Sudarshan Homam - Procedure, Benefits and When To Perform

Sudarshana Homam is a Vedic fire ritual that is performed for protection from enemies and evil forces and also to attain good health, spiritual wisdom, etc. The chief deity of this powerful Homa is Sudarshanar, also called Chakrathazhwar, who is a personification of Vishnu’s divine discus, Sudarshana Chakra. To devotees, he is an aspect of Vishnu.

Vishnu has many weapons – the bow Sarangam, the sword Nandakam, the conch Panchajanyam, the mace Kaumodaki, and the discus Sudarshana chakra. Together, they are called Panchayudham. Of the 5, the Sudarshana chakra is the most important. It is also called Thiruvazhialwan. The sacred discus is not thrown but aimed at the enemy with willpower. It contains the tremendous occult and spiritual energy of Lord Vishnu. Vishnu’s weapons are like the sentinels of the Universe and are always vigilant.

The Chakra is a serrated disc with 108 edges and was only ever held by Vishnu himself or his earthly incarnations. The Rigveda, Yajurveda, and Puranas claim that it is the ultimate weapon of law, order, and preservation. It can destroy enemies like Rakshasas, Asura, and Vikrutatma. It was only used against people who committed 100 acts of cruelty, each one worthy of death.

Sudarshana means ‘auspicious vision.’ Sudarshanar is the first step in the Bhakti path that leads to God realization. The Tamil word for Sudarshanar is “Chakarathalzhvaar,” which means ‘Sage of the Wheel.’ He is also worshipped as Paramapurusha and Ayudhapurusha.

There is a shrine for Sri Sudarshanar in many Vishnu temples. He has the grace of both Varaha and Narasimha, both of whom are avatars of Vishnu. Varaha is associated with wisdom, and Narasimha is associated with protection.

Sudarshana the Protector

Sri Sudarshanar is quick to come to the rescue of true Vishnu devotees who are in peril. He rescued King Ambareesha from both Sage Durvasa and the demon sent by the sage to kill the king. He also saved the elephant Gajendra from a crocodile. Krishna, another avatar of Vishnu, used the discus to kill Poundrika, who was pretending to be Vasudeva, as well as Shishupala, his arrogant cousin. Sri Sudarshanar took the form of Narasimha’s nails and eviscerated Hiranyakashipu to protect the Vishnu devotee Prahlad. He was the darbha grass that pierced Shukracharya’s eyes who took the form of a beetle and blocked the nozzle of the pot containing water when Mahabali was about to grant Vamana’s wish. Vamana was also an incarnation of Vishnu.

Thus, Sri Sudarshanar and Vishnu are always together. Shiva had told Parvati once that those who recite the Sudarshana Mantra would always be safe. It is said that Saint Thirumazhisai Alwar, one of the 12 Alwars who sang praises of Vishnu, was Sri Sudarshanar.

 How Sudarshana Chakra Was Created

The Vishnu Purana says that the daughter of Vishwakarma, the divine architect of the Gods, was married to Surya, the Sun God. But she left him because she could not tolerate his immense heat. So Vishwakarma put Surya in a cage and churned him to reduce the heat. From the churning came the Sudarshana Chakra, Trishoola, and Shakthi, which are the weapons of Vishnu, Shiva, and Subrahmanya, respectively. 

Sudarshana Homam 

Homam is a powerful ritual that helps one to overcome karmic, financial, and health issues. It also reduces the negative effects caused due to malefic planets in a horoscope. The Chakra is 100 times more powerful than the Sun’s radiance. It is a very powerful and protective Homam.

The Homam is not only for Vaishnavites but a general homam. People perform it to eliminate negative forces and vibrations. It can bestow good health, longevity, knowledge and remove obstacles in life. One Sudarshana Homa is supposedly equivalent to ten yagnas of other types. It can improve one’s energy levels too. The story goes that chanting Sudarshana Homam saved some villagers from an epidemic. Since then, people began using it for protection.

Sudarshana Mantra

‘Om Sudharshanaya Namah’

Other popular mantras of Sudarshanar are Sudarshana Gayatri and Sudarshana Ashtakam.

Things Needed to Perform Sudarshana Homam

Tulsi leaves, incense sticks, flowers, fruits, herbs, Prasad, Sudarshana Yantra, and Mantra.

Sudarshana Homam Procedure

•  Start by chanting Sudarshana Mantra Jaap followed by “Naarayaanakrupavyuha Tejaschakraya Nama”.
• Take Sankalp to get Vishnu’s blessings.
• Chant Agni Prathishtai.
• Chant Sri Sudarsana Shadakshari 108 times with aahuthi.
• Perform the Poornahuthi.
•  Do the round of Agni Kuntam and chant Sri Sudarshana Ashtakam.
•  Wear the Bhasmam (holy ash) from the Homam on your forehead for protection.

Benefits of Sudarshana Homam

• It can protect one from harm.
• It helps defeat your enemies.
• It brings positivity.
• It brings relief from worries and suffering.
• It can speed up career and business growth.
• It has healing powers.
• It can prevent accidents.
• It has a positive effect on the Mind, Body, and Soul.
•  It helps one attain spiritual wisdom and knowledge as well as the blessings of Vishnu.

When to Perform the Homam?

All Saturdays and Wednesdays on which Purnima, Dwadasi, and Ekadashi fall are auspicious for Sudarshana Homam