Prayer
।। श्रीसुदर्शनाष्टकम्।। ।। Sri Sudarshanashtakam ।।
June 2021
SRI VEDANTA DESIKA
The Vedanta Kesari
8
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.
प्रतिभटश्रेणिभीषण वरगुणस्तोमभूषण जनिभयस्थानतारण जगदवस्थानकारण । निखिलदुष्कर्मकर्शन निगमसद्धर्मदर्शन जय जय श्रीसुदर्शन जय जय श्रीसुदर्शन ॥
Oh Sri Sudarshana! All the enemies of your Lord’s devotees run away fearing your prowess. All auspicious attributes find their home in you. Those, who worship you cross the shoreless ocean of Samsara and free themselves from the cycle of births and deaths. The entire Universe is stabilised by your mighty power. You cut asunder all the sins of those, who approach you as their refuge. You bless all of your devotees with the knowledge about the righteous conduct prescribed by the Vedas. Oh Lord Sudarshana of these auspicious attributes! Glory to Thee! Glory to Thee!
शुभजगद्रूपमण्डन सुरगणत्रासखण्डन शतमखब्रह्मवन्दित शतपथब्रह्मनन्दित । प्रथितविद्वत्सपक्षित भजदहिर्बुध्न्यलक्षित जय जय श्रीसुदर्शन जय जय श्रीसुदर्शन ॥
Oh Sri Sudarshana! You are resplendent as a precious decoration on the hand of Sriman Narayana, who has the universe as His body. Through your grace, Devas are freed from the fear caused by the Asuras. Indra and the noble people always worship you. The Satapata Brahmana belonging to Sukla Yajur Veda hails your glories and pays its tributes to you. The scholars of this universe seek your help to overcome their contestants. Ahirbudhnya Samhita states that Ahirbudhnyan (Siva) worships you and sought the boon to see your beautiful form with His own eyes. Oh Lord Sudarshana of illustrious attributes! Glory to Thee! Glory to Thee!
