|| Sudarshan Chakra: The Greatest Weapon, Origin, power and significance explained || The Sudarshan chakra is considered as one of the most potent and primary weapons of the god Vishnu and Krishna. The term Sudarshan chakra is formed by combining two words - su (सु) and darshan (दर्शन) - which together connote auspicious vision. The word chakra, on the other hand, is derived from the Sanskrit words chruhu (चृ:) and kruhu (कृ:), which signify motion and action respectively. Thus, chakra signifies a weapon that is always in motion and action. According to legends, the Sudarshan chakra boasts of 108 sharp edges, 10 million spikes arranged in two rows moving in opposite directions, and a center made of vajra. It is believed that even after it is launched, the weapon remains under the control of the person who wields it. Sudarshan chakra was called as Vishnu’s chakra in ancient texts including the Rig Veda and even in the valmiki Ramayana and it is called Vishnu’s Chakra. According to Rig veda 1.155.6 which refers to god Vishnu- “He, like a rounded wheel, having in swift motion set his ninety racing steeds together with the four. Developed, vast in form, with those who sing forth praise, a youth, no more a child, he cometh to our call." In Ramayana, Sundar a Kanda 10th Sarga - ऐरावत विषाण अग्रैर् आपीडित क्र्त व्रणौ | वज्र उल्लिखित पीन अंसौ विष्णु चक्र परिक्षितौ || Meaning- It is said that it has 108 serrated edges, 10 million spikes in 2 rows moving in opposite directions and its centre is composed of vajra. Even after releasing it, it remains within the control of the one who has wielded it. Vedic Muni Parashara in Brihitparasharahora shastram defines Sudarshana Chakra as: विश्वचक्रं कालचक्रं दिव्यचक्रं सुदर्शनम्। विष्णोः करांबुजावासमीडे तज्ज्ञानमद्भुतम्॥ Meaning- “All that occurs on earth (Vishwa), time of fructification of all the expected and unexpected events and the enlightenment are the three main functions of Sudarshana – Chakra and the knowledge of it is amazing. That Sudarshana – Chakra is adorable which exists in the hand of Vishnu." Sudarshan Chakra is known as a weapon or Ayudha, which is always held in the right hand of Vishnu, earning him the titles ‘Chakri’ and ‘Chakradhari’. According to Hindu scriptures, Sudarshan Chakra is also revered as a deity. In Srimandir, the four deities placed on the Ratna Singhasan - Sri Jagannath, Sri Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Sri Sudarshana - are collectively known as Chaturddha Murti. Vishnu Purana Part-3 Chapter-2. describes the following story about the origin of Sudarshan Chakra- “Suryadev (The Sun God} married Samjna, daughter of Visvakarma. But, due to the insufferable heat of her husband the marital life of Samjna became miserable, and so she requested her father to lesser the heat of Surya. And accordingly Visvakarma ground Surya on a grinding machine and thus diminished only 1/8 of that effulgence, which glowing red-hot dropped on the earth, and with that Visvakarma made the Sudarshana Chakra, the Trishula, the Puspakavimana and the weapon called Sakti. Out of those four things the Trishula came to be possessed by Shiva, the Puspakavimana by Kubera and Shakti by Brahma. The Sudarshan Chakra which was glowing like anything was deposited in the sea”. It should be noted that as per the Brahma Purana, in order to eliminate the cruel and malevolent demons, all the gods prayed to Vishnu. In response, Vishnu asked all the gods to combine their energies, and Bhagawan Shiva molded this combined energy into a wheel, which he then handed over to Vishnu. Furthermore, Chapter 78 of the Markandeya Purana furnishes additional details about the composition and fabrication of Sudarshan Chakra, which was supposedly created from the extra piece of the sun. In the Mahabharata Adiparva, Chapter 297, there is a story about how Krishna came into possession of the Sudarshan Chakra. According to the story, while Krishna and Arjuna were on a picnic on the shores of the Yamuna, Agnideva approached them and requested the Khandava forest for food. However, Taksaka, a friend of Indra, lived in the forest and was causing heavy rains to fall there. Krishna and Arjuna realized that Agni could only consume the forest after subduing Indra. Agni then promised to supply the weapon to fight Indra, and meditated on Varuna, who presented him with a chariot, a flag with a monkey symbol, an arrow quiver that would never become empty, the bow called Gandiva, and the Sudarshan Chakra. Agnidev then gave the Sudarshan Chakra to Sri Krishna. The power of the Sudarshan Chakra is also described in the Srimad Bhagavatam, where it is said to have been set into motion by the Supreme Personality of Godhead and to wander in all four directions. The chakra is described as having sharp edges as destructive as the fire of devastation at the end of the Yuga. It is likened to a blazing fire that burns dry grass to ashes with the assistance of the breeze. The prayer is that the Sudarshan chakra may burn the enemies of the devotees to ashes. It is worth mentioning that the demon Hayagrivasura, who had stolen the Vedas, also took possession of Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra. However, Vishnu was able to retrieve it by defeating him in his Matsya avatar. Additionally, the Brihitparasharahora shastram, written by the Vedic sage Parashara, states that the Sudarshan Chakra is not only a powerful weapon, but it also contains complete astrological information, enabling one to make predictions about the past, present, and future.