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Lord Vishnu holds a Disc (Chakra), Conch (Sankha), Komidi Gadha, and also holds other elements like a lotus in his hand.

Is there any explanation in scriptures of why Lord Vishnu holds these particular weapons?

Zanna
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Shree Krishna
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  • Its symbolic, When softness (lotus) doesnt work, you use hard methods (weapons) – Amit Saxena Jun 01 '16 at 17:02
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    You are asking very good questions, Jai Shri Hari :) – ABcDexter Jun 01 '16 at 16:54
  • @ABcDexter Thanks brother . Jai shri Hari.. :) – Shree Krishna Jun 01 '16 at 18:15
  • @AmitSaxena but brother , I don't think so, it's perfect answer. – Shree Krishna Jun 01 '16 at 18:16
  • As per my logic I can say that Disc and conch is play very important role to creation of the universe and each any every thing, like you can take example of wheel, and also take example of the each and every planet's motion is like in circular way. – Shree Krishna Jun 01 '16 at 18:19
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    @ShreeKrishna Yes true, thats why I commented rather than posting an answer. – Amit Saxena Jun 01 '16 at 18:20
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    and I got some knowledge about conch from one of my architecture's friend , he said like the galaxy was created in shape of conch and in the architecture world, the diameter of conch as considered to make any things, like if you take the Coke bottle/ water bottle's mouth (upper part) diameter, they take Conch's diameter for create each and every things, I don't know whether this thing is right or wrong, but he told me like that even-thogh he is clever and very huge knowledge of Architecture. – Shree Krishna Jun 01 '16 at 18:26
  • So, I think that something is related to Disc and Conch for creation of world and other thing , but I want perfect answer if it is in our Scriputers, – Shree Krishna Jun 01 '16 at 18:29
  • You may find symbolism from 1, 2 and 3. – Pandya Jun 18 '16 at 08:17
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    Related: http://hinduism.stackexchange.com/questions/2609/what-is-the-significance-of-weapons – pbvamsi Jul 26 '16 at 09:47

1 Answers1

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Lord Vishnu carries all the tattvas in the world in the form of his weapons. Each weapon and ornament is a symbolism for each tattva.

The symbolism and significance of them are described in 7 verses in Vishnu Purana Chapter 22:

The glorious Hari wears the pure soul of the world, undefiled, and void of qualities, as the Kaustubha gem. The chief principle of things (Pradhána) is seated on the eternal, as the Srivatsa mark. Intellect abides in Mádhava, in the form of his mace. The lord (Íśwara) supports egotism (Ahankára) in its twofold division, into elements and organs of sense, in the emblems of his conch-shell and his bow. In his hand Vishńu holds, in the form of his discus, the mind, whose thoughts (like the weapon) fly swifter than the winds. The necklace of the deity Vaijayantí, composed of five precious gems, is the aggregate of the five elemental rudiments. Janárddana bears, in his numerous shafts, the faculties both of action and of perception. The bright sword of Achyuta is holy wisdom, concealed at some seasons in the scabbard of ignorance. In this manner soul, nature, intellect, egotism, the elements, the senses, mind, ignorance, and wisdom, are all assembled in the person of Hrishikeśa. Hari, in a delusive form, embodies the shapeless elements of the world, as his weapons and his ornaments, for the salvation of mankind.

So, each weapon or ornament corresponds to a tattva.

  • Kaustubha Gem : Soul (Purusha)
  • Sri Vatsa mark : Pradhana Prakruti
  • Kaumodaki Mace : Intellect (Buddhi)
  • Sharga bow : Egotism (Tamasa Ahankára) of elements
  • Panchajanya conch : Egotism (Saatvika Ahankára) of sense organs
  • Sudarshana Chakra : The mind (manas).
  • Vaijayanti Mala : Five elements of rudiments (pancha bhoota)
  • Arrows : Sense organs
  • Nandaka sword : Knowledge (Gnana)
  • Sheath of the sword : Ignorance (Agnana)
Sarvabhouma
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    Well explained !!! – Shree Krishna Oct 30 '17 at 07:42
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    which of these is Rajasika Ahamkara? – DirghaChintayanti Dec 09 '17 at 17:00
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    @SudarshanaSuri, rajasa ahamkara, in the 24 tattva categorization, just acts as an initiator, it is not subdivided into indriyas/tanmatras. – ram Feb 25 '19 at 20:51
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    Yes symbolic mean should interruptedd Gajenjendra is us one got in the crocodile pond of samsara only Sri Hari s grace will release this from crocodile he needs only our saranagathi sisupala is our ashuya on good things when in your field somebody your contemporary got credit for work means one should appreciate instead of critising Krishna chackra need in both case to cut asunder Sudharshan may mean vishnushasra nama by reciting on this we can cut all those – Prasanna R Feb 26 '19 at 06:59
  • @PrasannaR so you mean the events of Mahabharata are symbolical as some of the the kriyayogis claim and they never happened in reality? But the Vaishnava Acharyas never seem to say this –  Feb 26 '19 at 07:20
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    I was saying should also be interrupted otherwise no scripture makes sense – Prasanna R Feb 26 '19 at 07:20
  • Beautiful explanation, never knew Vishnu Purana had such a wonderful exposition. – Surya Feb 10 '22 at 19:30