divines. Hail! Hail! Sri
Sudarsana
Bhuvana netastrayeemaya savanna tejastrayeemaya
Niravadhi svaadu chinmaya nikhila sakte jaganmaya |
Amita viswa-kriyaamaya samite vishvagbhayaamaya
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana
You
are the acknowledged leader of all the worlds and the embodiment of the wisdom
of all three Vedas. You are the kinds of sacred fires—Gaarhapatya, Aahavaneeya and Dakshina.
Your blissful knowledge is limitless. With all your
powers you pervade the entire Universe. You are the cause and effect of all
activities in the world, cure for all diseases and remover of all kinds of
fears. Hail! Hail! Sri Sudarsana!
wichatushkam-idam prabhootasaaram pathataam
Venkatanaayaka-praneetam
Vishame-api manorathah pradhaavan na
vihanyeta rathaangadhuryaguptah ||
Those who read this composition of
eight hymns full of
quintessential meaning composed by Vedanta Desika will have all his wishes fulfilled, however difficult they may
be to realize for the Good Lord Sudarsana will take care of them!
Sudarsana in Shodasaayudha -stotram
Swa-sankalpakalaa-kalpair-aayudhair-aayudhesvarah
|
Jushtah
shodasabhir-divyair-jushataam vah parah pumaan ||
May that
Supreme Lord of all weapons, equipped with sixteen divine weapons which are
comparable to his thoughts, bless you!
Yadaayattam
jagacchakram kaalachakram cha saasvatam |
Paatu
vas-tatparam chakram chakra-roopasya chakrinaah ||
May
the magnificent discus of Lord Vishnu (Sudarsana), who manifests himself as Chakra,
on which depend the wheel of the world and eternal Wheel of Time (kaalachakra),
protect you!
Astragraamasya kritsnasya prasootim yam
prachakshate |
So-avyaat
sudarsano viswam aayudhaih shoedsaayudhah ||
May
Sudarsana, equipped with sixteen weapons, who is the origin of birth for all
weapons, protect the world!
SUDARSANA -NARASIMHA
Mantra -Om Sahasraarajwaalaavartine Kshreem hana hum phat
swaahaa
Taaram
sahasraarajwaalaavartine Kshroum hanadvayam |
Hrum
phat swaahaa chonavimsavarno mantra udaahritah ||
Munirjayanta
aakhyaatacchaando gaayatramuchyate |
Sudarsana
nrisimho asya devataa parikeertitah ||
[The rishi
of this mantra is Jayanta, Chandas is Gaayatree and the Devata is Sudarsana
Narasimha]
DHYAANA
Chakraanaam
tu sabhaamadhye kaalaagnisadrisaprabham |
chaturbhujam
vivrittaasyam chatuschakradharam harim | |
taptakaanchanasankaasam
trinetram chaadyavigraham |
dhyaayet-samasta-dukhagnam
taadrig lakshmyaa samanvitam ||
SUDARSANA CHAKRA
Taaro
bhrigur-viyad-bhooyas-tadaadyam vahnee-dheergayuk |
Paavakah
kavachaas-traanto manu sptaaksharah smritam || 1 ||
Ahir
budhyo minih proktas-chchando anushtu-budaahritam |
Devataa
munubhih proktaa chakraroopee harih svayam || 2||
MANTRA
OM
Sahasraara Phat ||
[This
mantra has Ahirbudhnya as its Rishi, Anushtub as its meter and Vishnu in the
form of Chakra as the Devata]
DHYAANA
Kalpaantaarka-prakaasam
tribhuvanam-akhilam tejasaa poorayantam
Raktaaksham
Pingakesam ripuphulabhayadam bheema-damshtra-attahaasam |
chakram
sankham gadaabje prithutara-musalam chaapa-paasaankusaan vai
bibhraanam
dorbhir-aadyam manasi mura-ripum baavayec-chakra-sanjyam ||
MANTRA
Om
sahasraara phat |
SUDARSANA MAHAAVISHNU
Avyaad-bhaaskara-sannibhaabhir-akhila-abhirdiso
Bhaasayan
bheemaakshah
ksharad-attahaasa-vikasad-damshtraa-pradeeptaananah |
dorbhis-chakradarau
gadaabja-musalaams-traasaamscha paasaankusau
bibhrat-pinga-siroruho
atha bhavatah chakraabhidhaano harih ||
REFERENCES:
- Ramachndra
Rao, S.K., Vishnu Kosha, Kalpatharu Research Academy, Sringeri
Sharada Peetham, Bengaluru, India.
- Dr.
Narasimhachary, Sri Vedanta Desika Stotras, Sripad Trust, Chennai, India.
- Devdutt
Pattanaik, Vishnu, Vakils, Feffer and Simons Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India.
- Nanditha
Krishnan, Balaji—Venkateshwara, Feffer and Simons Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
- Swami Harshananda, Hindu Gods and
Goddesses, Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, India.
- Kamala
Raghunathan, Raghu & N.R.
Srinivasan Pamphlet on Sudarasana
Mahaa Yajnam, Sri Ganesha Temple, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Swami Vimalananda, Mahanarayana Upanishad,
Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, India.
APPPENDIX I
Tvam
Rudrastvam Vishnustvam Brahmatsvam
(Courtesy
Krishna Muralidharan Iyengar, Singapore)
As Sri
Sudarshana Jayanthi falls on 26-Jun-2015 (Friday) (and on 26-July-2015
according to some other traditions), I am happy to share a short and sweet hymn
on Lord Sudarshana by a Gandharva called Durdama,
taken from Skanda Purana, Brahma Khanda, Setu Mahatmya, Chapter 4.
As
the last 4 stanzas of the hymn has reference to Chakra Tirtha, the
hymn was presumably sung in Thirupullani, an important pilgrimage
place near Rameswaram - a place where King Dasharatha was
bestowed with divine nectar (Payasam/kheer) to get progeny and
where Lord Rama prayed to Samudra Raja atop
kusha grass to reach Sri Lanka. The Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple in
this place is one of the 108 Divya Desams and a very important
site related to Ramayana.
Lord
Sudarshana worship
is not for the ordinary and one has to maintain certain minimum spiritual
hygiene to qualify for this. Lord Sudarshana's grace destroys all misfortunes
and there are innumerable anecdotes in this regard. Though every Vishnu Temple
is likely to have a Sannidhi for Lord Sudarshana, a few temples are especially
famous for Lord Sudarshana - e.g. Saarngapaani Temple in Kumbhakonam,
Thirumohoor in Madurai, Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Kancheepuram, Srirangam
Temple, etc.
As
we have seen many times before, Sudarshana Chakra was actually
given to Lord Vishnu by Lord Shiva at his
request. The reference to this can be seen in many purans - be it Shaivite or
Vaishnavite in texture. Linga Purana as well as Shiva Purana contains the Shiva
Sahasranama created by Lord Vishnu for this purpose. But Saura
Purana gives a different hymn. There is also an opinion that Sudarshana
Chakra is another form of Lord Bhairava - Chakra
Bhairava. The Shaivite/Vaishnavite rivalry we see in greater Tamil Nadu of
the medieval times is never to be seen in any purans and therefore must be a
later day corruption - a politically motivated irrational exuberance.
The
following is a rare hymn on Lord
Sudarshana by Durdama taken from Skanda Puranam, Brahma Khanda, Setu Mahatmya
and Chapter 4. Durdama is said to have attained redemption from all his sins
after worshipping Lord Sudarshana with this hymn and bathing in the holy water
titled Chakra Tirtha in Setu (presumably Chakra Tirtha in Thirupullani near Rameswaram).
Durdama
uvāca –
Sudarśana namaste'stu viṣṇu-hastaika-bhūṣaṇa | namaste 'sura-saṁhartre sahasrāditya-tejase || 1 ||
Kṛpāleśenabhavatas tyaktvā 'haṁ rākṣasīṁ tanum | svarūpamabhajaṁ viṣṇoś cakrāyudha namo'stu te || 2 ||
Anujānīhi māṁ gantuṁ tridivaṁ viṣṇu-vallabha | bhāryāmepariśocanti virahātura cetasaḥ || 3 ||
Tvan
manasko bhaviṣyāmi yāvaj jīvaṁ yathāhyaham | tathā kṛpāṁ kuruṣva tvaṁ mayi cakra namo'stu
te || 3 ||
Cakrāyudha namāmi tvāṁ mahā'sura-vimardana | devī pattana paryantaṁ dharma-tīrthe hyanuttame || 4 ||
Sannidhānaṁ kuruṣva tvaṁ sarva-pāpa-vināśanam | tvat-sannidhānāt sarveṣāṁ snātānāṁ pāpināṁ iha || 5 ||
Pāpa-nāśaṁ kuruṣva tvaṁ mokṣaṁ ca kuru śāśvatam | cakratīrtaṁ iti khyātiṁ loke'sya parikalpaya
|| 6 ||
Tvat
sannidhānādatratya munīnāṁ bhaya-nāśanam | itaḥ paraṁ bhavatvārya cakrāyudha namo'stu te || 7 ||
bhūta-preta-piśācebhyo bhayaṁ mā bhavatu prabho || 8
|| ||
||
Iti śrīskānde mahāpurāṇe brahma-khaṇḍe setu-māhātmye durdama-kṛta śrīsudarśana stotraṁ sampūrṇam ||
APPENDIX II
Rudraaaya Vishnave
Namah—Obeisance to Vishnu who is Rudra
(N.R.Srinivasan)
Whatever
has been left over to be mentioned in respect of Upaasana (worship and meditation) Karma and Jnaana after the recital
of Samhitaa and Braahmana is brought together in Mahaanaaraayan Upanishad (MNU)
says Sayana. MNU is otherwise called Mantropanishad. In the context of above
text by Muralidhara Iyengar may I recall
my remarks that irrespective their following (Vishnu, Siva or Sakta) in
Sandhyavandna all chant the name Achyuta, Ananta and Govinda in Aaachamana though
traditions interpret them to their convenience (see my 16-steps Pooja).
The most popular Mantra of MNU describes supreme Being as:
Om
antascharati
bhooteshu guhaayam viswa moortishu | tvam yajnastavam indrastvam
Rudrastavam Vishnustavam
Brhmatvam prajaapatih |
Later
in several mantras both Vishnu and Rudra are mentioned together for worship and prayers. I would like to mention here two specific mantras from MNU:
Namo Rudraaya Vishnave mrityurme paahi |
Obeisance
to Rudra who is Vishnu ! Guard me from death!
Nidhanaaya namah | Nidhana-pataantikaaya namah | Oordhvaaya namah | Oordhva-lingaaya namah |
Hiranyaaya namah | Hiranya-lingaaya namah | Suvarnaaya namah | Suvarna-lingaaya
namah | Divyaaya namah | Divya-lingaaya namah | Bhavaaya namah | Bhava-lingaaya namah |Sarvaaya namah
| Sarva-lingaaya namah | Sivaaya namah | Siva-lingaaya namah | Jwaalaaya namah
| Jwaala-lingaaya namah | Aatmaaya namah | Aatma-lingaaya namah | Paramaaya
namah | Parama-lingaaya namah | Etath-soemasya
sooryasya sarva-lingam sthaapayati paanimantram
pavitram ||
By these twenty-two
names ending with salutations, the mantras focus on Vishnu and Siva. The word without
the suffix Linga refers to Vishnu while one with Linga to Rudra Vaishnava texts
of MNU explains only eleven of these Divine Names in the light of their
philosophy and Yoga. The Linga which is
worshipped by the devotee of Siva and Salagraama worshiped by the devotee of
Vishnu is but a handy replica or a convenient diminutive form of the universal
semi-spherical emblem of the Unlimited (Supreme Being).
Chandogya
Upanishad III.19.1 describes that the whole universe was hatched out of a
golden egg (Hiranyagarbha) which lay a complete year before it brought forth
offspring. The spherical dome of heaven above, appearing to us capping the earth
on which we live, may be likened to an enormous semi-section of an egg containing
the world. Perhaps this golden egg lend itself to be fancied as the visible symbol of the limitless
all-inclusive Divine Reality into which the manifold universe was believed to
be reabsorbed at the end.
This wisdom
contained in Vedas made Puranas later to think of praising Rudra and Vishnu together in hymns invariably
in all the Puranas at some place even though their focus was Siva
or Vishnu or Devi, dedicated to a particular form of the Supreme. They never thought of Brahma for Moorti
Upaasana (visible, vyakta form of worship) as the World has all been created
and the task of Srishthi was complete about which humans need not have to worry.
The Linga and Salagrama are of Vyaktaavyakta (visible-invisible) form. Their
focus was on Existence (Sthithi) and Extinction (Laya). This
perhaps is the philosophy for not having temples for Brahma which they have nicely
woven into a Purana Episode.