SUDARSANA CAKRA

This along with the Ahirbudnya samhita Sudarsana-Narasimha yantra gave the sanction for combining the Sudarsana and Narasimha, the two powerful deities. This resulted in producing more and more Sudarsana –Narasimha images and placing them in separate shrines. The Srivaisnava religion which was systematized by Ramanuja accommodated all aspects of life into this world including people who are desirous of worldly pleasure.

The worship of icons occupies an important role in the Hindu way of life. Gods and goddesses in icon forms are represented as wielding weapons. One of these is Sudarsana, adorning Vishnu. The concept of Sudarsana as a protector has been traced to a rare find of Ksetrapala at Srivilliputtur, Pancasamskaras prescribe the donning of the disc or cakra mark of the body of the devotee and render him fit for service to the god. Owing to the need for a personal god to achieve worldly goals, Sudarsana worship gained importance. The combination of Narasimha, another potent God, with the powerful Sudarsana is a later development. Shrines for Sudarsana are many and their importance has been highlighted. Agama and Vaisnava literature abound in works in praise of Sudarsana and appropriate quotations are provided to show the extent and importance of Sudarsana worship.