Vishnu gets the Sudarshana

Vishnu gets the Sudharshana Chakra

We know that the rivalry and the fights between the Devas and Asuras is constant and ongoing. The problems normally start because the Devas do something that makes them weak. Sometimes the problems are caused because the Asuras are pious and do intense tapasya and prayers and get boons that make them invincible and arrogant. More often than not, amongst the trinity, Shiva or Vishnu intervene and bring the balance back to the universe.

The Brahmand was going through one such phase when the Asuras had become powerful. Unfortunately, with power comes indiscretion and arrogance. That is what happened then too. The Asuras, drunk with their power were troubling all the good people of the universe. They did not allow any yagna (sacrifice) to happen. Normally the Gods get their offerings when yagnas are performed by humans and Asuras.

The Asuras also troubled normal people by harassing them and also abducting their women and children. This kind of constant stress lead to lack of peace and prosperity in all the worlds.

The Devas, as is their habit, went to Lord Vishnu and asked him to save them. Vishnu was a bit reluctant and did not want to help them. He was also tired from the constant strife and issues between the various worlds. He tried to ignore the pleas of the Devas for some time. Things got worse and Asuras became bold.

Vishnu could not put off the unpleasant duty any further. He wanted to help. But he thought it is better that he take the help of Lord Shiva also. He told the Devas that once he takes the blessings of Shiva and they will control the problem created by the Asuras together.

Lord Shiva is not on call. One needs to do penance to reach the divine Lord even if one is Lord Vishnu. So Lord Vishnu retreated to the jungle where he could do penance to see Lord Shiva. Vishnu was chanting the mantras in praise of Lord Mahadeva constantly. Shiva did not materialise. Years went by. Vishnu did not give up his prayers.

At some point, Vishnu decided to take his penance and prayers to the next level. He reached into the earth and made a Shivalingam and started doing his pooja and prayers to the Shivalingam. Vishnu also thought of a unique way of praying to the Lingam. He decided to chant the thousand names of Shiva and do an archana with a lotus for every single name.

The forest and the universe reverberated with the rare sight of one of the Tirmurthis propitiating and praying to another not for a day or two but for thousands of years. The Gods, the gandharvas and the rishis gathered to see this beautiful sight. Many of the names that Vishnu was using to invoke Shiva were unique and was of great interest to the learned sages gathered there. At the end of every day the Shivalinga that Vishnu made with his hands was covered with the beautiful flowers and the whole place looked and smelled divine.

Time passed but Shiva was still not to be seen. Vishnu would go every day and collect thousand lotuses. Then after invoking the Lord Shiva with the due mantras, he will start chanting the thousand names of Shiva and offer one lotus for every name. After exhausting all the lotuses, he would finish his pooja for the day.

The Gods were a bit concerned as Vishnu had been doing this penance for many years. Vishnu seemed unperturbed. After all there is a time and place for everything and perhaps Vishnu knew that Shiva was not yet ready to give him a divine darshan. Shiva was watching the entire goings on with a smile on his face. He was invisible to even the Gods and hence no one knew he was there.

After many such years and many such days of a sahasranama (1000 names) archana with full blooming lotuses, Shiva was moved. He considered manifesting himself in front of Lord Vishnu. But he wanted to check the perseverance of Lord Vishnu. One day he took away one of the lotuses that Vishnu had kept for the archana (offering).

As was his practice, Vishnu started his lotus and mantra offering for the day. He finished the 999^th mantra and was about to pick up the last flower for the offering. He could not find the flower. He opened his eye and looked for it thinking perhaps it had moved because of the breeze. He could not find the lotus. It is normally considered inauspicious to get up half way through an archana. Vishnu could not get another lotus from the pond. Nor was he able to complete his offering for the day without the last flower.

Vishnu was in a dilemma. He felt that the pooja for the day was incomplete unless he did the offering of the final 1000^th lotus. He thought for a bit looking for a solution to this problem. Then it struck him. It was not Shiva who is praised by his devotees using many names. Vishnu devotees also revel in chanting the 1000 names of the God that indicates the various attributes, avatars and the greatness of Vishnu.

One of the names that Vishnu devotees call him is Kamalanayana. Kamalanayana means the lotus eyed one. Vishnu thought “If my devotees call me Kamalanayan, perhaps my resembles that of a lotus. Why should I give up my Shiva puja? Since I cannot get up and the flower is not here, let me use my Kamalanayan to good use.” Thinking so, Visnu plucked his eye and offered it respectfully to the Shivalingam. The Devas and the Gods watching gasped. There was shock and awe amongst the onlookers at this devotion of Vishnu. Vishnu’s eye shone like a jewel amongst the lotuses that had been offered on the lingam for the day.

Shiva was moved. He manifested before Vishnu in all his glory with the crescent, Ganga flowing from his hair and the mother by his side. He embraced Vishnu who had show such humility, bhakti and perseverance in his tapasya. Moment Shiva appeared Vishnu’s eye was restored to him.

Words are unnecessary and inadequate between the divine. Without Vishnu having to say anything, Shiva understood what he wanted. He presented Lord Vishnu with a divine luminous disc with concentric circles and sharp edges. Lord Shiva told Vishnu “Take this disc and do your job of protection of the universe. This will be the only flying weapon in the universe which will obey your will. It has concentric circles that will spin in opposite sides. The 108 serrated edges will kill anyone who walks the path of adharma. Once the job is done as per your instruction, the disc will come back to you. It will become famous and will be worshipped as a deity itself. It can help you control the chaos in Brahmand and restore peace.”

Vishnu smiled and bowed to Lord Shiva and thanked him for the divine astra. Vishnu asked him “Mahadev, what shall we call this incomparable disc?” Shiva replied “It shall be known by the name of Sudarshana – Virtuous Vision.”

Armed with his chakra and the blessings of Mahadev, Vishnu went back with enthusiasm to the job of protecting his devotees and the Brahmand from destructive forces.