Different mūrtis of Sudarśana in the Pañcarātra Āgamas:

Viṣṇu's discus, known as the Sudarśana Cakra, holds a significant symbolism and power. Initially, it was portrayed as a weapon wielded by Viṣṇu himself. However, over the time, it evolved into its own devatā swarupa, with its own personification as Sudarśana.

In the early artistic representations, Viṣṇu is depicted holding the discus (cakra-dhara). Later Sudarśana was depicted as a separate Āyudha Puruṣa or an attendant of Viṣṇu, which is a personification of the cakra. As time progressed, artists began illustrating Sudarśana standing or moving within the cakra structure (cakra madhya gata), symbolizing Sudarśana Tattva's omnipresence and control over the universe.

The Sudarśana Cakra is described as being surrounded by a thousand flames (jvālā mālā) symbolizing its intense brilliance and power. Its often described as shining like a thousand suns (sahasrāditya saṅkāśam), emphasizing its divine nature. Additionally, its said to possess a thousand faces (sahasra vadana), arms (sahasra doḥ), and spokes (sahasrāra), further emphasizing its limitless capabilities. Sudarśana (Heti Rāja), as the personification of the Sudarśana Cakra (Cakrābhimānī Devatā), embodies its qualities and attributes. He is revered as a divine entity with the ability to dispel darkness and destroy obstacles, representing the cosmic order and protection.

Within a circle (vṛtta), a six-angled figure (ṣaṭkoṇa) depicting the yantra of six qualities (ṣāḍ guṇya), each angle embodies one of the ṣaḍ guṇas or six divine qualities closely associated with the elaborate vyūha theory in Pāñcarātras. And this ṣaṭ koṇa yantra serves as the dwelling place for the deity. The deity is depicted standing in a fiery circle, fiercely red, with a fearsome face adorned with fangs and furrowed eyebrows (atyugraṁ/kuṅkuma prabham/bhrukuṭi kuṭilekṣaṇam) . His massive body is emphasized, with a prominent belly, wearing a distinctive crown and red attire

(mahā kāyam/mahodaram). His flaming red hair rises, and he possesses three round, red eyes (jvālā keśa/piṅga keśa/piṅgākṣa).

Different sources describe his form differently. His simplest svarūpa is dvi bhujī, two handed , each bearing a cakra. And his catur bhujī svarūpa is four armed, with two below hands carrying two cakras and the upper pair holding śaṅkha and gadā. Pāñcarātrika text Parameśvara samhita describes a ṣaḍ bhujī form of Sudarśana, carrying the weapons like the padma, cakra, gadā, śaṅkha, hala and dhanuś. Eight handed aṣṭa bhujī svarūpa of Sudarśana carrying cakra, hala, aṅkuśa, padma, śaṅkha, dhanur bāṇa, pāśa, gadā has been described in the Puruṣottama Saṁhitā. Ṣoḍaśa bhujī and Dvātriṁśat bhujī forms os Sudarśana also is described.

Vihagendra Saṁhitā describes the following forms of Sudarśana -

The figure with four arms representing the four vyūhas when he holds a cakra in each hand (cakrāyudha catuṣṭaya). The ten-armed svarūpa is referred to as Kāma Cakra, the eight-armed one is known as Raudra Cakra, which manifests many aṅga lakṣaṇas of Rudra like trinetra, jaṭā mukuṭa, nagābharaṇa, śaśiśekhara etc. and the sixteen-armed one is called as the Mahā Sudarśana.

According to the Śrī Praśna Saṁhitā, the Sudarśana is characterized as an element of the Saṅkarṣaṇa manifestation of Viṣṇu and is adorned with the distinctive features such as the Śrīvatsa Mark and the Kaustubha Jewel, which are emblematic traits of Viṣṇu's form. According to this Saṁhitā, Sudarśana is aṣṭa bhuja and carries pāśa, aṅkuśa, hala, cakra, śaṅkha, gadā and dhanur bāṇa. He is also described as - "bhayasyāpi bhayaṅkaram"- Instigating fear in the very mind of fear personified. Sudarśana mūrtis can be constructed in three forms: standing (sthānaka), moving (yānaka), or poised to move in a specific direction (pratyālīḍha). According to the certain saṁhitās, he can also be portrayed as red eyed, dancing in a state of anger and in an intoxication (mada mattam/ krodha raktekṣaṇam/ nṛtyantam). Sudarśana's presence within this six-cornered cakra also symbolizes the six vyūha cakras associated with Sudarśana, namely - Acakra, Vicakra, Su Cakra, Jvālā Cakra, Trailokya Rakṣā Cakra and Asurāntaka Cakra.

Sudarśana Narasiṁha represents an unique fusion of the two fierce aspects of Mahavishnu, with one side portraying Narasiṁha and the other side depicting Sudarśana. This composite form symbolizes the harmonious combination of their powers and attributes, embodying both protection and destruction (pūrvaṁ sudarśanaṁ devaṁ apareṇa nṛsiṁhakam). In this mūrti Sudarśana is depicted in his active moving form as Yānaka blazing with javālā māla, while Narasiṁha behind him is depicted in His śānta yogārūḍha form with his knees wrapped in yoga-paṭṭa as Śrī Yoga Narasiṁha. This specific form of Yoga Narasiṁha is usually depicted with four hands, carrying four cakras in his four hands, while rare eight and sixteen handed forms of Narasiṁha carrying a cakra in each hand can also be found. This particular form depicts the abhinna nature of both Narasiṁha and Sudarśana in Bhāva (sudarśane nṛsiṁhe vā eka rūpaṁ iha ucyate). "Sudarśane hṛdaye viṣṭitaṁ nṛharim", declares Pañcarātra Saṁhitā of fame, named Pādma - Narasiṁha is the adhidevatā or the indweller of Śrī Sudarśana, who resides in the heart of Sudarśana.

Specific form of Narasiṁha as the hṛdaya nivāsī of Sudarśana is meditated upon as having a hue of a mountain of Sphaṭika (sphaṭikācala saṅkāśam), adorned with a majestic, lush, flowing mane around the face, head and neck, his roar like the thunder of dissolution, echoing through the ether (pralayāṁbuda nirghoṣa gambhīra ghana dhvani), seated in the yogārūḍha, wrapped in Yoga Paṭṭa on the hṛdaya kamala of Sudarśana).

Sudraśana Cakra, as its name suggests , "su+darśana", is a sight of exquisite beauty to behold. It also wields an unlimited potency, hence akin to the most formidable weapon, unmatched and commanding (mahābala). And it flames with the intense brahma-tejas (jvālā). As an āyudha, Sudarśana boasts a configuration of twelve spokes, three concentric circles, and a distinctive six-pointed star design. Its rotation follows a clockwise motion, adding to its mysticism and functionality in the battle (dvādaśāraṁ ṣaṭ koṇaṁ valaya traya saṁyutam/ cakraṁ syād dakṣiṇāvṛtam).

When placed in Viṣṇu's hand held by fore finger and the middle finger (tarjanī madhyamām adhya kuryād), cakra is depicted either in sama sthiti style (inactive or stationary), or prayoga cakra style (ready to act/ attack enemies and destroy them).

🙏 Namo Narasiṁha 🙏