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RANGASWAMY • October 28, 1996 


Namaschakraya Vithmahe Sahasra JwAlaya DhEmahe
Thanno Sudarshana PrachodayAt.

Dear Members of the Prapatti Group,

In response to Sri Mukund's request, I am writing again on the significance 
of the Sudarshana Homam. Some reasons for performing the Homam are as follows.

Sudarshana Chakram is the mighty weapon of Lord Narayana. The Chakram 
has many auspicious attributes. The foremost amongst these attributes is
"Pida Pradanam", or relief from all kinds of pain and suffering. The 
Sudarshana Chakram also has the attribute of "Papa Nashanam" destroying 
one's sins. Papa Nashanam is the first step towards realizing Lord Narayana.

The magnificence of the Sudarshana Chakram is very eloquently described 
by Swami Desikan in both the Shodasayudha Stotram and the Sudarshana 
Ashtakam. A related post by Sri. Sadagopan on the subject of
Sudarshana Narasimha is most informative and forms a very useful reference. 

First, the Chakram transcends space and time as can be gleaned from Swami 
Desikan's Shodasayudha stotram (Kala Chakram Jagat Chakram Cha) and is 
therefore an Amsham of "Para Vasudeva". The Chakram which originated from 
the third eye of Shiva at the command of Lord Vishnu is the mighty jwala 
which forms the center of the Kalanala (fire of time). The Jwala has the 
radiance of a thousand suns as can be seen from Ambarisha's shlokam in 
praise of the Chakram:
"Sahasraditya Sankasham, Sahasra Vadanam Param Sahasradoh Sahasraram 
Prapadyeham Sudarshanam"
Therefore, the Chakram dispels all ignorance and darkness. 

The mighty Jwala also connotes the Jwala Narasimhar aspect. It is 
believed that Lord Narasimha in the form of Jwala Narasimha destroyed 
Hiranyakashipu and thereby released Prahlada from all his sufferings. 
Therefore, Lord Narasimha is considered to be resident in the Chakram. 
Sudarshana and Lord Narasimha share deep connections. The joint worship of 
Sudarshana-Narasimha is prescribed by both Pancharatra and Vaighanasa Agamams. 
The presence of Lord Narasimha in the Sudarshana Yantram is stated in the 
Padma Samhita. 

Also, the Chakram is the abode of vyuha murthis like Sankarshana, Pradyumna and 
Aniruddha. This is reflected in Swami Desikan's Sudarshana Ashtakam 
(Nija Para Vyuha Vaibhava). Recently, Sri Ramaswamy provided me with more 
insight about the 6 corners of the Chakram which is summarized below.

The geometric form of the Sudarshana Yantram 
consisting of six corners formed by two intersecting triangles houses 
the Vyuha Murthis. Starting from the right hand-side of the Chakram, the 
first corner, the six vertices correspond to "A Chakram", "Vi Chakram", 
"Su Chakram", "Surya Chakram", "Jwala Chakram" and "Sahasrara Charkam", 
respectively. The Sudarshana Chakram itself is considered to be at the 
middle of the Yantram along with Lord Narasimha. 

Thus, offering prayers to 
the Sudarshana Chakram is equivalent to offering prayers to Lord Narayana 
in Para, Vyuha, Vibhava, Archa and Antaryamitva forms. The glorification 
of the Lord in the Chakram form can also be found in the Shodasayudha 
stotram (Chakra Rupasya Chakrinaha). 

Further references attesting to the greatness and auspicious attributes of the 
Sudarshana Chakram can be found in the Sudarshana Ashtakam of Swami Desikan
(Shatamaka Brahma Vandita Shatapata Brahma Nandita). Also great scholars 
seek the help of Sudarshana before engaging in debates (Pratita Vidwatsa
pakshita). In the Ahirbudhnya Samhita, Ahirbudhnya (Shiva) desires to see
the glorious form of the Chakram (Bhajata Ahirbudhnya Lakshita). Great 
scholars stumble in their attempts to discern the vast glory of the 
Chakram (Parijana Trana Pandita). The Chakram is the protector of the 
Devas, the destroyer of the Asuras and is the bestower of true knowledge
, while tearing to shreds all pretence of false knowledge. This is seen 
from the passage: Dhanujavistara 
Kartana Janitamisravikartana Dhanuja Vidya Nikartana Bhajata Vidya Nivartana. 
Amara Drushtasva Vikrama Samarajushta Bramikrama. This is 
interpreted as the Chakram being the destroyer of Tamo Guna and enhancing or
protecting Satva Gunas. The Chakram is also the eye of the universe, the 
three Vedas and the three sacrifical fires as can be seen from 
"Bhuvana Netas Trayeemaya............"

The Chakram confers Moksham to anyone who surrenders to it as well as
anyone killed by it. Examples of people attaining Moksham by being killed
by the Chakram are: Shishupala, Narakasura and the crocodile in Gajendra 
Moksham while Ambarisha is an example of a person who was protected by 
the Chakram and ultimately graced by the Lord. 

The Chakram also has the power of healing and curing illness. It is 
believed that a village was suffering greatly from an epidemic fever. The 
residents of the village requested Swami Desikan for help. At this 
time, Swami Desikan composed the Sudarshana Ashtakam bringing instant 
relief to the residents of the village. Also, the Sudarshana Homam has 
the power of curing people under the possession of the mighty Brahma 
Rakshasa. 

In conclusion, performance of the Sudarshana Homam confers health, wealth and
prosperity on the seeker (in this case the person who performs the Homam). 
If the seeker desires material benefit, the Chakram grants him all the 
riches he wants. If the seeker desires spiritual benefit, he begets this 
upon performance of the Homam. Shuddam is of utmost importance in the 
worship of Sudarshana Chakram. Therefore, the Homam must be performed 
with great regard to the Deha, Manas and Sthana Shuddam. Purity of 
thought, sound and intonation while chanting the Homa mantrams gives 
sampurna phalam. In a video, I saw the performance of a Sudarshana Homam. 
At the conclusion of the Homam, a beautiful Chakram formation of the 
Jwala (fire in the Homa Kundam) could be seen.

Surrendering to Lord Sudarshana I end with 

Om KlEm KrishNAya GovindAya Gopijana Vallabhaya
ParAya Parama PurushAya ParamAtmane
Para Karma Mantra Yantra Tantra Oushada Astra Shastrani Samhara Samhara
MrutyOr Mochaya Mochaya

Om Namo Bhagavate Maha SudarshanAya DEpthrae JwAla ParivrutAya
Sarva Dikshobana KarAya Hum Phat Brahmane Paranjyotishe SwahAa

Muralidhar Rangaswamy