Vishnu Obtains Sudarshana Chakra

The rishis said

Suta, you know everything, and so we ask you. Lord, tell us the greatness of the Harishvara lingam. Father, we have heard that long ago Vishnu worshipped him and obtained the Sudarshana chakra. Tell us especially of that.

Suta replied

Best of rishis, hear the auspicious account of Harishvara, and how in ancient times Vishnu obtained Sudarshana from Shankara. Once the daityas grew very strong. They oppressed the worlds and ruined the following of dharma. The gods suffered at the hands of these valiant daityas and laid their miseries before Vishnu, the protector of the immortals: "Lord, show your compassion. The daityas are crushing us. Where shall we go, what shall we do? We have come to you for refuge." Hearing the wretched gods, Vishnu remembered Shiva's lotus feet and said: "Gods, I will worship Girisha and do your work. The enemies are strong, so great effort is needed to defeat them." Because of Vishnu's power the gods already thought the daityas as good as dead, and returned to their homes.

Shiva is lord of all the immortals, undecaying and the witness of everything. For the gods' victory Vishnu worshipped him. Hari went near Kailasa and tormented himself in austerity. He made a pit, set up a sacrificial fire in front of it, and followed the rules for worshipping an earthen lingam, using many mantras and hymns, and worshipped Girisha gladly. Lords among sages, he used lotuses that grew in Lake Manasa. Hari sat firm in his posture and did not move: "Until he is pleased, I will use every means to stay in this place." So he worshipped Shiva. But Hari could not satisfy Hara, and Bhagavan Vishnu fell into deep thought. He rendered many kinds of service, yet Lord Hara, who delights in play, was still not satisfied. Surprised, and full of devotion, Vishnu praised Parameshvara with his thousand names, offering a lotus with a mantra for every name. So he worshipped Shambhu, kind to those who take refuge. To test Vishnu's devotion, Shankara took away one of those shining lotuses. Vishnu did not realize this was a marvellous maya, and searched for it intently, roaming the whole earth cheerfully and steady in his vows. When he did not find it, pure in soul, he offered one of his own eyes. Seeing this, Shankara, remover of every misery, was pleased. He came to that spot and said: "Hari, I am pleased. Ask your desired boon. Tell me what is in your mind. There is nothing I cannot give you."

Hearing Shambhu, Keshava was glad and joined his hands. "What can I say in front of you? You live inside everyone. Still, out of respect for your words I will say it. Sadashiva, the daityas have made the whole universe suffer and we find no happiness. Lord, I have no weapon that can kill the daityas. What shall I do? Where shall I go? I have no other protector, Paramesha. That is why I came to take refuge with you." So saying, he bowed to Shiva, the paramatman, and stood before him in great distress. Hearing Vishnu, Maheshvara, lord of the gods, gave him his own chakra, Sudarshana, a mass of energy. With it Bhagavan Vishnu, without any strain, swiftly killed the strong daityas. The universe returned to its natural state, the gods were supremely happy, and Hari rejoiced to have his own weapon.

The rishis asked

What are those thousand names of Shankara that Hari recited, by which Maheshvara was pleased and gave him the chakra? Tell us the greatness of the hymn, and show us your kindness by telling accurately the conversation between Shambhu and Vishnu.

Vyasa concluded

Hearing these sages of cleansed souls, Suta remembered Shiva's lotus feet and began to speak.