Sudarshana Chakra
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Sudarshana Chakra (Sanskrit: सुदर्शन चक्रम्) is a spinning disc like weapon with very sharp edge, which serves as an attribute of the Hindu God Vishnu. Lord Vishnu, also called Narayana, is portrayed with four hands, holding a Shankha (a conch shell), the Sudarshana, a Gada (mace) and a Padma (lotus).
Lord Vishnu is depicted holding the chakra from a central hole, with his forefinger. Seemingly, the disc simply spins around his finger. According to the Puranas, he could simply release it and it would do the required deed and return back to his finger. It is revered as a divine weapon,. In another version, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Devi jointly have the capability of operating the chakra. [1]
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[edit] Within scripture
The Sudarshana Chakra is mentioned numerous times in Hindu texts, where Lord Vishnu decapitated various rakshasas, asuras and other wicked personalities — one of them being in Mahabharata, where Sri Krishna decapitates Shishupala for his misbehaviour.
The Sudarshana Chakra has lots of abstract imagery as well. It is believed that Lord Vishnu is like the Sun, and the planets of the solar system revolve around him, in a disc-like form ..... creating the impression of the Sudarshan Chakra. Lord Vishnu is very commonly worshipped by people having faith in Astrology.
It is also considered to be a symbol of enlightenment, and hence, in various drawings it is depicted with a brilliant glow.
Lord Vishnu is believed to be the "Protector/Provider" of the universe. He is depicted lying across the entire expanse of the Universe (Vishwadharam) form. The Sudarshan Chakra in his hand depicts the control over the various stars and galaxies, as if they all orbit around him.
[edit] Origin of Sudarshana Chakra
According to one version, the Sudarshana chakra was made by the architect of gods, Vishvakarman.
Viswakarma's daughter Sanjana was married to Surya, the Sun God. Due to the Sun's blazing power she was unable to go near the Sun and she complained to her father about this. Viswakarma took the Sun and put him on his workshop and made him shine less and thus his daughter was able to hug the Sun. The left over Sun-"dust" was collected by Viswakarma and he made 3 things out of it. The 1st one was the famous aerial vehicle Pushpaka Vimana, the 2nd was the Trishula(Trident) of Lord Shiva, and the 3rd was the Sudarshana Chakra of Lord Vishnu.
In another version, the chakra was given by Lord Shiva Himself to Vishnu when Vishnu prayed to Shiva for all powerful weapon that would destroy all forces of evil. [2]
The chakra comprises 10 million spikes in two rows.One row of spikes moving in the opposite direction to give it a serrated edge.
It was also used to cut the Goddess Shakti-Uma-Sati , consort of Lord Shiva into 52 pieces after she gave up her life in humiliation. It is said That Shiva , in greif , carried around her lifeless body and was inconsolable.the 52 parts of the Goddessess' Body were then tossed about in different parts of Bharatvarsha and came to known as Shakti Peeths.
[edit] Associations with other people
The Sudarshana Chakra also protected the great king Ambarisha who was about to be cursed by the Rishi Durvasa as Ambarisha was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu.
According to legend , it protects any devotee of God who calls out for Him.
[edit] Other Names
In the Tamil Language, the Sudarshana Chakra is also known as 'chakkrath azhwar'(translated as Ring/Circlet of God).
[edit] Further reading
- How did Lord Krishna acquire Sudarshan Chakra and compostion of Sudarshan Chakra
- Vishnu’s Flaming Wheel: The Iconography of the Sudarsana-Cakra (New York, 1973) by W. E. Begley
- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1046928.cms
[edit] References
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