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Namaschakraya Vithmahe Sahasra JwAlaya DhEmahe

Thanno Sudarshana PrachodayAt.

 

Dear Members of the Prapatti Group,

 

In response to Sri Mukund's request, I am writing again on the significance

of the Sudarshana Homam. 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

Ashtakam. 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 dispels all 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 considered to be resident in the Chakram.

Sudarshana and Lord Narasimha share deep connections. The joint worship of

Sudarshana-Narasimha is prescribed by both Pancharatra and Vaighanasa Agamams.

The presence of Lord Narasimha in the Sudarshana Yantram is stated in the

Padma Samhita.

 

Also, the Chakram is the abode of vyuha murthis like Sankarshana, Pradyumna and

Aniruddha. This is reflected in Swami Desikan's Sudarshana Ashtakam

(Nija Para Vyuha Vaibhava). Recently, Sri Ramaswamy provided me with more

insight about the 6 corners of the Chakram which is summarized below.

 

The geometric form of the Sudarshana Yantram

consisting of six corners formed by two intersecting triangles houses

the Vyuha Murthis. Starting from the right hand-side of the Chakram, the

first corner, the six vertices correspond to "A Chakram", "Vi Chakram",

"Su Chakram", "Surya Chakram", "Jwala Chakram" and "Sahasrara Charkam",

respectively. The Sudarshana Chakram itself is considered to be at the

middle of the Yantram along with Lord Narasimha.

 

Thus, offering prayers to

the Sudarshana Chakram is equivalent to offering prayers to Lord Narayana

in Para, Vyuha, Vibhava, Archa and Antaryamitva forms. The glorification

of the Lord in the Chakram form can also be found in the Shodasayudha

stotram (Chakra Rupasya 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 stumble 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

, while tearing to shreds all pretence of false knowledge. This is seen

from the passage: 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 Netas 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 an epidemic fever. 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. Purity of

thought, sound and intonation while chanting the Homa mantrams 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