The Sudarshan Chakra is a divine weapon in Hindu mythology. It is associated with Lord Vishnu and Krishna, one of Vishnu’s major incarnations.
The Sudarshan Chakra, a celestial discus, represents cosmic order and divine protection. It stands for Dharma/righteousness and the eternal battle between good and evil. Devotees also worship the Sudarshan Chakra for spiritual protection.
Sudarshan is made of 2 words: “Su” and “Darshan.”. ‘Su’ means ‘auspicious,’ while ‘Darshan’ means ‘vision.’ In many images, Vishnu holds the Sudarshan Chakra on his right index finger. It protects the righteous and destroys evil. The Chakra helps Vishnu restore Dharma in the Universe. It protects people from negativity and bestows spiritual well-being. It comprises two spinning discs, each having a million sharp spikes on its edges, rotating in opposite directions. The Chakra also signifies Time.
“Chakra” means something that is constantly in motion. It comes from the words “chruhu,” meaning movement, and “kruhu,” meaning ‘to do’.
Sudarshan Chakra is very unique among weapons, as it is constantly in dynamic motion. There are many interesting legends about its creation.
Lord Krishna and the Sudarshan Chakra
Popular belief has it that the Sudarshan Chakra was an inherent divine weapon of Krishna. Even as a young lad, Krishna revealed his divine nature and power. Sudarshan Chakra was only one of the objects that signified his divine authority. Krishna used it often to protect his devotees and slay demons. It demonstrated Krishna’s role as one who protected and upheld righteousness.
Legends behind Sudarshan Chakra
Hindu mythology is replete with stories of the Sudarshan Chakra. Here are some of the most well-known ones.
Creation of Sudarshan Chakra
Lord Surya (Sun) was married to Sanjana, the daughter of the divine architect Vishwakarma. Unable to bear his radiance and heat, she asked Vishwakarma to help her.
He reduced the Sun’s by 1/8th. The excess solar matter or Sun dust that he removed was used by Vishwakarma to forge 3 remarkable objects – the Pushpak Viman (flying chariot), Lord Shiva’s trident (symbol of his cosmic power) and the Sudarshan Chakra (the potent disc). Lord Vishnu obtained the Chakra and used it for upholding Dharma.
Shiva’s Gift
The Linga Purana says that it was Shiva who gave the Sudarshan Chakra to Vishnu. Vishnu fought the demons for eternity, but he could not defeat them. He approached Shiva for help. However, Shiva was in deep meditation. So Vishnu did penance and meditated on Shiva. Every day, he offered 1000 lotus flowers to him as part of his worship.
However, one day, he was short of one flower. So, Vishnu pulled out one of his eyes and offered it instead of the missing lotus. One of Vishnu’s names is Kamalnayani, meaning One with Lotus-like Eyes. Pleased by this, Shiva is said to have gifted the Sudarshan Chakra to help Vishnu fight the demons.
Sudarshan Chakra in Mythology
The Sudarshan Chakra has a special place in the Vedas and Puranas.
Both Vishnu and his 8th avatar, Krishna, used it on many occasions.
During Samudra Manthan, the Sudarshan Chakra was used to slice Mandrachal Parvat.
On another occasion, Vishnu used it to cut Goddess Sati’s body into pieces after she self-immolated in Daksha’s Yagna to ease Shiva’s sorrow. The places where parts of Sati’s body fell became “Shakti Peethas.”
Krishna used the Chakra to kill his cousin Shishupala, who insulted him many times and committed countless sins.
During the Kurukshetra war, Arjuna boasted that even Hanuman couldn’t break his bridge of arrows. But unbeknownst to him, it was Krishna who supported it with the help of the Sudarshan Chakra.
Sage Durvasa was known for his temper and tendency to pronounce curses at the drop of a hat. Once, he cursed Vshnu’s devotee, King Ambarish, without just cause. Krishna directed the Sudarshan Chakra at Durvasa to save Ambarish from his curse. Only after Durvasa sought forgiveness from Ambarish did Vishnu withdraw the Chakra.
In a sacred text of the Nath sect, it is said that Gorakhnath stopping the Sudarshan Chakra’s motion.
After Samudra Manthan, Vishnu used it to kill the demon Svarbhanu, who disguised himself as a god to consume Amrit, the elixir of immortality. Vishnu used the Sudarshan Chakra to behead him.
Krishna once used the Sudarshan Chakra to hide the Sun. This created a false sunset, which enabled the Pandavas to kill Jayadratha.
Sudarshan Chakra’s Powers
It is the most powerful among all divine weapons and heeds only the commands of the one who wields it.
It travels great distances and returns only when it accomplishes its task.
Surrendering to it completely is the only way to stop the Chakra, for it brings Vishnu’s intervention and mercy.
It has 2 rows of 10 million spikes moving in opposite directions. It is so sharp that it can cut through any material.
The Chakra is in perpetual motion. Hence, it is also symbolizes the wheel of time or Kala Chakra.
