Sudarshana Chakra is one among the attributes of Hindu God
Vishnu. It is also referred as discus and the weapon is used to kill demons or
deadly enemies. The story of Sudarshan Chakra is found in the Puranas and
Mahabharata. As per one history, Shiva gave it to Vishnu. It must be noted here
that there are numerous stories regarding the origin of Sudarshana Chakra.
Legend has it that Vishnu one day decided to visit Lord
Shiva who was residing at Kashi. Vishnu collected 1008 lotus flowers from
Manasarovar to offer it on the Shivaling at Kashi by reciting the 1008 names of
Shiva.
After collecting the flowers from Manasarovar in
the Himalayas, Vishnu reached Kashi and was warmly welcomed by Shiva.
Vishnu then began to offer the flowers one by one to the Shivling at Kashi. He
chanted a name of Shiva and offered one lotus flower.
Vishnu was fully absorbed in the process and Shiva decided
to test Him and removed one lotus flower that Lord Vishnu had brought and hid
it.
Vishnu chanted the 1008th name of Shiva and when he looked
for the 1008th lotus flower it was missing.
Immediately Vishnu realized that He is known to his devotees
as Kamalakanan – the lotus eyed. So he offered one of his eyes as the last
lotus flower.
Shiva was moved by this devotion of Vishnu and immediately
hugged Vishnu and thus restoring his eye.
Shiva then presented the Sudarshana Chakra to Vishnu to
fight evil and accepted him as the supreme commander of the three worlds and
one who sustains all living and nonliving beings.
It is believed that Shiva had created the Sudarshana Chakra
when he went to fight Tripurasura and brothers who were residing in Tripuri.
Another Legend
As per the Mahabharata, Agni, the fire god, got Sudarshana
Chakra from Varuna, the lord of Rain and Water. He gave it to Krishna when
mighty king Jarasandha attacked Mathura.
Sudarshana Chakra is mostly identified as a weapon of
Bhagvan Sri Krishna in the Mahabharata and many Puranas.