Sudarshana Chakra () is a spinning disc like weapon with very sharp edge, which serves as an attribute of the Hindu God Vishnu. Lord Vishnu, also called Narayana, is portrayed with four hands, holding a Shankha (a conch shell), the Sudarshana, a Gada (mace) and a Padma (lotus). According to Professor D.D.Kosambi, the Sudarshana Chakra is a stone-age sharp wheel, discus-type weapon, which is not known to the Vedas and
went out of fashion well before the time of the Buddha; but its historicity is attested by 800 B.C.
cave paintings in Mirzapur,U.P., North India, which show raiding horse-charioteers (clearly
enemies of the aboriginal stone-age artists) one of whom is about to hurl such a wheel. This 800 B.C. cave painting of a figure at Mirzapur,U.P.,North India, could potentially be identified as Krishna. .

Lord Vishnu is depicted holding the chakra from a central hole, with his index finger. The disc spins around his finger. According to the Puranas, he would release it and it would do the required deed and return to his finger. It is revered as a divine weapon. In another version, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Devi jointly have the capability of operating the chakra.

Within scripture

The Sudarshana Chakra is mentioned numerous times in Hindu texts, where Lord Vishnu decapitated various rakshasas, asuras and others — one of them being in Mahabharata, where Sri Krishna decapitates Shishupala for his misbehaviour.

The Sudarshana Chakra has lots of abstract imagery as well. It is believed that Lord Vishnu is like the Sun, and the planets of the solar system revolve around him, in a disc-like form, creating the impression of the Sudarshan Chakra. Lord Vishnu is very commonly worshiped by people having faith in Astrology.

It is also considered to be a symbol of enlightenment, hence in various drawings it is depicted with a brilliant glow.

Lord Vishnu is believed to be the "Protector/Provider" of the Universe. He is depicted lying across the entire expanse of the Universe (Vishwadharam) form. The Sudarshan Chakra in his hand depicts the control over the various stars and galaxies, as if they all orbit around him.

In Tantras and Panchratra samhitas

In Narad Panchratra Samhitas esp. Ahirbudhnya Samhita and other major tantra literature Sudarshan Chakra is described as a protecting deity. Ahirbudhnya Samhita describes Sudarshan as the Kriya Shakti of lord Vishnu similar to Mahalaxmi. In tantras Sudarshan Chakra is personified in a form of deity. In deity form he is described in three main forms 8 hands, 16 hands and 32 hands. Most popularly he is worshiped in 16 hand form, where he is shown as a powerful warrior standing in pratyaleadh posture (with slightly bent left leg in posture of movement) at the center of flames emitting from blazing chakra. He is wearing red clothes, fair complexion, yellow matted hair locks emitting flames and three golden eyes. He has fanged mouth and looking wrathful. In his sixteen hands he is holding disk, conch, noose, goad, club, axe, spear, stick, shataghni (fire emitting weapon with hundred pores), sword, ShaktiVel a special shaped spear, bow, arrow, thunderbolt, mace, pestle and trident. In this form he is supposed to be giver of boons of victory over enemies, wealth and freedom from disease. There are Kavaches, Stotras and Sashrasanamam available for Sudarshana. Most famous Stotra of Lord Sudarshana is Sudarshana Shataka by Koor Narayana Jeeyar.

Origin of Sudarshana Chakra

According to one version, the Sudarshana chakra was made by the architect of gods, Vishvakarman.

Viswakarma's daughter Sanjana was married to Surya, the Sun God. Due to the Sun's blazing light and heat, she was unable to go near the Sun. She complained to her father about this. Viswakarma took the Sun and made him shine less so that his daughter would be able to hug the Sun. The left over Sun "dust" was collected by Viswakarma and he made three things out of it. The first one was the famous aerial vehicle Pushpaka Vimana, the second being the Trishula (Trident) of Lord Shiva, and the third was the Sudarshana Chakra of Lord Vishnu.

The other version is "Jalandharasura, a rakshasa, who conquered all the worlds finally landed in Kailasa to conquer it. Lord Shiva drew a Chakra by his big toe on the ground and asked the asura to lift it. Jalandhara lifted the chakra and when it reached near his neck it severed his head. Mahavishnu prayed to Lord Shiva for a proper weapon to kill the Asuras thus saving the livelihood of Devas. Vishnu did tapasya and offered 1008 lotus to the Shiva Linga. To test Vishnu's devotion Mahadeva hide one lotus flower. At the end of his Tapas(pooja) Vishnu found one lotus was missing and without hesitation he offered one of his own eyes and completed the Pooja. Lord Shiva pleased and appeared before him and gave him the Chakra which is called Sudharshana and also gave him the title name as "Tamaraikannan" (lotus eyed).

The chakra comprises 10 million spikes in two rows. One row of spikes moving in the opposite direction to give it a serrated edge.

It was also used to cut the Goddess Sati , consort of Lord Shiva into 52 pieces after she gave up her life in humiliation. It is said that Shiva, in grief, carried around her lifeless body and was inconsolable. The 52 parts of the Goddess' body were then tossed about in different parts of Bharatvarsha and came to be known as Shakti Peeths.

Associations with other people

The Sudarshana Chakra also protected the great king Ambarisha who was about to be cursed by the Rishi Durvasa as Ambarisha was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu.

According to legend, it protects any devotee of God who calls out for Him.

Other Names

In the Tamil Language, the Sudarshana Chakra is also known as 'Chakkrath Azhwar' (translated as Ring/Circlet of God).

The Chakri Dynasty, the current ruling house of Thailand is named after the weapon.