Sudarshan Chakra
Sudarshan Chakra is the most powerful weapon of Lord Vishnu in the form of a rotating disc with sparkling spikes to protect the righteous and destroy the evil-minded people. The literal meaning of the weapon is that it is a “wheel with an auspicious vision which is always in motion.”
Lord Vishnu as Protector of the Universe used the wheel to protect His devotees and punish those who harm His followers. During the incarnation of Lord Krishna in Dwaparayuga, He adorned the same weapon to protect the Pandavas.
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Stories
Here are a few stories where Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna used this magnificent weapon.
The story of Ambarisha
King Ambarisha was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu who religiously followed the rituals of ‘dharma.’ He was performing the auspicious “Ekadasi Vrata” on each Ekadasi day. As per the ritual, the devotee should be fasting on Ekadasi and should consume the food before the next star (day) Dwadashi.
On one occasion, when Ambarisha was about to consume his food on Dwadashi day, Rishi Durvasa came to his court and said that he would receive food from him. He left to take his bath. He did not return in time and Ambarisha observed that the period of Dwadashi would not last long.
On the advice of his ministers and ‘gurus’, he drank a few drops of water to complete the ‘Ekadasi Vrata’. He found Durvasa entering his place and saw him taking food in the form of water without feeding the guests whom he invited. Angered by this action, Durvasa in a fit of anger created a demon and ordered him to kill the king.
Lord Vishnu became furious. He ordered His Sudarshan Chakra to kill the demon to protect the king. The Wheel of Lord Vishnu after killing the demon, chased Durvasa. The rishi went to Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva requesting them for protection from the Sudarshan Chakra.
When none were giving refuge to him, he approached Ambarisha to pray to the Sudarshan Chakra to save the life of the sage. Ambarisha prayed to the Lord to withdraw Sudarshan Chakra.
He prayed:
“O Sudarsan Chakra, You are fire. You are the most powerful Sun and the Moon, the Master of all Luminaries. You are the water, the earth and the sky. You are the air. You are the five senses sound, touch, sight, taste and smell.
Please forgive the ‘rishi.’ The sage Durvasa was saved.
The Story of Shisupala
Lord Vishnu in His incarnation as Lord Krishna used the Sudarshan Chakra as His magnificent weapon. Owing to a vow given to His aunt, Lord Krishna has to spare Shisupala for the one hundred mistakes he committed.
During Lord Krishna’s visit to Duryodhana’s court to bring peace between the brothers, Shisupala started blaming Lord Krishna once again and crossed his limit of a hundred mistakes. Then Lord Krishna used Sudarshan Chakra to kill Shisupala.
The story of Sati
Aggrieved by the decision of his father, Daksha, not to invite Lord Shiva to the ‘yagna’ performed by him, Sati immolated herself. Lord Shiva out of love and affection towards his wife carried the charred body of Sati all around the world and was not allowing anyone to separate the body from him.
Lord Vishnu to remove the illusion of Lord Shiva ordered the Sudarshan Chakra to cut the body of Sati into pieces. The charred body was made into 51 pieces which fell at various places in the world. Those holy places are called ‘Sakti Peetams’ and are being worshipped in reverence to Sati and Lord Shiva.
The story of Rahu and Ketu
Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini and distributed the ‘amrita’ churned out of the Milky Ocean between the ‘devatas’ and the demons. She distributed the entire ‘amrita’ to the ‘devatas.’
Two demons, Rahu and Ketu noticed this and mixed in the line of the Devatas. They were also served the ‘amrita’ by Mohini. Before they gulp it, Lord Vishnu noticed the mischief of the demons and cut their throats with the Sudarshan Chakra. Thus, He protected the ‘devatas’ from the devastating effect of the demons.
The Story of Jayadrath
During the war at Kurukshetra, Abhimanyu was killed by Jayadrath when he entered the Padmavyuha laid down by the Kauravas as a strategy to kill all the Pandavas who entered the riddle. Angered by the death of his son, Arjuna vows to kill Jayadrath before sunset.
All the Kauravas hid him in a place where Arjuna could not find him. Lord Krishna mastered a plan and hides the Sun with His Sudarsan Chakra. Jayadrath comes from the hiding place presuming that it is already sunset and he could not be killed by Arjuna. Lord Krishna removes His Wheel. Immediately, Arjuna kills Jayadrath.
Final Word
Sudarshan Chakra always adorns the right hand of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu protects His devotees and safeguards them with His blissful vision and with His marvellous weapons.
