Sudarsana-Narasimha ArchA Moortham : Tatthvams behind it .

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Dear BhakthAs : Here is the article on Sudarsana Vaibhavam by

Sri M.Rangaswamy to read with the other artcile sent to you .

V.Sadagopan

 

Vol 01.008

29 November, 1997

In this Issue: 1. Note from the Publisher 2. Acharya Vamsa Vriksham -

Part 8 - Anbil Ramaswamy 3. nyAsa dasakam - V. Sadagopan 4.

Saranagathi - Part 7 - Sampath Rengarajan 5. Sudarsana Vaibhavam -

Murali Rangaswamy

5. Sudarsana Vaibhavam Namaschakraya vidhmahe Sahasra JwAlaya Dheemahe

ThannO Sudarshana PrachOdayAt. Sudarsana Chakram is the mighty weapon

of Lord Narayana. The term Sudarsana means that which is beautiful to

behold. The beauty of the Sudarsana 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 Peeta Pariharam (relief from all kinds of pain and

suffering) for the devout and Peeta Pradanam (relentless misery) for

the evil minded. The Sudarsana Chakram also has the characteristic of

Papa NAsanam (destroying one's sins). Papa NAsanam is the first step

towards realizing Lord Narayana. The magnificence of the Sudarsana

Chakram is very eloquently described by Swami Desikan in both the

ShodasAyudha Stotram and the Sudarsana Ashtakam. Related references

which offer tributes to the Chakram include the Mahabharata, Vishnu

Sahasranamam, Padma Samhita and Ahirbudhnya Samhita (both of which

are PaancharAtra Agama texts), Sudarsana 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 seen 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 Sudarsana Chakram. The

Vishnu Sahasranamam salutation "Ritu Sudarsana 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 which is evident from the opening salutation of the Sudarshana

Kavacham. Sahasraditya Sankasham, Sahasra Vadanam Param Sahasradam

SahasrAram Prapadyeham Sudarsanam. Therefore, the Chakram dispels all

ignorance and darkness. The mighty Jwala also connotes the JwAlA

Narasimhar aspect. The opening salutation of the Mantrarajapada

Stotram of the Ahirbudhnya Samhita, "Ugram Veeram Mahavishnum

Jwalantam Sarvatomukham I Nrusimham Bheeshanam Bhadram Mrutyumrutyam

NamAmyaham II", provdies eloquent testimony to this fact. 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. The presence of the Sudarsana Chakram in the nails of

Bhagavan Narasimha is indicated again by Ahirbudhnyan in the Mantra

Raaja Pada Stotram in the salutation "NakhAgrE Shakalee ChakrE".

Sudarsana and Lord Narasimha share deep rooted and intimate

connections. The joint worship of Sudarsana-Narasimha is prescribed

by both PaancharAtra and VaighAnasa Agamams. The Padma Samhita

reports the presence of Lord Narasimha with sixteen arms in the

Sudarsana Yantram. Swami Desikan glorifies the ShodasAyudha (sixteeen

arms of Sudarsana, each bearing a potent weapon) aspect of the

Sudarsana Chakram in the ShodasAyudha Stotram. These references point

to the common features of the back-to-back forms of Sudarsana and

Narasimha. The back-to-back forms of Sudarsana Narasimhar are seen in

a single Peetam at the Srirangam Temple (ChakrathAzhwAr Sannidhi).

Sudarsana-Narasimha SaaLagramam provides further testimony to the

worship of this form of Lord Narasimhar. The Chakram is also the

abode of the four Vyuha Murthis: Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradhyumna

and Aniruddha. This is reflected in Swami Desikan's Sudarsana

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

the Sudarsana 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 Sudarsana 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 Sudarsana Chakram itself is at the center of the

Yantram along with Lord Narasimha. Therefore, offering prayers to the

Sudarsana Chakram is equivalent to saluting Lord Narayana in Para,

Vyuha, Vibhava, Archa and AntharyAmi 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,

ThiruppAn 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 JnAna Bala, Aishwarya, Shakti, Tejas, and Vatsalya. This

aspect of the Sudarsana Yantram is inferred from Swami Desikan's

Sudarsana 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 Sudarsana 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 Sudarsana exceeds

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

in the opening salutation of the Sudarsana Kavacham, Ambarisha's

Prapatti Stotram, and the PanchAyudha stotram salutation: Sudarsanam

Bhaskara Koti Tulyam. "Jwala Chakram" refers to the spatial aspect of

the Sudarsana Chakram and the association with KaalAnala, while the

"Sahasrara Chakram" derives its name from the BijAksharAm for

Sudarsana which is contained in the Sudarsana Kavacham. Further

references attesting to the greatness and auspicious attributes of

the Sudarsana Chakram can be found in the Sudarsana Ashtakam of Swami

Desikan. Vedic tributes to the Sudarsana Chakram can be seen from the

salutation "Shatamaka Brahma Vandita Shatapata Brahma Nandita." Great

scholars seek the help of Sudarsana before engaging in debates

(Pratita Vidvatsa pakshita). In the Ahirbudhnya Samhita, Ahirbudhnya

(Siva) desires to see the glorious form of the Chakram (Bhajata

Ahirbudhnya Lakshita). Great scholars stumble in their attempts to

discern the vast extent of the Chakram's glory (Parijana ThraNa

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 NEthra 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 Sudarsana 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

Sisupala, 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 SukrAcharya) 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, Poundra

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 Tirupputkuzhi village

was suffering greatly from an epidemic fever. The residents of the

village requested Swami Desikan for help. Accordingly, Swami Desikan

composed the Sudarsana Ashtakam bringing instant relief from the

epidemic. Also, the Sudarsana Homam has the power of curing people

under the possession of the mighty Brahma Rakshasa. In conclusion,

performance of Sudarsana 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. Suddam (cleanliness) is

of utmost importance in the worship of Sudarsana Chakram. Therefore,

the Homam must be performed with great regard to the Deha (body),

Manas (mind) and Sthana (place) Suddam. Purity of thought, sound and

intonation while chanting the Homa mantrams gives sampurna phalam

(benefit to the utmost extent). Sankha Chakra GadApaNE Dwaraka

NilayAchyuta Govinda PundarIkAksha RakshamAm SaraNAgatham.

SahasrakshAya VithmahE Shata YajnAya Dheemahe Tanno Sudarsana

Prachodayat Aho Viryam Aho Shouryam Aho Bahu Parakramaha Narasimham

Param Daivam Ahobilam AhobalamMuralidhar Rangaswamy

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