The Radiant ‘Right-hand’ Of Sriman Narayana
Dear Fellow-Bhagavathas,
In this month of Aani, we have two successive important days — that of Sri Sudharsana Jayanthi and Periyazhwar Saatrumurai which occur on July 9 and 10 respectively. So, I thought a brief overview of the greatness of the Divine Discus in this Note will be in order.
The Chakra or the Discus, reverentially referred as Sudharsana Azhwan, is the principal weapon amongst the five in the armoury of Sriman Narayana. The other four are the conch, sword, mace and bow. Adorning the right hand of the Lord, the Chakra is an embodiment of wisdom and power.
These virtues have been well exemplified and documented by Swami Desika as he sought the divine grace of Sudharsana when he chose to compose his Tamil Prabandham 'Paramatha Bhangam' which is an outright condemnation of other religions (philosophies). In that, the first and final verses are dedicated to the Discus Lord. The author concludes the Prabandham saying that Sudharsana is none but manifestation of the radiance of Lord Ranganatha.
| திகழ் அரவணையரங்கர் தேசென்ன மன்னிய |
| திரிசுதரிசனர் செய்ய ஈரெண் புயங்களே! |
Thus Sudharsana is not just a weapon in the Lord’s hand but a divine Avathara in his own right. Legends have his Avathara day as Aani-Chiththirai. He is a ‘Nithyasuri’ forever basking in the grace and service of the Lord. Always in the alert-mode at the disposal of Lord Vishnu, Sudharsana is ever ready to fulfil the commands of his master, underlining the importance of impromptu service to the Lord.
There are countless references in the Vedas, Ithihasas, Puranas, Divya Prabandham, Purvacharya’s works and Swami Desika’s Sri Sookthis about this ‘go-to person’ of Lord Vishnu. In fact, Sri Desika has dedicated two exclusive hymns for the Divine Discus, namely, Sudharsana Ashtakam (9 Slokas) and Shodasayudha Sthothram (19 Slokas).
In his unique style, Swami Desika captures the radiance, smoothness, speed and conquests of the Chakra in Sudharsana Ashtakam which brings out numerous virtues of the Chakra. Some of these are:
- Striking terror in the enemy ranks
- Being the subject of worship in the Veda called Sathapatha Brahmana
- Being an expert in saving his devotees
- Possessing the six natural and principal qualities (like the Lord) in plenty
- Being like the sun to the darkness of worldly miseries of his devotees
- Seated in great Yanthraa-design installed by devotees as prescribed in scriptures
- Being the quintessence of all entities of the world
- Destroying fear and disease from all quarters
In Shodasayuha Sthothram, Swami Desika sings the glory of the sixteen weapons that adorn as many hands of Sudharsana. These weapons, the author says in the 18th sloka, Sudharsana uses to safeguard the whole world.
The sixteen weapons which the Azhwan carries — eight each on the right and the left — are as follows. On his right are: 1. Chakra, the Discus; 2. Parasu, the Axe; 3. Kuntha, the Spear; 4. Dhanda, the Baton; 5. Ankusa, the Goad; 6. Agni, the fire; 7. Nandhaka, the Sword; 8. Shakthi, the Dart. On his left are: 9. Sankha, the Conch; 10. Saarnga, the Bow; 11. Paasa, the Noose; 12. Seera, the Plough; 13. Vajra, the Thunderbolt; 14. Gadha, the Mace; 15. Musala, the Pestle and 16. Soola, the Trident.
The grace of Sudharsana is known to guarantee all that is auspicious, especially, good health and success. Obvious it is from our day-to-day experience that not only does he grant success but does it in quick time, quite in tune with his characteristics.
May all be the recipients of the grace of the Divine Discus!
Article from svdd.com as e-book
I am delighted to share with you the fact that the article Master of Analogy – 100 Gems from Srimath Rahasyathraya Saaram authored by Smt. S. Padmalatha and originally featured as a series in www.svdd.com, has been presented in the form of an e-book in srihayagrivan.org (Sl. No. 98).
Oppiliappan Koil Sri Varadachari Sadagopan, a doyen who has been rendering outstanding service to the cause of Sri Vaishnavam, is the publisher and editor of this series of e-books, besides sundarasimham.org and ahobilavalli.org series.
I, on behalf of svdd.com and the author Smt. Padmalatha, record my sincere thanks to Sri Sadagopan and his team for this wonderful e-book.
Meet you in the next Note.
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