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Namschakraya Vithmahe Sahasra JwAlaya DhEmahe

Thanno Sudarshana PrachodayAt.

 

Dear Kanaka,

 

The subject of Sudarshana Homam is of great interest to me. Hence, I

could not resist responding to your post. Some reasons for performing

the Homam are as follows.

 

Sudarshana Chakram is the mighty weapon of Lord Narayana. The Chakram

has many auspicious attributes. The foremost amongst these attributes is

"Pida Pradanam", or relief from all kinds of pain and suffering. The

Sudarshana Chakram also has the attribute of "Papa Nashanam" destroying

one's sins. Papa Nashanam is the first step towards realizing Lord Narayana.

 

The magnificence of the Sudarshana Chakram is very eloquently described

by Swami Desikan in both the Shodasayudha Stotram and the Sudarshana

Astakam. A related post by Sri. Sadagopan on the subject of

Sudarshana Narasimha is most informative and forms a very useful reference.

 

First, the Chakram transcends space and time as can be gleaned from Swami

Desikan's Shodasayudha stotram (Kala Chakram Jagat Chakram Cha) and is

therefore an Amsham of "Para Vasudeva". The Chakram which originated from

the third eye of Shiva at the command of Lord Vishnu is the mighty jwala

which forms the center of the Kalanala (fire of time). The Jwala has the

radiance of a thousand suns as can be seen from Ambarisha's shlokam in

praise of the Chakram:

"Sahasraditya Sankasham, Sahasra Vadanam Param Sahasradoh Sahasraram

Prapadyeham Sudarshanam"

Therefore, the Chakram destroys all forms of ignorance and darkness.

 

The mighty Jwala also connotes the Jwala Narasimhar aspect. It is

believed that Lord Narasimha in the form of Jwala Narasimha destroyed

Hiranyakashipu and thereby released Prahlada from all his sufferings.

Therefore, Lord Narasimha is believed to be resident in the Chakram.

Also, the Chakram is the abode of vyuha murhtis like Sankarshana as can

be seen from Swami Desikan's Sudarshana Ashtakam (Nija Para Vyuha Vaibhava).

Thus offering prayers to the Sudarshana Chakram is equivalent to

offering prayers to the entire Dashavataram. The glorification of the Lord in

the Chakram form can also be found in the Shodasayudha stotram (Chakra Rupi

Chakrinaha).

 

Further references attesting to the greatness and auspicious attributes of the

Sudarshana Chakram can be found in the Sudarshana Ashtakam of Swami Desikan

(Shatamaka Brahma Vandita Shatapata Brahma Nandita). Also great scholars

seek the help of Sudarshana before engaging in debates (Pratita Vidwatsa

pakshita). In the Ahirbudhnya Samhita, Ahirbudhnya (Shiva) desires to see

the glorious form of the Chakram (Bhajata Ahirbudhnya Lakshita). Great

scholars stumle in their attempts to discern the vast glory of the

Chakram (Parijana Trana Pandita). The Chakram is the protector of the

Devas, the destroyer of the Asuras and is the bestower of true knowledge

as can be seen from: Dhanujavistara

Kartana Janitamisravikartana Dhanuja Vidya Nikartana Bhajata Vidya Nivartana.

Amara Drushtasva Vikrama Samarajushta Bramikrama. This is

interpreted as the Chakram being the destroyer of Tamo Guna and enhancing or

protecting Satva Gunas. The Chakram is also the eye of the universe, the

three Vedas and the three sacrifical fires as can be seen from

"Bhuvana Netra Trayeemaya............"

 

The Chakram confers Moksham to anyone who surrenders to it as well as

anyone killed by it. Examples of people attaining Moksham by being killed

by the Chakram are: Shishupala, Narakasura and the crocodile in Gajendra

Moksham while Ambarisha is an example of a person who was protected by

the Chakram and ultimately graced by the Lord.

 

The Chakram also has the power of healing and curing illness. It is

believed that a village was suffering greatly from aplague epidemic. The

residents of the village requested Swami Desikan for help. At this

time, Swami Desikan composed the Sudarshana Ashtakam bringing instant

relief to the residents of the village. Also, the Sudarshana Homam has

the power of curing people under the possession of the mighty Brahma Rakshasa.

 

In conclusion, performance of the Sudarshana Homam confers health, wealth and

prosperity on the seeker (in this case the person who performs the Homam).

If the seeker desires material benefit, the Chakram grants him all the

riches he wants. If the seeker desires spiritual benefit, he begets this

upon performance of the Homam. Shuddam is of utmost importance in the

worship of Sudarshana Chakram. Therefore, the Homam must be performed

with great regard to the Deha, Manas and Sthana Shuddam and purity of

thought, sound and intonation while chanting the Homa matrams gives

sampurna phalam. In a video, I saw the performance of a Sudarshana Homam.

At the conclusion of the Homam, a beautiful Chakram formation of the

Jwala (fire in the Homa Kundam) could be seen.

 

Surrendering to Lord Sudarshana I end with

 

Om KlEm KrishNAya GovindAya Gopijana Vallabhaya

ParAya Parama PurushAya ParamAtmane

Para Karma Mantra Yantra Tantra Oushada Astra Shastrani Samhara Samhara

MrutyOr Mochaya Mochaya

 

Om Namo Bhagavate Maha SudarshanAya DEpthrae JwAla ParivrutAya

Sarva Dikshobana KarAya Hum Phat Brahmane Paranjyotishe SwahAa

 

Muralidhar Rangaswamy