Sri Sudarshanashtakam

SRI VEDANTA DESIKA

Sudarshana Chakra is the discus weapon of Lord Vishnu and Sri Krishna held by the lord in his right hand. In the tradition of Sri Ramanujacharya, Sudarshana is personified as the prime devotee and called Charathazhwar. Sri Vedanta Desikacharya (1268 – 1369) composed an ashtakam, a stotra of eight slokas, in praise of Sri Sudarshana. It is said that he composed this stotra to help the residents of Tirupputkuzhi when they suffered from the grip of an epidemic fever. स्फुट्रटज्टालस्त्पञ्जर ्पूथु-्रजवटाल्पञ्जर ्पररग्प्रतनस्तवग्रह ्पटु्रप्रर्दगुग्रञाह । प्रहररग्रटाममल्डि् ्पररजनत्रटार्पल्डि् ज् ज् रिवीसुदरन ज् ज् रिवीसुदरन ॥

O Lord Sudarshana! You shine like the resplendent assembly of lightings. The bright tongues of flames surrounding you appear like a cage (home) for you. The forms of Vasudeva, Sankarshana and other Vyuha Murtis find their positions around your geometric form (Yantra). Even the scholars with sharp intellects stumble, when they try to understand the full extent of your glory. It is a beautiful sight to see your sixteen weapons resting in your hands to serve you. You are dedicated to come to the rescue of those, who seek your protection. Oh Sri Sudarsana of such auspicious attributes! Hail to Thee! Hail to Thee! स्तनज्पदप्रवी्सदगुर स्तनर्पस्तिस्फी्षडिगुर स्तनगमस्तनर्ूञाढवैभव स्तनज्परर्हवैभव। हररह्द्ेस्तषदटारर हर्पुरप्तोषकटारर ज् ज् रिवीसुदरन ज् ज् रिवीसुदरन ॥

O Lord Sudarshana! The Righteous people have firm attachment to your holy feet. The six Kalyana Gunas — knowledge, power, strength, wealth, heroism, and effulgence– find their natural home in you. The Vedas have firmly established your glory in their many sections. Like your Lord, You have the forms of Param and Vyuham. You cut asunder the fear caused by the foes of Indra, the foremost among your devotees. You were responsible for the burning down of Kasi, the city of Shiva, to ashes. You stood at the tip of Shiva’s arrow, when He was engaged in the campaign to destroy Tripurasura. O Sri Sudarsana of such Kalyana Gunas! Hail to Thee! Hail to Thee!