What is the power of Sudarshana Chakra?

Sudarshana Chakra is a divine discus that has immense powers, and is associated with Lord Vishnu. There are many stories about its origin. One legend claims that it was created by the divine architect, Viswakarma, using left-over sun dust when he reduced the Sun’s brightness so that his daughter Sanjana, the Sun’s wife, would not get burnt. Another story says that it was a gift from Lord Shiva to Lord Vishnu. Vishnu did severe penance seeking a weapon to conquer the demons or Asuras who were harassing the Devas. He used to offer worship with a 1000 lotus flowers. One day, when he found a flower missing, he plucked out one of his eyes and offered it instead. Pleased by his devotion, Shiva gave him the Sudarshana chakra. Some scriptures claim that it was created from the combined energy of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva and that Brahaspati, the preceptor of the Gods, gave the weapon to Lord Vishnu.  

Sudarshana Chakra is used to preserve law and order in the Universe by eliminating evil forces like asuras, rakshasas, and vikrutatma. In the Mahabharata, Krishna beheads the evil Shishupala with it. During Samuda Manthan, the churning of the Milky Ocean, it was used to cut the celestial mountain, Mandrachal Parvat. The discus was used by Vishnu to cut the body of Uma, the consort of Lord Shiva, into 51 pieces after she immolated herself by jumping into her father Daksha’s Yagna fire. Her body parts fell in various parts of India and are revered as "Shakti Peeths". 

The word ‘Sudarshan’ comes from two words, ‘su’ meaning ‘auspicious’ and ‘darshan’ meaning ‘vision’. It is always in motion, unlike other divine weapons. It is usually found on Krishna’s little finger and Vishnu’s index finger. Once the weapon kills the enemy, it returns to the sender. So, even after it is launched, it is under the sender’s control. It can reach any place within a moment. 

Once, there was a great king called Ambareesh, who was a staunch devotee of Vishnu. Pleased with his devotion, Vishnu gave him the Sudarshana chakra. Once, the king and his wife observed the Dwadashi vrat or fast together. After fasting for 3 days and nights, they performed a Mahabisheka. Having fed all those who had come for the ceremony, Ambareesh was about to break his fast when Sage Durvasa arrived there. The king invited him to eat with him, and Durvasa agreed. He went to the river to bathe before eating. But Durvasa took a long time to return. Ambareesh felt worried as he had to break his fast at a certain time before Dwadasi ended, or his vow would be ruined. Finally, he resolved the dilemma by drinking water and breaking the fast, though he did not eat any food. 

But Durvasa sensed what happened, and being very short-tempered, he cursed the king for not waiting for him. He created a kritya, a fearsome spirit of fire from a strand of his hair, and sent it to kill the king. But before it could harm even a hair on the king’s head, the Sudarshana chakra appeared from nowhere and destroyed it. Then it turned its fury on sage Durvasa himself. The sage panicked and ran hither and thither to escape the discus and finally sought Brahma’s help. But Brahma replied that he was helpless as Durvasa had threatened Vishnu’s devotee. The sage then approached Shiva, but he too pleaded helplessness and advised him to seek Vishnu’s help. 

When Durvasa went to Vishnu, he too said he could not help him and asked him to approach the very man he had wronged – King Ambareesh. So the sage went to Ambareesh and fell at his feet, begging him to save him from the powerful discus. The king then said a prayer to the Sudarshana Chakra, which became calm, and the sage’s life was spared.

This story speaks of the power of the divine discus, and for this reason, it has even come to be worshipped as a deity in itself, Lord Sudarshana or Chakrathazhwar. 

Sudarshana Jayanthi is held to honor the appearance of Vishnu’s Sudarshana Chakra. Worshipping this divine weapon is believed to equal the worship of all the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. Vaishnavas observe this day as Shukla Paksha Ashada Dasami. Devotees perform Sudarshana Homa on this day. It is believed to bestow positive energy and safeguard one from danger. It can also protect us from our enemies and remove our worries and sorrows. It’s believed to heal many kinds of diseases. It also removes problems caused by the evil eye. Sudarshana Jayanthi 202l falls on July 19.