The Story Behind Sudarshana Chakra

Sudarshana Chakra is a weapon used by Lord Vishnu. A spinning, disc-like weapon, it has 108 serrated edges. The weapon can destroy anything in its path.

It is the only divine weapon that is always in motion. It can perform millions of rotations each second and can travel several million yojanas (1 Yojana = 12 km) instantly. It is not thrown but is sent against the target with willpower.

Sudarshan means “auspicious vision.”

Lord Vishnu is shown holding the Chakra in his right rear hand (of the four hands). He wears the Chakra on his index finger like a ring.

In the Vedic age, Sudarshana Chakra was regarded as Vishnu’s symbol of the wheel of time. But by the late medieval period, it was seen as “Ayudha Purush” representing a fierce form of Vishnu.

In Tamil, the weapon is called the “Chakkrath Azhwar”, meaning Ring or Circlet of God.

The Composition of Sudarshana Chakra

The Chakra has twelve spokes and six navels. Its center is composed of “Vajra.” The twelve spokes supposedly stand for the twelve months of the Hindu Lunar calendar as well as the twelve deities (Som, Indra, Varun, Vayu, Agni, Vij, Mitra, Indragni, Prajapati, etc.). The six navels signify the six seasons.

Features of the Sudarshana Chakra

• Once it is released, the Chakra destroys the enemy and returns to the sender.
• Even after it’s released, the Chakra can be controlled by the one who wields it.
• The Chakra can reach anywhere within a moment.
• It can increase its speed when it encounters an obstacle. It is called “Hansagati.”
• It is noiseless.
• It has great power to destroy everything.

The Story Behind the Origin of Sudarshana Chakra

Many mythological stories narrate how the Sudarshana Chakra came into being. Some scriptures claim that it was created by the combined energies of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Others state that it was given to Vishnu by Guru Brihaspati.

There is a popular story about the origin of the Sudarshana Chakra in mythology.

The gods were being tormented badly by the demons, and they sought the help of Lord Vishnu and asked him to protect them from the Asuras.

Vishnu replied that he did not possess the weapon that was needed to defeat the demons. But he said that he would seek help from Shiva and ask for a special weapon that could overpower the demons.

Vishnu found Shiva deep in meditation. He began praying to Shiva, but Shiva remained in this state for many years. So Vishnu continued his penance and worshipped him by offering lotus flowers.

After several years, Lord Shiva opened his eyes. Vishnu was overjoyed, and he gathered one thousand lotus blossoms to worship Shiva and ask for a special boon.

Shiva was pleased with Vishnu’s devotion, but he wanted to test him and stole one of the lotus flowers. When Vishnu found one lotus flower missing, he plucked out one of his eyes and offered it to Shiva. Seeing his devotion, Shiva said he would grant whatever he wanted. Vishnu then requested Shiva to give him a powerful weapon to overpower all demons. It was then that Shiva gave him the Sudarshana Chakra.

There is another legend behind the origin of the Sudarshana Chakra. It says that it was created from the Sun’s rays. Viswakarma, the celestial architect’s daughter Sanjana was married to Surya Dev or the Sun god. Due to Surya’s intense heat and light, Sanjana could not approach him. Sanjana confided this to her father. So Viswakarma decided to reduce Surya’s brightness. He collected the left-over Sun dust and created 3 things. One was Shiva’s Trishul, another was Pushpaka Vamana, and the third one was the Sudarshana Chakra.

Another popular belief is that, during the Dwapara Yuga, Krishna, Vishnu’s eighth incarnation got the Sudarshana Chakra from Agni, the fire God. Sage Parashurama taught Krishna how to master the weapon.

Sudarshana Chakra is a vital weapon that protects law and order in the Universe and destroys evil forces. It was used many times by Vishnu and Krishna.

It was used to cut the spiritual mountain of Mandrachal Parvat during Samudra Manthan.

It was also used by Vishnu to sever the body of Sati into 51 pieces which fell on the earth and became Shakti Peethas. Sati had immolated herself in her father Daksha’s Yagna fire. The grief-stricken Shiva roamed around with her body like a mad man. It was then that Vishnu used the Sudarshan Chakra.

Krishna used the Sudarshana Chakra to kill his cousin Shishupala after he had committed a hundred sins. During the Kurukshetra war in the Mahabharatha, Krishna also used the weapon to create an illusion of sunset that helped Arjuna to kill Jayadratha. It is also said that when Krishna lifted the Govardhan Mountain, he held the Sudarshana Chakra below it.

Sudarshana Jayanthi celebrates the appearance of the Sudarshana Chakra. If one worships this divine weapon, it is equivalent to the worship of Vishnu’s ten avatars. It bestows positive energy and keeps one safe from danger. It can heal illness and remove our worries and sorrows. Sudarshana Jayanthi 202l is on July 19.