Sudarshana

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Sudarshana (सुदर्शन) is name of a Island and a weapon in Mahabharata and a mountain in Ramayana. Bhagavata Purana mentions a king Sudarshana, a descendant of Rama at 17th generation from Rama.

Variants

• Sudarshana Dvipa सुदर्शनद्वीप (AS, p.973)
• Sudarshana Parvata (सुदर्शन पर्वत) (AS, p.973); Ramayana (IV.43.16)
• Sudarshana Lake (सुदर्शन सरोवर) (दे. गिरनार) (AS, p.974)
• Sudassana सुदस्सन दे. Kashi काशी (AS, p.974); Mahavansa/Chapter 2
• Sudarshano (सुदर्शनो)

History

The list of Naga Kings from Tibetan sources includes Sudarshano at S.No. 67. Sudarshano (सुदर्शनो) = very + see: Sudarshano is evidently the Sudassana, the son of Nagaraja Dhatarattha (Dhritarashtra), of the Bhuridatta Jataka, No. 547 of Fausboll's list. (See List_of_Naga_Rajas)

Surjal Mata Temple

The Surjal Mata Temple is situated on a mound in the north of Sudrasan village. Surjal Mata temple is very ancient. It is said that Surjal Mata Mandir is said to be of Mahabharata era. The local name of Sudarshana Mata is Surjal Mata. She is also called Sudrasana Mata. The Devi got Her name as Sudarshana/Sudrasana based on the name of the village Sudarshan/Sudrasan. Inside the sanctum sanctorum there are three big statues and three idols of Durga Mata on either side.

Surjal Mata’s giant Oran (land left under the name of Mataji) is 1160 Bigha. In the village of Sudrasan one can still find idols, ancient relics and remnants of old houses which proves the ancient beauty of this village. Fairs are held during every Chaitra and Ashwin Navratri. During Navratri festival, people from across the India visit the temple to perform Jāt-Jadula rituals.

Surya Temple Sudarshana : The remains of an ancient Surya Temple still exist here. Near the mandir there is an ancient water reservoir which is quite deep. Old inscriptions can be found inside the temple. There is a meeting hall in the mandir. A statue of Mahishasurmardini is installed on the rear side of Parikrama. In the middle of the right part is the statue of Lord Vishnu and in the middle of the left part is the statue of Ganesha. There are many other sculptures engraved on both sides of the statue and above the orbits.

The original idols of the Surjal Mata Sudarshan were broken by the Mughal rulers. Shershah Suri had invaded Maldev and destroyed the original idol and temple as well. Even during the reign of Aurangzeb, sculptures were broken. Jojari River used to flow from here and the entire village got destroyed during a flood. However, since the mandir was situated on a mound nothing happened to it.

In Bhagavata Purana

Kusha Ancestry in Bhagavata Purana

Sudarshana is a descendant of Rama at 17th generation of Rama.

Rama → Kusha → Atithi → Nishadha → Nabha → Pundarika → Kshema Dhanvan → Devanika → Aniha → Pariyatra → Balasthala → Vajra Nabha (Incarnation of Surya) → Sagana → Vidhriti → Hiranya Nabha → Pushpa → Dhruva Sandhi → Sudarshana → Agni Varna → Maru → Prasusruta → Sandhi → Amarshana → Mahasvat → Visvabahu → Prasenajit → Takshaka → Brihadbala (killed at the battle of Kurukshetra by Abhimanyu)

In Mahabharata

Sudarshana (सुदर्शन) weapon is mentioned in Mahabharata (V.53.12)

Sudarshana Dvipa (सुदर्शनद्वीप) Island is mentioned in Mahabharata (VI.6.12), (VI.6.15)

Udyoga Parva/Mahabharata Book V Chapter 53 describes the Country of the Kurus, including the region called Jangala; Matsyas, Panchalas, Shalvas, Surasena. Sudarshana (सुदर्शन) is mentioned in Mahabharata (V.53.12)......Falguna is the foremost of all shooters; Gandiva is the foremost of all bows; Kesava is the foremost of all beings; the Sudarsana is the foremost of all weapons....

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Bhisma Parva, Mahabharata/Book VI Chapter 6 mentions names of rivers and mountains. Sudarshana Dvipa (सुदर्शनद्वीप) Island is mentioned in Mahabharata (VI.6.12), (VI.6.15)....O son of Kuru's race, I will, however, describe to thee the island called Sudarsana. This island, O king, is circular and of the form of a wheel. It is covered with rivers and other pieces of water and with mountains looking like masses of clouds, and with cities and many delightful provinces. It is also full of trees furnished with flowers and fruits, and with crops of diverse kinds and other wealth. And it is surrounded on all sides with the salt ocean. As a person can see his own face in a mirror, even so is the island called Sudarsana seen in the lunar disc. Two of its parts seem to be a peepul tree, while two others look like a large hare. It is surrounded on all sides with an assemblage of every kind of deciduous plants. Besides these portions, the rest is all water. What remains I will describe to thee shortly.

In Ramayana

Sudarshana Parvata (सुदर्शन पर्वत) is mentioned in Ramayana (IV.43.16)

Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 43 mentions that .... Sugreeva sends troops to north in search of Sita. He gives an account of the snowy regions and provinces of northern side and asks them to search in the places of Yavana, Kuru, and Daradas etc. and divine province called Uttara Kuru and a heavenly mountain called Mt. Soma on which Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva make sojourn for its sacredness.

Sudarshana Parvata (सुदर्शन पर्वत) is mentioned in Ramayana (IV.43.16).... "On going across that lordly mountain Kala, which great-mountain is impregnated with gold, it will be apt of you to go to the mountain named Sudarshana afterwards. [4-43-16]

In Mahavansha

Mahavansa/Chapter 2 mentions about the Race of Mahasammata: Sprung of the race of king Mahasammata was the Great Sage. For in the beginning of this age of the world there was a king named Mahüsammata, and (the kings) Roja and Vararoja, and the two Kalyanakas, Uposatha and Mandhata and the two, Caraka and Upacara, and Cetiya and Mucala and he who bore the name Mahamucala, Mucalinda and Sagara and he who bore the name Sagaradeva; Bharata and Angirasa and Ruci and also Suruci, Patäpa and Mahapatapa and the two Panadas likewise, Sudassana and Neru, two and two; also Accima. His sons and grandsons, these twenty-eight princes whose lifetime of immeasurably (long), dwelt in Kusavati, Rajagaha, and Mithila.

सुदर्शन

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर ने लेख किया है ...1. सुदर्शन (AS, p.973) = काशी

2. सुदर्शन (AS, p.973) = सुदर्शनद्वीप: महाभारत भीष्मपर्व 5,6 के अनुसार एक भूखंड जिसका प्रतिबिंब चंद्रमा में दिखाई देता है--'एवं सुदर्शनद्वीपो दृश्यते चंद्रमंडले'. भीष्म पर्व 5,16.

3. सुदर्शन (AS, p.973) = सुदर्शनपर्वत: वाल्मीकि रामायण किष्किंधा कांड 43,16 सोलह में उल्लिखित हिमालय की उत्तरी श्रेणियों का कोई शिखर 'तमतिक्रम्य शैलेन्द्रं हेमगर्भं महागिरिम्, ततः सुदर्शनम् नाम पर्वतं गन्तुमर्हथ'

3. सुदर्शन (AS, p.974) = सुदर्शन सरोवर (दे. गिरनार)

काशी

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर ने लेख किया है ... बौद्ध साहित्य में काशी के, वाराणसी के अतिरिक्त केतुमती, सुरुंधन, सुदस्सान (सुदर्शन), ब्रह्मवद्धन (ब्रह्मवर्द्धन) पुष्फवती (पुष्पवती) रम्मानगरी (रामानगरी, वर्तमान रामनगर) तथा मौलिनी आदि नाम मिलते हैं. बुध के पश्चात काशी और निकटवर्ती सारनाथ का गौरव काफी दिनों तक बढ़ा-चढ़ा रहा. मौर्य सम्राट अशोक ने सारनाथ को महत्वपूर्ण समझते हुए यहां अपना जगत प्रसिद्ध सिंहस्तंभ प्रतिस्थापित किया (तीसरी सदी ई.पू.).