Sudarśana
Sudarśana · su-darśana, “beautiful to see”
Sudarśana is a name used for more than one being, place or thing in the Purāṇas and Itihāsas. Each is listed below with where it is told; choose the one you are looking for.
Things and ideas
- Sudarśana Cakra: the blazing discus of Bhagavān Vishṇu, the foremost of his weapons, which he received from Bhagavān Śiva. Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapters 3–4, 12, 18, 22–23, 34–36, 43, 47, 51, 55–56, 58–59, 67; Vāmana Purāṇa, Saro Māhātmya, Chapters 6, 9, 25; Mahābhārata, Sabhā Parva, Chapter 38; Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, Śrī Kṛshṇa Janana Khaṇḍa, Chapters 9, 22, 25; Padma Purāṇa, Uttara Khaṇḍa, Chapter 9; Skanda Purāṇa, Vaishṇava Khaṇḍa, Kārtika Māsa Māhātmya, Chapters 18, 22 and 35
People
- Sudarśana of Ayodhyā: the son of King Dhruvasandhi, who grew up in Bharadvāja’s āśrama and won back Ayodhyā by the grace of Parādevī. Devī Bhāgavata Purāṇa, Skanda 3, Chapters 14–25
- Sudarśana of Mālava: a king of Mālava on the Pāṇḍava side, slain by Aśvatthāmā in the Kurukshetra war. Mahābhārata, Droṇa Parva, Chapter 200
- Sudarśana, son of Agni: the son of Agni and the princess Sudarśanā, who vowed to conquer Mṛtyu by serving his guests. Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 2
Places
- Sudarśana Dvīpa: the name the Bhīshma Parva gives to the whole earth as it is seen in the disc of the Moon. Mahābhārata, Bhīshma Parva, Chapters 5 and 6
Named in passing
- Sudarśana, called Bali’s brother: a daitya the daityas name with Virocana among those slain by Mahendra, told on Bali Rules the Three Worlds. Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 47
- Sudarśana, son of Sarasvatī: the river Sarasvatī is called “the mother of Sudarśana” among her names, told on Sarasvatī River. Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 23