SUDARSANA CAKRA

Change of order of Ayudhas
While so far the first and final position of the order of epithets have been reserved for the sankha, Periyalvar, one of the Alvar poet-saints of South India (6^th century A.D) accords the first position to the cakra.

"May you live long! The Discus which is shining so beautifully with all its radiance in your right hand, the conch which is in your left hand, which is blown in the battle fields." (4) Periyalvar, Tirumoli; Tiruppallantu verse.

We may presume that Periyalvar is looking on an image of Vishnu. The right side of the image is given first importance and perhaps this is why the cakra is mentioned before the conch. It could be argued, however, that the cakra has special significance for Periyalva. The clue is in two other stanzas.

’Marking myself and my belongings with your cakra’ (Periyalvar Tirumoli 5-4-1).

’The discus (ali) shining greater than the fire, which makes that mark on us by the temple fire’ (Pallantu).

This is also found uniformly in all the scriptures where cakra is described as the protector.

When cakra has gained importance, the Ahirbudnya Samhita and Laksmitantra of Pancaratra Agama have devoted more attention and given number of mantras.