Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 5
Viṣṇu-Pañjara (विष्णुपञ्जरम्) — The Protective Armor of Viṣṇu
क्षुरान्तममलञ्चक्रं भ्रमत्येतत् सुदर्शनं अस्यांशुमाला दुष्प्रेक्ष्या हन्तुं प्रेतनिशाचरान्
kṣurāntamamalañcakraṃ bhramatyetat sudarśanaṃ asyāṃśumālā duṣprekṣyā hantuṃ pretaniśācarān
Este disco Sudarśana, imaculado e de fio como navalha, gira velozmente; sua grinalda de raios é difícil de fitar—destinada a abater fantasmas e demônios errantes da noite.
Lord Agni (narrating puranic/ritual-weapon knowledge in the Agni Purana tradition)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Sudarśana-rakṣā: invoke/visualize the chakra as a whirling, radiant weapon to repel and destroy preta/piśāca-type afflictions and nocturnal terrors.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sudarśana Cakra—Razor-Edged Radiance for Preta-Niśācara-Nāśa","lookup_keywords":["Sudarśana","cakra-stuti","preta","niśācara","rakṣā","aṃśumāla"],"quick_summary":"The verse depicts Sudarśana as a spotless, razor-edged, fast-spinning disc whose unbearable rays are intended to destroy ghosts and night-roaming entities—used as a protective invocation."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka (chakra as blazing, lethal radiance)
Weapon Type: Chakra (discus)
Concept: Tejas as divine protection: the Lord’s radiance (through Sudarśana) dispels tamas and hostile forces.
Application: Recite as rakṣā-stotra at dusk/night; visualize a spinning disc of light encircling the body/house; use as mental antidote to fear.
Khanda Section: Mantra-astravidya (Sudarsana-chakra stuti / raksha-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A blazing Sudarśana chakra spins like a razor-edged wheel, emitting a painful-to-see halo of rays that drives away and destroys ghostly night-fiends.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central luminous chakra with serrated rim, concentric fiery rays; shadowy preta/niśācara figures recoiling at the edges; deep reds, ochres, and black silhouettes; dramatic contrast.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Sudarśana as radiant disc with gold-leaf rays, embossed rim; tiny fleeing dark spirits at corners; rich jewel tones, heavy ornament, sanctum-like framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean depiction of spinning chakra with motion lines, labeled ‘Sudarśana’; instructional protective circle around a devotee; subtle spirits dissolving; refined detailing and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, night scene with moonlit landscape; a brilliant spinning disc of light in the center; translucent spectral figures scattering; fine brushwork, controlled gold highlights."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अमलञ्चक्रं = अमलम् + चक्रम्; भ्रमत्येतत् = भ्रमति + एतत्; अस्यांशुमाला = अस्य + अंशुमाला; प्रेतनिशाचरान् treated as dvandva compound (preta + niśācara).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 269 (Sudarśana-centered rakṣā within Viṣṇu-pañjara)
FAQs
It conveys rakṣā-astravidyā: the Sudarśana-cakra is presented as a whirling, razor-edged divine weapon whose radiance functions as an apotropaic force to destroy hostile spirits (preta) and nocturnal demonic beings (niśācara).
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana catalogs practical protective technologies—descriptions of divine weapons and their operational effects (dazzling radiance, spirit-slaying function), integrating devotional Vaishnava imagery with applied ritual protection.
Invoking or contemplating Sudarśana as pure and irresistible signifies purification and removal of obstructive, tamasic forces; it supports dharmic protection and the restoration of auspiciousness by dispelling spirit-based afflictions.