Sudarshnashtakam 1/8 and 2/8

SUDHARSHANASHTAKAM

Srimaan Venkata Nadhaarya Kavithaarkika kesari

Vedantaachaaryavaryome sannidhatththaam sadaahridi

Sudarshanam is the most power weapon of the Lord supreme Vishnu. Since Vishnu himself resides in the sudarshana chakram it is also known as Chakrathazhwar. Vishnu is always seen with his sudarshanam ( discus/chakram) in his right back hand and Sankam the conch in his left backhand. The chakram is used for the ultimate protection of his devotees from the harmful deeds of the asuras – bad people. Susarshanam has the brightness of a billion suns as mentioned in the Panchayudha stothram –   “Sudarshanam Bhaskara Koti thulyam”. In temples where the Sudarshana chakram is depicted in use as in Sri Ranganatha temple Srirangam it is known as Prayoga chakram – ready to use for the protection of his bhakthas.

Prayoga Chakram at Sri Ranganatha temple Srirangam.

Su – Good, auspicious

Darshanam – vision

Ashtakam – eight verses

Our Vedanta Desika has written this octet (8 verses, ashtakam on sudarshana). There are 2 thoughts about how and when this sloka was composed by swami. One thought is that Swami composed Sudarshanashtakam at Thiruputkuzhi when the people of the temple were afflicted by an epidemic fever. Others believe this very powerful sloka was composed at Thiruvahindrapuram by Swami to establish the supremacy of Sriman Narayana and visishtadwaihta when there was debate between Swami and a leader a follower of another hindu sampradaaya.

Sudarshanashtakam the very powerful sloka is recited traditionally when someone is sick at home or to ward off enemies.

1.      

              1. Pratibhatasreni Bhishana,Varagunasthoma Bhushana

Janibhayasthana Taarana , Jagadavasthaana Karana ,

Nikhiladushkarma Karsaana, Nigamasaddharma Darsana

Jaya Jaya Sri sudarshana, Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarshana . 

  Chakrathalwar      
             Srirangam                                             Thirumoghur   
                     

        1.       Pratibhata – enemy, rival

        2.       Sreni – swarm, flock, multitude

        3.       Bhishana – frightful, dreadful, that which can create fear

        4.       Vara – excellent, best

        5.       Guna – qualities

        6.       Sthoma – collection, multitude

        7.       Bhushana – adorning, embellishment

        8.       Jani – birth

        9.       Bhaya – fear

      10.   Sthana – place

      11.   Taarana – one who helps to overcome difficulties, redeemer

      12.   Jagad – world, lokam

      13.   Avasthaana – stability

      14.   Karana – the reason

      15.   Nikhila – entire, complete

      16.   Dushkarma – bad deeds

      17.   Karsaana – removing

      18.   Nigama – The vedas

      19.   Saddharma – true justice, good law

      20.   Darsana – One who shows or makes visible

      21.   Jaya – victory

      22.   Sri Sudarshana – Chakrathazhwar

Oh Sudarshana the enemies of your bhakthas run in fear at your sight. You are adorned with multitudes of excellent good qualities. You redeem your worshipers from of the fear of samsara and the cycle of birth and death. You are the one who stabilizes the world. You remove the bad thoughts and deeds from the people who worship you. You make your worshippers understand the good deeds and righteous conduct prescribed in the vedas. Victory be to Sudarshana. Victory be to Sudarshana

         2.  Subhajagadrupa Mandana, Suraganathrasa Khandana

       Satamakabrahma vandita ,Satapatabrahma Nandita ,

       Pratitavidvat Sapakshita ,Bhajata Ahirbudhnya Lakshita

       Jaya jaya Sri Sudarshana ,Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarshana 

     

Chakrapani Temple - Kumbakonam

1.       Subha – auspicious

2.       Jagam – world

3.       Rupa – appears as the almighty God

4.       Mandana – embellishment, being an ornament to

5.       Sura – devas

6.       Gana – crowd

7.       Thrasa – fear, anxiety

8.       Khandana – reducing to pieces, breaking, removing

9.       Satamaka – Indra who has performed 100 yagnas

10.   Vandita – worship

11.   Satapatabrahmana – Part of the Shukla yajur veda that describes about rituals and mythology

12.   Nandita – praise

13.   Pratita – wise, recognized

14.   Vidvat – educated

15.   Sapaksha  – on their side

16.   Bhaja – sing

17.   Ahirbudhnya - Siva

Oh Sudarshana you are being and embellishment beautifying the lord himself who appears in the form of the world. You reduce to pieces the difficulties faced by the Devas from the asuras. You are always worshipped by Indra and Brahma.  Satapatabrahmana – Part of the Shukla yajur veda that describes about rituals and mythology praises you, Oh sudarshana. The scholars seek your help to be on their side to win their opponents/ contestants.  Ahirbudhnya samhitha – the story of Siva states that Ahirbudhnya (Siva) worshipped you and got the boon to see your beautiful form. Victory be to Sudarshana. Victory be to Sudarshana