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Dear Friends,

 

On the occassion of Sudarshana-Narasimha Jayanthi, I offer the following

article in praise of the Lord. Much of the material in this

write up comes from an article I contributed to the Buffalo, NY Temple

souvenir released during the Srinivasa Pratishta a couple of months ago.

 

 

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Sudarshana Vaibhavam

 

Namaschakraya Vithmahe Sahasra JwAlaya DhEmahe

Thanno Sudarshana PrachodayAt.

 

Sudarshana Chakram is the mighty weapon of Lord Narayana.

The term Sudarshana means that which is beautiful to behold. The beauty

of the Sudarshana Chakram arises from the fact that the Chakram leads

the seeker to the path of Lord Narayana. The Chakram

has many auspicious attributes. The foremost amongst these attributes is

Pida Pariharam (relief from all kinds of pain and suffering)

for the devout and Pida Pradanam (relentless misery) for the evil minded.

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. Related references which offer tributes to the Chakram include

the Mahabharata, Vishnu Sahasranamam, Padma Samhita and

Ahirbudhnya Samhita (both of which are Pancharatra Agama texts),

Sudarshana Kavacham, and Srimad Bhagavatam. In addition, several Azhwars have

paid tributes to the Chakram in their Pasurams (cf: Tirumazhisai Azhwar,

Nammazhwar, Periya Azhwar and Tirumangai Azhwar).

 

The Chakram transcends space and time. This is evident from Swami

Desikan's Shodasayudha stotram salutation Jagat Chakram Kala Chakram Cha.

Therefore, the Chakram is an Amsham of Para Vasudeva. The Mahabharata refers

to the wheel of time (Kala Chakram), denoting the temporal aspect of the

Sudarshana Chakram. The Vishnu Sahasranamam salutation "Ritu Sudarshana Kala

Iti Digbandha:" also refers to the spatio-temporal aspects of the Chakram.

The Chakram is the mighty jwala which forms the center of the Kalanala

(fire at the end of time). This Jwala has the radiance of a thousand suns as

can be seen from the opening salutation of the Sudarshana Kavacham.

Sahasraditya Sankasham, Sahasra Vadanam Param

Sahasradam Sahasraram Prapadyeham Sudarshanam.

Therefore, the Chakram dispels all ignorance and darkness.

 

The mighty Jwala also connotes the Jwala Narasimhar aspect. Lord

Narasimha destroyed Hiranyakashipu in the form of Jwala Narasimha

bringing instant relief (Pida Pariharam) to Prahlada from 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 Padma Samhita reports the presence of Lord Narasimha with

sixteen arms in the Sudarshana Yantram. Swami Desikan glorifies the

Shodasayudha aspect of the Sudarshana Chakram in the Shodasayudha Stotram.

These references point to the common features of the back-to-back

forms of Sudarshana and Narasimha. The back-to-back forms of Sudarshana

Narasimhar are seen in a single Peetam at the Srirangam Temple (Chakrathazhwar

Sannidhi). Sudarshana-Narasimha Salagramam provides further testimony to the

joint worship of this form of Lord Narasimhar.

 

The Chakram is also the abode of the four Vyuha Murthis: Vasudeva,

Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. This is reflected in Swami Desikan's

Sudarshana Ashtakam salutation: Nija Para Vyuha Vaibhava. The geometric form

of the Sudarshana Yantram consists of six corners formed by two intersecting

triangles circumscribed in a circle. The Vyuha Murthis find their abodes

around the corners of the Sudarshana Chakram. Starting from the top right

hand corner of the Chakram, the six vertices correspond to "A Chakram",

"Vi Chakram", "Su Chakram", "Surya Chakram", "Jwala Chakram" and

"Sahasrara Charkam", respectively. The Sudarshana Chakram itself is

at the center of the Yantram along with Lord Narasimha. Therefore,

offering prayers to the Sudarshana Chakram is equivalent to saluting

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).

 

"A Chakram" arises from the relationship of the sound "A" to Lord

Vishnu. "A" is the first syllable of PraNavam (AUM) which is

associated with Lord Narayana from the vedic salutation: Akara Ukara

Makara Iti. Furthermore, Tiruppan Azhwar's Amalanatipiran, Swami Desikan's

Bhagavad Dhyana Sobanam and Munivahana Bhogam, and Narayana Bhattadripad's

NarayaNeeyam commence with the syllable "A". These facts may be used to

infer that "A" is VishNoraksharam.

 

"Vi Chakram" denotes the Akshara Vi, which is the starting Aksharam of

Lord VishNu's name. Parashara Bhattar, in his VishNu Sahasranamam

commentary, expounds on VishNu as: CharAchara Bhuteshu VeshaNAth Iti

VishNu: Uchyathe (that which enters the sentinent and insentinent beings

is called Vishnu). The Vi Chakram symbolizes this aspect of Lord VishNu.

 

"Su Chakram" denotes the abode of all auspicous attributes, i.e.,

the Kalyana GuNams of Bala, Aishwarya, VIrya, Shakti, Tejas, and

Vatsalya. This aspect of the Sudarshana Yantram is inferred from Swami

Desikan's Sudarshana Ashtakam salutation: Nirupatsipeeta Shad GuNa. Due to

the synergy between the Chakram and Lord Narayana, one is led to wonder

whether the Lord's right hand is beautiful on account of being adorned by

the Sudarshana Chakram or whether the touch of the Lord's hand imparts

added beauty and effulgence to the Chakram.

 

"Surya Chakram" refers to the fact that the radiance of Sudarshana exceeds

that of a thousand Adityas. Testimony in support of this fact is seen in

the opening salutation of the Sudarshana Kavacham, Ambarisha's

Prapatti Stotram, and the Panchayudha stotram salutation:

Sudarshanam Bhaskara Koti Tulyam.

 

"Jwala Chakram" refers to the spatial aspect of the Sudarshana Chakram

and the association with Kalanala, while the "Sahasrara Chakram"

derives its name from the Bijaksharam for Sudarshana which is contained in the

Sudarshana Kavacham.

 

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). Great

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

Vidvatsa 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 Guna. 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 Savana Teja Trayeemaya

Niravadisvatu Chinmaya Nikila ShaktE Jaganmaya.

All aspects of Yajna are embodied by Yajna Varaha Swamy. The Vishnu

Sahasranamam salutations 971-982 establish the Yajna aspects of Lord Narayana.

These tributes in conjunction with Swami Desikan's eulogy may be used to

establish connections between the Sudarshana Chakram and Yajna Varaha Swamy.

 

The Chakram unfailingly comes to the rescue of the Lord's devotees as

seen from the following instances:

*The relentless pursuit of Durvasa, who tried to kill Ambarisha with his

fiendish creation (cf: Srimad Bhagavatam).

*The destruction of Shishupala, when he offended Yudhishtira and Bhishma

(cf: Mahabharata).

*Arjuna was able to kill Jayadratha despite great odds only on account of

the Chakram masking the Sun (cf:Mahabharata).

*In the Vamana Avataram, the blade of grass used to clear the opening of the

jar (which had been blocked by Shukracharya) containing water for Mahabali's

Sankalpam (cf: Kalakshepam of Sri Srivatsankachariar Swamigal).

 

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, Poundraka Vasudeva and the

crocodile in Gajendra Moksham. Ambarisha is an example of a devout

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 Tirupputkuzhi 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 from the epidemic. Also, the Sudarshana Homam has the power of curing

people under the possession of the mighty Brahma Rakshasa.

 

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

prosperity on the seeker. If one 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.

 

Shankha Chakra GadapaNE Dwaraka Nilayachyuta

Govinda PundarIkAksha RakshamAm SharaNagatam.

 

Aho Viryam Aho Shouryam Aho Bahu Parakramaha

Narasimham Param Daivam Ahobilam Ahobalam

 

Muralidhar Rangaswamy

 

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