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Most Hindus find it difficult to visualize Lord Vishnu without his Sudarshan Chakra. He is almost always depicted holding it in his hand, along with 3 other things – his conch, Panchajanya, the mace, Kaumodaki, and a lotus.

Of these, the Sudarshan Chakra is very well-known and has featured in many mythological tales as a swift and speedy dispenser of justice and divine retribution. This special weapon is a spinning disc that has 108 serrated edges. It is very powerful and can supposedly destroy anything in its path.

An intriguing fact about the Sudarshan Chakra is that it is the only divine weapon that is always in motion. It is able to perform millions of rotations every second and travels many million yojanas (1 Yojana = 12 km) instantly. It is never thrown at the enemy. Intent is enough to dispatch it towards the target.

The word ‘Sudarshan’ means “one who has auspicious vision.” It comprises two Sanskrit words, “Su” and “Darshan”, meaning auspicious (Su) vision (Darshan).

Vishnu holds the Chakra in the index finger of his right rear hand (he has four hands), like a ring.

During Vedic times, the Sudarshan Chakra was seen as a symbol of the wheel of time. But in the late medieval period, it was regarded as “Ayudha Purush,” a fierce form of Vishnu and a weapon to destroy enemies.

The Sudarshan Chakra is known as the “Chakrath Alwar”, meaning Ring or Circlet of God. There are many Chakrathalwar temples present in India.

The Composition of Sudarshan Chakra

The Sudarshan Chakra comprises twelve spokes and six navels. Its center is made of “Vajra.”

Supposedly, the words “Om Sahasrara hum phat,” are inscribed on each of its spokes.

The twelve spokes of the Chakra are said to represent the twelve months of the Hindu calendar and also the twelve deities (Som, Indra, Varun, Vayu, Agni, Vij, Mitra, Indragni, Prajapati, etc.). The six navels are said to represent the six seasons.

Sudarshan Chakra’s Features

Once released, the Sudarshan Chakra destroys the target and returns to the sender.

Even after it is released, the Sudarshan Chakra remains in complete control of the one who wielded it.

The weapon chooses the Shunyamarg (path of zero resistance) for motion and hence reaches its destination in a moment.

Its speed increases when it encounters an obstacle. It is called “Hansagati.”

It is noiseless.

It has great power and can destroy everything. 

The Origin of Sudarshan Chakra

Mythology offers many origin stories for how the Sudarshan Chakra was created. One says that it was created by combining the energies of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Another says Brihaspati, the Guru of the Gods or devas, gave it to Vishnu. 

Shiva’s gift to Vishnu

A popular mythological story goes thus:

The gods in heaven were facing problems from the demons and sought the help of Vishnu to get rid of the Asuras or demons.

Vishnu told them that he did not have the right weapon to defeat the demons. But Vishnu added that he would ask Shiva to give him a special weapon for the purpose. So, Vishnu approached Shiva. But he was in deep meditation. Vishnu began to pray to Shiva, but Shive’s meditation and trance-like state continued for many years. Vishnu also continued his worship, chanting Shiva’s name and offering lotus flowers to him.

After many years, Shiva emerged from his trance. Vishnu was overjoyed. He collected a thousand lotus blossoms to offer Shiva and request a special boon. Shiva was very pleased but wanted to test Vishnu’s devotion towards him. So, he stole one of the lotus flowers so that there remained only 999 lotus flowers. Vishnu began to worship Shiva and offered him the flowers. But on finding that one flower was missing, he plucked one of his eyes and offered it to Shiva.

Immensely pleased, Shiva granted him what he wanted – a powerful weapon to vanquish all the demons. This weapon, the story goes, was the Sudarshan Chakra. 

Vishwakarma and the Sun’s Rays

Another story claims that the celestial architect created the weapon from the Sun’s rays. Vishwakarma’s daughter, Sanjana, was married to Surya, the Sun God. Unable to bear his intense heat and light, she complained to her father. So Vishwakarma decided to reduce the Sun’s brilliance. From the left-over sun rays, he created 3 things – Shiva’s Trishul, the Pushpaka Vimana, and the Sudarshana Chakra.

Krishna and Agni Deva

Yet another tale says that Lord Krishna, the 8th incarnation of Vishnu, got it from Agni Deva, the Fire God, and Sage Parashurama taught him to master the weapon.

How the Sudarshan Chakra was Used

The Vedas and Puranas talk about the uses of the Sudarshan Chakra. It was a divine weapon that destroyed evil forces and restored law and order in the Universe. It was used by Vishnu and even Krishna many times.

· It was used to cut Mandrachal Parvat at the time of Samudra Manthan.

· It was used by Vishnu to cut the corpse of Shiva’s consort, Sati. Shiva was grieving and unwilling to hand over the corpse for cremation. So Vishnu used the Chakra to cut her body. The places on earth where the 51 body parts fell came to be called “Shakti Peethas.”

· Krishna used the Sudarshan Chakra to slay Shishupal after he committed a hundred sins.

· Krishna also used the weapon to create an illusion of sunset during the Kurukshetra war. This helped Arjuna to avenge his son, Abhimanyu’s death by killing Jayadratha.

It is said that when Krishna raised the Govardhan Mountain, he held the Chakra below it.

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